By Cathy Miller

In the hunt for apple cider donuts (and Persons of the Week) this past week, along the way I encountered tasty apples, pumpkins and scary creatures ahead of Halloween! Not everybody was a scary creature, though!

Stop No. 1 was Longmeadow Farm in Hope, which opened in 1993. Originally they sold only pumpkins for Halloween. It wasn’t long before owner Bradley Burke felt more was in order. With that epiphany, their apple orchard was planted. The place to go for pick-your-own – apples (15 varieties), raspberries, and pumpkins – Longmeadow Farm also sells preserves, fruit butters and spreads, their own honey, cut-your-own flowers, and assorted seasonal vegetables. They even have their own farm-grown chestnuts!

Here, Leroy Sassaman, six years old, from Blairstown, picks an apple and enjoys that flavorful first bite. Leroy is an avid soccer player, whose team has won all their games this year, except for one ending in a tie, which he said, “Nobody won.”

Stop No. 2 was at Marshall’s Farm Market in Delaware, widely known for the best Halloween display in the area! They also offer hayrides and plenty of great photo opportunities. In the mood for some delicious food? They take great pride in their homegrown seasonal produce, home-made pies, country peanut butter, specialty food items, meats and cheeses.

With plenty of Halloween scenes and unsavory characters lurking around every corner, the Segreaves family, from Phillipsburg – Crystal, Allison, six years old, and Aaron – select their favorite pumpkins. They usually visit Marshall’s Farm Market this time of year, and always look forward to Marshall’s mouth-watering apple cider donuts!

With so much to see and do this time of year, our area truly offers a cornucopia of options. However, having just purchased my own bag of fresh, warm cider donuts at Marshall’s, there was an urgency to get home and chow down!

For more information:

Longmeadow Farm, 561 Hope Blairstown Rd, Hope, NJ 07825
(908) 459-5351…www.longmeadowfarmnj.com

Marshall’s Farm Market, 114 US-46, Delaware, NJ 07833
(908) 475-1989…www.marshallsfarmmarket.com