Dear Crabby, Are the Cider Mills Open as Usual?

Dear Crabby, Are the Cider Mills Open as Usual? Sincerely, Johnny A. Hi Johnny, Well yes they are! And they are busy! If you like lines, go on the weekend. However, if you're like me and cannot stand a line for any reason (unless it's for something free) then go through the week and go to a smaller cider mill, such as Rochester Cider Mill or Goodison Cider Mill. But the Rochester area has four great mills and you should hit them all at least once this season. Dear Crabby Gives … [Read more...]

Rochester Cider Mill is Oakland Township’s Oldest Cider Location

In 1938, Frederick Sargeant and his son, George, planted an orchard on a 73-acre parcel along North Rochester Road in Oakland Township. Sargeant’s Fruit Farm sold apples, peaches, and cherries, along with tomatoes, potatoes, and flowers from a farm stand on the property. In 1948-49, they made an addition to the building to accommodate a cider mill and an additional sales room. At first, the Sargeants took their apples to Yates Cider Mill to have them pressed into cider, but then Frederick and … [Read more...]

Celebrate Oakland Township Bicentennial March 16

Oakland Township to Celebrate Bicentennial with 200 Free Donuts on March 16 Two-hundred years ago on this date, Benjamin Woodworth “Uncle Ben” and William Russell “Father Russell” purchased the first parcel in Oakland Township, and it was the tenth purchase in the entire Oakland County. Together they purchased 160 acres in Section 33 where the Paint Creek runs through Dutton and Livernois Road. The two men had helped build mills with early settlers from Avon Twp., in the fall of 1818 on the … [Read more...]

Down on the Farm is Fall Fun in Oakland Township

Cranberry Lake Farm (CLF), October 6, From 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be tons of fun family activities, free and open to the public, including a hayride, pumpkin painting, and horse grooming demonstration. There will be exhibits with quilters, spinners, local beekeeping, horse Ferrier, and chickens. Local painters will be displaying their beautiful artwork, with talents of musicians to fill the historic district. David Phillips, HDC Chairman said he “always looks forward to hearing … [Read more...]

Rochester Cider Mill Tasting and Tour

Rochester Cider Mill Tasting and Tour Day Trip with the OPC Join cider aficionado, Michael Dwyer, as the Older Persons Commission (OPC) visits three local cider mills with the OPC bus. Attendees will enjoy plenty of delicious samplings as they learn about cider and the mills. Items will be available for purchase so attendees can take some additional autumn delights home with them. Cider Mills include Rochester Cider Mill, Middleton Cider Mill, and Yates Cider Mill. Reservations by phone … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Where’s the Best Cider Mill in Southeast Michigan?

Dear Crabby, Now that fall sorta feels like it’s here, I was wondering if you have a favorite cider mill you could recommend. Thanks, Paul Pomme Dear Paul Pomme, Gee, pal. Are you looking to get me into trouble? Michiganders take their cider mills pretty seriously and showing favoritism could cost me some fans. Then again, when have I ever cared what people think about me? While I haven’t been to every cider mill in southeast Michigan, I will tell you where you go all comes down to … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Public Library Hosts Cider Tasting

Visiting Michigan Cider Mills To get you in the fall mood, the Rochester Hills Public Library is hosting a cider tasting during the lecture, Visiting Michigan Cider Mills on October 10. Starting at 7:00 p.m., writer and local cider enthusiast Michael Dwyer will speak on the variety of cider mills throughout the state. Concluding the event will be a cider tasting.  “Southeast Michigan is fortunate to have several cider mills in our community, each one offering the visitor a difference … [Read more...]

Rotting Good Intentions

Fall has certainly settled in here in Rochester and I am loving every second of it. We've enjoyed a few trips already to the Rochester Cider Mill and walked around Van Hoosen Farm for The Stonewall Pumpkin Festival. I've made a copycat version of Panera's Autumn Squash Soup as well as purchased a few mini pumpkins. Ah, the minis. They're so cute aren't they? You can just line them up on your table or put them in a basket and they're all set. No carving, no disgusting guts of pumpkins … [Read more...]

Yates, Paint Creek and Rochester Cider Mills

Yates, Paint Creek and Rochester Cider Mills What’s the latest with Rochester Area cider mills? A spring pressing, a two-year extension, and year-round operations sum up the spring news at three local cider mills. Spring Apple Cider at Yates Yate’s Cider Mill offered fresh apple cider, pressed on site, for a special month-long treat to kick off the spring. Their last pressing was on Mother’s Day and cider connoisseurs will have to wait a few more months for fresh cider again. … [Read more...]

Rochester Cider Mill Still Waiting

Two More Weeks The Barkham Family, owners of the Rochester Cider Mill, and their attorney, Eric Lipson, have been attending Oakland Township Board of Trustee meetings since January. Their hope is to convince the board to agree to amend a 1987 court ordered consent agreement on the operation of the property. The cider mill is residential property and falls into a void of neither being a commercially zoned business nor a working farm. The 1987 agreement limits the owners’ use of the space. … [Read more...]