THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510250231
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
The apples are coming - by the tractor-trailer load.
The fresh-picked delicacies from Dickie Brothers Orchard in the mountains of Virginia will arrive at Magnolia United Methodist Church Saturday, just in time for AppleFest '95.
Since 1992, this fall festival has been an annual event of the congregation. The idea originated with members George and Charnell Blair, who for many years had taken a fall pilgrimage to the mountains for apples. The Blairs passed on their idea to the church, and AppleFest became a yearly fund-raiser.
Blair, now known as ``Johnny Appleseed'' among fellow United Methodists, said proceeds are earmarked for the missions and ministries of the church. ``This event adds a significant amount to the outreach budget of our church,'' Blair said.
AppleFest '95 runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 700 bushels of ripe, juicy apples on hand. Varieties will include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Stamen, Winesap and Granny Smith. Prices will range from $15 per bushel, to $9 a half-bushel and $5 per peck.
Gallons of fresh-pressed cider also will be available for $4 each. While many apples have been pre-ordered, there will be plenty available for on-the-spot purchase.
``This event has been such a neat thing to be involved in,'' Blair said. ``It now involves so many people - well over half the members in our church.''
Other attractions at AppleFest '95 will be children's games, take-out orders of Brunswick Stew and the biggest Bake Sale in the history of the church.
``Since we've been doing this, we've gotten attention from the Virginia Apple Growers Association and the State Department of Agriculture,'' Blair explained. These organizations have provided pre-printed brochures and recipe booklets for distribution to all AppleFest participants.
Since its beginning, AppleFest has grown beyond the walls of Magnolia Church to involve people throughout Hampton Roads and North Carolina. ``Seventy-five percent of our business now comes from outside the church,'' Blair said. ``Our mailing list now includes 1,000 names, and people began calling the church office in August to make sure we were having AppleFest again.''
Magnolia United Methodist Church is at 1764 Wilroy Road. Call 538-8552 for more information.
``Fall is the time of year to get back into the swing of things,'' said Lynne Pope, Christian program director for Oakland Christian Church. And Oakland shifts into full swing Sunday, with an All Hallows Eve Party from 5 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
``It's going to be an evening of good, wholesome family fun - a time to celebrate fall,'' Pope said. The festivities begin with a pizza and salad dinner, followed by children's games. A ``Fun House'' sponsored by youths of the church will provide some spooky entertainment, and the ``Second Annual Mark Burns Cake Walk'' will be another featured attraction. Admission will be one cake or pie per family.
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Oakland will sponsor a Fall Fest for the Chuckatuck community.
Like a rural county fair, the Fall Fest will include shops and booths of homemade items and local specialties. The Candy Shop will sell decorative jars of colorful candy and chocolate and sugar-coated peanuts. Granny's Pantry and Country Store will offer home-canned pickles, sweet potatoes and kale. A Holiday Treasure Shop will provide holiday decorations, and fresh magnolia/boxwood wreaths may be ordered for $25 at the Wreath Stand. A Just For Kids Shop will provide youngsters with gift items for under $2.
Raffle tickets for a kaleidoscope quilt and a framed David Nelms bird print will be sold for $1. Fresh-baked doughnuts, Brunswick Stew and ham biscuits will be on sale throughout the day.
Entertainment by three Oakland members - ``Winslow, Powell and Powell'' - will provide background music for the day's activities. A second printing of an original cookbook - ``Oakland's Favorite Recipes Old and New'' - will be on hand for sale at $8 each.
Proceeds will be divided between church projects and community outreach. Call 255-4353 for additional information. The church is at 5641 Godwin Blvd. in Chuckatuck. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
George Blair puts out signs for this weekend's AppleFest.
Brenda Wright, left, and Heather Burns check arts and crafts that
will be for sale at Oakland Christian Church's Fall Fest Nov. 4.
by CNB