Apples in the American Landscape and Story

A is for Apple. The apple pervades our cultural consciousness: from the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, to Gaia presenting an apple tree to Zeus and Hera on their wedding day, from Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity, to one of American’s first folk heroes, Johnny Appleseed, the apple is everywhere. It has been a symbol of plenty, lust, envy, evil, festivity, and fertility. How do apples grow? Why are they so important to the culture and economy of the Shenandoah Valley? How have apples changed the way we speak and think? Can an apple a day really keep the doctor away? 

Rebecca Anderson will explore the apple through both horticulture and human culture in science, story, and song. Rebecca is joined by Karen Burdnell, a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers. Karen will weave tales featuring apples from ancient Greece and the early days of the American experiment for us to be re-enchanted by the joy of a tale well told.

At this talk, you will also enjoy:
* a tasting of French style hard cider from Troddenvale at Oakley Farm
* apple snacks and desserts
* a chance to win the door prize of an apple wreath

Tickets $15, register before Apri 22. 

Meet Storyteller Karen Burdnell
Karen Burdnell has been storytelling since she was a 15-year-old camp counselor. A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, she followed in the footsteps of her mother, a Children’s Librarian for the Enoch Pratt Free Library, from which Karen recently retired. She has also worked as a Library Media Specialist for Baltimore City Public Schools, The Calvert School and has studied storytelling and story creation in East Tennessee State’s graduate performance Program.

She is a former board member and past president of the Griots’ Circle of Maryland, Inc., as well as a Lifetime member of the Griots’ Circle of MD, Inc. and a Silver Lifetime member of the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. She is a recipient of the 2024 NABS Brother Blue Circle of Elders Award.

Karen currently resides in Winchester, VA and makes frequent trips to Baltimore to visit friends and family and to attend church. Momma B as her audiences know her, is available for adult storytelling workshops as well as performances.