Today we are combining two events into one . . . We'll begin with a tour of the Graber Olive House in Ontario, we'll have lunch, and then we'll fill our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
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| Graber Olive House |
Entering the grounds of the Graber Olive House is a like stepping back in time. The Graber Family has been growing and processing olives using the same equipment for well over 100 years (since 1894 to be exact) . . . truly an example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Their grounds also contain interesting pieces from a bygone era . . .
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| Olive Mill |
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| Old Wagon for hauling alfalfa seed and hay |
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| Hitching Post |
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| Olive Tree |
We enjoyed walking around and looking at all these treasures. Before we could begin our tour of the processing plant, we had to get properly geared up . . .
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Don't we look cute? The hair nets really set off our hats, doncha think?
L-R: Leslie, Chris, Carol N, Debbie, Queen Carol L, Seema, Joy, Barbara |
It was so interesting to learn how olives get from the trees into the cans you find on the grocery store shelf. Because it was early in the season, we didn't get to see most of the machinery in action. But they have wonderful display boards, and an excellent tour guide, who brought the process to life.
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| Our tour begins . . . |
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The process begins by carefully inspecting each and every
olive by hand |
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This machine dates back to the 1890's and has been in use ever since.
The olives roll along and drop through the strings according to size . . . |
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| And fall into the appropriate bins. |
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| Beautiful olives all nicely sorted and all the same size |
From here the olives are put into concrete vats to be cured for three weeks. We weren't allowed into the vat room, but we did get a little peek at some empty vats and learned about the process . . .
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| The actual concrete vats |
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| Information about the Vats |
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| What the vatting process looks like |
Next comes the canning process . . .
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| The Filling Wheel |
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| Sorting the olives one last time, and hand-filling the cans |
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| Making sure each can has the same exact number of olives |
The next step is filling the cans with hot water and then sealing the cans . . .
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| The Can Closing Process |
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| Panama Paddle Packer |
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Sealed cans are placed in canning carts and taken to the boiler room
to be sterilized |
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| Sterilization Process |
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| Open Retort |
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| Canning cart entering Retort |
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| Sealed Retort |
After the cans are properly sterilized, the next step is labeling . . .
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| The labeling process |
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| The labeling machine |
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| Labeling in process |
Lastly, the cans are put into cartons and are ready for shipment . . .
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| Cartons of Graber Olives |
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| The carton supply |
Such an interesting process. Who knew there was so much involved? We all really enjoyed our tour. There were a couple very interesting displays of photos and information about the Graber family . . .
After our tour, we naturally had to take a stroll through the two wonderful little gift shops . . .
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| One of two gift shops |
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| So many unique, cute and delicious gift ideas |
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| We all left a few $$ here - and will probably be back |
When we finally had our retail therapy fill, it was time for lunch at . . .
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| Molly's Souper |
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Such a nice day to enjoy lunch on the patio
Clockwise from Left: Debbie, Barbara, Chris, Seema, Leslie, Queen Carol L, Carol N, Joy |
After lunch, we headed to the Noble-Torian Manor for the Outreach portion of our day. We laid our treasures out on the table, and Queen Debbie started us off by reading some stories about Samaritan's Purse and how these little shoebox gifts are making a difference in the lives of children all around the world . . .
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| Queen Debbie reading about Operation Christmas Child |
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| While everyone listens intently |
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| Our shoebox items ready for packing |
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| Filling the shoeboxes |
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| This part is so much fun |
This year we filled nine shoeboxes - five for girls / four for boys. It would be so amazing to see their little faces when they open them. Even more amazing is that God already has picked out the little boy or girl who will receive each one. May they each be truly blessed, and may this open their lives to the most amazing gift of salvation.
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L-R: Back - Joy, Barbara, Chris, Carol L, Queen Debbie, Seema
Front: Carol N, Leslie |
Thank you, Queen Carol L and Queen Debbie for such a fun day. And thank you, ladies, for your warm and giving hearts, always ready to reach out to others. Best feeling ever.
