Some may say the apple is the token fruit of the United States, as evidenced by the expression, “as American as apple pie.” New York City, one of the first major cities in America, is referred to as “The Big Apple,” and children learn the tales of Johnny Appleseed planting orchards throughout the Midwest.

While “modern” apples are decidedly American, the ancient origins of the fruit are anything but. The wild trees that bear the fruit, known as the Alma, that were eventually domesticated to modern apples are still located in the mountains of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Western China. It has been said that the center of diversity of the apple is in eastern Turkey, and it was possibly one of the first trees to be cultivated. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, and the differences are based on growing climate as well as purpose. Apple trees can be bred specifically to produce fruit best eaten fresh, for cooking or for producing cider.

The ancient historical significance of the apple is evident in its presence in mythological stories from several origins. In Norse mythology, apples are presented as gifts to the gods to prolong their youth, and in some stories are symbols of fertility. In Greek mythology the apple is usually a symbol of temptation and cunning; one story describes an argument over a golden apple that indirectly causes the Trojan War! And finally, perhaps most notoriously, the story of Adam and Eve embodies both of the previous symbologies of the apple: temptation and immortality, and introduces one more: knowledge.

The arrival of apple season in the U.S. also unofficially marks the beginning of autumn. The crisp, cool air at this time of year is analogous to the first bite of the crunchy, refreshing fruit. Certainly one of the most festive and fun fall activities to check out is to find a local orchard where you can pick your own apples. Not only is this a ton of fun, it’s extra affordable.

My local farm is called Gulick’s Orchard, and pick-your-own apples can go as low as 55 cents per pound. Since you’re doing the work to get the apples off the tree, the farm can’t very well charge you the same amount you would pay in the grocery store! In fact, the more you pick, the less money you will spend per pound! I have also purchased 20-lb. bags of “seconds,” which are picked out and set aside because of their less desirable size, shape or markings, for $8.00, which measures out to about 40 cents per pound. What in the world does one do with 20 lbs. (or more!) of apples from the local orchard? See below for a home made applesauce recipe.

Savings aside, apple picking is an excellent way to spend a Saturday morning or afternoon with friends or loved ones. As Mrs. Gulick likes to say, “When you go apple picking, you’re not just buying fruit, you’re making memories.”

To find the nearest pick-your-own apple orchard (or pears, pumpkins or any other fall food item that you may want to pick), check out www.pickyourown.org.

How to Make Applesauce:

For those of you who are wondering what to do with 20 lbs (or more!) of apples, I say to you: Applesauce. Homemade applesauce from hand-picked apples purchased from a local orchard is the epitome of a self-sufficient home-style treat, in my opinion. You can make this in any quantity you prefer, and by several different methods. I suggest using a few different varieties of apple, because it makes the sauce have a special, interesting flavor.

I like to use a combination of McIntosh (or Liberty, a hybrid similar to McIntosh), Gala, Red Delicious and Yellow Delicious. These may come available for picking at different times, depending on the orchard you patronize. I try to plan my picking accordingly so that I can get at least two types of apples at the same time, then I make separate batches of applesauce and then a final blend of everything.

As usual, I don’t follow a particular recipe, per se. The basic idea is this: get a big bunch of apples—or a small bunch, depending on how ambitious you are—then core and cut them into quarters or eighths, depending on their size. Throw them all into a big stock pot with about 1 inch of water in the bottom.  Squeeze a few tablespoons of lemon juice over the top, and sprinkle with as much cinnamon as you prefer. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the apples are pretty mushy. Then I spoon batches of mushy apple into my food mill and swirl it around until the bowl beneath has accumulated the finished product: applesauce!

If you don’t own a food mill, don’t want to own a food mill or just plain don’t feel like putting in the elbow grease, you can skip this part if you are willing to peel all the apples before simmering them. I tend to think that mashing the cooked apples through the food mill at the end is much easier than peeling a large amount of them beforehand, but if you’re doing a small batch, this method probably wouldn’t be too difficult. After simmering the peeled, cored, chopped apples, throw them into a blender or mash with another utensil for a more rustic end result.

Christine Lynn

As faithful Culprit Magazine readers are aware the September issue contains a very good article entitled “The Commandments of Tailgating,” which details how to throw a great tailgate party. This month’s style column takes a cue from author Henry LaRosa, and instructs you on looking good while at the big game.

Labor Day has come and gone and that can only mean one thing: football returns. This is the peak of the year for sports. Baseball is gearing up for the playoff push while college and pro football are just beginning. But would the big game really be that big without an epic party beforehand? Let’s be honest, the best part about a sporting event is the tailgating. Here is what you need to know to look good from the pre-game show until the post-game locker room interview.

