I took advantage of one of those beautiful late fall days to go to the apple orchard. The drive was beautiful. So many trees had colorful leaves. When I arrived, the ladies who were working recognized me. They told me they read my column. We talked about my visits. In the years since I discovered Whittier Farm, I have returned often.

My first visit came when we were visiting a friend of my husband. Actually, the man was a friend of my father-in-law. They worked together at one of the furniture factories in Jamestown.

During our visit they suggested we visit the orchard. Of course, I bought some apples. Usually, when I visit the orchard, I purchase at least one bushel of apples. They are a lot cheaper at the orchard than they are in the store.

The farm has expanded how it operates. They now have a large cider press station as well as a facility that can be rented during the winter, spring, and summer months for weddings and family gatherings. Everything looks beautiful.

One year before I married, Dick and I hosted a hay ride. My brother-in-law drove the tractor around the farm. Prior to the hay ride we gathered all of the apples from the trees around our farms that were on the ground and made our own cider. The cousins were there to help so it was fun. We ended up with plenty of cider.

I made a centerpiece in a tractor and wagon that Dick had. It looked real cute. I collected some pretty wild flowers. I cannot remember what we had to eat, but we had cider. It was a beautiful night for a hayride.

Fast forward a few years. Now I was married and had children of my own.

During those years we picked Spy apples up at my sister-in-law’s farm. I especially liked those because they kept well. They were good for applesauce to can and for pies. I had a pie filling recipe that I canned as well.

For many years once I moved to the farm, we used our own apples. We had a tree that was grafted and two kinds of apples grew on it. One of the kinds was brown by nature. They were called Russets. My son especially liked those. The kids used to tease him when he took them in his lunch saying he had rotten apples. They were not rotten, they were just brown.

The other apple on that same tree were called Kings. They were tart, but they were yellow inside. They kept pretty well. They developed brown spots in them that did not hurt them one bit. They still cooked up as they should.

After the farms were split up, I once again bought apples. By then the grandchildren were around. They all loved fresh apples and took them in their lunches. My favorite apple is the Cortland. They are so white and crisp. They are quite tart but soften when they age. I bought one bushel of the Cortland variety this year. Back in the day I came home with several bushels of apples so that I could share.

Mulled cider is good. You just simmer it along with some spices. I also use cider in breads, cakes, and donuts.

Another place that I got apples from was the Olson orchard in Akeley. I paid Shirley for them then made arrangements when I wanted to pick them up. I usually put aside two or three bushels of apples. She had a great place to store them.

If all of this is making you hungry for apples, come to the Akeley Christian Fellowship Church for the Harvest Dinner. There will be some apple pies and some pumpkin pies. There will also be turkey, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and salad. The dinner is being held at the former Akeley United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 28. It is a drive-thru dinner. Just pull in with your car and we will bring out your dinners. The price is by donation. It begins at 4:00 p.m. and continues until 6:30 p.m. or until sold out. The proceeds will be used for mission work.

Ann R. Swanson writes from Russell. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.