The history of apple growing throughout America makes for a very interesting story and one that follows the footsteps of pioneers and settlers. We all remember the story about Johnny Appleseed and the migration of apples westward across America.

A walk through an apple orchard in Maine, even in our very own community, give us special pleasure. Just strolling in the fresh air through wide open spaces and under blue skies is exhilarating.  Autumn is here and apples are ready for picking! In the fall apples are abundant. Oh, the thrill of reaching up and clutching the hanging red clusters just waiting to be picked. What fun, what joy for youngsters and their families. And especially, what memories! Folks are interested in the history of the local apples and the different varieties.

Again, my memory returns to the Manson Road in Kittery. We had several apple orchards. Each orchard grew their own variety. During this special time of year my brothers and I rode on the tractor trailer up the hill to pick apples. Each month from August on a different variety of apple was ripe. A different kind each month during the fall ending with Baldwins in November. Beneath the spreading   limbs of the apple trees we gathered all the fruit we could handle. (Munching and eating all we could.)

Kittery was a village in those days and we sold bushels to the grocery stores and we also sold them in our father’s store. Going way back in time to apple growing, the apple became a primary source of food and economic energy in our society.

On Sunday, Maria and I went apple picking at the Brothers in Sanford. How I enjoy the sweet taste and crunch of these apples!  There were young children with parents and grandparents having a wonderful time. It takes time to introduce youngsters to apple picking. The kiddies were running, jumping and riding in wagons.  Others were eating apples as the juice ran down their chin.  Few activities bring families and friends together like apple picking. Some of my children and grandchildren prefer a nice pie to a cake for their birthday. There other grandmother, Gracie makes a tremendous crust.

The apple is a very versatile fruit with a flavor that excites the palate when combined with almost any other fruit. You can try your own combination.

Soon the frost will bring bare branches, sleepy trees and new blossoms preparing for a new season of apple picking memories.

On the show this week we shared a thought provoking and enlightening yet warm and practical pilgrimage with Father Dominic Tumusiime and Dan Bedard. Father Dominic is the missionary to the Good Shepherd Parish Priest who was transferred from Oregon and originally born and raised in Uganda. How did I meet such a person from Africa and have him as a guest?

I met him through good friends, Dan and Paula Bedard, who have the Seasonal Corner at the Farmer’s Market. (I might add all organic produce and herbs.) Dan went to Africa on a Journey of Faith with Fr. Dominic. Finding ways to encourage children’s love for learning while establishing them in the faith is an important investment in the future. Yamba Abaanal is a school to help the children.  They are a small non-profit organization created to the purpose of supporting the students and staff at the Rubanda Solidary School in Rubanda, Uganda. I must get a map and find these places if I can.

Just a few words about Father Dominic. From early childhood, religion touched his life. The boyhood cultivation of his spiritual life and curiosity resulted in a lifetime of study and service to children. “Keep on traveling” he calls himself a man of adventure, crossing the globe as a scholar and a professional. Father Dominic speaks nine languages offering food for the soul. He has overcome the scripture barriers of history, culture and language that keep people from understanding God’s word. He speaks languages pointed to the joy of living by love and faithfulness.

Father Dominic and Dan will be returning to Africa to carry on the work they have started. We wish them a safe trip and overwhelming success in their endeavors.