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Center Hill Orchard & Apiary

10415 Getz Road, Mount Carroll

Contact: 815-238-9382 or info@ centerhillorchard.com

Online: Centerhillorchard.com

Center Hill Orchard has been growing a variety of fruits from mid-to-late summer to early fall since 2015. Cherries, peaches, berries, pears and apples are available during in season. Various jams and jellies, as well as honey in both liquid and comb varieties, are available all summer. Products can be ordered and picked up at the farm or during the Mount Carroll Farmers Market, and can also be delivered to Mount Carroll or Savanna.

Family

The Iskes are in their sixth generation of farming east of Lanark. They raise hogs and chickens, grow plants and vegetables and make their own maple syrup from their own sugar shack. Eggs from the chickens they raise also are sold. Follow the family’s farming activities on their YouTube channel, @IskeFarms.

Neumiller Farms

7389 state Route 84, Savanna

Contact: 815-273-4505 or farm@neumiller.farm

Online: Neumillerfarms.com

Hours: 7:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. daily

Potatoes are the name of the game at Neumiller Farms, where a 35-pound bag of spuds is just $10. The Neumillers are third-generation farmers who began raising potatoes in Wisconsin around 75 years ago, and have been in Illinois since 1974. Its potatoes, which come from fields in Savanna, Hanover, Erie, Cordova and Bath, have been used by food companies who sell salad and potato chips, including the Kettle Brand company.

Garlic comes in a variety of different types, shapes and sizes, and Darrin and Jenny Eubanks (pictured above) grow some of them on their farm east of Lanark: music garlic, which is the most common type around; red and white German garlic; and their branded Straddle Creek garlic, which is native to Pennsylvania and doesn’t pop up locally very often. Typically, China supplies about 80 percent of the nation’s garlic, but the Eubanks provide a more direct farm-to-table approach. They also grow tomatoes and jalapeño peppers, and organize the occasional open house on their farm (check its Facebook page for updates). Products can also be purchased on its website.

Argo Acres

16295 Argo Fay

Route, Thomson Contact:

815-259-2132 or argocare@me.com

Online: Facebook

Straddle Creek Gardens

25269 Locust Road, Lanark

Contact: 815-275-7930

(preferred contact) or eubanks@ straddlecreekgardens.com

Online: Straddlecreekgardens.com

Dennis and Diane Etnyre have been selling homegrown produce directly from their farm east of Thomson for more than 20 years. A food stand is open on the farm during the summer and begins the season with green beans, tomatoes and sweet corn, and ends it the fall with apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds and Indian corn. The stand is open during the spring by chance. Asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries are among the earliest produce available, starting in April, and can be ordered during the spring when the stand is closed. Popcorn, red raspberries and painted pumpkins also are available on occasion. Check the Facebook page for up-to-date opening dates and hours.

Tom and Genevieve

Fairhaven Fruit Farm

966 Creamery Road, Thomson

Contact: 563-213-6134 or bmetz200@gmail.com

Online: Facebook

Open: Mid-August to November from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nedbal own and operate the family fruit farm near the small Carroll County community of Fairhaven. Their orchard has about 600 fruit trees with nearly 30 different varieties of apples, such as ambrosia, honey crisp, McIntosh, monarch, sunrise, red free, zestar and others. One of the orchard’s more popular apples is Gen’s Best, named after Genevieve. These apples are grown on trees with scion wood grafted into them, and are large, round, juicy and have a taste between tart and sweet. The orchard hosts occasional U-pick events; check its Facebook page for up-to-date information, as the weather plays a role in prime apple-picking time. Also offered: honey made by their own bees, as well as donuts and apple cider. The farm also has a pumpkin patch in October.

Sunday

Farming is hard work — tilling, planting, picking, packing — but that work ensures communities have constant, readily available access to healthy foods. Such devotion merits support, and there are many things consumers can do to show their appreciation for local farmers.

