16B - The Michigan Daily Weekend Magazine

Thursday, September 26, 1996

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By Jennifer Harvey
Daily Staff Reporter
Big, red, juicy and delicious.
Mmmm ... apples.
Now that decisiduous trees' leaves are falling
and the air has turned crisp and cool, apples are
ripening up. The season's natural treats are
ready nir students' picking.
Several apple orchards and cider mills ser-
vice the Ann Arbor area.
The closest mill, the Dexter Cider Mill, is
located in downtown Dexter.
"We're an urban cider mill:' said Richard
Kozinski, owner of the Dexter Cider Mill.
Having made cidet for 110 years, the
Dexter Cider Mill is the oldest continuously
operating mill in the state, Kozinski said. He
said the mill's age offers University students
and staff a unique opportunity to observe liv-
ing history as tours of actual cider-making are
available.
"Visitors are able to witness the cider-
makng process as it was 100 years ago," he
said.
The entire milling process takes about 45
minutes, Kozinski said. Visitors can watch
the process from start to finish and do it all
for free.
Because the mill is located in the heart of a
city, it no longer uses apples grown on the pre-
mesis to make the cider, Kozinski said.
Kozinski said the mill offers much more
than cider and history. Milt-goers can pur-
chase donuts, jellies, pies and plenty of fresh
apples.
"We have as many varieties as the state pro-
duces," Kozinski said.
Those wishing to experience a relaxing and
picturque atmosphere should definetely stop
by the mill, Kozinski said.
"We're located on the banks of the Huron
River," he said. "We have a nice vista."
Kozinski said hundreds of University stu-
dents visit the mill each week. "They conie by
river, by land or by bike."
"I'd imagine they've either got leftover beer
money or have saved up their hard-earned
tution money," he said.
He said one student favorite is the mill's

"wonderful, big caramel apple."
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill comes in as a
close second in the historic orchards race. The
orchard has been operating in Manchester for
106 years.
"We've had a lot of students from the U-M up
here over the years." said Sandy Alber, orchard
manager.
Students really enjoy the orcahrd, according
to Alber.
"They ride their bikes out," Alber said. "They
enjoy the scenery. We're in the country and its
pretty.
"They sit at picnic tables, drink cider and eat
donuts."
Alber said she thinks students enjoy the great
variety at the Alber Orchard, being able to
choose from 42 varieties of apples throughout
the season.
Another local establishment, Wasem Fruit
Farms in Milan, offers both an orchard and a
cider mill.
"We offer pick-your-own or already picked
apples," said Bruce Upston, Wasem Fruit Farms
manager.
Upston said the farms have been operating
since the mid-'50s, and the mill since 1960,
yielding a lot of choices for visitors.
"We raise 24 different varieties of apples;'
Upston said. "But we never have all of those at
one time sonce some come on either early or
late in the season."
Apples are not growing alone on the farms.
Plums and pears are also available right now.
Other popular farm features are the donut
kitchen and "common farm market items,"
Upston said.
Tours are offered for students of all ages,
Upston said. "But they're geared for kinder-
garteners or pre-schoolers," he said.
"We don't really have any 'entertainment,"'
Upston said. "But visitors can watch cider-mak-
ing or apple-grating."
"We're just a basic apple orchard," he said.
Students from all area colleges and univer-
sities frequent the farms, Upston said. "We
get athletic teams, frats and sororities out
here."
Fall is here. Apples are here. Take advantage.

JULLY PARK/Daily

'"

Rock Climbing Trips
Grand Ledge, MI
Sept. 28, 1996
or
Rattlesnake Point, ONT
Oct. 4-6, 1996
Sponsored by the Outdoor Recreation Program, NCRB.
For more information or to register, call 764-3967.
Pre-trip mmeeting for both trips is Wed., Sept.25 at 7 p.m.
Grand Ledge Trip cost is $40. Rattlesnake Point cost is $140.
Cost includes food. equipment., instruction and transportation.

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Reseirved seats 520 52~.5. aa d 20 olOrcle available at the i'iNiari
UiornTke~t Of fice arid all Ticketnas.ter outlets. Ch2arge at 763-TKTS.