One, two, three, four.

Get my shoes on at the door.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Feels great.

I'm gonna sign up to do and guys aren't gonna do about to do what they do.

Yeah.

Look at this guy with the beautiful color about the and just for me he's gonna share it with another I got to show to get.

I want to finish.

I'll take a look at that beautiful morning that turns to a beautiful evening.

Look at the big beautiful.

And if you want to see that, come along with me.

That's right.

Fall is officially here.

We're rested, ready for the temperatures.

Feel a little cooler today.

Today, I know, because it's been a little bit humid lately.

But we are getting into and today we are on some solid ground ground, no Sawako Ground, even Springs Park in Benton Harbor.

And you can see some of the historical buildings behind us.

Don't worry, it's not too scary, not too scary.

But we talk about that next week, next week.

And you'll also see us get a little spooky training, right, perhaps?

Oh, yeah.

We have a lot brewing on today's show.

What do you have?

I went up to three one seller and had a luxury picnic in the Vineyard.

Oh, yeah.

So Square was really.

I can't wait for you guys to see that.

And what did you do?

Well, you know, Dave actually checked out our place, too.

I know we care about a lot of things, but there are a hundred women who care.

And Day is going to tell us all about that.

Nice.

And then also, well, of course, it is apple picking season.

Can't go wrong there.

I checked out the Apple patch, which is over in North Liberty, Indiana.

And I have to tell you, probably the best cider that I've ever had.

Really?

It was amazing.

Really?

What's your favorite?

Apple?

My favorite.

I like a jazz apple or a Fuji apple.

Like a golden delicious or a Granny Smith.

Honeycrisp is good, too.

You know what?

Let's just go to the apple picking because let's just go there and see.

Well, today we're heading a bit off the beaten path, so we're heading to the apple patch here in North Liberty, Indiana.

I have with a Sukkoth, one of the owners, along with your husband, Bill.

Yes.

This is just a fabulous space and really a local hometown orchard.

Yes, it is.

How long have you had the orchard here?

We've we've had our orchard open 16 years.

And you actually planted this originally?

Yes, we did use it.

And how long does it take for apples to start bearing fruit?

Depends on the variety, some of them.

And the size tree you start with.

OK.

But most of them, three, four or five years.

Wow.

And how many varieties do you have here at the orchard?

Over 20.

Over 20.

And you said, you know, it's kind of a season to apples.

They come and go.

So how long is the Apple season We usually open.

Oh, the second or third week of August.

OK. And go through the month of October, sometimes even into the first of November However, I don't think we'll go that long this year.

OK. And that's something that we were talking about.

The weather has really impacted the fruit this year.

How has that been an impact for you?

Well, we had a week of cold temperatures in May.

I'm not cold enough to kill everything, but it was enough to destroy some blooms every night.

And so when the red takes the blooms, it takes the apples.

Yeah.

So then it's been very hot, as some of them are dropping very quickly.

Hmm.

So it's it's farming.

It's all the weather.

Yeah.

And once they drop on the ground, those are still good right now.

Is it a five second rule or no?

No.

No.

So once they find two drops there, that's when they're done Yes, they're expired.

Yes.

OK, so those two those ones are the ones I would like make it an apple pie.

I know.

I know.

And I do the same thing.

But I, I can't put them in a bag and sell them to no.

OK, so you're not getting those.

No, no, no.

This is a you pick.

Yes, it is.

And you also have some pumpkins here, too.

And then people can also just come in and grab a bundle of them, too.

Absolutely.

Oh, absolutely.

And that's in your gift shop?

Yes.

Can we go check it out?

Certainly.

Awesome.

Now, like you were saying, so there's 20 varieties here, but they come and go.

So you've already have some that have expired.

Yes.

Yes.

And but you still have plenty of options here.

Yes.

What are the different varieties that we have right now?

We are picking Jonathan.

John, a gold gold delicious or yellow delicious?

OK. Red delicious.

And there are some Melrose.

There are some northern spice.

And there's a whole bunch of them.

What is the difference between apples?

