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September 14 - 21

Don't Miss A Thing!

The magnificent biodynamic landscape at Genesis Farm in Blairstown, including demonstration and shared gardens, is always open for visitors.
No doubt, fall is the most precious season. It looks good, especially with Northwest New Jersey's usual spectacular crop of fall foliage. And it tastes even better, thanks to the efforts all kinds of farmers. You never really know when autumn's gonna end, but you absolutely know what's coming behind it... SLUSH!
Don't miss a thing this fall. It comes and goes so fast, so keep an eye on our calendar and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed.

Bushels of Fun

An apple orchard in autumn radiates a particular security. A walk among ageless trees laden with the mythical fruit is a trip through a special kind of garden. Apples come in many varieties, each cultivated for its own purpose. All have one thing in common; they are good for you. Visitors are often content to roam traditional orchards. Some include wagon rides to the picking area and shops filled with baked goods. Others sell local cider, and a few places make their own, just like in the old days. More than half of New Jersey's apples ripen in September, so its time to pick yours! Check here for locations and more information.
  • Ochs Orchard. One of the best! Cider made on site from Red Delicious for sweetness, Winesap for tang, McIntosh and Empire for body. 4 Ochs Ln, Warwick, NY, 845/986-1591
  • Brook Hollow Farm. PYO apples, several varieties including semi-dwarf trees (great for kids). Peaches from our orchards, farm market. Near the beautiful Delaware Water Gap, you’ll be glad you found us! Frog Pond Rd., Columbia, 908/496-4577
  • Riamede Farm. Pick your own apples and pumpkins at our 250 year old farm. Simple, authentic and without the carnival. Thirty varieties of apples, traditional, heirloom and your modern favorites. Free hay rides on weekends through the scenic old orchards out to the pumpkin patch. Cider, donuts, jams, local honey & more. 122 Oakdale Rd, Chester 07930, 908/879-5353
  • Beemerville Orchards. Many varieties of apples, pumpkins, mums, homemade cider from our press. U-Pick Apples. Mon.-Sat. 9-6. closed Sundays. For more information please email or call.73 Lusscroft Road (Rt. 649), Sussex, 973/875-1029
  • Pochuck Valley Farm. Pick your own apples, pears, and pumpkins. Our own cider, pies, donuts, breads from our bakery. Breakfast and lunch. Pochuck Valley farm-raised pork and chicken. 962 Route 517, Glenwood, 973/764-4732

Automatic

If you're considering a drive through the western reaches of the Skylands in search of fall flavor this weekend, two annual events deserve attention, plus an early entry into October.
Wilbur's Country Store will host it's 36th annual Fall Craft Fair as always, on the lawn behind Wilbur's barn-style complex where craftspeople and artists from four states will set up their wares in a real country setting. For more information about Wilbur's or the fair, located at 735 Route 94 in Frelinghuysen (between Newton and Blairstown), click or call 908-362-8833.
The annual, Millbrook Days, this weekend, exhibits aspects of pioneer life with skilled and dedicated docents throughout the village. The Millbrook Village Society has worked hard and consistently to bring the village back to life, and this event is a perennial favorite! Althouth it is a re-created community of the 1800s, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Millbrook has a real past.
And the Inn at Millrace Pond gets a jump on October with a music and beer extravaganza featuring long-time local favorites Kinderhook on stage on Sunday, Sept 18. For more information about the Inn, check their website or call 908/459-4884. 319 Hope Johnsonburg Rd. (Rt. 519), Hope.

Rock Me On The Water

Capable of accommodating up to 45 guests, Miss Lotta boasts a newly refurbished full dining room and upper deck as well as a full bar and a state-of-the-art audiovisual system.
Reclaiming that old-time Lake Hopatcong reputation for fine hospitality, Miss Lotta is a 57-foot SkipperLiner dinner cruise vessel sailing from her home port on Nolan's Point six days a week. Available for lunch, dinner and specialty cruises as well as private events, Miss Lotta has a busy fall schedule. This Saturday (September 17), come aboard for Casino Night, in support of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. Fine tune your taste buds on Taco Tuesday (Sept. 20)or the Scotch and Chocolate Cruise on Sept. 28. A lakeside yoga-session is followed by an hour cruise with healthy light fare on Saturday, Sept 24.There's an NFL Cruises on October 3, and Oktoberfest is set for October 14, a lavish buffet-style meal with everything from Sauerbraten to Spatzel. Then a Halloween Brunch on October 30. What a way to see the lake! Book your cruise now!

High Spirits

Make sure to make time for New Jersey's first Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival next Saturday, September 24! The festival’s host, Alba Vineyard, in Milford, NJ, will offer its award-winning wine, along with tastings of wines from around the globe. Jersey craft-brewers, Flying Fish Brewery, River Horse Brewery, High Point Brewing and Brix City Brewing will share samples of their varied offerings. And Claremont Distilled Spirits will be on hand with tastes of locally-sourced vodka, moonshines and whiskey made in Fairfield, NJ.
The Altamarea Group will serve gourmet food from the Morini, Due Mari and Nicoletta Pizza restaurants, including wood-fired pizzas, grilled oysters, seafood salad, and more tantalizing dishes.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Foodshed Alliance, which grew out of a dream of a self-sustaining rural economy, and to preserve our beautiful land of fertile soils, dairy and crop farms, and historic villages. Tickets (21 and over) are $25 online, $35 gate, and $10 for designated drivers and ages 16-21. For information click or call 908-362-7967.

How sweet the sound!

Next Sunday, September 25, Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar, two slide guitar players of national renown, will appear together at Roy's Hall in Blairstown. That's Cindy on the right in the above photo, but that's not Sonny next to her. It's Mark Simon, the luthier who made the .44 Special model guitar in the picture for Cindy. Simon creates the astonishing, hand-crafted Terraplane resonator guitars right here in Bridgewater, NJ. See how he does it!

Plan Ahead!

       

Subscribe!

Sign up to receive your autumn copy of the Skylands Visitor magazine here. While you wait for the mailman, tap our calendar for the best events for you and your family, or check our current stories. Stay tuned to our Day Trip Map for good ideas for a scenic drive! The more aerobically inclined can choose among dozens of natural attractions or outdoor activities suggested on our website. Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, offer brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season.
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