The leaves are not the only things in nature this time of year presenting hues of orange, red, and yellow. Pumpkins are aplenty and apples abundant. Just check out one of the numerous produce stands dotting Macon County. Pumpkins as small as a fist to as large as a propane tank are displayed for sale; and, barrels and bags of apples prompt bakers to pull out those pie, cake, muffin, and fritter recipes.
Pumpkins and apples have a long history in Macon County. Both were a source of sustenance for settlers and Cherokee and were used as trade items. N.C. Cooperative Extension shared last fall an excerpt from the book, “These Storied Mountains,” by John Parris, who was referred to as “the Hemingway of the mountains.” He wrote about pumpkins. “In the early days, it was used stewed in soups, in stews, in pie and pudding. The flesh was dried for winter and early spring. The seeds were used as a delicacy.”
Apple cultivation was common when the Cherokee inhabited the banks of the Little Tennessee River near Franklin and the area where the Nikwasi mound exists. In fact, a few years ago, an apple orchard was established on the Little Tennessee River Greenway, just up from the Big Bear Pavilion, to pay tribute to the area’s early apple cultivation. Anyone can visit the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail and read about different varieties currently growing there.
In some parts of Macon County, decades and centuries-old apple trees still exist; and, despite their often gnarly appearance, the trees still produce apples.
Apples were and still are eaten fresh, fried, stewed, and baked. People made and still are making apple cider, vinegar, and brandy. Historically, people dried apples in the sun, while a dehydrator does the trick now.
And, lining many shelves in Macon County are canned apples and apple butter. Plus, shriveled, imperfect, and too-small apples – as well as peelings – make great fodder for deer, horses, pigs, and chickens.
Bygone era revisited
Last month, Pat and Sylvia Calhoun, in memory of Sylvia’s parents, Dee and Walton Smith, made a donation of an apple press to the historic Rickman Store. The ultimate goal, according to volunteer Elena Carlson, is to create at Rickman Store an informational exhibit about apples in the store’s stone apple cellar.
“We are thrilled to receive this gift that will bring the apple cellar, built by Tom Rickman, back to life,” said Carlson.
Carlson shared that Tom Rickman, who operated the store from 1925 until his death in1994, once said, “I used to make cider about every year. But I never did make it to sell. Just about everybody around made their own.”
Rickman Store, a Mainspring Conservation Trust-preserved property, is open Saturdays, April through December, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Just beyond Rickman Store, a few miles drive towards Bryson City, is Bradley Creek Road, where J.W. Mitchell Farms is located. The farm and produce stand offer all kinds of apples and apple-related activities this time of year, such as apple cider making.
Mitchell, who has been operating a farm and produce stand for about two decades off Hwy. 28, and who was a farmer in Florida before relocating to Macon County, picks a variety of apples in his orchard to sell to the public, including rome, mutsu, granny smith, winesap, and fuji.
Pumpkins galore
Each year, H&H Farmstand on Hwy. 64 (Murphy Road), gears up for fall by harvesting a bevy of different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors of pumpkins. Displays are created on its produce porch and shoppers are encouraged to take photos of their families in front of the displays.
This year, employee Pat McKay created an elaborate cornucopia skirt, made of all kinds of faux and real pumpkins, to adorn a mannequin.
“I’ve always loved to decorate,” said McKay. So last year on Pinterest, I saw this idea to decorate a mannequin with pumpkins. She was fun to make, and I have a witch cap and cape to turn her into a witch for Halloween. I also already have ideas for next year’s pumpkin mannequin.”
After McKay got the mannequin decorated, H&H appealed to the public on social media to name “her.” About 80 name suggestions poured in for the festive fall female. Top votes went to “Maizie,” “in reference to our corn maze,” said McKay.
Indeed, H&H annually creates an intricate corn maze, which is now open through the end of October. This year, the design focuses on mountains, pumpkins, corn, and the H&H logo.
Besides opportunities for families to have their photos taken with Maizie and with the other pumpkin-themed displays on the H&H Farmstand front porch, another highlight is to enter the pumpkin patch and pick the perfect carving pumpkin.
Pumpkinfest coming up!
Mark calendars for one of the most anticipated event of autumn in Macon County: the annual Pumpkinfest; it takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, and is one of Franklin’s main festivals and looked-forward-to events. Besides a costume contest and almost 100 exhibitors, tops on the list of family-fun things to do at the festival is the World Famous Pumpkin Roll Contest.