You know, I mean, how do you pick the right apple Some people know what they what they like is they ask and it's something that they've not heard of.

Then we we cut that for cut it for them so they can try it.

And, you know, a lot of them find new apples this year that they never tried before.

And it's amazing the different tastes and different apples.

You know, you don't.

And I like that you have kind of a little description on.

Yes.

Many people can kind of do that one they might want.

Yes.

And I know we were talking about one of my favorite apples is called a jazz apple.

But you have one very similar.

Can we try that?

Absolutely.

And what was the name of this one?

This is called a Johna Prince.

Johna Prince, OK. And it's and it's a beautiful color, too You guys have beautiful apples here.

Yes.

I just think it's a very pretty cool I like the combination.

I like the tartness.

But it's also also sweet to look.

And did you see that just come out like freshly picked off the off the.

Oh, my God, I love juice, like scoring everywhere.

And how did you like it?

I love it.

Similar.

It is it is not you know, it is not the variety that you like, but I do think it has a lot of the same qualities.

Absolutely.

And we were talking to you guys have cider here.

Yes, we do make the cider here on site.

We do.

What kind of apples are you using for the cider?

You know, and it depends with the season.

But last night there, when we pressed, there was Honeycrisp.

There was yellow, delicious.

Red, delicious.

Johna a.

Throw them all in there.

Yes.

We try to balance the sweeter varieties with the some that are a little more tart.

So what is the process like to actually make the apple cider?

Because you do make it here on site.

Yes, I heard.

It's delicious.

Oh, good to try some of that, too.

Right.

So juicy.

And what makes yours so unique?

Well, it's not pasteurized.

Well, it's delicious.

Well, thank you.

That's wonderful.

Oh, it has so many different flavors you can and it changes during the season.

Now, if you were to come back in two weeks or if we were hoping the end of October, it would taste different because there's different varieties and they're riper.

And that makes a big day for a reason for people to keep coming back here.

Right Yes, absolutely.

So when and I know there's a lot of local hometown people coming here, too, but you have people coming from all over to visit here.

Is it become more of a family tradition for them?

Yes, it is.

You know, we're we're close to Potato Creek State Park.

And so there have been families that have been coming out there and renting cabins.

And this has become what they do on their weekend, their family weekend.

So we're glad for that.

That's so wonderful.

I love that they're able to do that.

Yes.

And you have great prices here, too, by the way, aren't you?

But it's important to note it's cash in check only here.

Yes, it is.

So make sure that you bring that along with you.

Yes, that's good to know.

Well, can you show us some of the orchard out there and see what we can maybe pick something today?

Sure.

Well, you have rows and rows of trees.

And of course, we've already seen many people have already come to the orchards and got what they wanted.

But you do have some laughs.

Oh, yes, we do.

And if people want to make sure they have their variety, they should probably call you before they head this way.

I would this year, just because it's not been a wonderful year.

And I think a lot of people are wanting something to do.

Yeah.

And so we've been busy, which is a good thing.

And what section are we in here now?

These are Jonathans.

And I see some apples out before I pick.

Is there a rightly or wrongly, I know when I picked lavender recently, there was I had to snip it at the right price.

So, no, I would just tell you to to take a hold of it.

And instead of just pulling down, because that'll shake the whole branch, just kind of twist your wrist.

Oh, there it is.

Look at that guy.

These aren't so these aren't colored so nice because the outside of the tree has been picked.

So we're picking on the inside where there's not as much sun.

OK. OK, so there is a difference in how you go about picking them.

Well, if if you come through here and you see a lot of apples right here, you're just going to pick the apples, which is what anyone does.

But they're still apples on the inside of the tree.

So to get to those, do I need to bring a ladder with me?

Do you have those kind of supplies here?

And there really isn't anything.

We have a lot of water sprouts at the top.

OK, isn't shouldn't be anything that you can't reach from the ground.

Well, you say that, but I'm very short.

So you see me jumping for the help you get, you know, climbing the trees can't.

And so people need to bring their own bucket or balers.

