M W Play!
Around Town
with Benjamin Sykes
Picking Peaches!
Summer time in the Sandhills means
sunshine, sweet peaches and best of all - no
school! Locally grown and harvested from
June until September, peaches are sold from
farmer’s markets, roadside stands, and local
farms all over Moore County.
With names such as: Biscoe, Derby, Candor,
Carolina Belle, WinBlo, Contender, Norman,
Sweet Sue, Flame Prince, Big Red, Autumn
Prince, one is sure to find a favorite!
Just as peaches come in many varieties, they
also present with descriptive words such as
“clingstone” or “freestone.” Clingstone means
that the peach flesh clings to the pit / seed.
Freestone means the peach flesh separates
from the pit. You’ve probably heard of a
freestone peach which is a local favorite in July.
Also peaches can either have yellow flesh or
white flesh.
Peaches have graced our Sandhills since
the late 1800’s. When our lands were being
stripped of the Longleaf pines to support
the naval industry, the sandy pine barrons
became the perfect palette for golf courses,
horse farms, and peach orchards. As wealthy
gentlemen bought up huge tracts of land, ranging
from $1.25 to $.50 an acre, a heritage of goodness
was planted; we continue to reap the harvest.
Come June, July, and August, we give thanks as
the sweet juice runs down our chins with every
bite! Locals enjoy eating peaches whole, cut into
slices sprinkled with sugar, or incorporated into
pies, cobblers, salsa, jellies, and ice cream! Oh my
goodness, a waffle cone of peach ice cream on a
hot day equals classic Sandhills’ living! Nothing
tops peach season! As you enjoy the weeks of
summer, sample the many varieties of peaches
that follow each other’s harvest. And if you get
adventurous throughout the lazy days of summer,
look up local peach recipes and make your own
magic happen!
Make plans to attend the NC Peach Festival in
Candor on the third Saturday each July. As you
start picking peaches, maybe you'll discover a new
favorite to enjoy. ☐
Above: Peach Blossoms
Below: Peach Orchard
Ben enjoys some
peach ice cream
from Ben's.
Colonial Heights Park
Such is the place of legends! Of little
neighborhood start–up games at the baseball
field after long school days. Field A stands in
honor of Maxie Tyndall; Field B honors Robbie
Farrell. Can’t you just imagine the cheering
crowds, oiled gloves, and sweaty ball caps to
shield the sunshine! From baseball fields with
dug outs and bleachers to a volleyball court
of sand, Colonial Heights Park in Aberdeen
challenges you to a game. The playground is a
giant tree house with slides, a tunnel, climbing
wall, and monkey bars. With a pavilion featuring
bathrooms and picnic tables, this park offers a
little bit of everything for all! Bring the family,
invite a friend, bring your imagination and
have some fun!
Park Drive & McMurray Lane • Aberdeen
Matthew’s favorite thing? The bumpy
tree slide / climbing log.
Wesley’s favorite? The climbing wall.
p.38 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 135