OCTOBER 2024 42 I n October, pumpkin patches sprout up all over Arizona, offering a fun twist on fall traditions within the desert landscape. Visitors can enjoy classic autumn activities – and what makes the journey even more worth it is the seasonal treats these farms offer, like pumpkin pie, spiced cider, BBQ and chili. Check out what these Arizona farms are offering for spooky season! MACDONALD’S RANCH 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale macdonaldsranch.com MacDonald’s Ranch has been a staple in the Scottsdale community since 1956, but it didn’t officially open to the public until 1970. Owned and operated by Robby Richardson and his family, MacDonald’s Ranch offers a pumpkin patch that boasts so much more than pumpkins. Guests can check out the petting zoo, hay bale maze, pedal car and track, target toss, corn sensory pool, lawn games, carnival games, hay bale climb and rides and the scavenger hunt. After you’ve found your pumpkins, head over to the Snack Shack for a pretzel dog, pulled pork sandwich, nachos, kettle corn and shaved ice. If you’re in need of something more substantial, the grill menu has various burgers, pulled pork from the smoker and sides like french fries, coleslaw and potato chips. Admission to the farm is $15 per person. MORTIMER FARMS 12907 E. State Route 169, Dewey mortimerfarmsaz.com Mortimer Farms was established in 2010, thanks to an agricultural passion and the heritage of its founders, Gary and Sharla Mortimer. The Farm Park has rides, games, activities and seasonal pick-your- own events. There’s the Animal Encounter, educational farm tours, and festive events like The Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze – open until October 27 – that offers a lineup of shows, entertainment, Grain Train rides, hayrides, and a marketplace, with extended hours and activities on the weekends. The Windmill Kitchen serves farm-to-table meals with fresh ingredients harvested from the farm. During festivals, visitors can enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages from food stands, including homemade bakery treats, BBQ and locally produced drinks. Mortimer Farms is a real working farm environment where guests can harvest their own pumpkins directly from the vine. Admission is $26.50 per person. MOTHER NATURE’S FARM 1663 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert mothernaturesfarm.com Mother Nature’s pumpkin patch opened in 1990 and has since become a popular spot for families in the East Valley. Adults and kids can check out the hayride, straw bale maze, pedal cars, corn pit, play houses, tire mountain, outdoor games and the debut of the all-new mega slide. There’s also a petting zoo and boutique. “It’s is a little slice of heaven in the middle of Gilbert,” Owner Caroline Kelsall said. “Once you enter the farm, you don’t realize you are in the middle of the city!” When you get hungry, stop by Maneau’s Munchies for classic snacks like a pulled pork sandwich, hot dog, nachos, or jumbo pretzel. The snack bar also offers walkable eats like popcorn and kettle corn, peanuts and chips – and those with a sweet tooth can indulge in chocolate covered bananas, caramel apples and cotton candy. The pumpkin patch is $15 per person and is open until November 3. SCHNEPF FARMS 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek schnepffarms.com Every October, Schnepf Farms breaks out all things fall with its Pumpkin & Chili Party – an event that offers an expansive pumpkin patch to kick things off. Guests can take a scenic hayride to the patch and pick the perfect pumpkin for Halloween. There are rides and games, a petting zoo, a corn maze, pig races and stunt dog shows, plus Market Street, where attendees can shop for crafts and goods from local vendors. Like the event name suggests, the food star of the show is the chili – guests can taste a variety of recipes from the grill and pair it with the farm’s famous roasted corn on the cob or something sweet. Schnepf also offers BBQ and there’s a bakery and country store that serves breakfast and lunch dishes like fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, burgers, cookies, pies and more. Admission is $25.95 per person. VERTUCCIO FARMS 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa vertucciofarms.com Vertuccio Farms was opened by Italian immigrants Joe and Maria Vertuccio, who purchased 40 acres of land in Chandler. These days, the farm is run by Joe’s son, Cono, and his family. Guests can find various activities at the Fall Festival, including the new pig race ride and ropes course, plus a five-acre corn maze, petting zoo, slide, carnival games, jump pad, mini golf and the pumpkin