Takin' the Blog for a Walk

Another Apple Fest Has Fallen From The Tree

Posted by Brien Lee on Sept. 20, 2011

Retzer, helping, art

Retzer Nature Center's annual Apple Harvest Festival was last Saturday. I've previously always mentioned it ahead of time to let readers know about it but didn't this year. That's how busy I've been. Fourteen hours of overtime last week with a chance to work Saturday too, but I was previously committed.

I showed up at the Retzer's cider stand to take up my position at 8:30 in the morning even though the fest didn't start until 9:00. Cider sales captures people as they're leaving the fest and they haven't even arrived yet. Two other people were there with me with three more scheduled in two hours. I checked with Holly to see if they could use me somewhere else. I checked at apple pie sales. Nope. The food tent. Sorry. I passed up working to not work?

It's hard to tell before opening if they'll ever need me. I didn't want to just stand around, so I told her I'd come back later. After groceries I came back at noon and went to the children's area to see if they could use me there. The Children's Area is the one place I never volunteer for: not because I don't like making crafts with young uns who've had too much apple crisp, but just because real men don't do crafts and face painting. I don't ever recall seeing another guy volunteering in the Children's Area. 

I knew I wanted to do crafts, I just didn't want to admit it. After the nervousness wore off I really started getting into it and stayed until long after all the caramel apples, pie and cider was sold out. If you've ever helped a kid, and I know everyone has, you know how incredibly rewarding it is.

The weather for the fest was cool but dry. More people are finding out about this event each year. It was a good time.

A few of the apples were wormy this year.

Eleven gallon purchase for a December wedding reception would help explain the cider shortage later in the day.