82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 8, 1990
Church Cooks Apple
Butter Over Open Fire
Mary Laeger Hagemeister
LIVERPOOL (Perry County)
Smoke wafts through the air,
combined with the sweet aroma of
cooking apples. Crackling logs
emit flames around enormous cast
iron kettles as apples, ciders, and
sugar are stirred for an average of
eight hours per kettle to achieve
the final lip-smacking product
apple butter.
The 38-year tradition of making
apple butter is part of St. John’s
(Earner’s) Lutheran Church,
Liverpool. It’s a tradition, not just
for the congregation’s members
but the entire community. Indivi
duals arrive at the church the sec
ond Friday night of October each
year with large bowls and knives
prepared to “snitz.”
Snitzing involves everyone no
matter what the age! Small chil
dren dig apples out of barrels to
distribute to the adults, spanning
three generations, who prepare the
apples for cooking. However,
more is accomplished through
snitzing than meets the eye. Dur
ing this time, stories are shared
such as. “Remember when Suzy
Free Door Prizes & Refreshments |
225
(Store Hour* Mon
Ik.
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was that age...” or “How are
things going?”
The support for individuals is
evident as well as for the com
munity. Of course the end result is
barrels and barrels of sliced apples
and stained hands, but the memo
ries that live on can’t be measured
in jars of apple butter but Mary
believes they do add to the flavor!
From the church fellowship hall
the apples arc transported to the
grove where the men are prepar
ing the fires under each kettle.
Around midnight they begin cook
ing and stirring, not taking lime
out to sleep, until the wee hours of
the day. At the crack of dawn
women are back at the church pre
paring a “substantial” breakfast
for smoked, stir-weary men.
Even breakfast needs to be
eaten in shifts. Someone needs to
continually stir the apple butter!
As the day wears on, more and
more volunteers appear on the
scene. People are busy filling jars
of apple butter for customers, fix
ing and serving homemade chick
en com soup, bean soup, home
made ice cream and pie. In addi-
,t Our
r End Sale
December 26 - 31
For 38 years, church members have made apple butter the old-tashioned way,
enjoying the fellowship and taste that comes from the all day and all night activity.
tion, patrons can choose from an
array of homemade crafts and
goodies.
Many hours are volunteered by
a multitude of people to keep this
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AOAMBTOWN EQUIP, INC
Box 456,
Adamstown
MILLER EQUIP CO
R( 1
Bochtoltville
C H RINEHIMER 6 SONS
RD 1, Berwick
GUTSHALLS, INC
Rt 34.1201 Spring Rd
Carlisle
RD 2. Rt 650 Weet
Loyevllle
GEORGE N GROSS, INC
5261 Davldeburg Road
Dover
GEORGE V SEIPLE
Vanßuren Road
Easton
MESSICK FARM
EQUIPMENT CO
Rt 263, Rheems Exit
Elizabethtown
tradition alive. While the tradition
sometimes labels St. John’s as the
“Apple Butter Church,” the toils
of everyone’s labors help support
the community. Proceeds from the
event are used only for special
ministry such as helping the
homeless at Bethesda Mission or a
local family who faces a crisis
such as a home fire or serious
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LANDIS BROTHERS. INC
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Lebanon
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Maxatawny
SUMMT MACHINERY, INC
PO Box 325
Somaraat
CLUGSTON FARM
EQUIPMENT
NCR 80 • Box 22
Needmore
CHARLES SNYDER, INC
RD #3
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RD 2 Box 212
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RD #3, Box 179
Bridgtton
illness,
Traditions, whether family or
community, give a sense of
belonging. They help individuals
feel as though they are important
and offers them a sense of values.
The sweet taste of apple butter
can be enjoyed only because lov
ing, caring people give of their
time and energy.
f wtBBSk .
A *o\' e ' 9
*****
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Potilceat Bridgs Rd
Columbus
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ROLLING ON IN THE 90 •
MEETS THE CHALLENGE