A citrus hobbyist never retires. Here's proof:

Source: http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2007/11/26/news/news01.txt

At 88, fruit grower Neal Dudley still enjoys working in his groves and chatting with customers at his fruit stand

By RACHEL KATZ, DAILY SUN

WEIRSDALE — It seems anyone across the nation can buy a real Florida orange these days.

In fact, in New York City, people who visit Times Square Plaza through Saturday will be greeted by several video spots promoting “Fresh from Florida” agricultural products on the CBS “Super Screen.”

The videos, paid for by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, feature not only oranges, but also other Florida crops, like grapefruit, tangerines and bell peppers.

Yet in Weirsdale, there is the chance to savor the sweetness of fresh-off-the-tree fruit. “It’s fresh. It’s never been run through a packing house,” said fruit-grower Neal Dudley. “It’s just a fresh, home-grown orange.”

You’ll miss Dudley’s place if you’re not looking closely enough. The fruit stand sits on the side of the road, nestled in front of Dudley’s old electrical and plumbing store.

Two old, blue tractors sit on the lawn, and bushels of oranges, grapefruits and tangerines rest under an awning. On these 12 acres of orange groves in Weirsdale, Dudley both lives and works, splitting his time between the customers and the grove.

“I’ve always liked groves,” he said, smiling gently. At 88, many people would settle into retirement, but not Dudley — he lives for his business.

“People wonder why I’m out here,” he said, chuckling. Dudley planted his first grove in 1952, but it disappeared with freezes.

The grove that stands on his property was planted in 1987, and he said he has been selling his wares in his roadside stand for the past nine years. Since he retired from the plumbing and electrical industries in 1990, Dudley has found great joy in the groves.

He especially likes talking to the many customers who stop by his stand. “I just plain enjoy it,” he said. “I enjoy meeting the people out there.”

The customers find equal pleasure in the fresh fruit and Dudley’s cheery disposition, but Dudley insists there is nothing special about his particular grove.

“There’s no story,” he said. “I’m just here.”

Dudley Citrus Groves are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily on County Road 42 in Weirsdale. For more information, call Neal Dudley at 821-2514.

Rachel Katz is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be contacted at 753-1119, ext. 9265 or rachel.katz@thevillagesmedia.com.