Norz Farm field is tribute to freedom
Hurricane Irene slapped some damage on township farmer Rich Norz, but won’t stop him from opening his Lady Liberty corn maze on Sunday.
The storm knocked down some sweet corn, but spared the meticulously cut paths in a five-acre tract next to his farm stand on South Branch Road.
If you look from the air, the cornfield takes the outline of the Statue of Liberty and includes the words, “Never Forget 9/11/01” and “God Bless America.”
The maze and fall season will open at1 p.m. by observing the nationwide moment of silence, followed by an invocation. The fall festival is marked by pumpkin picking, hay rides and visits to farm animals.
Proceeds from ticket sales to the corn maze and farm tours will go to the Hillsborough fire departments, rescue squad and PBA.
”I really wanted to do something in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9-11,” said Mr. Norz. “I’ve been calling it the ‘Freedom Maze.’ It’s important we honor the freedom we have in this country.”
Mr. Norz, who is 42, said the terrorist attack is one of the historic events of his life. “This is my Pearl Harbor,” he said.
Hurricane Irene took a few sheets of metal off the barn roof, and did other minor damage, but nothing to deter a farmer who has learned to roll with the punches.
”We lost about one-third of our pumpkins, but the good news is we’ve got about 70 percent left.”