It was in late November 1986 that Peter Zak and Mary Lloyd-Evans were shown the house and property at 50 Maple Street, East Andover. Jim and Terry Lafiosca of Orchard House Realty were listing it. Mary remembers saying, “There is my dream house – I love the bay windows!” In March 1987, Mary and Peter moved from Plymouth, Massachusetts to East Andover.
The house needed a lot of work and for the next thirty plus years, Peter and Mary would not only replace all of the ceilings and windows but they would build an apple farm with a community of friends and patrons.
Mary taught ten years as Professor of Math and General Studies at New Hampshire Tech. She also taught at Proctor Academy, Deerfield School, and Winnisquam High School. Peter received a Master Gardener’s Certificate through NH Cooperative Extension in 1989. With this training he proceeded to plant more than seventy trees of more than a dozen varieties. They planted blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and currant bushes. Together they created gorgeous annual and perennial flower beds. Peter joined the Apple Growers Association of New Hampshire and the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the New Hampshire Bee Keepers Association, as well as becoming the President of the regional Kearsarge Bee Keepers Association. For many years, he and Mary hosted the KBKA annual holiday gathering.
In the fall of 1992,the first Highland Lake Apple Farm Apple fest was held. It became an annual event lasting twenty-five years. People from far and near would attend. Peter made his famous cabbage soup. Mary made apple cakes- all with products from the farm. Hot dogs and burgers were grilled. They hosted a big Italian dinner in the evening with as many as 35-45 guests. There were bagpipers, accordion players and various other musicians who entertained throughout the weekend. There was a pumpkin growing contest and pressing apples to make fresh cider. Jams, vinegar, marmalade, chutney and other goodies made at the farm were sold at the farm stand. Visitors were encouraged to pick their own apples. The two-day event truly was a celebration of community, harvest and good living.
Peter and Mary have welcomed many school groups to the farm over the years. As a side line – In 2015, Mary published the book, “Willy Finds a Home” about their beloved cat, Willy. Willy was the “official apple orchard greeter, guardian and cashier”. Following the publication, many children and adults stopped to see Willy. Peter has given countless free workshops on the care and pruning of trees. He has generously shared his knowledge of bee keeping, production of honey, apples, cider making and vinegar with others. They have been supporters and participants of the Wilmot Farmers Market as well as other local grower events.
50 Maple Street has had a long history –
In 1974, Ralph Chaffee wrote in “East Andover and its People”, p. 41, “In the large house opposite that of Mrs. Stella Thompson, Mrs. Ethel Nelson ran a boarding house for power plant employees and others in 1924. Oramil Ezekiel Eastman built the present buildings in 1866 and made it his long time home. No doubt there were other buildings of some sort before the present ones, but the only brief record says that Capt. Enoch Merrill once lived there. Lawrence C. and Marie N. Rising [Rising and Charles furniture repair shop in the old ice house boarding house] now own and reside there.” (Stella Thompson died in 1968. In 1974, the house across the road would have been owned by Mark and Sandy Thompson)
Louise Wood bought the home in 1981/82 and lived there until her death in 1985. She enjoyed its history and hosted many social gatherings for the community.
Mary and Peter have added another rich and joyful chapter to its history. Now, they say it is time to find new owners who will enjoy and care for it as much as they have.
MARY AND PETER AND WILLY ARE PRESENTLY RESIDING AT LYON BROOK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IN NEW LONDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE HIGHLAND LAKE APPLE FARM IS LISTED WITH COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE IN NEW LONDON.