It’s always fun when you stop to get a picture of something and end up making a new friend. That happened to us a few days ago when we stopped to investigate a new pumpkin stand and met OMP resident Gary Appel, who was out biking on a beautiful fall day. That’s him in the photo at the top of this story.
The new pumpkin stand is on the corner of Center Road and Gray Road, and it turned out to be Local Yokels’ stand. Their other long-time stand is farther north at 13130 Center Road – they have a huge assortment of pumpkins, gourds and fall produce at both stands.
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I sent a note to Jen Bramer, who owns Local Yokels with her husband Ben Bramer, to see if they’d purchased the parcel where their new stand is, but haven’t heard back. I know they’re super busy right now – as in, the entire growing season, all spring, summer and fall. They’re farmers, after all. (UPDATE: I did confirm that the Bramers purchased this land that includes the barn.)
This parcel was previously owned by the Kramer’s, who had a huge strawberry field there and also across the road. I’ve written about our friend Barney Kramer here and here on the Gazette.
And I was super glad to meet Gary Appel, who as mentioned, was out riding his bike and graciously let me take a picture of him and his bike and Norte apparel, all of which he said is a big part of his life. Even his bike is orange! (Props to Tim for handing him the pumpkin.)
And here are a few photos of Local Yokels’ farm stand at 13130 Center Road. Tons (probably literally tons) of pumpkins and fall produce.



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The name of the Kramer that was killed by a drunk driver was Doug. That’s the only name I ever heard him called. He was friends with my sister Bonnie.
I’m not sure we ever knew his name was Doug until after he passed, Patty. We always knew him as Barney. Tim and I had a band at the time and even wrote a song about him after he died.
Congratulations to the Bramers!
They will be such awesome stewards of that land and barn!