Color is Primary

The best way to show team pride is to wear your team’s colors. The majority accomplishes this by wearing their team’s jersey, hat or t-shirt. It’s tried but it’s also tired, it’s true but it’s also trite. You are a discerning individual as evidenced by the fact that you are reading “Culprit Magazine.” You owe it to yourself to show a little more effort come game time. We are not that far removed from a time when coaches wore suits on the sidelines and fans wore bow ties in the bleachers. Today it is easy to find bow ties in the color schemes of most school and professional teams. If you can’t find your alma maters colors at the campus bookstore, check the web. A site like www.southernproper.com has a large selection of ties, and can even custom make one for you.

If you are not willing to go the tie route, you can still do better than jeans and a t-shirt.  Step it up with a pair of chinos and a rugby shirt in a team color. This look is fashionable yet comfortable enough to allow you to take part in all the epic tailgating shenanigans. Fall is the perfect time to rock that team inspired sweater, and if you do it right, Mr. Rogers will have nothing on you.

Style is Elemental

You can have all the style in the world but it won’t do you any good if your super sweet sweater is covered up by a poncho (don’t even think about a trash bag with neck and arm holes cut out) or a ski jacket. If there is a chance of rain, take an umbrella. Yes, you will be the only guy with an umbrella, but that won’t seem so bad when that female fan you have been trying to work up the nerve to talk to, seeks you out to be her shelter from the storm. Cold temperatures and wind are also elements that you will want to be prepared for, and the best way to handle them is a heavy coat. Pea coats are a stylish yet casual answer to this problem. Traditionally they are navy but you can get them in many other colors such as khaki, charcoal and black. Wrap a team colored scarf around your neck for the appropriate dash of team spirit and enjoy the tailgating and the game in comfortably warm style.

Remember, if you have specific style questions post them below.

Michael R. Simons

As the weather gets colder, the leaves start to change, and ‘pumpkin spice’ returns to a coffee shop near you, the realization that summer has really come and went hits. But don’t fret! Curl up under covers with your favorite person on the couch and prepare for a wild ride as the 2011 fall line-up of exciting and suspenseful new TV shows gets underway. Leading the pack is the ambitious plot of “Terra Nova.”

Terra Nova; or ‘new land’ in Latin, is set on Earth in the year 2149. Overpopulation and pollution has put Earth in a desperate situation. The environment has become unsustainable. Air quality is horrid, forcing inhabitants to wear re-breathers when they are outside. The sun is dimmed through the fog, and the moon is unable to be seen at night. Families are limited to four people with threats of fines and/or imprisonment by the government for those who break the rules and have more children. Throughout the first few minutes of the two-hour series premiere; which aired on September 26 at 8pm, we come to find that the Shannon family; comprising of the shows main characters, are in violation of the population law and must hide their three year old daughter; Zoe, from frequent searches conducted by these “population police.” During one such search, Zoe is discovered. Father Jim Shannon; played by Jason O’Mara, gets into an altercation with the police and winds up in jail with a six year sentence.

Fast forward two years and we find Jim locked away when he is visited by his wife Elisabeth, played by Shelley Conn. She informs him that because of her expertise and track record as a trauma surgeon she has been selected to join the tenth pilgrimage to Terra Nova; a prehistoric Earth of an alternate reality set in the late Cretaceous period some 85 million years in the past. Scientists discovered a rift in space-time which makes this travel possible. Elisabeth puts into action a plan to not only break her husband out of jail, but to also smuggle him and their youngest daughter through the portal and into Terra Nova. The plan inevitably succeeds and the family is free to pursue a fresh start in a wild and unfamiliar new world. But not all is as it seems and many questions and mysteries were posed throughout the first episode.

The ambitious project of creating this new world falls in the hands of non-other than producer Steven Spielberg. The filming location of Australia was chosen by Spielberg after he vetoed Hawaii; citing he wanted to use a different location then his 1993 film Jurassic Park. The two-hour pilot was shot in south-east Queensland, Australia throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It was filmed over twenty-six days from late November to December 2010. The total estimated cost for the pilot was between $10-$20 million dollars, with an average per episode cost of nearly $4 million dollars. In an unusual decision, Fox skipped ordering just a pilot, and instead immediately ordered thirteen episodes. This was partly due to financial reasons, as the large Australian sets are expensive to dismantle and rebuild. More than 250 sets have been constructed so far. Despite this decision, the producers denied the production was over-budget, with Peter Rice explaining instead the show is “a very expensive… very ambitious television show”. Kevin Reilly added, “We’re not in completely uncharted territory here. The start-up cost for the series is definitely on the high end. But it’s not some bank-breaking series”.

