Apple Festival help, baking contestants sought

The Environmental Center Advisory Committee is sponsoring an apple pie and apple recipe baking contest. The contest will be held in conjunction with the Environmental Center's Annual Apple Festival to be held Saturday, Oct. 13. All entries and recipes submitted become the property of the Environmental Advisory Committee. An auction of the delicious baked items will be held at 12 p.m. All proceeds will be used toward new projects at the Environmental Center.

There will be two divisions: Adult (16 years or older) and Youth (15 years or younger) with the following rules: Must live in the Greencastle-Antrim School District; Must use fresh apples in recipe; Crusts used in any recipe must be homemade; Must submit recipe with each entry so judges can read ingredients; Recipe does not have to be original; May enter each category, may enter only one item in each category; All entries must have been made by the person entering the contest; All pies, other entries, and recipes will be on display after the judging; Recipes will be kept at the end of the contest; The decision of the judges is final; Ribbons will be awarded to the top three winners in each category; Certificates given to all those who participate; Must bring item(s) to be entered to the Environmental Center's farm house porch between 9 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. on 10/13/07 to be registered; Pie bakers can choose from two categories (can enter both) 1. two crust and/or 2. one crust with crumb topping using 8-9-10 inch pie container; Bakers can also enter three other categories (can enter all) 1. apple cookies 2. apple pastries and breads 3. apple cakes; Those submitting cookies or pastries must have at least 15 pieces, attractively arranged; Please keep in mind weather conditions and ingredients used in your entry - refrigeration or hot plates will not be provided

Judging Guidelines used will be appearance of entry, crust texture (if used), use of apples, texture of baked item, etc.

For information, call Sue Miller at 597-9196.

Anyone wishing to help with the Apple Festival, be part of the Apple Dumpling Gang, work in serving line for the chicken barbecue, or demonstrate a craft, call Charles White at 597-6458.

Advanced sale Chicken Barbecue tickets are available at all schools and the Environmental Center for $6.