Apple

LIBERTY - Results of the Casey County Apple Festival baby contest Sunday which drew 177 participants, listed by division, first, second and third place, and parents, respectively, are: 0-6 months: Girls, Sara Isabella Wihebrink, daughter of James and Donna Wihebrink; Allie Grace Wolford, daughter of Keith and Joni Wolford; and Makayla Propes, daughter of Michael and Casey Propes. Boys, Caden Dye, Sean and Tracy Dye; Elijah James Gossage, Jim and Jessica Gossage; and Tegan Cole, Dallas and Deanna Cole.

LIBERTY - Results of the annual Spelling Bee Friday at the Casey County Apple Festival, listed by name, school, and first through third place, are: First and second grades: Logan Faulkner, Phillips Elementary; Lauren Wethington, Liberty Elementary; and Sarah McDonald, Middleburg Elementary. Third and fourth grades: Allison Owens, Phelps Elementary; Trae Emerson, Phillips Elementary; and Derek Dorman, Liberty Elementary. Fifth and sixth grades: Mickey Albertson, Douglas Elementary; Mindy Davenport, Phelps Elementary; and Sam Estes, Middleburg Elementary.

Weekends are the only time Paula Campbell's family has enough time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and before her head even leaves the pillow, she can predict what they might request. Apple Crisp. "They beg me to make it. It's a must. I can't have a slumber party for my daughter without preparing it," says Campbell, who has an 11-year-old daughter, Lyndsey Smyth. Her son, Chad Elmore, husband Brian Campbell and stepdaughter Katie Campbell also are big fans. Campbell, who lives between Danville and Junction City, says she took a recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook and modified it. "I took the recipe and played with it a couple of times," she says, noting she only uses Granny Smith apples.

Apple released two new products. First comes an iPod mini replacement, the iPod nano. It is a pencil-thin, portable music device that will come in a 2GB or 4GB model. It boasts a 14-hour battery life, syncs and charges via USB. The iPod nano is skip-free and compatible with Mac OS X or Windows 2000/XP. It plays music, podcasts and audiobooks. Learn more at www.apple.com/ipodnano/. The second product is the first mobile phone featuring iTunes called the Motorola ROKR. The ROKR will feature playlists, album art and shuffle features.

LIBERTY - Deva Hair was elected chairwoman of the Casey County Apple Festival earlier this year, but admits she's not operating solo. 'It's not a one-person show, it's a community who runs the festival," she said Thursday as the festival got into full swing. "The people who elected me showed me that I have a lot of friends to help. " Hair has been volunteering her services for 27 years with the festival, which is in its 32nd year. One of this year's festival highlights is the appearance of Sonny Shroyer, a movie and television star.

Asbury College communications students spent a week in New York City learning how top media professionals bring their faith to work. Nine students in Prof. Peter Kerr's COM 393 Communications class toured the Big Apple, visiting 60 Minutes with Kevin Tedesco, CBS and NBC studios. They were cheering in the background of "Good Morning America," met Diane Sawyer and toured Fleishman-Hillard and Ogilvy, world-famous public relations firms. "The New York trip is an eye-opening experience for students," said Kerr, who accompanied the group.

LIBERTY - Results of Casey County Apple Festival contests last week, listed by first through third place, are: Big Wheel: 3-year-olds, Rhett Cox, Lauren Lee and Makencie Woods. 4-year-olds, William Gossage, Tanner Durham and Hannah Cochran. 5-year-olds, Becca Tarter, Brookley Davis and Ethan Lee. 6-year-olds, Dakota Harris, Cameron Martin and Devin Ray Goodman. 7-year-olds, Alyssa Davis, Angie Martin and Micaela Goodman. Bicycle drag: 6-year-olds, Chase Williams and Josh Underwood.

The apple pie that C.W. Seitzinger of Wellington Cove bakes is not your ordinary pie. He uses a few key ingredients and other baking tricks to make this original recipe in a special way. The first, most important ingredient, is gala apples. When Seitzinger grew up on a farm, the best apples available then were Jonathans. But now, it's the galas. "They give you the best flavor," he says. Then the apples must be peeled and cut into uniformly-sized pieces. It's "a well thought-out procedure.

If you are looking for a delicious cake to make for this Thanksgiving or Christmas, then Emma Miller of Junction City has the recipe for you. The Apple Cake recipe came from a publication printed in Seattle, Wash. Miller uses 3/4 cup of oil instead of the original 1 1/2 cups, and then substitutes the remaining oil with 3/4 cup applesauce. "It does make it a little healthier and saves on some of the calories," she says. She likes the flavor of this Apple Cake. "It's easy to make and not real spicy like a lot of other apple cake recipes.