patch. At snack time, families can visit the concessions and grab handhelds like candy, popcorn, cookies and snow cones. There’s also a food court and fresh vegetables for sale. Admission is $16 per person. Mother Nature’s Farm Vertuccio Farms MacDonald’s Ranch Mortimer Farms Chef Christopher Collins and his team at Common Ground Culinary recently announced plans for a new wine bar, Saint Urban , slated to open in November. Named for the patron saint of wine vintners, Saint Urban (8260 N. Hayden Road) will have a rotating selection of 30 premium wines by the glass, plus cocktails and AZ-only craft beers, paired with a shareable menu of gourmet bar bites, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and salads. commongroundculinary.com Chef Joey Maggiore released his debut cookbook, BRUNCH KING , in September. The book’s chapters include 70 recipes under titles like Gangsta Sweets: So Good It’s Almost Criminal, Let’s Get Cracking, and Hash, Hash Baby. Recipes for ten-layer breakfast lasagna, crème brûlée waffles with strawberries, biscuits and gravy “Yorkshire Puddings,” mega mimosas and more are included. Purchase BRUNCH KING on Amazon. Francine Restaurant (4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale) introduced a new prix-fixe menu and dishes for the fall. Founder Laurent Halasz and Michelin Trained Executive Chef Remy Lefebvre will showcase dishes like a flatbread pizza; Bluefin tuna tartare; Salmon Riveria and Duck Pithiviers. Guests can choose between the regular fall menu or the fall prix-fixe, which is $65 per person and includes whipped goat cheese, mushroom rigatoni and crème brulee for dessert. View more fall specials on the website. francinerestaurant.com THIS MONTH: PUMPKIN PATCHES!
43 OCTOBER 2024 ARCADIANEWSARCHIVES.COM 30 YEARS AGO By Mark Hays Banner Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joshua Hustedt has developed a new technique to help those suffering from chronic joint pain – especially those who aren’t finding relief through traditional replacement surgery. With the help of the University of Arizona, Hustedt developed clinical trials for the procedure – which is called Joint Denervation – to help those with wrist problems. The trials were successful and the technique was expanded to assist with knee pain. Hustedt explained that while doctors usually recommend joint replacement, not everyone can undergo the procedure. For them, his new technique can offer relief. “In the United States right now, if you have deep knee pain, you’re told you can get a cortisone shot or you can get a knee replacement, “ Hustedt said. “Those are very different options; not everybody qualifies to get a knee replacement.” Those over a certain weight or with specific blood conditions aren’t eligible, and Hustedt said that there are a large number of people in the U.S. that fall into that category as obesity, chronic diseases and aging have become deciding factors. “On top of that, with people that get a knee replacement…it doesn’t necessarily mean that the pain goes away,” he said. With Joint Denervation, surgeons operate on the affected area by blocking pain signals. Instead of replacing a joint because it has pain, the doctors target the nerves. They then cut those nerves and transfer them to the surrounding muscle. The nerve grows into the muscle, and what was once a sensory nerve becomes a motor nerve. While underlying conditions like arthritis aren’t cured, patients have been shown to not suffer from pain anymore. “It’s like a short circuit,” Hustedt said. “By interrupting that pain signal between the joint and the brain, we convince the body that there’s no pain signal anymore.” Hustedt published his findings in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Medical Journal and has already treated hundreds of patients who are no longer suffering. “It’s been wonderful,” he said. “I went to medical school to help others, and I feel like this will make a big difference worldwide.” Hustedt also founded the Joint Denervation Consortium, where he partners with internationally based surgeons to help make the practice accessible for people in parts of the world where replacement isn’t an option. When he’s not performing or developing surgical techniques, Hustedt enjoys spending time with his family and appreciating the outdoors. “I have three kids – two girls and a boy,” he said. “Two of them go to Hopi. I enjoy volunteering in the community. I’m a soccer coach for our girls on the Hopi team and coach with Arcadia Little League. My family also enjoys going to the lake, water skiing, mountain biking, and snow skiing.” jointdenervation.org Alternative joint pain treatment Dr. Joshua Hustedt