On Thursday, October 21st, The Mayflower Community celebrated the fall harvest with a dinner and homemade cider. The events started with an old-fashioned pressing of the apples to make the cider on the Buckley Courtyard veranda.
In the words of Foodservices Director, Scott Gruhn, “The cider press in use was owned and operated by Warren Grant, a long-time Grinnell-Newburg and international school educator and coach.”
“Warren learned the apple cider press process from family members while still a college student and knew that he wanted to plant his own trees some day and continue the cider making tradition. When Warren and wife Terese moved to Grinnell to teach, Warren decided to purchase his own press so he could make cider. He planted trees in their yard and, in addition, helped friend and fellow educator, Ron Deppe, plant trees at his farm.”
“Each fall when the apples were ready, Warren would invite friends, neighbors, and fellow church members to pick and press apples and enjoy the cider. Warren was so well known for his Johnny Appleseed traditions that when he passed away in 2017, family and friends honored Warren by pressing apples for cider. Terese wanted the tradition to continue, so she donated the press to the Deppe family where Warren’s plantings still produce.”
Scott borrowed the press from Ron Deppe, who is married to Scott’s sister Cindy.
The afternoon cider-making resulted in the primary beverage for the 5:00pm social, which was followed by the Mayflower’s annual Fall Harvest Dinner. The dinner menu included Apple, Squash, and Roasted Beet Salad; Roasted Pork Loin with a Black Berry Sauce; Roasted Walnuts and Brussel Sprouts; Mashed Sweet Potato; and for desert, Spiced Pumpkin Swiss Roll
Seating in Mayflower’s Buckley Dining Room was limited to 60 for COVID-19 precautions. In addition, a large number of residents carried out their order to enjoy the fabulous meal at home.
The dining event was hosted by the Mayflower Residents Association Social Committee, chaired by Harriet Adelberg. The Mayflower Foodservices department made the arrangements and provided the food…and cider!
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