Terra Nova has a Jurassic Park/Avatar feel to it with hints of Lost strewn in there, but the producers are taking steps to ensure this new adventure has its own uniqueness to it. With only 10% of Cretaceous-era dinosaurs recorded in the fossil record, the producers decided to supplement the series with ones which might have existed; paleontologist Jack Horner was brought in to help create realistic creatures for the period and different from those of the Jurassic Park film franchise. The scenery is breath-taking, and the computer generated graphics are cutting edge, blending seamlessly.

With the DVR set to record FOX on Mondays at 8pm, I am excited to follow each characters story and see what unexpected twists and turns are in store throughout the thirteen episodes. And if everyone truly does experience a fresh start. Hopefully the show will live up to the hype, and budget set forth from cast and crew alike. Enjoy the new series!

Are ghosts real? It sounds like a silly question that an eight year old would ask. Especially around Halloween. But really. Is there such a thing as a “ghost”? Science likes to lump everything that cannot be measured through a controlled experiment into the paranormal category. But with new advances in technology and a growing cohort of ‘believers,’ more light is being shed on this dark question.

The hit TV show Ghost Adventures, which airs every Friday and Saturday night from 8pm-3am on the Travel Channel gives to the viewers an in depth look into this modern day ghost hunt. In the introduction of each episode Zak, a former skeptic who credits his passion for investigating the paranormal to a personal encounter with a restless female spirit in his Trenton, Michigan apartment building back in 2002 states; “My name is Zak Bagans. I never believed in ghosts until I came face to face with one. So I set out on a quest to capture what I once saw onto video. With no big camera crews following us around, I am joined only by my fellow investigator Nick Groff and our equipment tech Aaron Goodwin. The three of us will travel to some of the most highly active paranormal locations, where we will spend an entire night, being locked down from dusk until dawn. Raw; extreme; these are our Ghost Adventures.”

The crew got its start in 2004 while filming an independent documentary throughout the old mining towns of Nevada. During this three week expedition to gather evidence, the crew investigated Virginia City, NV; claimed to be one of the US’s most haunted cities. Equipped with static night vision cameras, voice recorders, and a high dose of testosterone, they investigated numerous buildings including the Old Washoe Club. Popular with miners, criminals and prostitutes during the late 1800’s silver rush, murders, suicides and mining accidents add to the dark history of this place. It was during this investigation that one of the most shocking and compelling pieces of evidence of the paranormal was captured on video. Yes, the video shows an actual apparition walking past the window towards the door following behind investigator Nick Groff. The video was studied by a professional video analyst, who confirmed the evidence to be authentic. Since capturing this piece of evidence and many more, the crew has hardened their resolve to continue the hunt to bring to light more pieces of hard evidence.

The TV show ran its first episode back in 2007, visiting purported haunted sites all throughout the United States and overseas in such places as the underground vaults of Edinburgh, Scotland and Poveglia Island on the outskirts of Venice, Italy.. The premiere of season five of Ghost Adventures was Friday, September 23. The crew investigated the Ashmore Estate in Illinois, which is said to house demonic spirits that are said to harm visitors. Zak Bagans announced via Twitter that a new contract was signed for twenty-six new episodes, totaling to thirty-four new episodes for season five.

The crew uses a plethora of technologies, old and new to capture the paranormal. Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVPs are caught using voice recorders that are unable to be heard with the naked ear. Temperature and electro-magnetic field readings are used to track spirits. And an overall self-described religious, emotional and scientific approach is taken during the lockdowns. Bagans has been criticized for his aggressive and confrontational approach during investigations. He claims he uses provocation to elicit responses from the more sinister spirits and to help put a stop to the harm of the living.

Check out the full first documentary of Ghost Adventures on youtube.com and watch a new episode every Friday night at 9pm on the Travel Channel. Also, keep an eye out for the Ghost Adventures Live Halloween special. Next time you get that cold chill up your spine or goose bumps, you just may be in the presence of a restless spirit. It is up to you to decide if you believe or not, but keep an open mind, watch for the evidence presented by the GA crew, and you just may become a believer yet. Happy Halloween from all of the writers here at Culprit Magazine!

Dating. As you read that word, some people may shudder in disgust. It’s one of those activities humans will forever do, probably never understand and for some reason, keep coming back for more. Dating is one of those things in life I will forever have a love-hate feeling for. It seems that whenever it’s hot, life is great and whenever it’s cold, life sucks.

Throughout my crazy life I, like most people, have been seeking companionship. Whether it be long term or short term I have been playing “The Game” the best I know how. This sometimes has been successful, other times it has ended in complete failure. One thing has remained the same throughout the entire thing; some things girls say are straight crazy!

Recently I was out with a girl on a date, thinking all went well I went into the next day with a little pep in my step, a smile on my face, only to be blindsided by one of those questions girls ask, you know, the question that makes you wonder if she was in fact on the same date you were. One of those questions that make you question everything about what your next course of action is with this girl.

