Apple Time
by April Falcon Doss
When leaves start to change color in autumn, the time is ripe for apple-picking — and for apple fun besides. Here are a few ideas to get you started with this year’s apple crop
Apple Adventure
For an apple adventure, take your parents to a local orchard to pick your own apples. Begin your search with the Maryland Apple Promotion Board: 301/824-6671.
Once you’ve picked your apples — from an orchard or the local store — try out some apple recipes. You might start with
Place apples in a two-quart microwave-safe bowl. Combine sugar, corn starch, cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over the apples and toss to coat. Dot with butter. Cover and microwave on high for 15 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring every 5 minutes.
Apple Craft
For an apple craft, try these suncatcher decorations. What you will need: Construction paper in red, yellow or green; tissue paper in the same colors; wax paper; scissors and glue.
First, draw the outline of an apple on a piece of construction paper. It can be as small or as large as you want. Next, cut out your paper-apple, and lay it on top of the wax paper. Trace around the construction paper to draw an apple of the same size on the wax paper. Cut this one out, too.
Then “hollow-out” your construction-paper apple so that the center is empty; your apple now has a wide rim, but is empty in the center. Place the construction-paper apple on top of the wax-paper apple so that all their edges line up and glue them together. Now you have a red or green or yellow apple whose wax-paper center is white in the middle. Next, tear the tissue paper into small pieces. Glue the tissue paper onto the wax paper.
Tah-dah! When you hang this apple in front of a window, light will shine through the colored wax paper, giving you an apple-shaped suncatcher.
Kids Calander
Friday, October 18
Costume Parade
It’s a good old-fashioned Halloween celebration with apple-bobbing, face-painting, story-telling and a costume parade down Cumberland Court and Maryland Avenue. 4pm @ Hammond-Harwood House, Annapolis; $: 410/263-4683.
Oktoberfast
Come on out for a brisk early morning 5K run in this 17th annual Oktoberfast. Open to all ages. Check-in 7:15-7:45am, race begins 8am @ Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. $13; Rsvp, no registration will be held on race day: 410/535-1600 or 301/855-1243 x 225.
Saturday, October 19
Spookfest
Celebrate the season with games, hay rides, scare crow building, music, story telling and more, or just relax and enjoy your natural surroundings. 1pm @ Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. Free: 410/535-2611.
Tuesday, October 22
The Great Pumpkin
Today is the last day to register to watch or send pumpkins flying on October 27. Can you hit the bulls-eye with a gourd? For ages 14-17. $3 @ your nearest community center. Competition will be held @ Northeast Community Center: 410/257-2554.
Halloween Storytime
Join the Calvert Library staff for a fun-filled evening of Halloween story-telling. Open to parents and children of all ages. All Calvert Libraries will offer this special storytime. 6:30pm @ Twin Beaches Library, Chesapeake Beach: Free; 410/257-2411.
