Summer is officially over. I’m having a hard time accepting it. As a Minnesotan, I pack way too much in to our 12 weeks of summer. If winter weren’t coming right on the heels of fall, it would be my favorite season. The fall colors are beautiful.

 

Fall is a a fun time. It’s the beginning of a new school year with bouquets of sharpened pencils, excited school children and outdoor games. We’ve been blessed with delightful weather for outdoor activties. I especially enjoy the bounty from the garden and all the fresh produce. There’s nothing like a BLT with tomatoes from the garden or bouja with new potatoes. I love plucking apples off my sisters’ trees. Some birds have already made their departure and you will notice some new birds singing different songs!

 

This past weekend, I traveled to Moorhead for a cousin’s outdoor wedding. I love seeing farmers working in the fields. After the wedding, we decided to take a 40-mile jaunt north through the Red River Valley to the towns of Halstad and Shelly (Norman County) to see the area where my husband’s mother, Lois grew up. We drove by beautiful, fields of soybeans and other crops. It’s harvest time.

 

Fall is a time for church bazaars. We spent a couple hours at Bethany Lutheran Church in Shelly (population 191) for their annual meatball dinner and silent auction. The inviting aroma of meatballs the size of your head was evident the minute we walked in the door. The church  reminded me of Hope Lutheran near Orrock-totally “Church Basement Ladies”! I was able to see where Mike’s grandparents were buried which was special. The cemetery was meticulously groomed. I really enjoyed the experience.

 

You don’t have to travel to the Red River Valley for fun. There are many fun fall events happening in our area, as well. Becker Community Center has their annual Harvest Festival Sat., Oct. 4, 11:30-3:30 at Becker City Park. The event includes a free shuttle from the city park and the golf course. There will be a chili cookoff, entertainment, 5k, 1k, childrens games, hayrides and food. Volunteers are still needed for the event. 

 

Another great activity for fall would be a visit to the fabulous Sherburne History Center on the outskirts of Becker. Along their trail you'll discover the 1870’s Fox House, the 1920’s Stuve Farm, and the 1930’s Bailey Gas Station. Enjoy the native prairie plants in the oak savanna and the Pollinator Garden by the shores of beautiful Clitty Lake. Or you could visit the trailhead, the Red River Ox Cart Station, and see how people traveled through Sherburne County 150 years ago. Interpretive panels tell you the stories as you walk through Sherburne County's history on this half mile trail.

 

We also have National Historic Landmark Oliver H. Kelley Farm just a few miles beyond Big Lake off Hwy 10 in Elk River, which offers a chance to visit a working 1860’s farm. Activities follow the farming cycle and change with the season. I’ve found that fall is a wonderful time to visit the Kelley Farm. You can interact with the animals in the barn, help work in the fields and gardens, and see what’s cooking in the farmhouse. Prairie Sugar Weekend is Saturday, October 4, 10am-5 and Sunday, October 5, noon-5. You can see demonstrations and help the farmers as they make sorghum molasses.

 

If you want to take a road trip in Minnesota to enjoy fall colors, visit the DNR webiste to see when the area you plan to visit will be experiencing peak colors. Visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html

 

Take time to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and the wonders of nature in Sherburne County.

 

(ADDITONAL CUTLINE TO PHOTO): Jenny and Dave Scheiber started in the sod business in the Becker area in the mid 1980’s when they started renting some land from local resident, Ronnie Kolbinger. They eventually moved their business from Maple Lake to Becker in 1993. After strong recommendations from Kolbinger for their solid work, word spread and their business has grown. During the summer months, it’s not uncommon for Scheiber’s to work six days a week cutting and laying sod, usually working until the end of November (depending on the weather). Jenny told me she loves her vocation because it allows her to enjoy the beautiful Minnesota weather and wildlife while she works the fields and grows a pretty crop. I think it’s great they have an ‘on your honor’ box for their sod available at the end of their driveway!