This has happened to myself as well as many people I know, and you know what? I don’t blame the girls; in fact, I am sure guys do the same thing at times. So in an attempt to clear things up, get rid of some of the over-analyzing that goes on in life, and just make this whole dating thing go a little smoother I have attached, “Seven Lines Girls Use That They Need to Stop Using” These are lines I have either been told or friends of mine have gotten. I think if we read into these we would see the drama these simple sentences cause. So, with no further ado…

7.) Everything is perfect, I’m just not sure if this is what I want. This one makes me laugh. It is the line used when you’re not happy with how things are but in an attempt to cushion the blow to your boyfriend you add in the “Everything is perfect” part.

Save us the hassle of making us jump through unnecessary hoops to try and figure out what’s wrong when it is in fact over. Just cut to the chase and say, “This is not working.” It will be awkward but in the end it will save you and the guy time in explaining why it steadily got worse over the next few weeks.

6.) Is this a date? (Or questioning anything else someone puts effort into to impress)

I have gotten this line. It was a girl from college and we had been friends a while and I asked her out to dinner and drinks. Always a risk with friends because of that damn “Friends Zone” so I had to make sure I didn’t come off to strong but show her a good time. The next day I got the text message asking if it was a date. I suppose I come off as the type of person that takes all the girls I know out for dinner and drinks, yeah it was clearly a date; I was trying to impress you.

Guys have this alpha male thing where they think they shouldn’t put themselves out there emotionally, so when they do it they hold their breath. If it has to do with intimacy it’s a date, the whole point of a date is to see if you can be alone with each other and have fun as a couple.

5.) You’re going to be really mad when I tell you this.

This one is another classic style of the warning when a warning is not needed. Specifically when someone says this in a text or on a phone call and you have to wait. It seems that whenever someone says this guys assume the worst possible scenarios. The fact of the matter is that the thing we’re “going to be mad about” is hardly ever as bad as we think it is think it is.

Once someone has filled their mind with every possible negative thing that can happen between two people there is no getting rid of it. It will forever be in the back of our mind. If it is truly something that is going to make us mad we are going to be mad regardless of the warning, just roll with it and take it as it comes.

4.) I really like you, but…

Everyone has heard this one. It’s like girls think that by throwing in that, “I really like you” before crushing someone’s spirits makes it a little better for us to swallow the rejection. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not the case.

If you don’t like someone either tell him or her that it’s not working or cut off communication until they get the point. Lets start the movement now and just eliminate this phrase from existence.

3.) I just need some time to see how I feel.

Whenever I get this line I instantly think a girl is doing a comparison to life before me to life with me to decide which she liked better. It’s times like this I wish girls would either just stop talking to me until I got the idea that it’s over or just flat out say it’s over.

This dragging me along while you take time is just so unfair. During this time guys think of how to prepare for the upcoming rejection or, how they will counter it. This usually never works out how we play it in our heads, then again when does it ever?

2.) I love you, but I don’t like you.

This is my least favorite way to get dumped. It gives us no reason behind why you’re dumping us plus you’re giving that conflicting message of loving and yet not liking. What does that mean? I have come to the conclusion it means you are a great boyfriend, but I have found someone else.

Let’s not make this anymore gruesome then it needs to be. You’re better off breaking it to us straight up, dropping off our hoodie and whatever other stuff of our you have accumulated, and leaving. It will make more sense then using this line. It’s not a P.R. campaign; we’re going to be crushed regardless, just because you, “Still love us” does not matter in the slightest.

Finally, the final line girls use on guys that we would all be better off if it was eliminated from the world of dating…

1.) We need to talk…

This represents everything that is stereotypically bad with relationships, dating, and pretty much any social interaction. I can’t think of one good moment that started with, “We need to talk…” I generally hear this phrase, tune everything out and just know to walk away.

Whatever you have to say, just say it. Guys probably are not the brightest in relationships and dating, we probably have how you look or sports on our mind most of the time instead of how your day was, which I admit, probably not the smartest move, but we don’t need to be prepped for a serious conversation, you can just say it when the time is right and it will get our attention just the same.

Now that I have given you some of my friends and I most hated lines in the dating and relationship world, I beg you, please stop using them. They do nothing but terrorize guys and make them over analyze and panic. Nobody wins there. I am also well aware that a list similar to this could be made for girls about guys. I agree, but we have to vanquish these miscommunications one-step at a time. Good luck and happy hunting!

Pittsburgh has been delivering raw talent in the music industry in the past few years. A familiar place amongst Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller is Taylor Allderdice High School.  A name you can now associate with that same high school is True Stacks.

