|
Dear
Friends & Family,
As
we reported last week, the apples are all off the trees now, but
you can still press some fresh apple cider and see the
Almighty's red and gold autumn handiwork here in Oak Glen.
Call the General Store (909) 797-9108 or (909) 797-7534 for
details.
Yesterday
was Grandma Bea's birthday. We spent the evening
with her at Crabby Bob's, cracking crab and gabbing about the
farm. Once again, we've had a year full
of wonderful guests, many of them like Ray from Laguna Niguel
who writes:
Really
a GREAT place, it's beautiful, serene yet full of life. There
should be more places like it.
..Or
Ms. Washington from Rancho Cucamonga who writes:
My
children and I had a wonderful, educational experience! You have
ignited a torch for further knowledge of American history in my
children as well as in me. My sons and I enjoyed learning and
participating in this week's Revolutionary War Fieldtrip. We
would like to thank everyone for their dedication, and most of
all their time.
Those
were just two of the dozen or so emails arriving last
week. Thank You! We couldn't do what
we do without our guests, many of whom have become close friends
over the years. On behalf of Grandma Bea and Grandpa
Ray--who made it all possible by purchasing this farm with what
would have been their retirement--we extend our heart-felt
thanks.
Your Humble Servant,
James Riley
|
The kids and I walking along
Battle Road last weekend during a Civil War Reenactment.
Photo: A.J. Stevens, Jr.
16th Century Reenactors gather in the tavern to discuss their
battle plans.
This weekend we hosted
Blackshire's Company of the Sword and other 16th Century
military groups. I actually got to play a little
16th century golf along the way and succeeded in using the
gnarled club to pitch a leather ball over the stone wall and
onto the parade ground, where a battle helmet served as the
hole. One a one hole course hole, I think I broke 30
and managed not to break any windows.
Special thanks to Jerry
Wood and the whole English, Scottish, Irish, and German crew for
doing their era proud.
|
The Pumpkin Field -- October 8, 2001
|
|
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"
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
Event Schedules Subject to Change: Please call to confirm!
Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2001, All Rights Reserved
|
