Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 -Mason County Journal- Page A-19
Annual event a
Harstine Island
institution
By NATALIE JOHNSON
natalie@masoncoun com
The annual Harstine
Island Apple Squeeze and
Fall Festival is scheduled
for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct.
11 at the Harstine Island
Community Hall at 3371
E. Harstine Island Road N.
The festival, organized
by the Harstine Island Gar-
den Club, has taken place
for more than 25 years.
"I love seeing the chil-
dren's faces," said Jill
Meek, Harstine Island
Garden Club co-president.
"They get to watch the
apples go in the machine.
People will be able to see
the whole process."
Apple squeezing and
cider sales will begin at
9 a.m. and end when the
cider runs out.
Last year, festivalgoers
pressed seven crates --
about 5,600 pounds -- of
fresh Eastern Washing-
ton apples into cider.
"What's cool about this
is it's raw, it's unpasteur-
ized," Meek said. "It's just
a fun-filled day."
The festival also marks
the last outdoor day of the
Harstine Island Saturday
Market until next spring.
The event includes
seasonal foods and apple-
themed dishes, music and
crafts.
"Instead of having
caramel apples, we have
warmed caramel and I
serve it in a boat with ap-
ple slices," Meek said.
Zach Ireland, left, and Tyler Ireland, feed apples into an apple press at the 2013 Harstine
is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 11. ',,
"t Jove seeing the children's faces, They get
to watch the apples go in the machine, People
will be ahie to see the whole process."
Jill Meek, Harstine Island Garden Club co-president
This year, the club will Rodius. squeeze most of the apples
have an apple press dat- 'q e're going to have each year. One hand-
ing back to 1880 on dis- some fabulous folk mu-cranked press is also avail-
play, Meek said. sic," Meek said. able for people who want to
The festival also in- The Harstine Island bring theirownapples.
eludes music at 11 a.m. Garden Club provides The event raises about
and 12:15 p.m. featuring handmade, motor-driv- $500 each year for the
a performance by John en apple presses, which garden club.
Journal file photo
Island Apple Squeeze, This year's event
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Harstine Island Apple Squeeze and Fall Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11
WHERE: Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island
Road N.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 427-4466
HARSTINE ISLAND NEWS
R;oain, rain go away --
ell, I don't think that is
ing to happen. At the
weekly Kiwanis meet-
ing, we have a tradition
called the "Happy Dol-
lar" in which we offer
up a dollar and tell
everyone what we are
happy about. At least
four of the members
were happy about the
rains returning. I think
this is a true sentiment
for Northwesterners.
We like the green-mold
effect. That said, I am hoping
for an Indian Summer and a
few more days of sun.
Speaking of fall, Oct. 10
marks the Harstine Island
Community Club's Oktoberfest
By MIKE
CALLAGHAN
potluck dinner. This event is
the community club's oppor-
tunity to recognize selected
individuals who have
made significant
contributions to the
island. Individuals
receive Honored Citi-
zen and Citizen of the
Year awards.
These awards,
along with the club's
first Oktoberfest
celebration, began
in 1987 during the
presidency of Gerri
Lewis. It was Damon LaJune
who suggested presenting the
awards during this annual
meeting. The tradition will
continue into the hall's 100th
year and into the future.
Mark your calendars to at-
tend the meeting and bring
your favorite dish to accompany
the brats and beer supplied
by the community club. As
always, all islanders are wel-
come to come and enjoy the
festivities. The doors will open
at 6 p.m., the potluck dinner
will start at 6:30 p.m., and
the program will follow about
7 p.m. a brief business
meeting. Organizers expect a
large turnout, so please bring a
generous potluck dish to share
with all.
The Centennial Celebration
is drawing to a close with a time-
capsule dedication at
3 p.m. Oct. 18. Everyone is invit-
ed to attend. The doors will open
at 2 p.m. Attendees can watch
the articles being placed into the
50-year time capsule. The Harst-
ine Island Choir will be perform-
ing as well. It has been a year to
remember.
Oct. 11 is going to be a big
day for the island. It is the an-
nual Harstine Island Apple
Squeeze and Fall Festival. It
will run from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. Apples are brought in on
crates, squeezed into juice and
sold to the anxious buyers.
This will also be the last Sat-
urday for our farmers market
until next summer. The market
will run a little longer that day;
it will go from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will also be some
entertainment and craft dem-
onstrations in the hall along
with hot dogs and other food
items. This is always a fun fam-
ily activity in which the kids
can help squeeze the juice out
of those delicious round red
orbs.
Mason 5 Firefighters' As-
sociation will be having its
first-ever pancake breakfast on
the island. It will be Oct. 11 at
fire station 9 next to the com-
munity club. It will run from
7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Organizers
will serve pancakes, French
toast, sausage, eggs, coffee
and juice. They are asking for
donations, with the proceeds
going to Mason 5 Firefighters'
Association. The event is in
conjunction with October being
National Fire Prevention
see HARSTINE, page A-24