True Stacks is a 21 year old rapper who is currently unsigned, but has been on the scene since he started rapping at age 13. In July, he released his album “True Stacks the Mixtape” on iTunes containing 12 tracks of pure “Steel City” sound.

Culprit Magazine sat down and had a Q&A with True Stacks.

How would you define your music?

I feel like I’m more of a lyricist then anything.  You can listen to one of my songs and hear different punch lines each time.

When did you know that you would be a performer?

Since grade school I was always writing my own raps or reciting other famous raps and perform them in front of my boys.

Who are your musical inspirations and what influences your music?

My musical inspirations are 2pac, Jay Z, Jadakiss, and a lot of old school music.  And real life situations is what inspires me to make music.

What do you want people to take away from your music?

What I want people to take from my music is that staying consistent and working hard, you can get to where you want to be.  And to just be yourself.

Who would you most like to open up for? Where? When?

Not sure who I want to open up for the most, but I think it would be unreal if Biggie, Kayne West, and myself did a cypher in Pittsburgh.

Have you collaborated with any major rappers?

No major colabs, but look for some in the near future.

What are some of your next goals to get to the top of the music industry?

More tapes. More shows. More videos. More Everything.

What do you hope to accomplish in your rap career?

I just want to make classic music that last years after I’m gone

What do you want to say to all the people who are hearing your music for the first time?

Listen closely.

What would you like to say to all the fans you have?

Appreciate the love on the videos and at the shows. Stay tuned.

For more on True Stacks, check out his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter @YoTrueStacks.

(Official Music Video) True Stacks “Name On The Wall”

Day 1
It is Sept. 13, and I begin the adventure of a lifetime, maybe even several lifetimes. I am backpacking around the continent of Europe for three months, on a limited budget and only the clothes I can fit into my traveling backpack.

Due to the changing of the seasons over “across the pond,” I am forced to pack clothing for early fall temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 90s, as well as the bitter winter which I hear can be anything like 30s to 50s. So going into this I have packed: 3 pairs of khaki pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 4 long sleeve shirts, 2 button up shirts, 2 pullovers, a rain jacket, 6 pairs of boxers, 7 pairs of socks, a pair of nice shoes, a pair of sneakers, a pair of flips, a pair of board shorts and my toiletries.

I will take the above things with me to the likes of: Ireland, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Amsterdam, France, Italy, Spain, England and leave out of Ireland again. I have given myself an average of two weeks in each country with only a few days devoted to Czech, Poland and Amsterdam. Since nothing is set in stone, I will have the freedom to stay or go when I choose.

Another kicker, I plan on Couch Surfing as much, if not all of the trip, I can. I want to do this because I feel it will allow me to not only see all the sites any tourist would want to see but, also give me a glimpse into the life of the locals.

My mother is attending with me in Ireland for eight days in which she has provided places for us to stay. Fear not, I will be back to Ireland to Couch Surf before I leave for home. I feel that this will give not only myself, but you the reader, an adventure and a look into the life of our friends across the pond!

So, I left my house in Williamsburg, Va. this morning at 7 a.m. and caught a flight from Newport News, Va to LaGuardia Airport in NYC. After a stop by the World Trade Center Memorial in downtown Manhattan, we made our way to JFK International to catch our flight to Dublin, Ireland. In part of the deal my mother used to book the flight to Ireland, we received First Class tickets. Currently I am sitting in the Oasis Lounge enjoying my second vodka drink and some wings…for free (so they say).

We leave in about half an hour. So the next time you hear from me I will be in Ireland, doing the tourist thing with my mother and plotting my next venture. I can assure you this, I will be at Oktoberfest and I have a couch to surf. I will give you more details as the date approaches.

As for now, enjoy life, keep reading and have adventures.

The old adage “better late than never” is one we at “Culprit Magazine” can certainly understand. A visitor by the name of Irene has been with us, as with many of you, and decided to take the electricity supply on her way out of town. Once the power was restored, we were back in business, and thankfully only a week late. We know that many of our East Coast readers have probably experienced setbacks because of Hurricane Irene, and we wish you a quick recovery with the rest of your hurricane clean-up.

With summer coming to a close, fans are getting excited for the season premiers of their favorite T.V. shows, the outdoor concert venues will be wrapping up their bookings and it will be time to get in the kitchen and start whipping up some of your favorite toasty treats. In this edition of “Culprit Magazine,” you’ll find all of that and more.

Whether you are a returning or new reader of “Culprit Magazine,” the Culprit team welcomes you! Check out this month’s great selection, or click through to our first issue. As we move ahead in this endeavor, we are excited to provide an ever-increasing selection of articles to pique the interest of readers across the country. Remember that we’re here to entertain and engage you, so join in and comment on articles, leave questions for our writers or submit your own ideas.

