Apple Orchard Fun!

One of the best things about Autumn in Minnesota is picking apples! At quite a few area apple orchards you can enjoy picking apples, hayrides, corn mazes, petting animals and spending time outside in this perfect fall weather. These are some great regional orchards that you are sure to enjoy. For additional information about hours, directions, and weekend events please check their websites or call ahead. Have fun!

Ride the Honeycrisp Express at Aamodt's Apple Farm!

Minnetonka Orchards
6530 County Rd 26
Minnetrista, MN 55364
763-479-6530
www.minnetonkaorchards.com

Apple Jack Orchard 
4875 37th Street SE
Delano, MN 55328
#763-972-6673
www.applejackorchards.com

Emma Krumbee's Apple Orchard
E Enterprise Dr
Belle Plaine, MN 56011 ‎
http://emmakrumbees.com/apple-orchard/

Afton Apple
14421 So 90th Street
Hastings, MN 55033
651-436-8385
www.aftonapple.com

Aamodt’s Apple Farm
6428 Manning Ave
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-439-3127
www.aamodtsapplefarm.com

Pine Tree Apple Orchard
450 Apple Orchard Road
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-429-7202
www.pinetreeappleorchard.com

Wondering what to do with all of those apples? Here's a delicious idea!

Snicker caramel apple pie

Ingredients
· 1 pie crust
· 3 green apples diced
· 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
· 15-20 mini snickers chopped
· 2 1/2 cup COOL WHIP whipped topping softened
· 1/3 cup can sweetened condensed milk
· 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)

Instructions
1. Spread snickers on bottom of pie crust. Next layer the apples next. Then drizzle caramel on top.
2. Combine cool whip, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together in a small bowl and spread on top. (Side Note: I made this again and mixed the COOL WHIP, condensed milk and cream cheese in a bowl and then added the apples and snickers into that. Then I put it all in the pie crust. I think that way turned out great! )
3. Drizzle with caramel and a few snickers. Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Take out about 5 minutes before serving and top with fresh apple slices. Enjoy!
4. **notes: this pie is best on the first day! If you want to keep the apples from browning, you can put a little lemon juice on them.

Demolition Derby Course? Nope - That's A Construction Zone!

Driving in and out of Eagle Ridge could be a little tricky over the next six weeks; the City of Maple Grove will be working on the road at both entrances to our community. A temporary ramp will be in place so traffic can pass over the construction area; only one vehicle will be able to pass over the ramp at a time. This means our residents may need to take turns entering and exiting the property, especially during peak traffic hours.

We ask that you watch out for construction workers and other drivers in the construction zone. Be sure to obey all construction signs and traffic directions throughout the duration of the project. There may be other traffic changes and limitations throughout the project and we will do our best to inform you of any changes ahead of time.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact the office.

It's Football Season - What Team Are You Cheering On?

The staff at Eagle Ridge Apartments is pumped that it's finally football season. We surveyed the staff to see what they love about football and dug into their team loyalties. Below you'll find some tips for enjoying the football season at Eagle Ridge. Plus, in honor of the most popular sport in the United States we're holding a drawing to give a $20.00 gift card to Domino's Pizza to one lucky winner!

Football Season Gift Card Drawing

Watching football is always better with some great food. Eagle Ridge residents, here's your chance to win a $20.00 gift card to Domino's Pizza, one of our favorite pizza shops that delivers right to Eagle Ridge Apartments! Simply comment with your favorite football team on this blog post, or on our Facebook football contest post, or tweet us your favorite team on Twitter @EagleRidge_Apts. We'll hold the drawing at 2:00 pm on Monday, September 23rd.

Staff Team Favorites

We took a survey of the staff at Eagle Ridge Apartments and found out what they love about football season and what team they are cheering for. Let us know what team you're cheering on!

Ginny: Vikings of course, and eating football food and hanging with friends
Kelsey: Vikings. Chili, pumpkin spice candles and family time watching the game
Coty: Packers, and watching the packers win
Sam: Vikings, game food
Chris: Vikings, its finally getting cold
George: Vikings, a good time to sit in front of the TV
Cindy: Vikings, snacks!
David: Vikings, snacks!
Ashley: Vikings, watching the game
Jesse : Vikings, watching the game
Scott: Packers, watching the Vikings curl up into a fetal position
Gary: Packers (or whoever is playing against the Vikings), Packers winning the division

Dave: Vikings, watching all the games on Sunday

Where to Watch

Check out the game on Eagle Ridge's big flat-screen TV downstairs in the Clubhouse. The TV Lounge in the Clubhouse is a great amenity - with lots of cable channels available and some comfy couches. Remember it is FREE!

Football Party Buffalo Dip Recipe

If you are hosting, here's a great buffalo dip recipe recommended by our leasing staff.

