What a year 2025 has been. We've had so many challenges and

victories this year and are elated that the season of celebrating

Christ's birth is here. A time to truly contemplate and be

grateful for His sacrifice made on our behalf, so many 

years ago. A time to slow down, let our hearts, bodies and

minds rest, and be with the ones we love most. 

​

I'd love to share a little story of selfless giving, something

that has transpired over the year. In April, I conducted my

apple tree grafting class as I do every Spring season. One of 

my students to attend, Bill, was a kind man - a gentle soul, 

someone who wanted to fill some of his retirement years

learning about and growing old varieties of apples. I was

happy to have him join the class as anyone who knows me, knows

that I tend to befriend gentlemen in their retirement years. I 

believe it's simply because I love hearing their stories, and

appreciate their willingness to share their pearls of wisdom-

​

I came to learn that Bill had also taken up another past-time,

something he had decided upon at the urging of one Mr. Santa

Claus he had met down in Coeur d' Alene some time ago.

My friend is known by the name Santa Bill, and his wife Terri?

Mrs. Claus. 

Now I don't know what it is about santas and apples, but I can 

tell you that since Athol Orchards inception in 2016, I've 

be-friended now three Santas. The North Idaho Santa,

Santa Gowan up in 9 Mile Falls, and Santa Bill.

Santa Claus loves apples.

And I simply LOVE this connection. 

 

Erreck has been steadily occupied with his father's business

this season, which has meant that the fate of our beloved

Orchard Crates was in the balance. He simply did not have time

to harvest, mill, finish and build the Orchard Crates we would

need for all the coming Christmas orders. 

Well, one day this past late Summer, Santa Bill stopped by

with some feral apples he'd discovered down in Cougar Gulch.

I couldn't help but notice his truck had a contractors rack on it. 

Concerned about the fate of our Christmas offerings, an idea

struck me. I wonder if Bill may be interested in building us some

crates. After all, he did have that contractors rack right? 

​

Well, my hunch was correct. I asked him if he was a craftsman

and he did indeed confirm. Santa Bill in fact has his own 

workshop, and builds shelters for wayward cats, his wife

Terri's heart project.

We struck a lovely bartering agreement, and I'm 

so happy to announce that we do in fact, have our 2025 Christmas

Orchard Crates being hand crafted by none other than, Santa Claus. 

The image above was sent to me just this past week, a surprise he'd

put together with his wife's help. Not a person on this earth can 

understand the gratitude and love I feel for these two lovely 

people, who came to my family at a time we needed it the most. 

Selfless love and kindness. This is the reason for the season. 

Merry Christmas everyone,

and may God bless you and your families this 

season and the seasons to come.

  

Love The Conley Family