As always, thanks for reading!

Many people from the United States and around the world go to New York City for vacation, but where do New Yorkers go?

A short getaway vacation for New Yorkers, the Mohonk Preserve is a popular option for those who love the outdoors. Over 7,000 acres of streams, ponds, fields, mountain ridges and forests provide visitors with a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the NYC rat-race, leave their woes behind and become one with nature. The Mohonk Preserve exists as a way to protect the Shawangunk Mountains of New York and simultaneously inspire people to care about and enjoy the natural world.

Just 90 miles north of NYC, Mohonk Preserve is a mountain climber’s mecca. The ever-so-popular “Gunks” cliffs offer world-class rock climbing routes that even the most technical climber finds challenging. Climbers have over 1,000 world-class routes and more than five linear miles of cliff face to conquer. In addition, climbers definitely have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Appalacian Mountains and soak in the views of the Hudson Valley.

If rocks don’t suit your fancy and you’re more of a water person, Lake Minnewaska offers a place for Preserve visitors to swim, boat, fish and scuba dive. Fish, however, are difficult to find because the water is rather acidic. Hunting is part of the research-based deer management program, and is allowed at the Preserve. Lake Minnewaska is technically not part of the Mohonk Preserve but is readily accessible as part of the adjoining Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Carriage roads and trails are aplenty at Mohonk Preserve, allowing visitors to hike, run, mountain bike, ride horses and cross-country ski. Educational programs about land stewardship, preservation and nature are also available for learners of all ages.

The Visitor’s Center is a great first-stop for people wondering what their options are at the Preserve. Short self-guided trails around the Visitor Center are viable options for those wanting a quick, easy way to learn about the Shawangunk Ridge.

• Shawangunk Sensory Trail – an easy ¼ mile level loop with interpretive stations along the way which encourage visitors to touch, look and listen to nature. The Weinstein Butterfly Garden sits along the Sensory Trail. The Garden is an ideal place to sit down, take a short rest and appreciate the flowers and butterflies.
• LaVerne Thompson Nature Trail – a rolling 1/3^rd mile loop that shoots off the Sensory Trail can be explored using a free trail brochure which leads you to 16 different stops along the trail to appreciate the plants, animals and geology of the Ridge.

“My favorite think about Mohonk is the hiking,” said Christina Calvino, who visits Mohonk once every two or three years. “Whether you just walk up the path to the tower, of if you do the lemon squeeze, it’s always worth it. The views are amazing the whole hike, not just at the top.”

It doesn’t matter whether you have one hour to kill or two days to relax – the Mohonk Preserve is the perfect place to go. People wishing to stay overnight and extend their stay from a day-trip to a weekend getaway can stay at the Mohonk Mountain House, a majestic spa-resort hotel.

“The gift shop is also great,” said Calvino, “because it doesn’t sell the standard tourist-trap souvenirs. There are some really unique and special gifts.”

The resort property includes numerous gardens, a Victorian maze, stables and a fitness center. Night owls can participate in evening activities including dancing, nature shows and movies. Programs designed specifically for children are also available at Mohonk Preserve and the Mohonk Mountain House.

The Mohonk Preserve is an ideal place for NYC residents to escape reality, but also attracts visitors from around the world. The Preserve is home to more than 1,400 animal and plant species including 2,000 acres of rare dwarf pitch pine. Endangered peregrine falcons can also be found at the Preserve, as well as black bears, bobcats, timber rattlesnakes and warblers.

The Preserve lands are open 365 days a year from sunrise to one hour after sunset.

For more information about the Mohonk Preserve and the Mohonk Mountain House, visit their websites at www.mohonkpreserve.org and www.mohonk.com.

There’s not much in this world more satisfying than turning a pile of ingredients into a delicious meal, side dish or dessert. This summer, I’ve been reaping the benefits of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which has provided me with a bountiful quantity of fresh, local produce each week, and hence has been pushing my culinary boundaries in order to use everything up before the next week rolls around. I’ve also been learning the arts of home preserving, in the form of canning and freezing, in order to save the summer’s fresh bounty for the winter when not much is available. Below, I’ll take you on a cultural food journey with two examples of using up massive quantities of CSA vegetables with cultural food!

CABBAGE!

For two weeks in a row we received gigantic heads of green cabbage. I mean, the biggest heads of cabbage you have ever seen. I put the first one on the food scale just to see how much it weighed – 6 pounds, one cabbage! So, what the heck was I going to do with it all? I decided to try my hand at sauerkraut – one thing I absolutely love to eat and have never made! I assumed that it was made in a similar fashion as pickles, with lots of vinegar, or maybe cooked for a long time in a crock-pot with broth? Nope. Sauerkraut originated in Germany and is made by a process of lacto-fermentation.

