Local Einstein

many long days turning the farm into the bustling business it is today. The farm has a total of 60 acres of dwarf trees, bearing 14 different varieties of apples, from McIntosh and Macouns to Cortlands and Honeycrisps. Late season apples include the Red and Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Empires and the Idareds.

In addition to their apples, they have 35 acres of easy-to-reach peach trees, bearing 11 varieties. Who knew there were that many different types of peaches? “They’re all juicy and delicious,” says Kim. “Unlike apples, I think the different peaches all taste very similar. The trick is to let them ripen on the tree. That makes them juicy and full of flavor,” she says. The peach season usually runs from early August to mid-September.

The Shores also grow many of the vegetables they sell at their stands, as well as “tons of pumpkins.” Adding even more color to the season are hundreds of their own hardy grown mums. All of the trees in their orchards are easy to reach, so no climbing or ladders are necessary. The orchards are also handicap accessible.

A typical workday for the Shores goes something like this: “Get up at 4:00 am and drive into Hartford to the regional market to load up on things we don’t grow ourselves. Back to the store to unload, then reload to go to our other store. During the day there is mowing, picking, washing, cleaning, helping out at the stores, other field work, painting, you name it! A quick bite to eat then home to check emails, phone messages, do paperwork, and pay bills.” The hardest part of the job, according to Kim, is working for 7 days a week for 6 months. “It’s physically demanding and no one here is young anymore,” she says. At their busiest times, they hire about 25 to 30 employees, who are all considered family.

While acknowledging that this summer was a “very challenging season…no crop likes it so hot and dry,” the Shores love working outdoors. Also, Kim adds, “mornings when the sun is coming up and you’re out there working is the best feeling!”

Johnny Appleseed’s is now offering their U-Pick pumpkins, complete with a hay ride (yes…wear your masks for the ride) and a corn maze, designed with the youngsters

in mind. Head to the apple orchards at the 231 Somers Road (Rte. 83) location to access the pump- kin picking fun.

Even if you’re not interested in “picking your own” anything, a visit to one of the farm stands is well worth your while! The charming stores carry a wide assortment of freshly picked produce, as well as Connecticut made breads, delicious frozen pies, local honey, and food items such as salsa, jam, pick- led beets, and pickles from Kitchen Kettle Village in Amish country, along with locally pressed apple cider. There are even craft and gift items from local artisans.

The approaching holidays bring other seasonal items to the stores, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, kissing balls, and winter logs. Both stores are open until just before Christmas. The retail stores are located at 185 West Road (Rte. 83) in Ellington, Connecticut and 244 Hartford Turnpike (Rte. 30) in Tolland, Connecticut. They are open daily at 9:00 am. Closing times vary throughout the season.

The farm’s website offers a wealth of informa- tion, including directions, a “know your apples/ peaches” informational guide, and even recipes, including “Mom-Mom’s Apple Crisp.” Mom-Mom is Kim’s maternal grandmother, Pieta, who was “a great cook who lived to be 99!”

For farm and store information, and current hours, call 860-875-1000. Website is www.johnnyappleseedfarmct.com

local einstein TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

ESTABLISHED IN 1872, WHAT BECAME THE WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK?

[A] Acadia National Park [B] Yellowstone National Park [C] Redwood National Park [D] Yosemite National Park

HANDSOME DAN IS A BULLDOG WHO IS THE MASCOT OF WHICH UNIVERSITY’S SPORTS TEAMS?

[A] University of Minnesota Duluth [B] Gonzaga University [C] Yale University [D] Georgetown University

WHAT IS THE SLEEPIEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD, SLEEPING ABOUT 22 HOURS PER DAY?

[A] Cat [B] Koala [C] Sloth [D] Bat

NAME THIS STATE…

[A] Indiana [B] Missouri [C] Illinois [D] Iowa

WHAT IS THE SPANISH WORD FOR A HEATED TORTILLA FILLED WITH CHEESE?

[A] Quesadilla [B] Paella [C] Ensaimada [D] Tortuga 8

SNICKERS IS A BRAND NAME CHOCOLATE BAR MADE BY WHICH COMPANY?

[A] Mars [B] Hershey [C] Nestle [D] Cadbury

WHICH FILM WON THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE THIS YEAR (2020)?

[A] Joker [B] Ford vs Ferrari [C] Parasite [D] The Irishman

ROCKER DAVID HOWELL EVANS IS BETTER KNOWN BY WHAT STAGE NAME?

[A] Axl Rose [B] The Edge [C] Marilyn Manson [D] Slash

ANGEL FALLS, THE WORLD’S TALLEST WATERFALL, IS FOUND IN WHICH COUNTRY?

[A] Argentina [B] Chile [C] Venezuela [D] Brazil

# CORRECT

8-9 5-7 2-4 0-1

IQ

160 110 50 3

RANK

Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton

ANSWERS:

7)C 8)C 9)A 4)C 5)B 6)B 1)B 2)A 3)C