SUE'S "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" IN CHICAGO BLOG - APPLE PICKING
PICK YOUR OWN THIS FALL!
The kids are back in school, football season has begun (Da Bears), and baseball season is winding down, at least for the South Siders! This can only mean one thing - Fall.
I absolutely love Fall with all its colors and fun things to do with the family before the cold winter sets in. Fall brings back many fond memories of my childhood. My parents would load me and my three sisters in the car and head out to Wauconda Orchards on a Sunday morning in September. Rain or shine, of course!! We would meet up with my Uncle, Aunt and six cousins for a day of picking apples, shopping in the country store, eating donuts, drinking apple cider, going on a hay ride and much more. However, after 42 seasons of being in the business, in 2001, the owners of the Wauconda Orchards decided to retire and that was the last year any crop was harvested. But, following the closing of the farm, their son decided to continue the gift catalog business which was started in the 60's, purchasing a nut company along the way in 2002, and to this day continue to provide delicious wholesome products even to some of their original customers. So, if you're not up to "picking your own" this year go to waucondaorchards.com and place an order. You won't be disappointed.
Now, if you're adventuresome like me, you'll most definitely want to check out one or two apple orchards where you can "pick your own". A few that come to mind are:
Kuipers Family Farm located in Maple Park, IL, about 5 miles west of Route 47. Please note that apple picking and the 5-acre plus corn maze are only open on weekends so plan accordingly.
Jonamac Orchard located in Malta, IL, which is in DeKalb County, offers a full array of activities this harvest season! Besides picking apples and pumpkins, there's a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, kid's activity area, weekend festivals and much more. Check it out!
County Line Orchard located in Hobart, IN. Their 2007 season began September 1st and will wrap up on October 31st. They too have a corn maze - 12-acres, a kid's farm where they can pet and feed the animals, as well as hayrides and evening campfires to be enjoyed by both young and old.
For more information on other apple orchards in and around Illinois, click here.
I think I'll round up my family to continue the Fall tradition that my parents had started many years ago and create more fond memories, especially for my nieces and nephews. I hope you do the same!
IF YOU'VE GOT A MINUTE OR TWO, I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT SOME OF YOUR CHILDHOOD FALL MEMORIES!
DEAN'S TEAM "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" REPORTER,
SUE MOSS
