Fall is finally in the air here in Central New York.
Crisper. Cooler. More yellows and reds thinking about replacing the green.
Apple time, indeed.
In fact, it didn't take much for my dear wife Karen to talk me into the car for a Sunday drive two weekends back, when we had the first break in this year's later-than-usual lingering heat. "Remember that sugar-free pie?" she asked me, and I was out of our Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood before she even reminded me that the tasty treat from this time of year past had come from Oswego, and that's where we were headed.
Yes, when you talk apples and the coming of October, many people's minds immediately jump to the orchards, hills and valleys around LaFayette. That's where the annual Apple Festival is held. This year's event, complete with its official tents and vendors and rides and $5 admission, is Oct. 10 and 11, with free parking when you take Exit 15 off I-81 and travel west on Route 20, then go 1/2 mile south on Tully Farms Road.
But my wife and her friends have discovered the pleasures of Ontario Orchards, 7735 State Route 104, some 11 miles northwest of Fulton off Route 481. That's where she'd picked me up that pie that danced in my memory.
It's a pretty drive this time of year.
As the name implies, Ontario Orchards has its own trees, and they'll let you go at them to pick. (Coming in October: A pumpkin patch. And in December, folks will be able to cut their own Christmas tree.) We didn't feel like it. We went into the market instead, where they'd picked a whole bunch for us already.
In fact, Ontario Orchards specializes in putting out fresh merchandise that either grows, is cooked and prepared, or is made around these parts. Yes, this business that's been part of the fabric of the community for more than 50 years is heavily into the buy local movement.
Its shelves are full of things that call this area home. We walked around and smelled the air and read labels and admired handiwork, maneuvering a cart because I was going to get that sugar-free apple pie, Karen was going to bring home a regular pie, and we were after some apples to split with Good Neighbor Tim and his Wonderful Wife Lorraine.
The bakery had more than pies. Breads, yes, and other sweet treats.
The produce section had more than apples. Think veggies and fruits.
There were Dinosaur Bar-B-Que sauces, and Hinerwadel's salt potatoes. One cooler was stocked with Croghan Bologna and Rita's Hotter Than Hell mustard and cocktail sauce, and another held River Rat and Heluva Good cheeses. The brew-your-own area featured kits for beer and wine. An Italian rack held sauces and pasta.
An aisle toward the back featured autumn decorations and, yes, Halloween fare.
The kids will love it. Stringy spider webs and witches with goblins, anyone?
I loved it. Next time up, I think I'll try ...
My pie was delicious. I heated my first slice up and topped it with a scoop of no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream. Karen said her regular version was what she needed, too. A small loaf of zucchini bread was just right, from the nibble I allowed myself.
As for the apples, we went with Honey Crisp, grown by Ontario Orchards. Tim's eyes danced when I knocked on his door with their share. My taste buds squirted when I took the first bite out of mine.
Ontario Orchards is open all four seasons.
Its site is worth a look. There it sells all the products I listed above, and more.
If you don't want to wait until you get home to eat, the warms seasons Donnie's BBQ Pitt has a tent set up in the parking lot with delicious-smelling barbecue fare. That sits next to the trees and plants and mulch of the nursery.
Chef and proprietor Donnie Alecci called me over when I was taking photos with my iPhone 6.
"Hey, are you friends with my ex-wife?" he said by way of greeting. When I told him I was writing about the spread, he added that not only does he cater with his BBQ truck -- email donnierevel@aol.com -- but he's also the "Director of Sales and FUN"! for the local Ashley Lynn Winery. Nice work that must be, if you can get it.