As the leaves change to colors of brown, red and amber and fall from the trees, so do fresh apples.
This also signifies trips to the nearest cider mill or apple orchard to partake in fresh-squeezed apple cider and homemade doughnuts.
Fall family fun
Cider mills, picking apples make people remember childhood
Apples roll on the conveyor belt during the process of making cider Saturday morning at Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns. The apples must be sorted to get rid of the rotten ones to insure that only fresh, healthy apples will be used to make cider.
This should not be anything new to regular visitors of Uncle John’s Cider Mill, 8614 U.S. 127 North in St. Johns.
The cider mill’s traditions have been added to activities such as wagon rides, wine tasting and many other forms of entertainment.
However, according to Uncle John’s Cider Mill staff members, the apples have remained the focus.
“Watching the pressing of the cider has been a very popular thing here even with all the new things,” said Shannda Ray, who works in the information booth at the cider mill.
Ray, a resident of Ionia, recalls fun times drinking cider and the old wagon rides at the mill as a child.
Both keep her coming back every year.
“There is a family atmosphere here, and I think that is what brings people here even when they get older,” she said. “I remember coming with my family as a kid, drinking cider and eating doughnuts.”
When husband and wife John and Carolyn Beck founded Uncle John’s Cider Mill 35 years ago, it was the only mill in the mid-Michigan area.
“I think people want to get back to the country,” Carolyn Beck said.
“For Michigan people, the cider mill is like a right of passage. There are many things we have to offer here as entertainment that’s more than just the apples.”
The popularity of cider mills has spread from just families with young children to include young adults reminiscing on the days of old.
“I always relate cider mills to fall, and I remember when I was younger picking apples and going through the corn maze,” microbiology sophomore Michael DelBene said. “I have good memories spending days there in the fall.”
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For others, the cider mill’s connection runs deeper than apples and doughnuts; it stems from the heart of economic progression.
“It is important because of the whole Michigan agritourism aspect — supporting the economy by being local products,” said Melissa Mattingly, an admissions counselor at the MSU Honors College.
Besides the apples, cider mill lovers like Ray feel the main attractions at Uncle John’s Cider Mill are the smells.
Uncle John’s Cider Mill has many different smells permeating the 10-acre farm, including the fresh bakery of homemade pies, cookies and fresh doughnuts.
Also added to the aroma is freshly-popped popcorn and, of course, all things apple.
“It is real Michigan entertainment and a memorable experience for any age,” Ray said.
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