Michigan Apple Committee Official Blog

Introducing the 2013 Michigan Apple Queen & Court

December 20th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

Courtney Heeren, 2013 Michigan Apple Queen

Hello, my name is Courtney Heeren and I am truly honored to be representing the industry as the 2013 Michigan Apple Queen. I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and I am a junior at Central Michigan University pursuing a degree in Special Education with a focus on Emotional Impairments. I am a fourth generation apple packer and shipper. My great-grandfather, along with his brother, opened Heeren Brother’s Produce in 1933. However, now it is operated and owned by my father, Dan Heeren, along with his brothers and cousins. The apple industry has always been an essential part of my life. By being the Michigan Apple Queen, it will allow me to give back to an industry that has given me so much.

I had never thought of myself as a pageant girl or even someone who could compete against other girls for this type of role. However, I heard about my father’s cousins kids competing various years throughout my childhood. I had talked about it with my family and decided it would be a tremendous opportunity. I spent days preparing the perfect essay, hours making sure my hair was perfect and the morning completing an interview. I was extremely nervous, but when I got into my interview, I realized that being myself was not something to be nervous about. I was crowned soon after at the luncheon held at the Great Lakes Expo.

I was able to attend the Expo soon after with the first runner up, Kate Sage. We had a blast taking pictures, talking to farmers and various people in the produce industry. My favorite part was tasting all the delicious treats that Michigan has to offer. It was an incredible day filled with fantastic conversations from many wonderful people in the industry. Kate and I were also invited to attend a formal dinner. We were able to watch many deserving individuals receive scholarships and listen to an inspirational speaker. The entire day created an atmosphere of perseverance as this year of struggle comes to a close and we move toward the future.

I cannot wait to fulfill the many duties that are ahead of me. I look forward to attending parades, visiting farmers markets and grocery stores, reading to school children to educate them about apples and the other events that are in store. I am extremely excited to be sharing this opportunity with Kate Sage. I would like to thank the many people who have made this experience and opportunity possible especially the Michigan Apple Committee. I look forward to represent the Michigan Apple Industry for 2013!

Kate Sage, 2013 First Runner-up

Hello, my name is Kate Sage and I am honored to be able to call myself your 2013 Michigan Apple Queen Court. I am from Morrice Michigan, but am currently living in Eau Claire where I am attending my second year at Southwestern Michigan College and working on Tree-Mendus Fruit farm and u-pick owned by my grandfather Herb Teichman. I love working at TMF because I get to be apart of production as well as work with customers who visit our farm.

I am excited for this coming year and being able to promote such a wonderful industry. This is a great opportunity to visit all aspects of the apple industry and broaden my knowledge base of apples and their journey from the tree to the consumer. At the same time I will be able to educate others and create more awareness and understanding of the industry as a whole. This past year’s crop loss has been a hard one for the apple industry, however 2013 is just around the corner and I am looking forward to a great comeback!

Megan’s Making a Festive Holiday Salad

December 17th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Communications, Marketing

Hello, I’m Megan from What Megan’s Making and I’m so glad to be sharing a holiday apple recipe with you! I love cooking and baking with apples around the holidays, and it’s usually something decadent and sugary! This time, however, I thought I’d do something a little different and give you an apple recipe for something fresh and healthy.

I made this apple, goat cheese and walnut salad for Thanksgiving, and it was such a big hit that I think I’ll make it again for Christmas! With the apples, dried cherries, and cranberry vinaigrette, it’s very seasonably appropriate, and yet it tastes nice and light. The salad is full of flavor, and it’s certainly a nice change from some of the more unhealthy things we like to eat this time of year. I like to serve the dressing on the side, and feel free to change up some of the ingredients to suit your tastes. I love dried cherries, but dried cranberries would be great as well, and blue cheese makes a great substitute for the goat cheese. Enjoy!

