By ANITA HIRSCH

Special to The Press

Time to celebrate a new year and make a toast with eggnog from Crystal Spring Farm, Schnecksville.

Hubert and Grace Sell purchased the dairy farm in 1966 and some of that milk is made into eggnog right on the premises.

Both are still working, although now just two days a week.

Those who visit the retail store and taste the products, will return again and again.

Hubert developed the recipe for their ice cream, although he has changed it slightly over the years to make the taste more delicious.

Fresh milk and cream from the dairy herd are also used for the ice cream.

The Holsteins are milked everyday, 365 days a year and, of course, milk is the best seller.

The cows are bred and raised from birth.

Milk is sold as whole, low fat, 1 percent and skim, as well as, half and half and flavored.

There is strawberry and pumpkin milk, according to the season, plus many other popular flavors.

The beef is sent out to a local butcher who cuts it into portions and flash freezes them.

Meat is returned to the farm market to sell as steaks, roasts, beef cubes, chipped steak, and ground beef and patties.

Beef bones are used in soups sold in the deli and they prepare delicious dried beef with less salt than used in other markets.

They also make oxtail soup.

The Sells’ daughter, Audrey Sell Marsteller, is store manager.

Baked goods sold in the retail store are made from scratch five days a week on the premises.

Popular and delicious Pennsylvania Dutch sweets such as funny cake, pumpkin and apple nut breads, and cheese, coconut custard, shoofly, apple and crumb pies, and chocolate cupcakes topped with cream cheese, can be found on the shelves at various times.

The Sell family have been working together all their lives and remain strong as the fourth generation takes over.

All take part in the business, including cousins, now is extending to the fifth generation.

Rivel soup and oyster stew are made every day.

Lunch may be purchased and eaten at tables inside and outside during the warm weather.

Prepared salads including coleslaw, potato salad and pickled red beet eggs are available to purchase and take home.

There are always fresh fruits and vegetables available.

Crystal Spring Farm, 3550 Bellview Road, Schnecksville, is open seven days a week. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, call 610-799-4611.