LETTERS: APPLE DESERVES STATE RECOGNITION

To the editor:

It is my firm belief the finest suggestion yet is that of making the apple the state emblem. I cannot think of a better way to bestow upon the apple, a favorite fruit among many, a more appropriate and deserving title. Various flowers are represented as the emblem of a number of states, but no kind of fruit has as yet been given that honor. Various kinds of fruit require peeling before eating. An apple does not.

I have personally talked with a number of friends as to their choice of fruit. Each one replied an apple was his or her favorite choice and was eaten most often.

An apple is referred to in a number of ways. Often we seen in a comic strip a student placing an apple on the teacher's desk. We have often heard of the slogan, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I cannot refrain from thinking that expression holds some truth.

Such renowned people, I have learned, such as former President Harry Truman, President Coolidge and President Roosevelt, all relied on an apple for their daily snack.

This brings me to the numerous ways an apple can be put to use: apple pie, for instance, or apple butter, apple jelly, apple cider and event apple candy. The uses are endless.

Back in 1918 when I was a child, an apple without fail served as lunch for my twin sister and me at recess. An apple was the most available fruit at that early date.

This leaves me with the ever-popular lyric, "You're the apple of my eye" -- a fond reminder.

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau