The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire

July 9, 2000
Oak Glen, California

August 4, Update:  The RASPBERRIES are now ready to pick-- in big, juicy, red clusters.  Call 909-797-7534 for picking times. 

Dear Friends and Family,

"Pick the blackberries," my brother Scott told me.   "It will keep them coming on."

So that's what we did.   Along with some friends, Jerry and Jill Woods, we drove up to the blackberry patch and filled up two  buckets and a basket full of sweet lolla-berries.  

You need to pick up the vines and look for the really dark berries, the ones that are very soft to the touch, and you can't be afraid of juice-stained fingers, but the prospect of cooled blackberries over ice cream is well worth the effort.    (This morning I sprinkled a few between two halves of a butter-milk biscuit.  This was my daughter Mallory's idea--and a good one.)

Samuel, my second son, served as "basket-boy" for our expedition.   Whenever someone had a handful of berries, you could hear one of our kids shouting, "get over here, basket boy."  He didn't seem to mind.

On the green, in the background, there were the tell-tale signs of a wedding in the making:  white chairs, green ribbons, a guest book with a white feathered pen.    The D.J. was checking the sound system with Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.     There was even a breeze coming off Wilshire peak.     Blackberries, laughing children, Bach, Brides-maids.   What more could you ask for?

Experience the berry harvest!    Picking is by appointment during July, so call Scott Riley at 909-797-7534.   (For more on our picking season, click the "U-Pick" graphic on the left.)

Your Humble Servant,

James Riley

Don't Forget...

This year, over 10,000 school children  will take part in our Living History Field Trips.    Click here to make it 10,001!       The price is $12.00 per participant, with one free adult for every 15 students.      This includes lunch and four hours of participatory living history, covering either the American Revolution, Civil War, or Early California.

After an early March visit this year, a  fifth grade teacher from San Diego wrote us to say, "Thank you for the most wonderful field trip I have ever hosted for children.   Your knowledge of history, the authenticity of your facilities, the beauty of the surroundings, and the love of history that you shared with the students are very much appreciated." 

Thanks!  

Mark your calendars!   We look forward to visiting with you soon.

 Your Humble Servant,

James Riley

P.S. For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the internet to update their search engines, we include the following boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)

Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad, as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer "farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing, wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing: In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?

P.S.  Stay Clear of this "Cider House"

Ignore the Critics, Enjoy The Patriot!

A Picture of the Riley Family

Contacting us via e-mail at: info@rileysfarm.com.

Sign our Guest Book.

Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399

(909) 797-7534

Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2000, All Rights Reserved