• 16 ounces cream cheese soft spread in 9x13 pan, 
• 1 roasted chicken- take meat off and mix with ½ bottle Texas Petes buffalo sauce and ½ jar Light House Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
• Spread over cream cheese, 
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese 
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese melted. 
• Serve with chips or veggies.

Have Some Fun at the Taste of Maple Grove

We came across a fun event coming up on September 21, 2013 from 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Taste of Maple Grove. It sounds like a fun evening of wine and beer tasting, as well as a wine seminar! Tickets are cheaper if you purchase them ahead of time. And it's not too far from Eagle Ridge, at the Maple Grove Community Center at 12951 Weaver Lake Rd.

From the Maple Grove website:

A fun event that supports a good cause. You won’t want to miss Maple Grove Senior High School Dance Team’s 11th annual Taste of Maple Grove. Great food from 16 local restaurants, wine and beer tasting plus live music by Chuck Skajewski, all without leaving town. Can’t ask for more than that! Ticket information at www.tasteofmaplegrove.com

What Does The Early Bird Get? Connie And Michael Found Out!

Congratulations to Connie & Michael (not pictured), they are the winners of our Early Bird Drawing this month! We do this drawing every month and you have a chance to be the winner if you pay your rent on or before the 1st of the month. Everyone who pays their rent on or before the 1st of the month can put their name put into the Early Bird Drawing. Out of all the entries, a random name is selected and the lucky winner gets $50 off of rent for the following month.

So when October's rent comes around don't forget the Early Bird Drawing and get your rent payment in quickly. We all know what the Early Bird gets... that's right, a chance to get $50 off of rent the next month!

Connie showing her Early Bird Winner certificate - Congrats Connie & Michael!

7050 Main Entrance Sidewalk Project Starts Next Tuesday

Here’s a heads up if you live in the 7050 building – next week we are going to begin a project along the main side walk. We take pride in making sure Eagle Ridge is in top-notch condition, which is why we’re installing a new retaining wall along the sidewalk leading up to the main entrance.

We anticipate the work will take several weeks, depending on weather cooperation. You will still have access to the sidewalk, but please use caution in the area. If you have any questions please be sure to contact the Rental Office.

We are looking forward to seeing the new retaining wall – thanks for your cooperation during this project!

Renaissance Festival Is Still Fair Play

The Minnesota State Fair has come and gone, but are you still craving that sweet corn or turkey leg? Well, head over to the Renaissance Festival, which is running now through September 29.

Location: 3525 145th St W. Hwy 169, Shakopee, MN
Hours: Daily 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Free Parking

Prices: Adults: $21.95, Child ages 5-12: $12.95, Senior age 62+: $19.95

Activities:

• Live Armored Jousting
• Pony Rides
• Fencing
• 16 stages for live entertainment
• Lots of food and drinks available for purchase (including some wonderful roasted corn and giant turkey legs)
• 7 Themed weekends with a variety of different events geared towards those themes each weekend

For more information visit the Renaissance Festival website here.

Exciting First Day Of School For Eagle Ridge Kids

Yesterday was back to school for our Eagle Ridge kids! They stopped by the office when they got home from school and received a treat bag and were they ever excited! When asked what was the highlight of their day some kids responded with “painting," “numbers," “the school bus!" “their teacher” and “no homework!” Thank you to the parents for bringing their kids in to get the goodies—it was fun talking with them about their first day of school!

Have A Happy September!

We hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day, and we're wishing the best to those of you returning to school this month. September has some important dates to remember; read all about them below.

September 2nd 

Labor Day
A national holiday that celebrates all of the hardworking Americans and their contributions both social and economic.

September 5th
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Unlike the parties surrounding January 1 for the new year, Rosh Hashanah is more about prayer and reflection, but there are still many celebrations. The traditional foods eaten during this time is challah bread, apples with honey and tzimmes which is typically a combination of carrots, yams, cinnamon, prunes and honey.

September 8th
Grandparents Day
Declared a National holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Marian McQuade advanced the idea for Grandparents day. Her vision was to help the elderly in nursing homes that often get forgotten about. She thought that this would be a day to recognize the wisdom and heritage that grandparents can provide.

September 11th
Patriot Day
A day to remember the horrible events of 9/11/01. Flags will be flown at half staff to honor the victims and the heroes that risked their lives to save others. The first plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower in New York at 8:46 am (Eastern Daylight Time). All Americans are asked to observe a moment of silence at this time.

September 22nd 
First Day of Autumn
It’s so sad to see summer fade away, but let’s at least enjoy Autumn as much as possible before the harsh realities of winter set in. Go pick some apples at an orchard, bake some apple pie (don’t forget to bring some to the office), and drink some warm apple cider or hot chocolate.