The shredded cabbage is placed in a crock-pot with nothing more than salt, which draws out the natural juices from the cabbage, and naturally-occurring bacteria grow in the brine creating an acidic environment. I found an excellent website for a resource, Wild Fermentation, where I learned that the process takes up to 4 weeks, which mine did.

You can buy a fancy ceramic crock-pot with a perfectly fitting wooden disk, but considering it was my first venture into the art of home fermentation, I went with an oldcrock-pot insert and a medium-sized plate. After shredding the cabbage, it was layered into the crock-pot a few cups at a time adding salt and packing each addition in as tightly as possible. The plate is added after the last of the cabbage, and something heavy – I used a couple of heavy cans inside a Ziploc bag – to weight it down on top. Now, the waiting game begins. I checked my ‘kraut after 24 hours to make sure enough water was pulled from the shredded cabbage to cover the plate, and since I didn’t find that enough had been produced, I added a few cups of water. After about 4 weeks, the sauerkraut was finally finished. It was nice and salty and tangy, and the cabbage had softened to an easily chewable texture.

So, now what to do with a giant crock-pot full of sauerkraut? Well, I decided to preserve my ‘kraut by water-bath canning. If you’re intimidated by this process, knock it off right now. It is so easy and a lot of fun – not to mention healthier and more economical – to preserve your own home-made goods. If you can boil water, you can CAN food at home. The jars boil for about 10 minutes before filling, and the lids have to simmer in a separate pan. Carefully remove the hot jars from the pot, filling within ½ inch of the rim, place the lids and screw-on tops and put them back into the boiling pot. Because I was canning a cold substance, the filled jars needed to be boiled for a good 25-30 minutes to ensure they would be shelf-safe.

The ‘kraut will be able to be stored in the pantry for up to a year, but there’s no way mine will last that long. We already killed one jar with grilled hot dogs, and I have plans for pork chops. These are the traditional uses for the delectable stuff, but I’ll be sure to push the culinary limits once the boring, dark winter rolls around. I’ll keep you posted!

EGGPLANT!

There seem to be very mixed-reviews out there for our purple friend, the eggplant. It happens to be fondly consumed in my household, and there are so many varieties of the fruit as well as ways to cook with them, it’s hard to believe that so many people can’t find a way to like them. We’ve been grilling up thick slabs for veggie sandwiches, chopping and simmering with tomatoes, onion and other veggies for pasta sauce, and chopping and freezing several quart-size bags for soups or stews this winter. The newest incarnation of eggplant that I’ve whipped up lately is the silly-sounding yet scrumptious Baba Ghanoush. Baba ghanoush is not, as I also once thought, a term of endearment to be hollered at your friends like in “Wedding Crashers,” but rather a delicious, smokey, tangy dip made from roasted eggplants and other seasonings.

Originating in the Middle East, there are versions of this delightful dip in Lebanese, Egyptian, Pakistani, Turkish, Greek and Romanian cuisines. The preparations vary between being an appetizer, spread or side dish, and have differing ingredients added ranging from tomatoes, onions, garlic, tahini and spices. My favorite of these is the smooth, creamy consistency of the Lebanese/Egyptian preparation. As I usually do with most of my culinary adventures, I read a bunch of different recipes – usually found via Google search – and then freestyle based on what I learned, so I won’t offer a specific link to a go-to recipe. I also really like it when things come out a little differently each time.

First, grill two medium eggplants (poked all over with a fork) turning every 5-7 minutes until the skin is wrinkled and the inside is obviously very soft. Then, slice the skin a few times with a knife and let the roasted eggplant sit in a colander to let some of the liquid drain out. Meanwhile, chop up a couple of garlic cloves, some fresh parsley, grate the peel off a whole lemon, juice the lemon and measure out about ¼ cup each – or however much you need to get the texture you want – of olive oil and tahini (sesame seed paste). Once the eggplants have rested and drained, slice them in half, scrape out as many of the seeds as possible (you can’t get them all, trust me) and then scrape the rest of the flesh out into a small chopper, food processor or a plain old mixing bowl. Add all the rest of the ingredients and blend or mash until smooth or combined to your liking. Of course, add salt and pepper to taste and cumin or coriander if you like.

This stuff is amazing. Smooth, creamy and delightful with pita chips, tortilla chips, carrots, celery, cucumbers or any other crunchy vehicle for dip. Bring it to a party, you will be the star – in fact, I did just that during Labor Day weekend. It also makes an excellent spread for sandwiches or burgers, and can save you some calories too. I hope you’ll give those plump, purple pretties another chance, and if you do give this Middle Eastern delight a try, be sure to shout it from the rooftops: Baba Ghanoush!!!

