Escapees September-October 2022

comes from an old English saying, “Ate and apfel avore gwain to bed, makes the doctor beg his bread.” Truth be told, these nutri tional powerhouses are exercise extenders delivering the antioxidant, quercetin, which makes oxygen more available to the lungs, reduces cholesterol, boosts oral hygiene and regulates blood sugar. They are also low in calories and free of fat and sodium. In addition, apples contain potassium, folate, niacin, and vitamins A, B, C, E and K. Historical Signi fi cance Of Apples Sir Isaac Newton, while sitting in the shade of an apple tree in his Mother’s yard, in 1665 or 1666, saw an apple fall to the ground. He immediately made the connec tion of Galileo’s experiments with projec tiles, his knowledge of the moon’s orbit and the falling apple. The result was the “Theory of Gravity.” Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “It is remarkable how closely the history of the apple tree is connected with that of man.” Apples were cultivated in colonial Jamestown in 1607, but they were not raised for eating. They were raised to make cider, a popular drink. Later, apples were eaten as fruit. Thomas Jefferson, a founding father of the United States, was partly responsible for creating the Fuji apple. Edmund Charles Genet, French minister to the United States, gave Jefferson apple cuttings that he donated to a Virginia nursery. That was the beginning of the “Ralls Genet.” In 1939, Japanese apple breeders crossed the genes from the Red Delicious apple with that of Jefferson’s Ralls Genet resulting in Fuji apples. Born in 1774, John Chapman, commonly called Johnny Appleseed, developed a great love for apples. Because of this love, he spread apple seeds across the nation. He also collected apple seeds from cider mills, dried them and put them in bags which he described as humble as he wore few clothes winter or summer. He went barefoot even during winter days until someone gave him an old pair of boots. He believed that God wanted him to read his Bible to people and to plant apple trees for them. He did not gave to those who traveled west. This man’s appearance was often

marry but believed that he would receive two wives in heaven. Assuredly, this man was rather eccentric. According to legend, he, at times, wore a mush pot on his head. Those mush pots were handmade usually of heavy copper, iron or enameled iron. Maybe, he only wore this headgear if his hands were full. Orchards With Personality Taking to heart Morton’s admonition about raising apples, residents in southeastern Nebraska, have established orchards, and each of these orchards has its own unique and interesting “personality.” In fact, all kinds of services and activities occur at these orchards. As always, they are ideal places to visit and to sample fruits and vegetables, but they are also areas where visitors can travel nature trails, listen to programs, ride on hayracks and take tours. Cider, both cherry and apple, and wine, make thirsty visitors vow to return. Wostrel Family’s Union Orchard Wostrel Family’s Union Orchard, located nine miles north of Nebraska City, was

46

ESCAPEES Magazine September/October 2022