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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2026 7 By Janet Boyce, Resident Now that there has been an introduction to the local goat farm near our community in last month's View Magazine, I took the tour they offer one Saturday per month at 10 am. The tour is given by the owner of the farm, a veterinarian. He has an average of approximately 500 goats, all females except for about five males for breeding. The goats are cared for daily on this active, working farm. They are milked twice a day in groups of 50 or so. The process is quite detailed and very clean. Goat milk is primarily used to make cheese. They also make soaps and skin lotions. The farm is open every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm to buy these products, and you can also pet the goats. The special tour is on one of those Saturdays each month. The cost is $20 and well worth it. At the end of the hour-plus tour, you get to be amongst all the goats to pet them and feed them if you like. Some of the goats are in separate pens, due to pregnancy, age, or for breeding purposes. They also have a small pen for the newborns right next to the little shop. On my way out, I got to hold a three-day-old baby goat! I was so excited and loved the feeling. The farm is very organized, and the people who work there are very friendly. If you can make a point of going out to the goat farm, and maybe even taking a tour, their address is 33920 Simpson Road in Winchester. To reserve a tour, go on their website: drakefamilyfarms.com, and they will put your name(s) on a list for that particular Saturday. You just show up at 10 am, because you pay online beforehand. I hope you have a wonderful experience. By Clare Mendez, Resident Sweetheart Candies, affectionately known as conversation hearts, are the small heart-shaped candies with affectionate messages printed on them traditionally exchanged around Valentine's Day by children. These special little treats with short but meaningful messages such as "Cutie," "XOXO," "Be Mine," or "True Love" displayed on the face have been a staple for Valentines Day for generations. Originally made by Necco in 1902, the brand is now owned by the Spangler Candy Company. The recipe, and therefore the taste of the hard candies, has not changed much through the years, but the messages have changed drastically, I suppose to appeal to kids today. The box I bought recently displayed messages such as "Text Me," "Tweet," "DM Me," "Adorbz" and "TTYL." These messages are not ones you would want to give to your sweetheart. This year the candy giant Brach's Candy is getting in on the fun and taking the candy hearts global. With its latest launch, you'll find heart-shaped treats featuring over 30 romantic expressions in 13 different languages, warmhearted messages such as "Babe," "Love You," "Bestie" and the all-time favorite, "Be Mine." What's more, each pack of these candy hearts contains a blend of six flavors. So, if your "True Love" needs a Valentines "Tweet," why not give them a "Love You," "Babe", and a tender hearted "Be Mine." Sweetheart Candies Drake Family Farm Goat Tour