The Daily Dispatch

Davis Orchards began selling apples in Breckenridge on a whim in 1969. Alan Davis bought an orchard of his own that same year and traveled to Oakes to try his luck. After a good day of selling fresh apples, he found Breckenridge on a map and tried his luck at the old Pavilion parking lot. He met two life-long friends that day — Lynn Hoverman and Matt Braun.

"I was kind of on [Lynn's] turf," Davis said. Hoverman was selling produce at the Pavilion parking lot too and asked Davis what he was doing there.

"I found him a building to put his apples in because he was just selling out of a small truck," Hoverman said.

Davis stopped by the gas station Braun owned to sell him apples to sell at his gas station. Each year since, the men have gotten together. Braun and Hoverman now serve as public relations specialists for Davis Orchards in the Twin Towns. They get the word out, Hoverman said.

Davis said he, his grandfather and uncle started selling in the Dakotas and Minnesota because it was hard to come by good produce before the interstate system was built.

"I wouldn't even attempt to start this business today, because today they can get fairly good produce in the stores, where they didn't have 40 years ago," Davis said.

But the reputation he has built with the Wahpeton-Breckenridge community stands true and he has multiple repeat customers.

Davis and his workers were in Breckenridge Friday, but for only five hours. They typically stay for two days, but this year Davis' uncle retired. They had to cut Jamestown and Valley City, cut one day at Grand Forks and Breckenridge, and add Fargo to the route.

"We've gotten a lot of calls from Jamestown and Valley City," he said. "My friends in Wahpeton-Breckenridge... said 'five hours is not enough, you've got to re-think your business.'" Davis said he feels bad about the cut in hours, but stressed it's not the quantity but the quality of his produce that matters.

However, Friday was not the only time they will be here this year. They will return Nov. 13 and Dec. 11.

Davis told his wife he would only drive for five years, and that was 35 years ago, he said. "It's a working vacation for me," he added. "After 40 years I have tons of friends."

The three reasons Davis enjoys traveling to the area are because he likes apples, people and trucks. Plus, seeing the fruits of his labor is also important.

Despite the wind whipping over the plains, he loves coming to Breckenridge. "I just love the people," he said.

For more information on Davis Orchards, visit www.applelovers.com.

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