Friends,

We had a beautiful fall day this past Friday, so my kids and I played hooky and went to the cider mill.

The weather was perfect: cool temps, blue skies and the sun was warm on our backs. The apples were plentiful on the trees and the pumpkins were picture-perfect in the fields.

Going to the cider mill is so romanticized in my head. I always think about how cute I’ll look in flannel and boots; how adorable my kids will be running through the orchard; how wholesome we’ll be out in nature gathering our food. In reality, I look like an actual farmer (not the goal), the kids are running because they’re afraid of bees and our farm-to-table apples cost a whopping $26 for a half of a bushel. The doughnuts are even insanely expensive at nearly $9 a dozen.

But some aspects of the cider mill are priceless, such as convincing my kids we have to pick doughnuts off the trees because they’re best when fresh. They weren’t 100% persuaded, but they didn’t want to take any chances either, so they saved a produce bag just in case we rolled by any doughnut trees.

It’s always best to be prepared.

Rebecca

Dillman & Upton Gets Facelift

Visit the new Dillman & Upton showroom filled with refreshed ideas for every room in your home.

The grand re-opening is Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. Join the design staff and manufacturer reps for a drink, food and good cheer. State-of-the-art displays include products and cabinets for laundry rooms, mudrooms, kitchens, baths and more.

Family-owned and operated for almost 110 years, Dillman & Upton continues to be a major supplier of quality construction products and home renovation services located at 607 Woodward Street in Downtown Rochester. For more information call 248-651-9411 or visit www.dillmanupton.com.

Fleece and Thank You Breaks Record

It was an official record-breaking Fleece and Thank You event. As certified by Guinness World Records, 1,271 heroes made 2,016 blankets for hospitalized children on Saturday, Sept. 21. Rochester Community Schools and the entire greater Rochester community worked together to make this happen.

Sample Ballots Now Available

Sample ballots and absentee ballots are now available for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. If you already applied for an absentee ballot, you should have received your ballot by mail in early October.

Coffee Talk

Join the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce at the popular Coffee Talk event. Bring your two-minute elevator speech and a stack of business cards for speed networking over coffee.

Agenda:
8 -8:30 a.m. – Networking
8:30 a.m. – Program begins
10 a.m. –  Program ends

Register here for the Oct. 25 event.

I got my flu shot today. It came with a spiffy purple bandage with some weird design on it. I figured if I was going to take my kids to get their vaccination, I should lead by example.

It’s not going to help put their minds at ease, though. It will be a battle to get them in the car, out of the car, and then when it’s over and they’ve undoubtedly survived the ordeal, they’ll be mad at me for a while.

My conscience is clear.

However, if this year is anything like last year, I’m not sure who was more traumatized—them or me. They gave me a run for my money. When kids don’t want to do something, like get a shot, they suddenly become slippery, wet noodles with superhuman strength that can fit in any crevasse. I had no idea it was going to be so hard to get a 50-pound kid out of a Ford Fusion. By the time we got in the doctor’s office, we were all sweaty, some were crying, and no one was happy.

I guess this is part of the reason I run 5ks. Wish me luck.

Rebecca

Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Named 2020 Michigan Superintendent of the Year

 Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaner has been named the 2020 Michigan Superintendent of the Year by the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. The award was announced Monday, Oct. 7.

The Michigan Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by MASA to a member who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole.

Farmers Market Last Call

The farmers market will be wrapping up its season at the end of the month. Be sure to stop in and get fresh produce before the market closes for the season on Oct. 26.

Leaf Pick-Up Begins Week of Oct. 21

Beginning the week of Oct. 21, crews will be out picking up leaves at the curb. Grass clippings, pet waste, municipal waste and tree limbs are strictly prohibited.

Also, please do not park your vehicle on the piles of leaves in the street; this could potentially create favorable conditions for a fire under your car.

Curbside pickup will continue until Nov. 29 and is dependent upon weather and the rate the leaves fall. Visit http://rochestermi.org/508/Leaf-Collection for more information.

Student Group Wins National Award

Students at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Pediatric Interest Group were recognized as the group of the year by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The students were honored for their dedication to the community, fundraising and advocacy for pediatrics.