Youngsters Enjoy St. Ignace Apple Days

Sealed with a kiss: Newlyweds Lauren Snyder and John Paul Brown and 17 members of their wedding party participated in Saturday’s pumpkin roll after the wedding ceremony. Next to Mr. Brown (at right) is his brother, seven-year-old Alex Hanrath. In the Midwest, pumpkins and apples symbolize the month of October, and this year, throughout the business district and at St. Ignace schools, Autumn Apple Days and The Great Pumpkin Roll brought cider, decorated pumpkins, exercise, and commerce to the area Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1.

Autumn Apple Days evolved from an event called the Johnny Appleseed Festival, which took place last year at the elementary school, said Principal Bonnie Ledy.

Sixth grade students take part in a hay ride run by Jack Belonga during the first few hours of Apple Days. By 9:30 a.m. Friday, hay rides run by Jack Belonga were already well underway at the school.

“Kids love the hay ride,” said Anne Ekstrom, who helped with the event. “They love the smell, the texture, everything. They ride around singing ‘Old McDonald,’ with pieces of hay hanging out of their mouths.”

“The community loves this, too,” said Angie Ostman, another helper at the hay ride. “The kids wave to people passing by, and they wave back.”

Gros Cap students sit in the Pumpkin Patch during Apple Days. Pictured are Carolina Cabello (from left), Alexandra Cabello, Rachel Hetherington, and Saul Maldonado. Students also saw demonstrations by beekeeper Susan Askwith. Attired in the protective jacket, gloves, and headgear necessary for working with bees, she explained the making of honey while standing next to a glass hive teaming with bees.

“To a lot of people, science seems inaccessible,” she said. “My goal is to let these kids know that science is fun. I want to take away the fear factor and let them know that bees are not their enemies.”

Healthy-apple-treat-making workshops were offered by Mary Pemble-Swiderski of Michigan State University Extension, and students witnessed the workings of an old-fashioned cider press also. The antique was donated by Keith and Donna Grogan and operated by Sandra Harrell, who has been making her own cider since 1973.

Students participated in an apple toss organized by Russ Lorente and Deanna Kreski of the Straits Area Gleaners Club. A number of parent volunteers contributed to the event as well.

Throughout the day, apples were sliced, juiced, and a number were cooked into applesauce by volunteers Donna Pope and Neva Johnson.

Mrs. Ledy said the festival is a good way to get students ready for the Michigan Education Assessment Program tests that are being held this week, a test which will require students to be alert, well fed, and in good spirits.

The school system makes an effort to celebrate every season, she said. Students will look forward to Snow Daze this winter, an all-day event marked by a chili dinner. In spring, the school system will host the Get Moving in May event, a project designed to encourage healthy eating and exercise.

The weather got even better Saturday, October 10. At 10 a.m., blue skies and warm wind graced Carnival Creations, who began the second day of festivities by setting up games and contests for children in the First National Bank parking lot. After working festivals all over the U.P., including the Wood Tick Festival, the Folk Festival, and the Rapid River Parade, John Martin of Carnival Creations said he was glad to be in St. Ignace.

“If we can,” he said. “We’ll be back next year.”

Downtown, children searched businesses for pumpkins they decorated at school and scratched off bingo cards for free treats.

It was a day of food, games, and music. The Parent Teacher Organization ran a bake sale and a “Pumpkin Patch” sale. People guessed the weight of pumpkins, played bingo, and voted for their favorite decorated pumpkins. Funds generated by the event will be donated to children affected by Hurricane Katrina, along with food items collected during the Fire Department open house.

Karaoke brought music to the day and the Great Pumpkin Roll, in which children rolled pumpkins down Goudreau Hill, brought laughter and fun. Among pumpkin rollers were Lauren Snyder and John Paul Brown of St. Ignace, who were married only hours earlier and brought their wedding party for some fun.

To conclude this year’s celebration of autumn, an apple tree raised by Sonshine Nursery and donated by the U.P. State Credit Union will be planted on school property, adding to two other trees planted last year.