The weather man has been known to hand out a dose of cold weather at many of the Unionport Apple Stirrin’ events, and this was another time when it was a bit nippy. But at least it was dry, although I did hear rumors that snowflakes were spotted.

I was there for my usual apple pie judging for Mary Catherine Mull, who has been in charge of the contest since the festival began. Mary Catherine had the announcers’ system buzzing with pleas for state Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire, to come to the pancake house and help with the decisions. He either had left by that time or didn’t want to be a part of something where he could make enemies if he chose the wrong pie.

There were 15 pies, and all had a feature that was enjoyed, but someone had to win. Joann Mann, who comes with a selection of six or seven different kinds of apples to sell each year, was the winner. This is her second year to take the title, so she must be in the know on what apples will perform best. You know, like hold up under the heat and not turn extra-juicy in the pie dish, and have that just right taste. Marianne Virtue was second, and a couple, Jeremy and Tracy McClure, were third.

Jill and Jaime Ater of Brilliant brought their dressed-up dog, Jack, who was dressed in a skeleton costume. He also was wearing a knit, orange jacket to keep him warm.

While strolling along looking for photo opportunities, I was hit in the side of the head by something so soft I barely felt it. Let’s just say that I got “marshmallowed,” as children were busy shooting their blow pipe guns that were loaded with miniature marshmallows.

I had a song sung for me at the Christmas house while the Hollywood Ukes were performing. My request was “Country Roads,” and John Slivka threw some soulful harmonica sounds into the song. They are a group of seniors, although I would not say that Christine Peterson would fit into that category, who I met while the Jefferson County Activity Center was in existence on Hollywood Boulevard. When it closed, they were having so much fun, it was decided to keep the group of nine together, although they are not always there together. The center donated a public address system to the group with funds that were left.

“We are mostly a group of self-taught ukulele players,” said John Otto. This is with the exception of Slivka who plays the harmonica and Peterson who plays the tambourine.

“Christine is a retired school teacher, and the other ladies were in the nursing profession. We just like to sing and play music together,” Otto said.

The Fun Time Dancers performed a line dance, with others in the crowd joining in and dancing to the tune, “Mame.”

The Vinyl Classics from Hopedale were performing songs from the 1950s and 1960s. They are a classic of their own on the stage at the Apple Stirrin’ and have appeared for many years. It would not be the same without them.

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Imagine getting a chance to be up and close with First Lady Michelle Obama. That is what the local area Girl Scout Troop 5566 did this summer. Erica Barath, Scout leader, sent me information late in the summer about what will surely be a historical event for the seven girls from that troop. This happened during the fairs that I cover and the accident I endured when I stepped on a broken Precious Moments figurine. So, it got pushed aside. For that I am truly sorry.

This summer, the office of First Lady Michelle Obama and Girl Scouts of the USA decided upon five local councils to enjoy a truly unique outdoors experience as she was hosting 50 Girl Scouts on the White House lawn for the first-ever Girl Scouts White House camp-out. Five scouting areas were chosen, and the Black Diamond Council happened to be one of them. This was part of the “Let’s Move Outside” initiative, aiming to get kids active outdoors in order to explore nature and develop healthy habits.

“Through outdoor exercise, girls and boys maintain a healthy weight, boost their immunity and gain bone health,” the First Lady said.

The camp-out came about on the heels of the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative by the Obama administration and the Department of the Interior.

Selected to go to Washington, D.C., for the first White House Camp-Out on the South Lawn were Rachel Jarman and Lizzie Frank, both of Rayland; Alexandra Miller and Ruthie Dalton, both of Martins Ferry; Julia Buck of Tiltonsville; Emma Morrison of Bloomingdale; Dakota Dobrovich of Dillonvale; Erica Barath, Girl Scout leader from Tiltonsville; and Marcie Jarman, co-leader from Rayland.

The girls participated in knot tying, orienteering, tent pitching and rock climbing on the White House lawn. The activities were badge check-offs on the new outdoor badges for Girl Scouts. Michelle Obama spent time at each station and joined in with what was happening at the moment.

They ate in the White House state room and met the First Dogs, Sunny and Bo. Later, they went out and visited the First Lady’s garden. All joined around a “make-believe” campfire and sang songs, with the Obamas joining them, moving into the circle and singing along.

After the singing, NASA astronomers and astronaut Cady Coleman joined the girls, and they did star gazing through the telescopes that were set up.

During the night, a storm came up, and everyone moved to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to sleep. The White House staff and Secret Service were helpful during the entire move inside, Barath noted.

In the morning, they headed back to the 4-H center, where they met the previous day, and area scouts went to the city to tour. They rode the Metro, walked the National Mall, saw the monuments, ate lunch at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and headed to the National Zoo.

“This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I am so honored to have been a part of it with my girls. They will have stories to tell their children and even grandchildren. They made history, as the First Lady stated to them,” Barath said.