Any supplies that they have have everything, everything that you need.

We have bags for you to pick in.

We don't drive in the orchard.

OK, so we have wagons that you can put your bags in.

It makes it easier to move bags of apples and children around.

Sure.

So we pretty much have everything you need, family friendly.

And you were saying to you know, this orchard has been around for 16 years.

Yes.

How did you start that?

What's your background in it?

Well, there used to be an orchard.

There has been an orchard in North Liberty for a long time.

And the first people were Albrights and then Chevrolet's OK, had the orchard.

And I worked for Mr. Everleigh for twenty five years.

Oh, goodness.

And so he kind of on a joke suggested that we just start our own orchard.

And so we did.

And and because we're close to Potato Creek.

State Park.

Yeah.

So we did.

And he was very helpful in getting us started helping u choose varieties, how to plant our first trees.

Nice.

So, yes.

Oh, great.

I love that story.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here in North Liberty.

Thank you.

When are your hours?

When can people come in?

We are we are here six days a week.

We're closed on Wednesdays.

OK, we're here from nine to six Covid.

The other six days.

And if you have a group, people should probably call for if you just let us know.

Yes.

OK, good.

Awesome.

Well, thank you so much for having us Thank you for the delicious apples and the cider.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It's time for you to head off the beaten patch, too, and head over to the apple patch here in North Liberty.

Southwest Michigan has some breathtaking vineyards And even though it's autumn, there's still so much to enjoy.

So today we're headed to free von Selas to find out what they have happening this fall.

Hey, Jay, how are you?

Hi.

Oh, my goodness.

Can I tell you one of my favorite places?

Oh, my goodness.

It's been a while since I've been here.

How's everything been going this year?

It's been going awesome.

It's one of my personal favorite wineries, too, in the area.

It's been going great.

You know, we just came off of the year with Covid and it's been been great.

Like we I have no complaints about this property.

People still come and visit it and it's been better than ever.

Why is it one of your favorites?

I know why it's one of mine.

Can we talk about that black walnut?

Oh, yeah.

The Romba and black walnut cranberries.

Black walnut cream is available here at this property.

It's one of my favorite locations because it is just like this hidden gem.

It's I mean, it's off the beaten path.

Not a lot of people know about it.

And when you come here, the vibe is just super chill.

You can come and have a glass of wine.

I mean, if you wanted to, you can even bring a book and sit and read.

It's just more of just a very chill atmosphere.

And I like that type of vibe.

And the winds are fabulous.

They are.

They really are.

I remember my daughter visited and she came home from one Thanksgiving and I brought them here.

And they just love that.

And they're from New York, OK?

Yeah.

You guys got to go hang out here.

So what type of events did you have this year?

We didn't we weren't able to host any events this year because of COVID 19 and staffing.

And just we didn't know what restrictions we were going to have.

So it was kind of hard to sit and plan what we were going to able to do here.

So we don't know what we going to do in the future.

I know a lot of people have been asking about our epicurean dinners that we used to hold in the past, which was about a three to four entree type of meal.

And you would get paired with wine.

And then our winemaker and our culinary director would come in and they would talk about it.

I don't know what we're going to do in the future We're starting to plan for twenty twenty two.

So we might come back and might not not on hypocenter but at this location for right now, we do offer our wine tasting opportunities.

We are open currently Friday through Sunday.

And if anybody wants to know, like what our future winter hours are, I would recommend visiting free run sellers dot com for that information.

And I know you had mentioned it is very chill, but it's so beautiful inside.

I mean, you kind of go in there.

It's very calm, it's very peaceful, and it's it's just beautiful.

So it's kind of like a whole experience.

Yes, it's very spacious in there.

It's very homey.

The staff here is amazing.

They are of one fun fact that I just learned recently was this actually used to be a horse table.

So where the bathrooms are was actually where the horses were housed.

So the stables.

Oh, wow.

So I just learned that not too long ago.

And I think that's a really fun fact about this property.

But the vineyard and just the it's just super quiet.

I mean, if you just stand here for a second, it's just very calm, quiet.

