Just a few miles from the heavy traffic of Interstate 81, take a drive down a country road. See cows and sheep grazing on the rolling hills on either side of Raphine Road. After passing a vineyard, continue a ways and pass a working gristmill and herb farm. Turn at the driveway of Orchardside Farm and Yarn Shop, cross the bridge and experience the quiet peacefulness and beauty of this lovely place.

You will see a little white cottage, situated by a babbling brook with ducks and geese swimming. Rusty, the farm dog (actually a miniature poodle looking as though he's been knit) will probably come to greet you and when you enter the yarn shop you are likely to see colorful peacocks perched on the railing, looking into the shop through the back window as knitters are sharing conversation and ideas around the table.

It's a rare day if you visit without a warm greeting and friendly offer of assistance because OYS is a service oriented shop, offering hundreds of the latest fibers for knitting and crocheting in amazingly beautiful textures and colors. You will find the very latest in books, magazines, needles and accessories. Sample garments abound to help you visualize your next project.

Some knitters come from long distances and spend the night at local B&Bs or just for a day, bringing a picnic lunch to have under one of the Sycamore or Maple trees by the creek.

If you come in summer, be sure to take the time to walk on the hill and pick the juicy thornless blackberries and red raspberries at Orchardside's "pick your own" berry farm.

Carole feels so blessed and never tires of welcoming visitors to this beautiful place she calls home, and looks forward to opportunities for sharing it with others.