2018/10/02/cover-story-kane-fall-family-time-at-some-of-your-local-favorites
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Dustin & Mikaya Huggins of Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm & Produce In Sugar Grove Dustin and Mikaya Huggins operate Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm & Produce. The farm land itself is owned by Phil Nickels and has been in the family for over 100 years. He is a part of the Nickels Family that owns Troxel Ag, Inc in Maple Park. Dustin and Mikaya live on the farm with their 3 and 4 year-old boys who are also actively involved in land preparations, planting and harvesting. “You will even find them with us during autumn operating hours, greeting and helping our guests,” Mikaya says. “It has been very important to us that they grow up as involved in the farm as possible.” Autumn is the family’s favorite because it’s the season that farmers live for and hold their most cherished memories as business operators in getting to know members of their community. The family is proud they are small and simple and do not charge admission, parking or activity fees as a means to thank their guests for their support. Fall fun includes the witch hat ring toss, pumpkin bags, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and yardzee; as well as a corn maze, straw mound, and 56+ varieties of pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, straw bales, mums and local honey. Kent and Joan Shodeen, Owners & Jesse Mercado, Hotel Manager of Herrington Inn & Spa In Geneva Fall is the perfect time of year to sit in the Gazebo, enjoy al fresco dining with river views, or a day in the spa now that the kids are back in school. Herrington Inn & Spa, owned by Geneva homeowners, Kent and Joan Shodeen of Shodeen Inc. is a family-owned company specializing in residential and commercial real estate development in the Fox Valley region. Keeping it all in the family, Joan, an interior designer, helped create the look, feel and layout of The Herrington. “The Herrington was built based on the vision and design of my parents. They have always enjoyed traveling, and felt a bed & breakfast, like those in Europe, would be a great fit along the banks of the River in Geneva,” says Anna Shodeen Harmon, daughter of Kent and Joan Shodeen. “The vision was to provide an upscale, yet comfortable, Inn.” The Herrington is a community asset, and it shows in so many ways. A fun fact is that when the river floods, or threatens to flood, many different community members call and show up to lend a hand to help protect their community ‘gem’ on the river. Mark and Patti Southern of Fishermen’s Inn In Elburn Patti’s Great Aunt Anne and Uncle Ralph Schleifer owned Fishermen's Inn until Ralph's passing in 2005 when it subsequently went into a trust and closed in 2009. Since Patti and her husband Mark had grown up going to Fishermen's Inn, they felt a strong connection to the property and purchased it in 2012, re-opening it as a wedding venue. They were not new to business ownership as they already owned Encap, Inc. in DeKalb, IL and also have recently purchased a "sister venue" in Fort Atkinson, WI called RiverStone; but, Fishermen’s Inn was special – it was personal. “We are so honored when couples choose Fishermen’s Inn to share their special day and we take pride in helping make it the most memorable day of their lives!” Patti loves changing the flowers for every season and watching the trees on the property turn beautiful reds, yellows and orange which she says make the most beautiful backdrop for wedding photos; and because Patti and Mark truly believe in community, they have also opened their Mill House Patio Bar on Thursday evenings through October. They offer a small plate menu, a variety of drinks and a live band while allowing guests to stroll through their beautiful gardens which hold the utmost pride. #GlancerMagazine #ArtsEntertainment #WhimsicalFallFun #FamilyTime #CoverStory #TrendingNow #KaneCounty #October2018Kane #KristenKucharski #SugarGrovePumpkinFarm #HerringtonInn #Fishermansinn

COVER STORY, KANE | Fall Family Time at Some of Your Local Favorites

Dustin & Mikaya Huggins of Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm & Produce In Sugar Grove Dustin and Mikaya Huggins operate Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm...

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The Feltes Family of Sonny Acres WEST CHICAGO–Sonny Acres farm in West Chicago has been in Tom Feltes’s family since his great grandparents settled on the property in 1883. Tom’s mom eventually gifted the farm to her nine children, but the business name was officially changed to Sonny Acres when her seventh son was born into the family. The farm is now operated and managed by Tom (son #6) and his wife, Ellyn Feltes and Tom’s brother, Jim Feltes. All of them, including Tom and Ellyn’s three adult children and two oldest grandchildren, look forward to the fall season and working at their Fall Festival. “It’s our busiest time of the year,” says Ellyn, “and we get excited when the season comes around. We start preparing early in the year ordering merchandise and planning activities.” Besides the piles of pumpkins and specialty squashes and gourds, visitors will find a variety of Halloween displays and attractions including, hayrides, pony rides, camel rides, a Haunted Barn, a Spooky Shed, amusement rides, a costume shop and a farm market. A unique attraction that they love putting together for their guests is the Haunted Wagon Ride on the weekends that takes you through five acres of woods with live characters to give a thrill. “I love having people tell me that they came to Sonny Acres as a child and are now bringing their children to experience the fun,” says Ellyn. “It’s fun for their family and for mine.” Adison Glick of Naper Settlemen t NAPERVILLE–This is Adison Glick’s fourth season as Special Events Coordinator for Naper Settlement. Coming from a family that joyously celebrates the coming of fall and Halloween, Adison brings a certain excitement to organizing and producing Naper Settlement’s long-standing fall events, Oktoberfest and All Hallow’s Eve. Every year his mother transforms her entire house into a bouquet of red, orange and brown fall decorations. He seems to have inherited her passion as he decorates on a larger scale to create a creepy, spooky haunted wonderland during All Hallow’s Eve. “My favorite part of fall are the campfires,” says Adison. “My family loves to sit around a fire while we cook, pick instruments, sing songs and laugh.” To incorporate that atmosphere at All Hallow’s Eve, a giant campfire sits in the center of the numerous haunted houses and displays. An array of delicious fall foods are available for attendees to enjoy by the fire while watching stage entertainment. As a musician, Adison looks forward to the Oompa and Polka music at the earlier Oktoberfest to bolster his festive spirit. “Since I started working at Naper Settlement,” says Adison, “my entire family comes in from Indiana every year to celebrate with me at Oktoberfest. They all love the German food and drinks!” The Keller Family of Keller’s Farmstand OSWEGO–Frank Keller’s favorite fall family tradition would undoubtedly be readying their family farm and orchard for the public harvest festivities. Keller’s Farmstand and Orchard out of Oswego is an all-family affair. Frank and his wife, Teresia, and their three children, Elin (19), Greta (16) and Frank (Gus) (13), all work together to be ready for opening day. Frank’s siblings are also integral to the farm’s success with his sister, Martha, managing their Fall Event, his brother, Marty, running the bakery with Teresia (where apple cider donuts are made), and his sister, Laura, working with their social media. Keller’s Farmstand has changed locations a few times, but has been in the area since 1852 and growing pumpkins since the early 1900’s. The popular family destination offers apple picking from over 2,000 trees of 15 varieties, pumpkin picking, fun activities for kids, and a ten- acre corn maze. After living 40 years in Naperville before moving the farm to Oswego, Frank finds the quiet in the country relaxing. “We begin working on the Fall season as early as June when we start planting pumpkins and cutting our corn maze,” says Frank. “It’s a crazy pace, but we love working together, and I’m very proud of all the work my kids have done.” #GlancerMagazine #ArtsEntertainment #WhimsicalFallFun #FamilyTime #CoverStory #TrendingNow #DuPageCounty #October2018DuPage #SonnyAcres #KellersFarmstand #NaperSettlement

COVER STORY | Fall Family Time at Some of Your Local Favorites

The Feltes Family of Sonny Acres WEST CHICAGO–Sonny Acres farm in West Chicago has been in Tom Feltes’s family since his great...

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