And there's really nothing around.

You're surrounded around vineyards.

Yes, it is.

And you can hear the animals on the prairies.

It's really cool.

Now, you still have an event happening.

A lot of times people think, oh, it's fall.

It's you know, there's nothing to do out in the vineyards, but there's something happening right now and it's actually a luxury event.

Yeah.

So we do have a cool partnership that we recently did with a group of two girls in southwest Michigan.

So let's go in the back.

We'll meet with John and we'll go ahead and show you guys about this.

Oh, my goodness.

This is beautiful.

I feel like an honored guest.

So this is chinaware, sincerely, Kay and Jay.

And they are a luxury Picnik styled event that is offered in the southwest Michigan area.

And we are very fortunate enough to have a partnership with them.

How it came about was John and Katie reach out to us through Romba and at first and they were like you know, we are starting to think about what we want to do after the beach season.

What what could we do?

A possible partnership.

So we were able to go ahead and connect and we were able to lock in a cool partnership with them They offer a picnic here at free run cellars, along with a cabana experience at Rovana State.

So I'm going to have Jenn go ahead and talk to you about what they do and how this idea came about.

Okay, great.

Well, let's sit down.

Oh, my goodness.

So what inspired you to do this?

Because this is really something special.

Thank you.

So we started this June and me and my business partner, Katie.

We saw these pop up luxury picnic companies showing up on the West Coast, mostly in California, some in Texas.

And I thought what a great idea for the lake shore.

So we started on the lake shore.

We were really busy and had an amazing first summer And then, like John said, we reached out to her and said, hey, this could maybe be like a fun thing to do in the Vineyard.

We ended up coming up with this great partnership.

So now we're here at free run.

And you can have this beautiful luxury experience tasting experience right in the vineyard.

This is beautiful.

Now it's set for two, but you can do it for up to six people.

Yeah.

So we do them even bigger than that.

I think our max here is 12 and then round barn as well.

We can do 12.

So I see plates out here.

Is it food as well?

Yep.

So that's one you can order a charcuterie board through us and then round barn.

If you do, it could be an experience comes with a charcuterie board, your wine and a private server as well there.

So this is a luxury picnic.

What can people expect and what goes into it?

Because the decorations are beautiful.

Sure.

So we came out with three style table scapes this fall.

This is our stage colored table scape.

We also have one that's more orange and festive for fall specifically.

And then we have a really neutral kind of boho themed one as well.

So we bring in real plates, real gold flatware.

You're going to get nice acrylic glasses for tasting out here.

And yeah, it just is a beautiful experience.

We like to do this for a special occasion.

So if you're having an anniversary, a birthday party.

We did one this past weekend for our 30th birthday party.

It's it's something that your guests are probably not going to forget.

And so once in a lifetime thing Absolutely.

Now, how long is this going to be available?

We are going to be offering these through October.

So so hurry up.

Yes.

Now, do people pick their wines or do you choose it for them?

They get to pick their own.

And what's what's kind of in for the autumn?

I know different seasons and different wines.

What's kind of in right now?

I would say right now it's going to be more of your reds or your whites.

It's just it's a very you know, right now it's a very warm spell.

So I think people are going to be more going towards there.

There are sweeter wines, maybe a sweet red or a sweet white.

I have the good virts demeanor out here at the Pinot Noir, and I believe it's the Rozo down there.

All those are available here at the free run property at the round brown property.

It's still going to be the sangria that people are going to and also are cream salted caramel cream as black people are so excited.

Yes, that's definitely the fall favorite.

But for this property specifically, I would say just whatever your whatever your favorite wine is around this time of year, I think would be the best.

We are going to start talking more about our holiday wines and what you know, what you should go ahead and pack.

So if guests are wanting to go ahead and get a win for the holidays, I'd recommend just visiting those online.

Remember I told you I'm getting I'm getting that black krylov.

I got ready to go.

OK, all right.

So I see here, it's just really beautiful.

How do people book something like that?

Sure.

So if you're interested in booking a vineyard experience here for Iran, you can visit us at Adobe.

