The Orchard Ridge Farm store on Route 237 reopened on Thursday Jan. 8, after being closed for almost a week due to a devastating fire that occurred during the early hours of Friday Jan. 2. Erica Gottshalk woke to the smell of smoke coming from the kitchen, then awakened her husband Will and their two-year-old son. (Their twelve-year-old son was away that night).

All three members of the family who were home that night escaped without injury, but the fire caused severe damage to the 101-year-old farmhouse. Firefighters were unable to stop the fire from spreading due to the old house’s construction methods. The farmhouse was damaged beyond repair, and the water system for the farm was damaged and cut off.

The Gottshalks began receiving offers of assistance almost immediately. At the same time, Erica Gottshalk’s mother, Mary Walker, who is the co-owner and co-operator of the farm, heard about the fire while visiting in Virginia. She immediately returned to Gorham to assist the Gottshalks.

Walker and the Gottshalks were surprised when representatives of several Gorham businesses offered free assistance with the complex task of getting the water system working, which included using their employees and construction equipment. Even a temporary fix was challenging because the water connection is in the basement, and the entire house was severely damaged. Also, a neighbor offered the Gottshalks the opportunity to stay in an unused house that he owns.

The Orchard Ridge Farm store successfully reopened on Thursday Jan. 8. Walker and Gottshalks thanked all the community members who helped make the reopening possible, the Gorham Fire Department and other first responders. Gottschalk commented that it has been very gratifying to see so many people show up so quickly to help neighbors in need.

The Reed Allen Community Fund is leading fundraising efforts to assist the Gottshalks with their ongoing needs. They announced that all funds donated during January will go toward assisting the Gottshalks. Reed Allen recently presented Erica Gottshalk with a check for $18, 000.