820-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 22, 1992
Locally Grown Apples Be
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Staff
ORRTANNA (Franklin Co.)
What’s the best variety of apples to
use for cooking or eating?
Ask Crystal Bard, the Pennsyl
vania Apple Queen, and she has
one answer: “Locally grown
apples.”
It’s appalling to her that so many
people buy supermarket apples
shipped from other states just
because it is convenient.
“1 guess I’m spoiled,” she said,
“but apples taste so much better
fresh from the orchard. You get so
much better quality.”
Crystal’s preference in apple
varieties vary according to the time
of the year. In early summer, she
prefers Molly Delicious, later she
switches to Red Delicious, then
Lowry, and finally Golden
Delicious.
“My grandmother makes every
thing from Golden Delicious
apples and I just love them,” Crys
tal said, “but some people prefer
the tart apples and Stayman tastes
good in cooking.”
Crystal works for Bingham’s
Orchard, Inc., in St. Thomas. For
three years, she has worked as a
cashier at the orchard, which she
said is one of the largest orchards
in Franklin County where peaches,
apricots, nectarines, and 17 variet
ies of apples are grown.
Because Crystal is convinced
that everyone should try locally
grown apples, her aunt and uncle
who own the Bingham’s Orchard
encouraged Crystal to enter the
Apple Queen competition.
In preparation for the judges’
questioning of her apple know
ledge, Crystal studied a 45-page
book describing the different var
ieties, and apple facts.
“It was easy because 1 had
learned most of the answers while
working at the orchard,” Crystal
said.
She also gave a two-minute
speech on how she would promote
apples during her reign. After win
ning the Franklin County crown.
Crystal entered state competition
where she again was tested on her
apple knowledge. After winning
the state title, Crystal now is
responsible to carry die “apples are
good for you” message across the
state.
She gives out cider and apples at
Fairs, malls, commodity banquets,
and other promotional events. She
especially enjoys helping with
orchard tours when elementary
classes visit the orchard where she
works. Recently, she appeared on
the TV show, Lifestyles ’92, where
she assisted a chef in food prepara
tion.
“Children are easily educated
and take the brochures we give
them back to their parents,” Crys
tal said.
As a senior at James Buchanan
High School in Mercersburg,
Crystal plans to attend Millersville
University on a track scholarship.
She hopes to become a state police
officer. This career plan began
when Crystal was in sixth grade
and heard a trooper talk about his
work.
“It sounded so exciting and like
so much fun,” Crystal said.
In seventh and eighth grade.
Crystal attended Police Camp, the
first time as a camper and the sec
ond time as a counselor. “It’s like
most camps except it is based on
military practices such as march
ing, wearing uniforms, and learn
ing about every aspect of police
work,” Crystal said.
Crystal describes herself as a
“sports nut” who participates in the
following sports: field hockey,
basketball, track, softball, bowl
ing, and Powder Puff football. She
is a member of the Varsity Club,
band, and the National Honor
Society.
While in college, Crystal
expects to continue working at the
orchard on weekends and sum
mers. Here are some of her favorite
apple recipes that she hopes you’ll
try.
STUFFED CELERY
1 apple, finely chopped
'/« cup walnuts, finely chopped
Salad dressing or cream cheese
celery, washed and cut into 2-inch
lengths
Lemon juice, optional
Combine apple, nuts, and cream
cheese and/or salad dressing in
small bowl. Use to stuff celery.
Sprinkle with lemon juice before
serving.
ts
Crystal Bard
Pa. Apple Queen
MUUT DOES A BODY GOOD.
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Pennsylvania Apple Queen
APPLE CAKE
I V* cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup oil
1 cup chopped walnuts
4 to 5 apples, sliced
Mix sugar and eggs until fluffy.
Add vanilla. Mix flour, salt, bak
ing soda, and cinnamon. Add to
egg mixture, alternating with oil.
Fold in apples and walnuts. Pour
into 13x9-inch baking dish.
Topping:
Mix 'A cup walnuts with 2
tablespoons brown sugar. Sprinkle
over batter before baking. Bake at
370 degrees for 45 minutes.
APPLE DUMPLINGS
Dough:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
'A cup shortening
'A cup milk
A teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
Mix together to make dough.
Roll and cut into squares. Enclose
A apple in each. Place in baking
dish.
Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
VA cups water
'A cup butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Boil 4 to 5 minutes and pour
over dumplings before baking.
Bake 375 degrees about 30
minutes or until apples are tender.
(Turn to Page B 21)
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(717) 665-6775
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CONSTRUCTION INC.
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1242 Breneman Road
MANHEIM, PA 17545
PH: (717) 665-4372
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BEEF STORAGE
- Wide, even spread pattern Is
excellent for topdressing.
- Standard unit spreads lime, too.