Apple, Goat Cheese, and Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

8 cups torn mixed salad greens

2 medium red apples diced

½ cup crumbled goat cheese

1/3 cup dried cherries

1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

¼ cup sliced green onions

Dressing:

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp cranberry juice concentrate

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

Dash of salt and pepper

In a salad bowl, toss together the salad ingredients. To make the dressing, place the ingredients in a container that seals well, and shake to combine. Serve the dressing alongside the salad.

*Note: I’d rather have too much dressing than not enough, so I usually double the dressing recipe when making this salad.

A Pennsylvania native, Megan lives with her husband Mike in the Grand Rapids area. She blogs about cooking and baking at www.WhatMegansMaking.com and isn’t shy about her love for Michigan apples!

What is Megan Making with Michigan Apples?

October 24th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Communications, Marketing

A Grand Rapids Food Blogger Shares Her Love for Michigan Apples

This time of year, there’s nothing better than the aroma of cinnamon and apples coming from your oven. Whether it’s apple pie, apple cake, apple muffins, or applesauce, there’s just something about cooking with apples that makes it feel like Fall. Of course, here in Michigan, we are blessed with fresh apples and it doesn’t seem like the Fall season has officially started until we make that first trip to the apple orchard.

Megan's slow cooker applesauce

I moved to Michigan four years ago, and the abundance of fresh-picked apples collided with my love of baking. Each year I plan a trip to go apple picking with friends and then spend the majority of the next few weeks making every apple recipe under the sun. My favorites are the recipes that showcase the bright, clear flavor of the apples, the ones where the apples are the true star. I’ve actually got a whole recipe category on my site dedicated to apple recipes! One of the most popular is slow cooker applesauce – an easy applesauce recipe where the crockpot does all the work. I love to change up the types of apples I use, which causes every batch to taste just a little bit different.

However, I discovered one of my favorite things about the Michigan apple community on the Michigan Apples website. Of course they’ve got some great information on the apple crop in Michigan, and wonderful recipe ideas, but my favorite part is the section about the apple growers. It gives me such a sense of community to read about these local families who grow the apples that we love so much. The owners of a local orchard even shared some of their favorite recipes with me, and that personal connection makes the end result taste that much better.

Counting on faith and encouragement this apple season

October 3rd, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: In the Orchard

Worried about the Michigan apple industry? Don’t! Michigan apple growers are resilient, strong and positive. See below for the first in a series of blog posts from apple growers around Michigan about what they are up to this season – and why we should look forward to next year!

Bob Gregory

Cherry Bay Orchards has never been hit this hard. We have about 50 – 65% of an apple crop –we usually produce about 160,000 bushels. Cherries were hit harder than ever, apples weren’t as bad for us, as the bud development happens later, as far north as we are.

We spent the summer on our typical horticultural practices, such as fertilizing, pruning, disease and insect control, and irrigation. The most difficult part of the crop loss for my brother and business partner, Don and myself, is losing a number of employees this year. We continue to be concerned and hope for the best for each of them and their families.

But farmers are always looking forward to the next year and new opportunities. We encourage each other through these difficult times, because we know they will pass. I expect a significantly larger crop for 2013, assuming good weather conditions.

In this difficult year, we are reminded that we are not in control of all parameters of production. We must maintain our faith that the Lord will provide for us in the coming year.

Bob Gregory is co-owner and co-manager of the 2,600-acre Cherry Bay Orchards Inc. in Suttons Bay, where he cultivates 320 acres of apples.

Michigan Apple Queen and Court – Summer Parades

July 27th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

Marissa Tidey – 2012 Michigan Apple Queen
Parades and festivals are in full swing as we look to the end of summer. I kicked off the summer the right way by attending the Memorial Day parade in my hometown of Dowagiac, Michigan. As usual it was hot, humid and a perfect welcome for summer.

