When she was teaching, Margaret could take her students on field trips along Routes 5 and 20 near Syracuse where they visited a sprawling orchard and a mill dedicated to producing apple cider. 

 

There are orchards and cider mills throughout the Southern Tier making it easy to find fresh apple products well into the fall. Farmers’ markets, too, offer a variety of locally grown apples.  Many orchards offer a u-pick option which allows everyone a way to get out and enjoy autumn’s fresh air. No matter what your age, picking a few apples can provide a healthy outing with friends.  

 

Apples will be featured on Wednesday, October 7, at senior centers throughout Broome County. A delicious hot meal featuring sliced roast beef with apple bread dressing will be served. There will be apple pie for dessert. There is a cost of $3.00 for anyone 60 or older and his/her spouse; there’s a $4.00 charge for all others. 

 

Most senior centers will have activities which celebrate apples. You might choose to engage in a friendly competition over apple trivia or place a winning bid in an apple pie auction.  Many centers will offer a variety of apple-inspired snacks before lunch. 

 

Get a jump on apple trivia by knowing a few facts. It takes two pounds of apples to make one 9-inch pie. A peck of apples weighs 10.5 pounds.  Apples ripen (or soften) six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.   The Red Delicious apple is the most widely grown variety in the United States with 62 million bushels harvested in 2005. 

 

It’s likely that you’ll drink some apple cider in October. It takes 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider. A medium apple has about 80 calories and is a good source of natural sugar and pectin – a soluble fiber. One apple has 5 grams of fiber. Apples contain no fat, sodium and cholesterol – unless dipped in caramel and chocolate.

 

School teachers like Margaret know that we continue to learn long after our formal education has ended. Students from all walks of life can join Margaret and use their local senior center to share in these and other activities which help them to continue to learn and grow.

 

Details about Apple Fest Day can be obtained from individual senior centers. For a list of Broome County senior centers call 778-2411 or check online at www.gobroomecounty.com/senior/scc.