Families have many traditions. Some of these go back
for generations, often to times that were very different
in America. Kate's family is lucky enough to have one of
It began with Kate waking up early. She walked through
the house and out to the barn. Grandpa Stills was building
a fire there, but Kate's parents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins were still asleep. Kate liked getting up early,
especially when she visited the farm. There was just
something special about the old buildings, the animals,
the fields, and the rolling hills.
Every year the Stills family met at the old farm. The
property had been in their family for more than a hundred
years. They spent a whole day working as a team to
make apple cider and apple butter. They would also do
any other chores that had to be done. This was the first
year Kate was old enough to help, and she was very
By eight o'clock, everyone else was up, and it was
time to put the apples in the press. Each person had a
chance to turn the crank. The press made the sweet juice.
Some of the juice was for drinking. The rest was put in an
Grandpa Stills called his family together. He handed
Kate the good luck penny, and she tossed it into the pot.
The juice cooked on the fire. Sugar and sliced apples
were added, and as the mix boiled, butter was added.
After it cooked for a while, the apple butter would be
done. They would all have some bread with fresh apple
butter. Kate would bring some back to her class and tell
everybody how she helped to make it.