I absolutely love parades and the Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth was no exception. Before each of the parades get rolling, Emily and I like to walk the route and hand out our Michigan Apple goods to children. We love interacting with the kids and having the opportunity to pass our knowledge of Michigan apples on to them. We also have the opportunity to chat with the residents of the community and witness the pride they have for their parades. Many spectators of the Bavarian parade had beautifully made costumes and we enjoyed spotting them throughout the route. read more »

Tulip Time Festival – Holland

May 16th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

Marissa Tidey – 2012 Michigan Apple Queen

Parade season has started! Saturday May 12, Emily and I kicked off the summer in not so summery weather with the Tulip Time Festival parade in Holland. Despite the lack of sun, we still had a great time visiting with one of the Grand Marshalls of the parade Dr. James Bultman as well as the popular Dutch Dancers. We also had the opportunity to chat with other Queens such as The Bavarian Queen, Miss South Haven, Miss Blossomtime and Miss Wheelchair Michigan.

Great American Pie Festival – Marissa Tidey

May 8th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

As my sophomore year at Grand Valley State University wound down my Apple Queen duties were just getting started. I rushed through moving into a new apartment, filling out job applications and taking finals while at the same time packing to attend the Great American Pie Festival in Orlando, Florida. Upon arrival I was told the details of my agenda which included judging the commercial baker division (apple of course) and making an appearance at the festival in the community of Celebration, Florida. I was also informed that I may have the chance to meet Willard Scott from the Today show. Nerves have never hit me like a brick wall as fast as when I heard this.

Introducing the 2012 Michigan Apple Queen & Court

January 5th, 2012 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

Marissa Tidey, 2012 Michigan Apple Queen

Hello, my name is Marissa Tidey and I am honored to be representing the industry as the 2012 Michigan Apple Queen. I am from Dowagiac Michigan and I am a sophomore at Grand Valley State University. My grandfather, James Scherer, the owner and operator of James Scherer Fruit Farms has been a part of the industry for 32 years as a grower, packer, and shipper. Ever since I was little apples have been a part of my life and continue to be.

As a little girl I loved to dress up and go to queen contests, but had never experienced the apple queen contest. One day my mom mentioned it and I figured I’d give it a shot, never thinking I’d end up being crowned. We spent all day working on our introductions, slow walks, and “queen feet” at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on December 6. I didn’t know anyone at first, but decided to take it as a learning experience and have fun. All of the other contestants were around the same age, so it was very easy to talk and get to know one another. The next thing we knew it was time for interviews with the judges and I knew this was really it; it was time, and my nerves had kicked in. To my surprise, the judges were not as intimidating as I thought; they’re normal people who are just trying to get to know you and your personality. The contest was the best part of the whole day yet seemed like it only lasted five minutes. It was such a whirlwind, and the next thing I knew I was being crowned the new Apple Queen. I soon realized what my year was going to be like as my duties started the very next morning, with meets and greets on the expo floor.

Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade – Hillary Heeren

December 2nd, 2011 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: Queen

On Saturday November nineteenth I was invited to be a part of the Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade. For a mid-November day I was surprised to have very pleasant weather. While walking around before the parade I met many Michigan Apple Fans including Grand Rapids Mayor Heartwell. I had the honor of presenting Mayor Heartwell with a Michigan Apple pin. I appreciated the effort Mayor Heartwell placed into wearing the Michigan Apple pin.

Our Visit to Uncle John’s Cider Mill

November 18th, 2011 by Michigan Apple Committee Filed Under: In the Orchard

Back in October, Michelle and I got to visit Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. John’s, MI. She picked me up after class and we spent the rest of the morning talking to Mike Beck, owner of Uncle John’s.

When we arrived, Mike walked us through the back of the mill showing us where their apples get packaged and cleaned. He also showed us how they put labels on the jugs of apple cider that they sell. I’ve never had the privilege to be “behind the scenes” at a cider mill, so all of the machines he showed us fascinated me!

As we walked behind the front desk of the cider mill, Mike gave Michelle and me a donut hot off of the deep fryer. The donut was so warm and fresh, I wanted to have more! He also gave us a cup of their delicious cider. We sat in the cider mill and ate with him while he told us about everything that Uncle John’s has to offer.