Picking apricots

Claude Nicholson picks apricots from a tree on his and his wife Sharon?s 40-acre organic farm in rural Fairfield. The 75-year-old man picks apricots and cherries standing on a platform attached to the bucket of his tractor. He reaches a platform by climbing up a ladder place along the side. Since his retirement, Nicholson has been busy doing what he loves: farming and gardening. He makes Aronia granola bars in his kitchen and sells them and his produce at Fairfield Farmers? Market. Nicholson was visited this summer by his daughter, Mychelle Clark of Decorah, granddaughter Kadie Archer and 8-month-old great-granddaughter Alizabeth of Georgia. Clark said, ?I enjoyed my stay with him and was able to help out a little on the farm. It was a great experience for me, and I will treasure that time for many years to come. My dad is proof that age is only a number and I pray I will be as active as him when I get to be that number.?