COCHECTON CENTER — In November. a crate of pears arrived at Heinle’s General Store in Cochecton Center. While unpacking the crate, owner Doug Heinle found the following message on the packing sheet: “These pears are special. They represent our year’s work. We pruned each pear tree during the winter, sat up throughout the night with the blossoms during the frost season, irrigated and fertilized the crop throughout the summer, and finally picked each pear individually, by hand, to get them into this box the best way we knew how.  

...We’re awfully proud to endorse them.” 

The packing sheet was signed by the employees of the Alex R. Thomas Company of California. Seeing this, Doug Heinle felt these pears to be special and rewarding. He sent a letter to the company thanking them for their delicipus pears and personal touch. It was signed by the employees of Heinle’s. 

At Christmas time, Heinle received the following note from Mr. Alex. R. Thomas, owner of the pear company: “Your very nice letter helped to make our Christmas a joyous one. Perhaps you’ll recognize something familiar in the attached Christmas card that is being mailed today to over 200 employees.” 

“Our very best wishes to all of you for Christmas and 1982.”  

In a world where so much is taken for granted, the recognition and care found in this exchange is unsurpassable.