As Seen On TV
2025 Lineup
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Alan Bergo - Forager Chef
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Jaime Rockney - Chick of the Woods
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Maria Wesserle - Four Season Foraging
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Alison Cromie - Lesbian Forager
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Olena Johnson - Olena the Mushroom Lady
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Matt Mosher - Matt's Mushrooms & More
Join the Morel Madness!
What's better than hunting morels on over 100 acres of forested private property in the metro area with professional guides, competing to find the first, largest, and most morels for prizes, and eating delicious food? The fact that we can have all that fun and raise funds for research for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease at the same time!
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Expert Guides
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Learn from seasoned professionals like Jaime Rockney (Chick of the Woods), Maria Wesserle (Four Season Foraging), Alison Cromie (Lesbian Forager), Olena Johnson (Olena the Mushroom Lady), and Matt Mosher (Matt's Mushrooms and More).
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Local Celebrity Chef
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Taste a delicious Morel dish prepared by renowned Cody Kottke of Farmer's Plate.
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Prizes and Competitive Fun
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Compete in the hunt for prizes, enjoy live music, savor comfort food, play games, and bid on exciting items in our silent auction. Raise the most funds prior to the event and win a prize!
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Give Back
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Support Alzheimer's research by participating in this heartwarming fundraiser.
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What to Expect
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Exploration on private property less than 45 minutes from the Twin Cities.
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Discover tips and tricks for finding, identifying, cleaning, and cooking Morels.
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Keep what you find.
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Enjoy a memorable day surrounded by nature and like-minded enthusiasts.
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Registration
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Philanthropist Package
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$80/person + exclusive swag
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General Admission
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Adults: $50
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Kids 12 & under: Donation of Choice
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Barn Only
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Adults: $20​
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Don't Miss Out
Register now and be part of the morel madness. The participant who raises the most funds prior to the event wins a special prize! (and our gratitude, of course)!​
Our Story
In 2011 at the age of 49 our beloved mother, Heidi Vanderlinde, was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Despite her courageous battle, she succumbed to this cruel disease in August 2019. Heidi's love for the outdoors, plants, and sunshine inspired us to create the Morels & Memories Mushroom Hunt & Alzheimer's Fundraiser.
For 10 years, we've come together to honor her memory. In the process we've raised over $132,000 towards finding a cure for Alzheimer's.
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Dollars donated to our fundraiser are sent to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, which is a non-profit dedicated to groundbreaking research. Until a cure is found, we continue to search for morels, fueled by our unwavering hope and determination to make a difference.​
Get Involved
Volunteers make this event possible!
By donating time, volunteers like you are amplifying our collective contribution to Alzheimer’s research.
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We are currently looking for help with:
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Site Prep
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Check-In
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Parking
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Games & Food
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Merch
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In addition to the great feeling that comes from being part of a team and giving back to a meaningful cause, volunteers also receive a commemorative t-shirt.
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Interested? Send an email to morelsandmemories@gmail.com to learn more.
Prepare Yourself for The Woods
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Dress for the Environment
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We hunt rain or shine -- dress in layers​
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Long pants are recommended to protect against poison ivy, wood & deer ticks, mosquitoes, and sharp tree fall like sticks and branches
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Bug spray is provided to all participants
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Two guarantees in life, but finding morels ain't one
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Morel mushrooms only grow in the wild -- seriously, they can't be commercially grown
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As such, we can't guarantee any mushrooms will be found (only happened once)​
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