Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Smolak Farms has a rare treat for autumn sightseers this year.
People have been driving their cars up to it, staring at it, taking photos of it and marveling at its beauty. Smolak Farms has a pumpkin tree. Wait... pumpkins grow in a patch, not a tree. Did Michael Smolak hire a mad scientist to create a genetic mutation of a tree that grows pumpkins? Well, not quite. The tree, of course, is fake. Pumpkins don't grow on trees (outside of laboratories and sci-fi, anyway). But Smolak Farms has a new way of marketing its pumpkins, with a little help from cleverly placed wires. The pumpkins are tied to the branches of an apple tree next to the parking lot, using thin metal wires. "We have people coming by asking, 'Is that legit?'" said Smolak's Farms staffer Adam Sapienza. "We're famous for our apples, so …
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The well-known chef's visit is the latest in the summer dining series at Smolak Farms.
- BUSINESS
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
On Wednesday, Aug. 15, Chef Mary Dumont will be bringing her talents to Smolak Farms’ “Whim” Restaurant for an unforgettable evening! Although the menu’s are desgined by the “Whim” of the chef, we will share that Chef Dumont will be using the best produce of the season from Smolak Farms and creating a three course meal that will include lobster in the first course, pork, smoked carrots, squash and more for the second course and a blueberry dessert with fresh butter and sugar ice cream. “We’re taking the best food in the city and bringing it to a more rustic and relaxed setting. Top that off with the fact that each dinner supports a great cause and you really can’t beat it,” said Michael Smolak, owner of Smolak Farms. About Chef Mary …
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/mary-dumont-at-whim-restaurant-at-smolak-farms
778251
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Saturday, July 21, 2012
No one was injured.
Smolak Farms got some unexpected demolition this week. On Thursday evening, after the business was closed, someone was backing out of a space, but she had the car in "drive" instead of "reverse." The result was her car crashing through the wall of the bakery/shop. There were no injuries in the accident, although the car went through the wall where the fudge was so there was a loss of fudge and some of the penny candies. Smolak Farms is still open for business. The wall is being completely repaired. "We're tearing it apart and putting in a new door, new shelving," said staffer Mary Stewart.
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
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Monday, July 2, 2012
John is an attorney who is partial to the farm that bears his name.
- OPINION
- Jay Oza
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Monday, July 2, 2012
Meet Your Neighbor is a series that introduces you to North Andover community members. Today's featured community members is John Smolak. Patch: What's your occupation? John: I am an attorney with the law firm of Smolak & Vaughan LLP based in North Andover. Both my partner, Brian Vaughan (another North Andover native), and I, formerly practiced law in Boston for a number of years before forming the law firm in 2004. Patch: How long have you lived in North Andover? John: I am a lifelong resident of North Andover, except for brief stints away during college, grad school and law school. I had practiced law in Boston for 15 years before establishing a practice in North Andover. I do not miss that Boston commute! Patch: What is your …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Why go out of town for outdoor fine dining?
Looking for a unique dining experience outdoors with Boston ambiance this summer but don't want to travel out of town? Smolak Farms is hosting Whim -- a "pop-up" tent dining experience every Wednesday from July 11 to Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Each week, Whim will feature some of New England's most well known chefs cooking three-course dinners in the Smolak Farms Pine Grove. Cost is $65 per person and does not include beverages or gratuity. There is one three-course menu presented by the chef, and no substitutions are allowed. Whim is held rain or shine. No refunds are given after purchase. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.smolakfarms.com/whim.
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/dining-on-a-whim-at-smolak-farms
778251
/locations/7328993
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Michael Smolak participated in an Obama Administration panel on local food.
Advice from Smolak Farms was sought by the White House. Michael Smolak was invited by the White House Business Council to attend a roundtable discussion on local food and the economy on May 30 at the Rialto Restaurant in Cambridge. The event featured Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the roundtable is to listen to local businesses and get feedback on how the Obama Administration can support local growth as well as make sure businesses are taking advantage of the resources and programs designed to help them. "Very interesting forum," Smolak said. "The points that I made were several and were well received." The points Smolak made were as follows:
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/smolak-farms-owner-talks-local-food-biz-to-washington
778251
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Feel like picking your own produce? Check this out.
Spring is in full bloom, and that means seasonal produce. Smolak Farms is launching a new Pick Your Own Fruit Community Supported Agriculture group, in which you can buy a share (or half share) and enjoy the benefits of locally grown fruits. The PYO Fruit CSA will be available from strawberry season through the apple season. There are 50 shares available. There will be 25 PYO Fruit shares available for Wednesdays and 25 PYO Fruit shares available for Thursdays. A full share costs $350 and includes: A half share costs $195 and includes:
42.691174
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/smolak-farms-announces-new-pick-your-own-community
778251
/locations/7121331
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It's that time of year again.
It's spring again. And among many other things in North Andover, it means Smolak Farms is opening for business. The popular 160-acre farm, which traces its history back about 300 years, is opening its doors (and gates) to the public today for its 37th season of business. While it's the same Smolak Farms, there are a few new things there. Families are invited to the farm’s opening on Thursday, May 3, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free hayrides available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by our Farm Stand & Bakery to experience the new look and expanded offering of unique gifts and delicacies. In celebration of the farm’s 2012 seasonal opening, weekend festivities for May 5-6 include:
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Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/smolak-farms-opens-today
778251
/locations/6924876
Monday, March 12, 2012
Michael owns North Andover's famous Smolak Farm.
- OPINION
- Jay Oza
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Monday, March 12, 2012
Meet Your Neighbor is a series that introdues you to North Andover community members. Today's featured community member is Michael Smolak, owner of Smolak Farms. Patch: What's your occupation? Michael: When asked that question the quick and easy answer is a farmer but in reality it is much more than that. I would say that I wear many hats here. One is certainly farmer, the next is farm stand and bakery owner, another is educational programs, we also have educational programs, festivals and functions. And last but not least, the keeper of animals. Patch: How long have you lived in North Andover? Michael: A while ago I was asked if I have lived here all my life and my answer was a simple, not yet ! Patch: What is your favorite part about…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The popular rural hangout is rolling out its apple specialties this month.
Apple is a prominent flavor and symbol of autumn in New England, and Smolak Farms will hold their annual Apple Festival this weekend to commemorate the start of the fall season. On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., people of all ages are invited to Smolak's for a weekend of apple-centric activities. Johnny Appleseed will be share his legendary tale and pose for photos in the orchards, and he will help children spread their very own apple seeds. The Bridle Path Orchard will be open to pick apple varieties such as cortlands, macoun, golden delicious, imperial red, red delicious and more. There will also be a hunt for prizes. Families are also invited to join in on the Children’s Farm Festival which features the new animal petting …
42.691174
-71.075441
Smolak Farms
315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA
/articles/apple-festival-time-at-smolak-farms
778251
/locations/5351406
Bryan McGonigle2
1:51 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
For the record Mr. Smolak, you didn't say that the government is subsidizing trips to your farm - nor did I say so although I may I have implied it unintentionally. But I think I was clear that I don't want the federal government involved in this. We've seen the recent deficits and the debt and this is one of many areas where I want to cut back. It's your farm. You can do with it as you like as … more ›