Circle J Ranch continues to enhance 119-year-old church

Apple Fest fundraiser this Saturday

Circle J Ranch plays host to its annual Apple Fest fundraiser this Saturday in a day full of fruit, fun and music.

At this Saturday’s Apple Fest, there will be more than 30 vendors, apples and pears from the ranch at the produce stand, music, face painting and children’s games and activities.

The first Apple Fest was started by then camp director Breece Ferguson, who said they should invite friends over during harvest and “it has evolved to what we know now as our annual Apple Fest” current camp coordinator Jackie Denison said.

In addition to the produce and products from vendors, there will also be apple pies for sale.

“This year may look a little different from previous Apple Fests to those who have been faithful annual guests. We will have 35 vendors selling their merchandise in the shade by the creek. Circle J items around the lodge will include face painting, homemade apple crisp and ice cream, and two fundraising tables.

“This year our guests will have to choose from one of our four tasty food trucks; Los Werquillos for local Mexican food, Havok BBQ from Cody, The Pig and The Hog also from Cody, and hamburgers or brats from Paintrock Processing,” Denison said.

She added, “Plan to bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day with us as we celebrate our Father’s abundant blessings. The weather is looking like it will be fabulous. We have a brand new play structure for the children to enjoy as well as games and crafts.”

Music begins at 10 a.m. with Dan Garnett of Worland, followed at 11 by Stephany Butcher of Thermpolis; Joe and Rachel Moon of Thermopolis at noon and Pastor Kayi and Denise Pfoze at 1 p.m.

Jennifer Kumpe and parents from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Worland will sing at 2 p.m.

THE RANCH

According to camp coordinator Jackie Denison, the United Methodist Church purchased the ranch outside of Ten Sleep from the Doyle family in 1954. She said UMC Rev. Robert Goff had a vision for the land and “several families helped complete the transaction. “Rev. Goff wanted the land dedicated to Jesus Christ to help inspire people to keep Jesus at the center of their thoughts, words and deeds,” Denison said. Thus the name Circle J (Jesus) in the center.

Denison said the Methodist Church used to have a camp up by Meadowlark Lake and it became a ski area so they contacted the Doyles about their land.

A portion of the apple orchard was planted more than 100 years ago. Denison said she was told by Bill McNutt that some of the trees came across in a wagon.

They have continued to expand the orchard over the years and currently have four varieties of plums, four varieties of pears and nine varieties of apples.

The apple varieties are Zestra, Red McIntosh, Sweet 16, Freedom Crisp, Cortland, Honey Crisp, Liberty, Honey Gold, Yellow Transparent, Green Grabenstein and the oldest Haralson.

For the festival, Denison said they will have plenty of apples but noted the harvest is down from last year. “Just about the time they were blooming we were hit with a hard wind and freeze. There are fewer than last year but we have an ample supply,” she said.

They had a bumper pear crop. Plums, she noted, do not last long so they are sold as soon as they are picked and Sept. 20 was the last day for picking plums.

This year the funds from Apple Fest will go toward new siding of the 119-year-old chapel. Denis said it was built in 1905 and was originally in the Ten Sleep Cemetery and moved to the ranch in 1975.

The siding is expensive because as a historical building they have to keep the integrity close to the original.

The missionary group, Nomads, will return next year (they worked at the ranch in 2023) and they hope to have them put the siding on at that time.

“We are always trying to make it better for guests who come,” Denison said, adding that they rent the grounds from mid-May through mid-October for reunions, weddings, educational events, retreats and religious events.

Volunteers are always appreciated at the ranch and especially at Apple Fest. Anyone wanting to help out is encouraged to contact Denison at 307-431-8888.