Rochester Scout Families Are Busy Baking 1,200 Apple Pies Today

The following story was submitted by Ruth Berklich.

How do you like your apple pie?

“I heat up the apple pie, then I top it with French vanilla ice cream and Sanders hot fudge,” answered Frances Grant, mother of scout Nick Grant.

The topic is the 1,200 Mile High Apple Pies that Local Boy Scouts of America Troop 125 will be baking at two locations in town today to sell at the Art & Apples Festival in Rochester this weekend. 

(For complete coverage of the festival, see our Special Art & Apples Section on Rochester Patch.)

“We have scout family members prepare spices one night, then others prepare the fresh dough, then other families combine all of the ingredients into pies for baking,” said Cristina Riha, parent of scout Dane Riha, and owner of of downtown Rochester.

As one of the organizers of the pie making process, Riha said that most family members volunteer for four or five pie-making shifts to get the hot, fresh pies to the festival to raise money for their scouts’ activities. 

Debi Hibbeln, a Rochester dentist and co-organizer of the apple pie baking event, has both of her scout sons, Victor and Henry, making pies.

“Families are dedicated to this pie sale to raise money so their boys can travel and experience scouting activities.”  

For instance, 24 scouts and adult leaders spent two weeks acclimating and hiking the mountains at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico where climbing heights reached 12,000 feet. 

Look for scout families selling pies near the west end of the duck pond at the Rochester Municipal Park during the Art & Apples Festival Saturday and Sunday.

Apple pies will be $15. 

BSA Troop 125 would like to thank Oak Arbor Church and Rochester Community Schools for their continued hospitality for these busy pie making families. 

If interested in scouting, contact BSA Troop 125 at www.glctroop125.org.