Adobe Adobe.

Sincerely, chaing, icon and round barn Kabbani experiences are both directly through unbarred.

And how long does the experience last?

This is a two hour experience, and then Rome burns our three hours.

So I hear that you can actually take a a walk as well through the vineyards as you're as you're drinking your wine.

Tell us a little bit about that.

Yep.

So that's actually going to be at the Raburn Estates, the Mount Tabor trails, and three point five miles of trails that connect Hrabar and winery to the table, winery, winery and restaurant, which is just directly around the corner from the estate.

Guys can go ahead and grab their drink, whether it's beer, wine or spirit cocktail, and they can go ahead and walk the trails.

It is family friendly.

So kids are welcome to join along with pets and I'm sure the trails at beautiful right now.

Yep.

I would say maybe this week they may not be the best just because of the mud.

It's been raining.

I know.

Yeah.

It's been raining on and off here in southwest Michigan by, I would say, the brown this time of year.

The leaves are going to start changing in the vineyards.

I mean, our production team is in the fields right now harvesting the grapes off the vines.

So there's just a lot of happening here as a whole in southwest Michigan.

But the leaves are going to start changing.

More people are going to want to come out and see the trails and walk those trails.

And those trails are, what, about three and a half miles?

Yep.

It's almost like a mile shots of a table.

But if you want to walk like every single trail, it's about three point five miles.

Okay, that sounds great.

I know it's early, ladies, but I'm ready for some wine.

Yeah.

I've never too early for wine.

What do we have?

Yeah, we have the good virts demeanor I believe it's the Pinot Noir, and I believe also it's the Rozo down there.

So which one should we have, ladies?

I would say let's go with the virtual.

Let's do it.

I'm joined by Janet right now from One Hundred Women Who Care Janet, how are you doing?

I'm good.

How are you?

I'm very good.

And I'm excited to learn about this organization.

So for anyone watching you experience Michiana right now who isn't aware of one hundred women who care Michiana, what exactly do you do?

So we are what's called a giving circle.

Women from across the area get together once a quarter.

We meet for one hour and we combine our resources and give all of our money each quarter to one charity in our community that serves St Joe County in an effort to make our our community a better place.

That's what we're all about.

And this is a national organization with different locations around the country.

But it actually started in our neighboring and our neighboring state.

It did.

It was founded originally by a lady in Jackson, Michigan.

She was looking to help an orphanage get cribs.

And it is evolved.

And now there are chapters of 100 women all across the United States.

So how long have you been a local chapter here in Michiana, and who are some of the local nonprofits that you've helped?

So we started a little over three years ago, and in that time, we have helped cultivate culinary.

We've helped the YWCA.

We have helped the Christ Child Society.

We have helped these service bureau.

We have helped half hospice for help, four centers.

It's just a myriad of organizations that we get into.

So I mentioned that it is a national organization.

What was it that led you to want to have a chapter and a local location here in Michiana?

That's a great question.

So I was a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House here at Memorial Hospital.

And one evening during my shift, a lady came in and gave the Ronald McDonald House ten thousand dollars from another chapter of one hundred women who care.

And I was absolutely shocked and blown away, and I asked to learn more.

And when she explained who they were and what they did it's like, well, why don't we have this in St. Joe County, Indiana?

And so that's what prompted me to start it.

And as somebody who serves on boards, I volunteer.

I've worked for nonprofits.

And we are actually in a community that is blessed with a lot of great organizations.

We are there are tremendous organizations and they do great service for our folks in need.

And we're just thrilled to be able to help.

So for women watching this, I mean, I feel a little bit left out, Janet, but for anyone watching this, any women watching this, are you still looking or do you have one to kind of be more than 100?

What's the deal with that?

We are still growing.

We would love any and any woman that would like to be a part of something that is powerful.

But we're doing it together to come meet with us.

We meet quarterly at Papa Vinos on Eddison Lakes Parkway here in Mishawaka.

And our next meeting is October 11th, Monday at six o'clock at Papa Vinos.

