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Page 10 January 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

B u s i n e s s news

The Smiths Talk Turkey at Hillside Turkey Farm

Deb Abraham Spalding

Courtesy Photos
In 1939, customer, who
Pauline Smith is looking for
lived in the individual-
white stucco portion
house at the packaging.
corner of Elm “That’s why it’s
Street and important to
Emmitsburg serve a single
Road in customer or
Thurmont. an entire party
One day, of people,”
someone gave said Judi. She
her turkey explained that
eggs. Pauline customers
had an idea; can custom
she decided order rotisserie
to put the chickens and,
eggs under Pauline is shown with Ross Smith Sr. (left) and Ross Smith Jr. (right) of Hillside Pictured from left are Ashley, Bryan Jr., Bryan, Judi, and Derek Smith. occasionally,
a chicken, Turkey. smoked meats,
hoping they or they can make special orders with
would hatch. And, (left) The smoke house can cook many advanced notice.
turkeys at one time on 3’x3’ racks.
they did! From that Wood chips feed the smoke. A huge The Smiths are making a special
day on, she raised soup kettle is used for pot pies and effort to have individual servings
turkeys and sold soups. prepared so that customers can take
them to friends for (below) Turkeys are shipped to the serving home and freeze it or
Thanksgiving and Pennsylvania for processing. A portion just pop it in the oven, while still
Christmas dinners. of them are returned to the store for servicing the customer who will
Over the years, further processing. The whole bird is need larger quantities. Pre-packaged
the interest in her used, and several kinds of things are products in smaller
made from it.
turkeys increased, quantities, like pot pies
and she realized and turkey dinners,
that there was are popular for
enough of a market individuals, while the
for turkeys to start eighty-piece chicken
a business. Already package is a bulk deal
owning a beef and for people hosting
dairy operation, parties or desiring to
Pauline and husband, Ross, decided their sons, Ross III and Bryan, package and freeze it
to go into turkeys full-time. took over when Ross Sr. got sick. themselves.
Seeing a promising opportunity, Today, Ross Jr.’s son, Bryan and his For parties, smoked
the Smiths created Hillside Turkey wife, Judi, have been running the breast, deli meats, and
Farm. Pauline’s husband, Ross, and turkey business for approximately cheese can be used to
her children, Betsy, Carlotta, Ann, twenty years. All of Bryan and prepare trays; smoked
Ross Jr., and Jimmy all worked for Judi’s children—Bryan Jr., Ashley, turkey salad makes a
the business at some point in time. and Derek—have worked at the great cracker spread,
Ross Jr. and his wife, Grace, with business in some capacity while and shrimp and crab
growing up. Bryan Jr. worked the store for further processing, meaning meat (available occasionally) round out
business full-time until he took a new the whole bird is used and several the party spread.
job in Frederick. Derek works while things are made from it. They will “Turkey Italian sausage is
attending college at Mount St. Mary’s be processed for sale as fresh turkeys excellent when baked 25-35 minutes
University. Both boys show interest or prepared by smoking, rotisserie in a 19x13 pan, then cut into slices
in the family business; yet, as parents, cooking, curing, or becoming an and tossed in a crock pot with
Bryan and Judi want the boys to ingredient in salads, pot pies, and sauce. It’s much easier than making
discover all their career options, so other foods. meatballs,” shared Judi.
they can choose what’s best for them. Obviously, the Smith’s turkey Hillside turkeys are antibiotic–free
According to the USDA, Hillside business has grown over the and nothing is ever injected, such as
Turkey Farm’s retail store on Elm generations. Today, the farm has the added oils or fats. Check out Hillside
Street in Thurmont is known as a capability to raise 180,000 birds per Turkey Farm by visiting them in
Further Processing Plant. The Smith’s year, and it is the job of Bryan and person at 30 Elm Street in Thurmont,
farm on Hoover’s Mill Road in Judi to see that it continues to grow, viewing and ordering online at
Thurmont is where the turkeys are as technology and shopping trends www.HillsideTurkey.com, or calling
raised. They are then transported for change. The bulk customer, who 301-271-2728. Tell them you saw
processing in Pennsylvania. Some of freezes and prepares their own large- them here in The Catoctin Banner
the turkeys are shipped back to the quantity orders, is joined by the single newspaper!