BUY PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMS. When buying foods, looking for products from local farms and/or domestic farms can benefit consumers in various ways. Many individuals find locally grown foods more flavorful than products imported from foreign countries. And buying local, whether the farm is on the outskirts of the city you call home or elsewhere in your own country, provides some much-needed economic stimulation to rural communities. Farmers Markets are also a great place to find locally sourced goods

LOOK BEYOND FOODS. Rural communities produce more than food. Soaps, lotions, candles, decorative items, and other products people use everyday are produced on farms and within rural communities. Choosing these products over mass-produced alternatives made in other countries or in places where profits are less likely to be funneled back into local communities is a great way to support rural economies.

ORDER DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL FARMS. Some farmers have embraced the ecommerce revolution and begun selling the foods they grow to consumers via their own websites. Research local farms and determine if it’s possible to buy directly from them. Farms may offer delivery or pick-up, and consumers can enjoy fresh foods even more knowing that they helped farmers earn higher profits by buying directly from them.

SPREAD THE WORD. Get the word out after a satisfying experience with local farms and farmers. Whether it’s buying food from farms or taking advantage of family days that let kids enjoy a day on the farm, sharing positive experiences via social media or wordof-mouth can be a great way to inspire your neighbors to support local farmers as well.

— Metro News Service

t won’t be long before spring is in air and green grass is on the grounds at Wrigley Field and Guarantee Rate Field (or Comiskey Park, depending on what you want to call it).

By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media page26

Major and minor league players from the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and 28 other Major League teams are getting ready to get into the swing of things as they gear up for spring training, keeping their eye on the ball and their eye on the prize: a shot at the World Series. Whether you’re a casual fan who can’t wait to hear the crack of the bat, or you’re a number-cruncher who can rattle off stats, enjoying America’s pastime is a fun and relaxing way to pass the time, wherever you enjoy the game — in the bleachers, on your couch, in front of a radio, or sitting at the bar. Even if you don’t get a taste of the peanuts and Cracker Jack, you can still get a taste of the game at places throughout Northern Illinois — and you don’t even have to go to the Windy City to make enjoying the baseball a breeze. Plenty of interesting baseball connections are within driving distance — and who knows: You might just have so much fun visiting them that you’ll find yourself saying “I don’t care if I never get back home!”

Field of Dreams movie site & stadium

28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville, Iowa

Online: Fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok

ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour, 50 minutes

BELOIT SKY CARP (HIGH-A, MIDWEST LEAGUE) ABC Supply Stadium

217 Shirland Ave., Beloit, Wisconsin

Online: Milb.com/beloit, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Did you know that the closest official Major League Baseball game played from Lake Carroll wasn’t in Chicago? The Field of Dreams, named for the 1989 movie with Kevin Coster that’s made it famous, has both a staged diamond — the one used in the movie — that visitors can play on, and a professional diamond where one MLB game has been played each year since 2021. The White Sox defeated the New York Yankees, 9-8, in the first game, and the Cubs defeated the Reds, 4-2, last year. Unfortunately, no game will be played there this year as the pro diamond is undergoing a renovation, but there’s still plenty to see there — and even better? You won’t get stuck in rushhour traffic getting there.

Beloit, located on the WisconsinIllinois border 20 minutes north of Rockford, has been home to minor league baseball since 1982 when its team was called the Beloit Brewers. Today, the Beloit Sky Carp is the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

Baseball stars Prince

QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (HIGH-A, MIDWEST LEAGUE)

Modern Woodmen Park

209 S. Gaines St., Davenport, Iowa

Online: Milb.com/quad-cities, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok

ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour, 30 minutes

The Quad Cities’ professional baseball connections date back to 1879, with minor league teams in both Moline and Rock Island on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Since 1931, pro games have been played at Modern Woodmen Park (originally John O’Donnell Stadium) in downtown Davenport against a backdrop of the Centennial Bridge behind right field, just off the Mississippi River.

Affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, the River Bandits won the Midwest League championship in 2021, but struggled to a 54-78 finish last year. Having been affiliated with 12 teams through the years, many baseball legends have been part of Modern Woodmen Park’s history: hall-of-famer Jim Bunning; Most Valuable Player award winners Joe Mauer and Justin Mourneau; Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana; and other familiar names of the past, including Billy Wagner, Frank Tanana and Carney Lansford.

From July to September, a 90-minute “Greatest Show on Dirt” comedy performance features the movie’s iconic ghost players emerging from the cornfield. The two-story home on site that belonged the Kinsella family in the movie is original, and is available for tours during the spring, summer and fall; and also can be rented out for overnight stays on occasion.

Fielder, Greg Vaughn and Kevin Seitzer honed their professional baseball skills in Beloit early in their careers during the Brewers’ years. This season, the Carp will look to rebound from a 62-67 season and compete for its first Midwest League postseason berth since 2013.

The Carp’s first game is at their home park, ABC Supply Stadium, as they take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of Appleton in the first of a three-game series at 6:35 p.m. April 7. The Midwest League’s regular season concludes in mid-September before postseason play begins.

The River Bandits’ first game is at home as they take on the South Bend Cubs in the first of a three-game series at 6:30 p.m. on April 7.

ROCKFORD RIVETS (NORTHWOODS LEAGUE) Rivets Stadium

4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park Online: Northwoodsleague.com/ rockford-rivets, Facebook, Twitter

ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour, 10 minutes

The Northwoods League is one of the few in the nation that exclusively features college baseball players who are looking to make it onto a professional league roster. The Rockford Rivets, the only Illinois team in the league, has a history dating back to days when the franchise was once part of the Midwest League.

The Rivets open their season on May 29 at the Traverse City Pit Spitters, and have their first home game at 6:35 p.m. May 31 against the Kenosha Kingfish.

Clinton LumberKings (Prospect League)

NelsonCorp Field

537 Ballpark Drive, Clinton, Iowa

Online: Northwoodsleague.com/ rockford-rivets, Facebook, Twitter ETA from Lake Carroll: 45 minutes

Rockford Peaches and Beyer Stadium

245 15th Ave., Rockford

Online: Gorockford.com/listings/ beyer-stadium/1156

ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour from Lake Carroll

Having fun at the ol’ ballpark watching the Clinton LumberKings play ball is an annual summertime event that locals have enjoyed since 1937. Clinton was home to several minor league baseball teams for 83 years and saw nearly 300 players make it to the major leagues during that time. Like the aforementioned Rockford Rivets franchise, Clinton also was part of the Midwest League before a reorganization of Minor League Baseball eliminated them from the league.

The Prospect League also features exclusively college players aspiring to make it to baseball’s next levels. The LumberKings named for the city’s past as “The Lumber Capital of the World” — open their season at 6:30 p.m. May 31 in Clinton against the Normal Cornbelters

There’s no crying in baseball, but there is loads of history, includ ing this reminder of a time when women played professional baseball. Never heard of it? Then maybe you’ve heard of the 1992 movie that made it famous: “A League of Their Own,” which starred Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell.

The were the featured team in the

The real Rockford Peaches team was part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 to 1954. Games were played at Beyer Stadium, which was originally built in 1913 for mens minor league baseball, as well as high school football games. No team in the AAGPBL had more success than the Peaches, who won a league championship in 1945 and three more in a row, from 1948 to 1950. Players including Lois Florreich, Dorothy Kamenshek and Gladys Davis starred for the Peaches during their successful tenure. Only the ticket booth remains from the park’s heyday as the Peaches’ home, but a new diamond has been built on the former grounds. There are also informational displays nearby that share the history of the park and team.

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Taylor Park

900 E. Stephenson St., Freeport

Online: Freeportparkdistrict.org/taylor-park

Once the crown jewel of recreation on Freeport’s east side and once home to minor league games, Taylor Park continues to be a place where families can relax and kids can get in a game of baseball.

