Hello fellow Avilones. It's August already, and here we are at the midpoint of what Major League Baseball for decades has referred to as "the dog days of summer", because the players are beginning to tire from a long season and looking forward to the playoffs. The middle of summer undoubtedly holds different meanings for school-age-children and teachers who see the number of their carefree days dwindling away, for the working populace trying to enjoy all this season has to offer, for employers dealing with staff vacations, and for businesses that rely a great deal on good weather and the travelers it brings. In Avila Beach, it's all of the above.
I imagine many of you readers are aware that the "Foundation" and our event partners are busily preparing for the October 4-5 Avila Apple Festival. Plans are falling into place, dinner ticket sales are moving briskly, and festival vendors are coming on board. While some of us may count sheep when trying to get to sleep at night, I'm certain that event organizer Penny Burciaga is tabulating apples, apples and more apples. I, too, am becoming a bit fixated on this round, stemmed, tasty and versatile product that may be the most popular and written about fruit in all of history. We've all heard of Johnny Appleseed, but I'm hard pressed to come up with another piece of produce so legendary. Johnny Appleseed was actually John Chapman. He was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts, and created apple orchards in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the early 1800s to 1841, "Johnny" traveled 10,000 square miles of the frontier leasing land, planting apple orchards, collecting and drying seeds, which he placed in small bags and gave to people who were heading west and agreed to plant them.
Going back a bit further in time, it's been written that European settlers first introduced eating apples to America. Prior to that time apples in America consisted of crab apples, which were bitter and not suitable for consumption. Apples were first planted in the early 1620s, but without honey bees to pollinate them they did not produce well. In 1662 the first colonies of bees were shipped from England and introduced to the Colony of Virginia. The first commercial production of apples occurred in 1737 when the William Prince Nursery was established in Flushing, New York. Fast forward to modern times where we have learned that apples are high in antioxidants, provide many health benefits, may fight the formation of some cancers, are instrumental in decreasing the need for insulin in diabetes, and for lowering cholesterol. All this being said we are fortunate to be the home of See Canyon and Avila Apple orchards. Good health is literally just around the corner!
Further distinguishing the apple is the number of sayings, songs and quips to which it is attributed. How about some of these 'oldies'..........."You are the apple of my eye", a recording most popularized by Stevie Wonder. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is a compliment or criticism expressed to most kids at one time or another. And we have all heard the words "as American as apple pie". Raise your hand if you were never told "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Now that's my idea of truly affordable healthcare. New York is often referred to as "the Big Apple". There's "Adam's apple" (hey, what about Eve?), and the eternal question "how do you like them apples?" Okay - I think I made my point, though many other apple references abound. Be part of the fun and come join us on October 4th for the "Farm to Table, Meet the Growers Dinner" at the Avila Valley Barn, and/or for the October 5th "Everything Apple" Vendor Fair on the beach Promenade. I'm told a special apple pie-eating competition between the SLO County Sheriff's Depart and Cal Fire is on the agenda, which you won't want to miss. For more information, log onto www.avilaapplefestival.com. By the way - and of special interest to you music enthusiasts - I'm pleased to report that the bands Sea Canyon Ramblers & Hillary & Kate are booked for the October 5th Vendor Fair. Everything apple and good music to boot!!
Last but not least, I offer another reminder that the Foundation's grant application season is now open. We are currently accepting requests for the funding of organizations, programs or projects for the 2015 calendar year. Completed grant applications are due no later than Friday, September 19, 2014. For more information, visit the grants page on the Foundation website atwww.avilabeachfoundation.org. That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
I imagine many of you readers are aware that the "Foundation" and our event partners are busily preparing for the October 4-5 Avila Apple Festival. Plans are falling into place, dinner ticket sales are moving briskly, and festival vendors are coming on board. While some of us may count sheep when trying to get to sleep at night, I'm certain that event organizer Penny Burciaga is tabulating apples, apples and more apples. I, too, am becoming a bit fixated on this round, stemmed, tasty and versatile product that may be the most popular and written about fruit in all of history. We've all heard of Johnny Appleseed, but I'm hard pressed to come up with another piece of produce so legendary. Johnny Appleseed was actually John Chapman. He was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts, and created apple orchards in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the early 1800s to 1841, "Johnny" traveled 10,000 square miles of the frontier leasing land, planting apple orchards, collecting and drying seeds, which he placed in small bags and gave to people who were heading west and agreed to plant them.
Going back a bit further in time, it's been written that European settlers first introduced eating apples to America. Prior to that time apples in America consisted of crab apples, which were bitter and not suitable for consumption. Apples were first planted in the early 1620s, but without honey bees to pollinate them they did not produce well. In 1662 the first colonies of bees were shipped from England and introduced to the Colony of Virginia. The first commercial production of apples occurred in 1737 when the William Prince Nursery was established in Flushing, New York. Fast forward to modern times where we have learned that apples are high in antioxidants, provide many health benefits, may fight the formation of some cancers, are instrumental in decreasing the need for insulin in diabetes, and for lowering cholesterol. All this being said we are fortunate to be the home of See Canyon and Avila Apple orchards. Good health is literally just around the corner!
Further distinguishing the apple is the number of sayings, songs and quips to which it is attributed. How about some of these 'oldies'..........."You are the apple of my eye", a recording most popularized by Stevie Wonder. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is a compliment or criticism expressed to most kids at one time or another. And we have all heard the words "as American as apple pie". Raise your hand if you were never told "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Now that's my idea of truly affordable healthcare. New York is often referred to as "the Big Apple". There's "Adam's apple" (hey, what about Eve?), and the eternal question "how do you like them apples?" Okay - I think I made my point, though many other apple references abound. Be part of the fun and come join us on October 4th for the "Farm to Table, Meet the Growers Dinner" at the Avila Valley Barn, and/or for the October 5th "Everything Apple" Vendor Fair on the beach Promenade. I'm told a special apple pie-eating competition between the SLO County Sheriff's Depart and Cal Fire is on the agenda, which you won't want to miss. For more information, log onto www.avilaapplefestival.com. By the way - and of special interest to you music enthusiasts - I'm pleased to report that the bands Sea Canyon Ramblers & Hillary & Kate are booked for the October 5th Vendor Fair. Everything apple and good music to boot!!
Last but not least, I offer another reminder that the Foundation's grant application season is now open. We are currently accepting requests for the funding of organizations, programs or projects for the 2015 calendar year. Completed grant applications are due no later than Friday, September 19, 2014. For more information, visit the grants page on the Foundation website atwww.avilabeachfoundation.org. That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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