In or about 1925, a family tradition began with C.C. Carpenter and his wife, Bess. They built a barn on the family farm and then their home; by 1925 they had planted 74 full-sized apple trees. Thus began the tradition of making apple butter.
Carpenter died in 1961and his wife in 1971, but the tradition continued. In 1962 their son, moved to the farm continuing to make apple butter every fall. In 2000, CC’s grandson, moved to the farm and continue the tradition today. Today the Carpenter farm has 45 apple trees, mostly dwarf, with some full sized including Golden Delicious, Gold Rush, Baldwin, Jonathan, and Honey Crisp. They also have two pear trees, two apricot trees, one nectarine and two cherry trees.
Recently, the Carpenter family and a few friends gathered once again to make the infamous apple butter. How do you make apple butter? Well, the Carpenters begin with cider cooked over an open fire in a huge kettle, boiling down the recently pressed apple cider until it is condensed. That evening they gather around the dining room table, and cut ‘snits’ from freshly pared apples until they have four bushels of the ‘snits.’ The next morning, the apples are added to the condensed cider and cooked approximately eight hours. The manning of this operation takes several family members and a few friends, most of the day, the mixture, must be continually stirred all day. Stirring is done with a long handled wooden paddle while the mixture boils down. When it has cooked down to apple butter, sugar is added and boiled for approximately 40 more minutes. The now apple butter is carried by the men on two 4X4’s hoisting the heavy large kettle into the barn where the women await to quickly pour the apple butter into canning jars and seal. The results are 70-75 quarts of beautiful, brown, sweetness to enjoy on biscuits or freshly baked bread. This year’s yield was 70 quarts. It is quite a large and fun event to be outside with their family reminiscing about who is the boss, when the apple butter will be ready, and how many quarts were reaped from the previous year. Family times together, preserving the tradition and the friendship are priceless.
Union City High School cross country girls advance to semi-state. The lady Indians led by junior Kora Kerns, finishing 13th, junior Emma Baron and freshmen Sophia Spence and Reagan Hoggatt placed third in the IHSAA Regional cross country meet held at the Muncie Sportsplex. The team advances to the semi-state this Saturday. Kerns finished 13th, Baron 17th, Spence 19th and Hoggatt finished 20th in the performance this past Saturday.
Upcoming events in Union City include:
Trick or Treat in Union City is Oct. 31. Beginning at 12 to 4 p.m. the Union City Police and Fire Department will host an open house for all citizens to attend. Come join the free food and entertainment for the kids. They will be giving tours of their facility and demonstrations of their various equipment and personnel. At 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. the costume pageant and parade around the downtown park. The main event, judging and more will be held at the new Artisan Park in Union City. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. is Trunk or Treat also in the new Artisan Park. Trick or treat in Union City Indiana will begin at 7:30 until 10 p.m.
Nov. 21 is the Annual Christmas Shopping Days 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. at multiple locations throughout downtown Union City. This is Lights in the Park Festival Opening as well. Friday after Thanksgiving delight to the opening of the Community Christmas in Harter Park which begins with a light parade ending at Harter Park with over 3-4 million lights throughout the park. What a great way to open the Holiday Season.
Plenty to do in Union City. Union City redefined!
What have you done for your community?
