Publisher Letter July 2025

Why We’re Embracing Summer Microadventures and Farmers Markets

Some of my favorite summer memories go back to time spent at my grandparents’ house adjacent to a small lake in northeast Illinois, where we stayed outside most of the day until it got too dark or too buggy. A beautiful apple tree stood between the house and garage, its arching branches holding a simple swing my grandpa had made, tied to a sturdy limb with thick rope and consisting of a smooth wooden board that squeaked with every swing.

By late July, the tree produced an abundance of early apples. I’ve since determined they were likely Lodi—a variety introduced in the ‘20s and among the first to ripen in the Midwest. Today, we see Michigan Lodi apples turn up at farmers markets in late July. Small, pale green and tart, they have soft flesh and paper-thin skins—perfect for applesauce or pie. As a kid, I just knew they made a delicious pie. Gramps used a long-handled basket picker to reach the branches, and my mom and I gathered the windfalls on the lawn. We filled bushel baskets during apple season, saving the best for pies and the rest for sauce.

We'd spread newspaper on the kitchen table, pile the apples in the center and get to work. With their help, I mastered the art of using a paring knife to peel and slice the apples with a few quick turns of my hand. My grandma rolled out homemade crusts on the counter and carefully placed them into Pyrex pie dishes. Then she mixed the apples in an old green bowl with sugar, tapioca, nutmeg and cinnamon; piled the mixture into the crusts; dotted with butter; added the top crust; crimped the edges; and cut steam vents. Two pies typically went into their ‘70s Coppertone Brown range-oven, and soon the house was filled with the scent of bubbling apple pie. In a day or two, the pies were devoured by family and friends, and we’d start the process again.

Summer is all about being present—moving with the season’s rhythm, finding joy in simple pleasures and quiet adventures, whether outdoors or in the kitchen. It’s a season that invites us to slow down and appreciate the moments that matter. In this month’s issue, we explore how you don’t need to take a long or expensive trip to get away and recharge. In our feature story, “The Microadventure Mindset: Finding Natural Splendor Close to Home,” we offer inspiration for finding simple, restorative getaways close to home. Sheryl DeVore introduces us to some of the Native Bees you might be lucky enough to spot on your summer adventures, and arborist M.D. Skeet shares his expert advice in Tree Care Tips: Watering for Health and Longevity over a hot Chicago summer.

In our Conscious Eating section, we highlight Protein-Forward Breakfasts: Starting the Day Strong that help sustain you through active days. Local Food Forum's Bob Benenson offers insights on the more than 100 Chicago area farmers markets waiting to be explored, and Illinois Farmers Market Association Executive Director Janie Maxwell shares a tempting recipe that puts this month’s local berries to good use. And in our Healing Ways department, we present some natural options for healthy sun protection, along with after-sun care tips.

I encourage you to find time to get outside every day and take in all the natural world has to offer this month. Go for a walk in a park or forest preserve, look for native bees in a local garden, tend your tomato plants, listen for crickets on a warm evening, watch the leaves and sunlight create shifting patterns on the grass, and observe local backyard wildlife going about their summer routines. And don’t forget to watch for the full moon rise on the 10th. We have long days and lingering twilights in which to soak up the summer vibe, and I hope you can make the most of them.

Wherever this month takes you, have a safe, fun and memorable July