Autumn Traditions

Where can I pick local apples?

• Berry Hill Fruit Farm, 48937 Glencolin Line, Aylmer
• Great Lakes Farms, 5111 Union Road, Port Stanley
• Gredig’s Orchards 45976 Ron McNeil Line, St. Thomas
• VanBrenk’s Fruit Farms & Nursery, 31760 Erin Line, Fingal

I'm in a hurry! Where can I buy local apples (without all the picking)?

• St. Thomas Horton Farmers’ Market, Manitoba St, Saturdays 8am to noon
• Briwood Farm Market, 1030 Talbot St, St. Thomas
• Salt Creek Farm Market, 11143 Highbury Ave, St. Thomas
• Talbotville Berry Farm, 11054 Sunset Rd, St. Thomas

OLD FASHIONED APPLE PIE RECIPE

For the Pastry
2 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) of frozen butter
8 Tbsp ice water

For the Filling
8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp flour

Perfect Apples for Pies
Spy, McIntosh, Spartan, Crispin, Cortland, Russet, Honey Crisp

Pastry
1. Whisk the flour, salt and sugar together in a large bowl. Grate the frozen butter into the flour and toss with your fingers until combined. Sprinkle in water and mix with fingers until the dough comes together in a ball. Divide into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap in plastic wrap, flatten and chill for at least 30 minutes. 

2. Remove the pastry from fridge and allow it to warm. Lightly flour hands, rolling pin, work surface and dough. Roll out larger pastry into a circle large enough to slightly overlap the edges of an 8-inch glass pie dish. Transfer the dough to the pie dish.

3. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

For the Filling
Toss the apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. Add to the bottom crust then roll out the remaining small disc and carefully place over top of the pie. Crimp the edges of the dough together, sealing them. Poke a few vent holes into the top and place on the bottom rack of oven. Bake for 1 hour, until the crust is golden and juices bubbling.

PUMPKIN FARMS NEARBY

• Ferguson Produce, 11026 Wellington Road, St. Thomas
• Talbotville Berry Farm, 11054 Sunset Rd, St. Thomas

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS RECIPE

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees
• Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.

CLOVERMEAD PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Saturdays in October & Thanksgiving Monday, 9am-5:30pm

Come celebrate the world of pumpkins, come out and play when the bees are tucked away in their hives. Pick your-own pumpkin from the field, try pumpkin bowling,pumpkin seed spitting and our apple sling shot. Enjoy a wagon ride, visit farm animals, play in the straw bale fort  & the maze. Take a spin on the pedal carts and bounce on the giant jumping pillow. Watch the great pumpkin drop from the windmill tower and the pumpkin cannon show...there's bushels of fresh family fun in our Adventure Farm!

PORT STANLEY TERMINAL RAIL PUMPKIN CARVING TRAIN
October 26th, 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm.

Enjoy the changing colours of the Fall season along the PSTR right of way while you carve your (supplied) pumpkin on the train! 

There is nothing better than pulling on a warm sweater and wrapping your fingers around a warm drink. Apple cider, pumpkin spiced lattes, or hot cocoa, whatever you prefer, now is the season to indulge!

MAKE YOUR OWN HOT APPLE CIDER

1. Obtain the right apples. The best cider has a balance between sweetness and tartness.Experiment with various apple types to find your perfect blend! Some good options include: Red Delicious (sweet); Yellow Delicious (sweet); Jonathon (tart); Granny Smith (tart); Gala (tart)
2. Blend. A simple ratio is 3 sweet apples to 1 tart for a sweeter mix, and 2 sweet to 1 tart for medium.
3. Clean and quarter the apples. Wash apples, cut into quarters, remove stems and core. Leave the skins on for colour, flavour and nutrients!
4. Puree apple quarters. Use a blender or food processor, process until apples have consistency of apple sauce.
5. Strain the pulp. Squeeze pureed apples through cheesecloth, extracting all the yummy juice!
6. The fun part! Heat the cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and orange slices in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture is hot. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and enjoy!

HARVEST TEA AT THE CANADA SOUTHERN RAILWAY STATION
Wednesday, October 8th, 2-3pm

Serving the bounty of the season! Enjoy a warm cup of tea with scones and harvest themed desserts in the elegantly restored Anderson Dining Hall. By reservation only - 519.633.2535.

DUNGEON OF DOOM HAUNTED HOUSE
October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, 7pm-10pm

Every October, the dungeon beneath Dotsy's Costume Shop becomes....The Dungeon of Doom Haunted House! Not for the faint of heart!

SPARTA SCARECROW FESTIVAL
October 4, 10am-4:30pm

Since the 1800's, fall fairs have been a form of celebrating the end of harvest. Farmers and town folks alike came together, to talk yields and reflect on the season past. Stroll the village of Sparta, enjoy the Autumn smells and while relaxing to the live music of  talented musicians, browsing local arts, crafts, and food. Participate in apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and much more!

AYLMER PERFORMING ARTS PRESENT: THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI 
 October 11th, 7pm

Watch a live, multi-piece orchestra on stage providing sound and effects for this silent black and white movie. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 German silent horror film directed. It is one of the most influential films of the German Expressionist movement and, according to Roger Ebert, is “the first true horror film”.

CORN MAZES!

• Ferguson Produce, 11026 Wellington Road, St. Thomas
• Talbotville Berry Farm, 11054 Sunset Rd, St. Thomas