Fall is right around the corner but let’s not pack away the summer clothes just yet guys. Old-fashioned customs require us to stop wearing white after Labor Day. Those rules are outdated. The weather doesn’t just turn cold because it’s the first week of September. Plus, now we may or may not have that pesky little thing known as global warming to contend with. For those of us in the South, we can expect eighty-degree weather well into November. That doesn’t bode well for wool sweaters and camel hair sport coats. I tend to follow more relaxed rules when determining when to mothball seasonal clothing. I should also mention that transitional periods, (i.e. between summer and fall), are the best times to get great deals on the leftovers from the outgoing fashion line.

It’s seer, sucka!

I have never been one for odd color combinations or weird patterns. You won’t find any madras in my closet or sailboats or sea creatures embroidered on my shorts or pants, but if you like that look, then own it. This year I did make an addition to my wardrobe that I wish I would have been man enough to try years ago: seersucker. Seersucker is an excellent fabric for the summer and warmer climates because it is all cotton and woven in such a way that it doesn’t cling to the skin, and is characterized by vertical stripes in alternating colors, typically white and some other color.

I have been toying with the idea of getting some seersucker pants for a few years but never felt like I could pull off the look. After seeing some others wearing seersucker at the courthouse, I decided to give it a shot. I went with the traditional white/blue stripe in a flat front, no cuff pant. I wear them with a white dress shirt and navy blazer. When choosing a tie to wear with seersucker, you should go with a bright color. For a refined southern look, leave the long tie in the closet and go with a striped bow tie. The right shoe to wear with seersucker is a hard decision to make. Many people think you should only wear seersucker with white dress shoes, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a good looking pair of white dress shoes. Even if I did like them, who has extra money to spend on a pair of shoes that you will only wear with one outfit? I mean, we’re in a recession after all. For me, a nice pair of brown loafers or lace-ups will do just fine.

I have worn my seersucker pants so many times this season that I will be adding a second pair for next year, but this time I am opting for the whole suit. After all, a southern gentleman without a seersucker suit is like iced tea without the sweet, or a julep without the mint. You could do it, but why would you?

Please post any style questions or style topics for next month’s issue and I will do my best to respond accordingly.

If this year is anything like the last few years, then come the middle of September about six million people will be driving, flying or otherwise arriving in Munich, Germany for this year’s Oktoberfest. The word “Oktoberfest” conjures images of bacchanalian festivities featuring hirsute men in lederhosen, more pork and pretzels then one can shake a stick at and dirndl clad beer wenches sloshing golden, hopped barley water down the gullets of the inebriated masses.

I don’t see the necessity to challenge this image of the 200-year-old festival, as that is largely what it’s about. It began, however, in 1810 as a celebration for the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig I to Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Now, you probably don’t know who Ludwig I is (the grandfather of Ludwig II, the man who built the iconic fairytale castle Neuschwanstein…you’ve seen it) but suffice it to say, this marriage was a big deal. Festivities were held in fields named after the Crown Princes and there were horse races to mark the event. The tradition continues today with 2011 marking the 178th Oktoberfest. There were a few years when Oktoberfest could not be celebrated due to wars, cholera outbreaks and some small economic issues during the Weimar period.

Given the association with beer, one could easily be made to think that Oktoberfest is a free-for-all of drink, but there are some rules involved. For example, only six breweries are allowed to provide beer for Oktoberfest, some of which you’ll undoubtedly recognize: Spaten, Augustiner, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu and Löwenbräu. And there is only one type of beer that is traditionally served at Oktoberfest, Wiesn Märzen, a brew named after the fact that the original festival was held in a field. Various wursts, vegetable dishes and baked goods are also a traditional offering.

Oktoberfest is celebrated by beer and food enthusiasts throughout the U.S. as well. To bring it to a more local, and therefore relevant level, many bars and pubs in the Philadelphia area have Oktoberfest celebrations going on during the month of September. Some of the pubs taking part in these festivities include:

Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street from Sept. 19-24

South Philadelphia Tap Room will be offering several Oktoberfest beers and various sausages on Sept. 18th in honor of Oktoberfest.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House  on Drury St. will be taking the whole month of September to honor the festival with several Oktoberfest inspired beers and foods.

Finally, ArtsQuest in Bethlehem will be putting on an Oktoberfest at the SteelStacks campus, sponsored by America’s oldest brewery, Yeungling. Oktoberfest goes from Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, takes a break for mid-week then starts up again Oct. 6 – 9. This is more of an event than a pub having special beers and there is a cover of $8 advance or $10 at the gate. But that’s a small price to pay to see a Dachshund race!

Details about all of these events are available at the venues’ websites, and all of them are on Facebook!