On September 26, 2025, celebrated as John Appleseed Day, the apple became a symbol of love and respect for long-time educator Nancy Willey. Mrs. Willey, 93 years young, was the subject of a surprise dedication planned by Wreaths Across America and Worcester Resources. A new apple tree grove, nestled on the balsam fir tipland, was named in Mrs. Willey’s honor as local school children, and her own children, who had traveled from various parts of the country to share the special event, flanked the open field where six young apple trees were soaking up the sun.

Just in front of the trees, a freshly painted white wooden bench sat, where those who rested there could look upon the newest monument to grace the tip land. Atop a bright red cement apple, a plaque dedicating the new Nancy Willey Legacy Orchard explained the significance of the dedication.

With a large American flag billowing in the wind behind the orchard, Wreaths Across America’s Chairman of the Board, Wayne Hanson, spoke of Johnny Appleseed and his service as a Minuteman during the American Revolution. Fittingly, the apple tree varieties planted in the new orchard are Freedom and Liberty. Every year, six more trees will be added to the orchard.

During her tenure as a public-school educator, Mrs. Willey had both Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director Karen Worcester and her husband, Wreaths Across America’s Founder, Morrill Worcester, as students. Later in life, she would also go on to homeschool some of their children. She continued to educate thousands as the cherished curator of the Wreaths Across America National Museum in Columbia Falls, Maine. Additionally, Mrs. Willey authored many children’s books, never seeing them officially published until now.

As part of the surprise apple orchard dedication, Mrs. Willey was presented with her children’s book, Bailey the Balsam Fir Tree. That story, featuring a proud young balsam fir tree named Bailey, was beautifully illustrated by local resident Sarah Pedneault Anderson and published by Wreaths Across America. Copies were sold out today, but will soon be available in the gift shop located at Wreaths Across America’s National Museum and in the online store found at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org