Here's the Buzzz!

Howdy Apple Mmmunchers!

The light is golden, the kitties are putting on their winter fat layers, there are lots of whiney kids in Walmart, we're sick to death of zuchinni AND the little trees at Knaebe's are laden with plump red globes.....It must be Fall breathing down our backs! (necks? I never can get these cliches right)

Whoa! It's about time we got some fresh cool air; hasn't this been a hot sticky summer?? The apples seem to have liked it though! After a rough start in the spring, (we were in blossom during that snowstorm and subsequent freeze) the rest of the buds blossomed and we still have about two thirds of a crop.

We'll have lots of some varieties, others not so many; (Red Haralsons got frosted) Yes, we'll have Honeycrisp! Pa has switched to using more organic sprays, which don't have as much back and forward action, so he feels like his bum has been glued to the tractor alll summer! We're not seeing much of that nasty scab we had last year when it rained all summer though.

Pa, son Fritz and Gooder Helper Donny Tuttle spent the winter months making two "Barrel Trains" for the little kids, and also an "Airplane" for the Kidyard. Looks like the "kids" couldn't wait until it was done to try it out!

   

Gooder Helper Hazel Yerks pestered Ma to get going on the float. We always say we're going to put in the Nautical Festival - even making some costumes and designing our Haute Apple Core Hats! Donut Maker Emeritus Vonnie Gleason jumped in to help, and Ma enlisted the expertise of "Recycled Denim" maven, Kathy Hogrefe (our Cookie Queen) to sew up a bunch more "apples! Fritz painted up the wagon, Ma did some artwork, and we were ready by the 4th of July Parade in Onaway! Fun, Fun Fun!! Hot, Hot, Hot!!! Phew, was it 100 degrees?! (Daughter-in-law Sara was almost 9 months pregnant and didn't need any stuffing in her apple costume!)

We even had a couple little "crabapples".

Donny's grandkids filled out the barrel train, and Fritz tried to keep the Ornery Green Apple Worm away from the "apples". Hazel, you're busted!!

By Nautical Fest, we got our act and our staff together and even won The "Judge's Favorite" Award! Woo Hoo!!!

(Thank you to all our Fabulous Knaebe Apple Corp, all your super grandchildren and our crazy relatives (you know who you are) for making the parade float a truly family affair! But I digress, (a lot!)

We are opening for the season on Tuesday August 31, 2010 at 9:AM!
We should have some Vista Bella, Early (Jersey) Macintosh, State Fair and a few Transparent (Lodi) Remember these are summer apples, and need to be refrigerated immediately! So far everything is running early this season; keep that in mind when you are checking out your "favs" on our ripening calendar. Leave your name on our "call list" and we'll let you know when we pick the apples you love!

In the bakeshop we will have your favorites, and will be adding a new apple coffecake that we are crazy about! We will have last season's extra sweet cider in our kitchen by the glass all week; first pressing is Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, then you can buy it by the gallon and half gallon. Early apples are tart, so early ciders are crisp and tart. As the season progresses and the sweet apples are picked, the cider changes and gets very sweet. So it's different every week! So you probably need to buy some every week so you know which ones you like the bestest!

On a sad note, We will miss Larry (Spike) Morrison who passed away this year. Spike was one of our "migrant workers" and even made donuts for a couple of years. We built the donut exaust fan for short women bakers and that hood made more than a few dents in Spike'noggin! What a great guy and one of Pa's childhood buddies.

We will also miss Diane Reid who was our weekend pie lady! We are happy to report that she is going to work only one job, and enjoy being a grandma with her free time. Diane came in around midnight frequently. The barn is kind of a spooky place late at night, and she could tell you stories of Halloween weekends, stormy nights and (gasp!) power outages at night, in the barn! Yikes! You did such a great job, Diane!

Almost all of our Fabulous Knaebe Apple Corp will be back this year-YAYYY! And we will be looking forward to seeing all of YOU!
Keep checking back to find out what's going on!

"Doc" and Dusty and The Fabulous Knaebe Apple Corp

P.S. On a Happy Note, we are happy to report that Sara is no longer filling out her apple suit! She gave birth to Jordyn Kathryn Hefele who joins her sister Taylor Rose, and Daddy, Onaway City Manager (and Cider Presser) Joe Hefele. Ma and Pa Knaebe (Grammy and Grumpy) are lining up jobs for them at Mmmunchy Krunchy!