So if you'd like to learn more or be a part of this, please come join us.

Now, for a lot of people, when it comes to nonprofits, someone to serve on a board, someone to volunteer their time which are all great things with 100 women who care, what's the level of commitment?

Is there a financial commitment or how does that work?

So, yes, when you join, you are making a commitment to donate 100 dollars once a quarter to the charities that we select as a group.

That's the only commitment.

And one hundred percent of every dollar that we donate goes to the charity.

There is no overhead expenses whatsoever.

You know, something I've said to people before, you know, sometimes people think they can't afford to give.

And I think you really can't afford to not give.

And, you know, I often think about, you know, a car payment, for example, might be four hundred dollars a month.

And after three months, you don't really like your car anymore.

It's just a car that you drive.

And I think about that.

I think I'd rather drive an older car that I don't have payments on.

But if you give money to nonprofits, to local nonprofits it's like giving is the greatest gift that you'll ever receive.

Right Oh, very well said.

It is incredibly rewarding.

I have a story I'll share.

One of the charities we gave to was the Mishawaka Food Pantry.

And at the time, we didn't give but a couple of thousand dollars.

But each quarter after that, that we invite the last charity to come and tell us how our money helped them.

So what Mishawaka Food Pantry shared and and.

It just gave me goosebumps.

Is that with a little bit of money that we were able to give them?

They were able to buy spaghetti in bulk and they were able to turn that into 7500 meals for hungry people here in our Michiana area.

And that blew me away and just reinforced how important this work is that we do.

Absolutely.

And you can never underestimate the power of one hundred dollars, because that could literally change somebody's life.

You are meeting you mentioned once a quarter, you meet a Papa Vinos in Mishawaka.

We do.

Maybe someone can't go to the next meeting, but they want to find out in between that.

Is there a way to do that online?

Yes, we have a website.

It's 100 women Michiana dot org.

Or if you'd like to learn more, you can email me.

My email is Jld.

Two, one, three or four at Gmail.

OK, I would love to share more with you, but please come.

We'd love to have you.

I love people like you.

I just met you a few minutes ago.

But the idea that you wake up every day and you want to spend your time giving to others.

To me, that's what makes life beautiful, honestly, and to all of these local nonprofits.

The fact that you can get together a bunch of women who really care about their community fund raise every quarter.

I mean, if you have a hundred women giving one hundred dollars, that's forty thousand dollars a year that you can give.

If my math serves me right, but don't don't call me on math But that's forty thousand dollars that you can give.

And that can make a huge impact.

And all you have to give is one hundred dollars.

That's that's the difference you can make, you know.

Yeah.

And it's one hundred dollars once a quarter.

Mm hmm.

So it's easy to set aside that.

Twenty dollars or thirty dollars to do this.

Yeah, it's beautiful.

I hope everyone watching their signs up and I hope we keep on doing great work.

And I'm so glad that a hundred women who care and Michiana has been active for the last three years and and keep on going.

Thank you so much.

And thank you for having me this morning.

It is so wonderful to see women in our community coming together to do something really wonderful for someone else.

Now, we really need that right now, of course.

Sure do.

We do.

And right now we are gearing up for the rest of fall before we head into winter, which, of course, is one of my favorite snow.

Well, together we do, but, you know, there's so much that you have explored to do.

And we want to be sure to check those things out, too.

So make sure you share those with us.

You can tag us on social media with the hashtag experience Michiana button.

Kelly, what are some of your favorite things about file I have to know.

OK.

I love decorating football.

I love the apples.

I love going to pick pumpkins.

And, you know, there's also that, you know, like to scare people.

I do little.

I know.

You know, hopefully wouldn't scare you today, but we're so glad that you joined us.

And as we're going into the fall again, let us know what you love to do and even think about the Christmas season.

We got to think about that a little bit right now to many guys.

So glad that you could join us.

Make sure you join us next week because it's going to be really scary and really.

Experience Michiana is made possible in part by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the state of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This unity, local production has been made possible in part by viewers like you.

Thank you.