Masker’s Orchards celebrates 100th anniversary

WARWICK — Last Friday, Sept. 6, state and local officials joined owners George Vurno and Victor Ludmerer for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Masker’s Orchards.

Masker’s, a well-known pick-it-yourself apple orchard, has been an agricultural asset in this area since 1913.

The farm was originally purchased by Ora J. Masker and his wife Rena.

Since then, the 200-acre family-run apple orchard has expanded to include 14 apple varieties grown on more than 20,000 individual trees.

After Ora Masker died in 1969, the orchard was purchased by Vurno and Ludmerer, who soon became known as “Apple George” and “Apple Jack.”

The partners were pioneers in the pick-it-yourself apple sales that attract thousands of visitors to Warwick every fall. And with a location just off Route 17A, they command a lion’s share of that business.

Vurno and Ludmerer have also expanded the business to include baby barnyard animals, pony rides and wagon rides.

“In today’s economy,” said Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, “it is vital that we do everything we can to help family-run businesses stay alive and vibrant for they truly are the landscape of our community. For 100 years the Masker family farm has literally been the landscape of the Warwick valley and apple picking is a much-loved tradition for generations of residents.”