Dayton Hubbard, Owner
Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech, and a Master’s from Rutgers, Dayton and his bride Allene moved to southwest Michigan in the 1950s, searching for that perfect piece of farmland.
In 1962 they found it, and went on to raise a myriad of fruits and vegetables, and four daughters. Dayton attributes his success to “a lot of luck, repeat customers, and help from above.”
He reached his 80th birthday milestone in 2010, but that hasn’t slowed him down much. He is still out there everyday, actively working the farm and most important, passing on his wisdom and experience to the younger generations in a “hands-on” way. He still marvels in the beauty of blossoms and the juice of that first peach … and sharing it with a receptive customer base.
Beth Hubbard, Daughter and Manager
Beth returned to the farm in 2008, after leaving a 26 year career in corporate America. She is married to Joe and has two sons, Chad and Jay. Chad is a freshman at the University of Michigan. Jay works at Advanced Auto in Three Rivers and helps out here on the farm. Her German Shepard dog, Denim, is always by her side! She serves on several Boards: The River Country Tourism Council and the Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association. Both Boards work on helping to connect people with local farms for their source of food as well as personal enjoyment of the farm. When she has a free minute, you’ll find her biking, reading, writing or sitting under the shade tree with her father, getting the daily “instructions” on the running of the farm and life in general.
Cathy Zimont, Market Clerk
2008 was Cathy’s first year working with us on the farm, although she’s been enjoying the delicious homegrown produce for decades. She had previously managed a medical office for over 30 years and finally escaped to get her hands dirty!
She loves working outside–especially when the aroma of the fruit is in the air. Her family consists of George, (her better half) and Max the frisky dog. During her leisure time she enjoys her garden and reading, and loves to travel. She is the one responsible for designing all of the various market gardens and the planters, and maintaining them all! She loves the interesting people she meets at the farm market.
Michaela Eberhard, Market Clerk
Michaela Eberhard
2010 was Michaela’s first year working for Corey Lake Orchards. She works in the market almost every day except Thursdays. We give her Thursdays off to bake all day with her mother so that they can sell their wonderful baked goods here on the weekends! Many of you ask if she is part of the Hubbard family, sort of; she is dating Jay, who is Mr. Hubbard’s grandson and Beth’s son. Michaela graduated from Colon High School in 2011. She is looking to pursue a long happy life in baking. And for all of us who love her baking, we are grateful!
Bruce Ruesink, Brandy Maker
Bruce Eruesink in the Brandy House
Bruce has been part of the Corey Lake Orchard community since 1980. Raised on a dairy farm in Lenawee County, he moved to Southwest Michigan when he married. His wife, Leilani, was teaching at Norton Elementary School when they moved into their current home in our neighborhood.
Bruce has recently retired after teaching for 37 years at Paw Paw Middle School. The quiet, somewhat solitary, occupation of a distiller is a distinct, but welcome change for him. He also enjoys the fact that just a short stroll will now bring him to his workplace!
The principle that locally grown fruits and vegetables form the basis of everything sold at Corey Lake Orchards, is wholeheartedly endorsed by Bruce and his wife. He further believes that a strong agricultural presence in an increasingly developed township is vital to the quailty of life of residents and visitors. He is pleased to be part of these endeavors.
Bruce is proud to bottle the results of the previous distillers and intends to maintain the quality of current offerings. He intends to expand the products available, so stop by the Brandy House periodically to taste what’s new and hear about what’s coming. To find out more about our brandy and when you can visit the Brandy House, go to: ttp://www.coreylakeorchards.com/our-brandy/