Fairgrounds Park

450 Kilburn Ave., Rockford

Online: Rockfordparkdistrict.com

ETA from Lake Carroll: 1 hour

Taylor Park hosted minor league baseball from 1905-1910 and again in 1915. The first few years were as members of the Wisconsin State League, and the 1907 Freeport team won the league’s championship. Two teams took to Taylor Field in 1915 in different leagues: the Pretzels of the Bi-State League and the Comeons of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (“Three-I”) League.

ETA from Lake Carroll:: 30 minutes

Freeport’s most famous baseball alumni was Frank “Shag” Shaughnessy (inset at right), a native of Amboy. Shaughnessy played for the 1907 championship team and later had a successful coaching career in Canadian collegiate football and hockey. He became a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. Future hall of fame baseball manager Casey Stengel also played a few games in Freeport as a member of the visiting Kankakee Kays team.

With the exception of the Comeons’ brief existence, Freeport’s baseball nickname was the Pretzels. Freeport High School later adopted the name for its own sports teams after minor league baseball left town.

Once home to the Winnebago County Fair — from which it takes its name — the park was the first home of professional baseball in Rockford. The city’s first team, the Forest Citys, formed in 1867 and was made up of adults and teenagers who had a grasp of the fledgling sport at the time.

Albert Spalding and Ross Barnes (inset at left) were two of professional baseball’s earliest stars who started out in Rockford, and were teenagers attending Rockford High School when they played. Both Spalding and Barnes moved on to the Boston Red Stockings club in 1871, where they became part of the first’s first great dynasty run with four straight world championships. Spalding was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.

Fairgrounds Park looks much different today than it did when Spalding and Barnes played; in fact, no baseball field remains. The park does have a picnic shelter and enough green space for kids to play a game with whatever they want to use as bases and pitching rubber, and follow in the footsteps of the two early stars who played there.

Byron Museum of History’s Albert Spalding collection

110 N. Union St., Byron

Online: Byronmuseum.org, Facebook

Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

The aforementioned Albert Spalding (left) went on to fame in the game from his playing days as a Rockford teenager, but Byron was the town where he was born. The Byron Museum of History (right) has a display of many baseball artifacts and local mementos from the Spalding Family’s time in town.

ETA from Lake Carroll: 45 minutes PHOTOS:

After his playing days, Spalding managed the White Stockings and started the Spalding Sporting Goods business. The Fall 2022 issue of Shaw Media’s Ogle County Living magazine featured a history of Spalding’s career, centered on the 150th anniversary of the Red Stocking’s baseball championship of 1872. Go to issuu.com/shawmedia/docs/ svm ocl 090822 to read it.

Abner Dalrymple

Field at Meridian Park

209 Franklin St., Warren

Online: BHPD Meridian Park on Facebook

ETA from Lake Carroll: 45 minutes

Today’s heavy hitters in baseball slug out around 50 home runs during a season, with Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds known as the heavy-hitters. In the 1880s, though, home runs were less frequent. A big name of the time, Abner Dalrymple (right) racked up only about half as many. Having grown up on a farm between Warren and Gratiot, Wisconsin, Dalrymple played professional baseball from 1878 to 1891, with most of those years spent on the Chicago White Stockings (later the Cubs). In 1884, he hit 22 home runs for the White Stockings, which was the second-highest season total in professional baseball history at that time. By 1886, he owned the No. 5 spot on baseball’s all-time career home runs list. Dalrymple finished with 43 career homers and later retired back home to the Warren-Gratiot area, where he died in 1939.

The baseball field in Warren, which is now the home to the Warren-Stockton high school baseball team, is named in Dalrymple’s honor, and a plaque was placed near the backstop with his career details (above left)

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3086 Route 26 N. Freeport, IL 61032

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BY CODY CUTTER

isiting a library is like reading a good book. Every time you turn the page, you find something new.