10-18-2022 2:11pm

Apple Picking Season

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - APPLE PICKING SEASON

It's that time of year for apple picking, and you don't have to leave Long Island to take part in the fun. Being outside and picking apples is a great way to boost your mood. Those who spend a few hours outside strolling through the rows of apple trees and finding the best ones to take are likely to experience feelings of happiness and joy. If you can't make it to an apple orchard, head to the Islip Grange this Saturday in Sayville for The Town of Islip Apple Festival. It's more than just apples!

Apples are not native to North America. They originated in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea. The capital of Kazakhstan, Alma Ata, means “full of apples.” By 1500 BC apple seeds had been carried throughout Europe. The Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans cultivated apples. Approximately 750,000 years ago, early Paleolithic food gatherers in Kazakhstan discovered sour crab apples growing wild in the forest. Approximately 8,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers in Asia cultivated wild apples. In 1300 BC, Egyptians began planting orchards along the Nile Delta. In 800 BC, Ancient Greeks learned grafting techniques. In 200 BC, Ancient Romans planted apple orchards in Britain. From the 1500's to the 1600's, Spaniards brought apples to Mexico and South America. They were brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have religious and mythological significance in many cultures, including Norse, Greek, and European Christian tradition.

The first apple orchard on the North American continent was planted in Boston by Reverend William Blaxton in 1625. The only apples native to North America are crab apples, which were once called "common apples". A crab apple's flesh is perfectly safe for people to eat, though they can be a bit sour. But like other apples, the seeds contain a toxic compound that can turn into cyanide when eaten. But don't worry — these apples are safe as long as you avoid the seeds and core.

Forbidden fruit is a name given to the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden which God commands mankind not to eat. In the biblical story, Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and are exiled from Eden. And in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's, the Evil Queen offered a cursed apple to Snow White, who willingly bit into it, fully aware of the consequences in order to save the life of Prince Charming. The Poisoned Apple is a magic blood-red apple which will send its victim into the Sleeping Death when bitten. Moments after Snow White bit the apple, she collapsed and dropped it. She can only be revived by love's first kiss. Of course, Prince Charming kisses her to break the spell and save her life from the curse thrust upon her. This can give apples a bad reputation, but they do have a beautiful flower.

It's time to get your baskets ready. Whether you're heading somewhere on Long Island or a destination upstate, pack the car with friends and family and hit the road. There's probably no better thing to do in Autumn, except pumpkin picking, of course.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, getting out into the fresh air to pick some apples is just what the doctor ordered. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - THE TOWN OF ISLIP APPLE FESTIVAL

Pack up the car and head to the Islip Grange in Sayville. The Town of Islip Apple Festival is here on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00am to 4:30pm. This is a day of family fun featuring craft vendors, amusement rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin picking, pony rides, live entertainment, fresh apple desserts and so much more! There's also a Scarecrow Contest at 10:30am. See the pictures below. The Islip Grange is at 10 Broadway Avenue in Sayville.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE (apple of my eye) by STEVIE WONDER

You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart

I feel like this is the beginning
Though I've loved you for a million years
And if I thought our love was ending
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears, whoa, oh, oh

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah
That's why I'll always stay around, mmm, mmm, yeah, yeah
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart

You must have known that I was lonely
Because you came to my rescue
And I know that this must be heaven
How could so much love be inside of you?
Whoa, whoa

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah
That's why I'll always stay around, mmm (baby)
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you'll stay in my heart, yeah

You are the sunshine of my life, baby
That's why I'll always stay around