Almost better than pumpkin beer ... Harvest Days at Merrymead Farm

In my younger days, before the turning of leaves and brisk mornings meant the arrival of pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest celebrations, fall was marked by the start of the cross country season and a sore right arm. You might be wondering what a sore arm has to do with the fall. The beginning of Harvest Days at my place of employment, Merrymead Farm, meant I'd be scooping pumpkin ice cream non-stop for at least four straight weekends.

Yes, the ice cream line is long. And you need to park a half mile away. But experiencing Harvest Days with the nibble this past weekend ... and that delicious pumpkin ice cream ... made it all worth it.

Merrymead is a great place to take the little ones any time of the year, as they can check out the cows, bunnies, donkeys, goats, a giant hog and other assorted small animals. And they can even watch a milking demonstration. The nibble asked us which cow was producing the chocolate milk.

HomeAID for Africa 5K

Looking for a way to lose a few extra pizza pounds? On Sunday, October 2, HomeAID for Africa is hosting its annual 5K run and 1 mile fun walk/run at Westtown School (West Chester, PA) at 3 p.m.

Unlike every other 5K advertisement, I won't tell you that this course is flat and fast ... because it's neither. But it's for a good cause. And unlike the Victory Run, there won't be beer at the finish line. But if you are in the mood for a brew, the race is a mere 20 minutes away from the brewery, so you could always head over there afterwards to toast your finish.

Download the race flyer>>

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Victory Summer Love Ale

Victory Summer Love Ale
Had this after running a 5K sponsored by Victory Brewing Company earlier this summer. Wasn't that excited about it. Must've been too exhausted. Spurred by its being named Philly Mag's Best Beer, I gave it another shot. It's distinctive and refreshing with a crisp, hoppy bite. Excellent session beverage.

Tale of the Pie: Mack & Manco Pizza Too

The two things I enjoy most about going down the shore are running on the beach and eating a slice or two from Mack and Manco's. Since I was recovering from strep throat this past weekend, I could not go for my beach run. I did, however, go for plenty of Mack and Manco's.

Since we were sharing with my aunt, uncle, grandmom and both halves of Ellio Totino, we ordered the two large pie special, one plain and one pepperoni for $26. Delivery took about 40 minutes, definitely not bad for the Fourth of July weekend.

Tale of the Pie: Victory Brewing Company

What a day it was on Sunday!

Me and the missus, along with a number of our closest friends and the Little Man in jogging stroller, competed in Victory Brewing Company's Run for Ryan. I think this was some sort of charity, although I have no idea who Ryan is nor what his particular ailment is. All I knew is I was out there to run 3.2 miles, and when the race was finished I would be allowed to drink beer and eat barbecue. Yes, the lady allowed me to break away from my diet for this affair!

So with the lady relegated to the jogging stroller, I busted out of the blocks with Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce Committee Part II blaring! Thanks to my time-honored technique of pretending that masked revolutionaries had kidnapped my dog and threatened to kill him if I began to walk (it got me through the Broad St.), I ran the entire time through wobbly legs and rickety breathing apparatus. In fact, I sprinted the last quarter-mile like a man who would be handed a beer at the end of his toils...since I was. I finished the race in 23:59, pretty much a 7 and a 1/2 minute mile average on the button and good for 115th out of approximately 500 runners. Not bad.

Booze ... in 50 Words or Less: Victory's Whirlwind Witbier

27:27 at the Victory Run for Ryan yesterday. Not bad for a 5K while pushing our 29-pound nibble in the jogging stroller. Even better? Rehydrating with a Whirlwind at the finish. Light, crisp Belgian-style, summery, refreshing.