Old Fashioned Neighborliness, 2006

Patar, summer, 2006

It was the final week of the Apple Festival and residents have had nothing but praise for this year's lineup of events.

"My favorite was learning how to grow plants with Mr. Grex," Lani gushes as she is lead out the entrance gates.

"I got to water the strawberry plants and Mr. Grex said that I did a great job and should have my own garden. Daddy said no, he said that I have enough pets and I can't have a garden either. But a garden isn't a pet, right?"

Other families couldn't get enough of the cooking contests,

row after row of booths with craft demonstrations

and Susie MacAstral's pop and locking class.

"I don't know how she can do that in heels and a dress, she's amazing."

There were the simyearly fishing contests,

which lead to some interesting conversations

as well as the standard lectures on paranormal activity and crops.

Residents performed songs learned in music class

while other residents browsed the booths looking for fresh produce or new artwork.

The ending ceremony was the highlight of the entire festival, the Apple Awards were given to the winners.

First, Grex Grey accepted the Green Apple Award, which is given to businesses that promote a greener world with thier environmental practices.

"Thank you, Grey Farms & Market is proud to collect local compost from all residences free of charge. We continue to use this compost in our organic farm and look forward to expanding this practice to local apartment complexes as well."

Next, Jesse Kent accepted the Beautiful Apple Award, that is given to homes and businesses that are astechically pleasing in thier landscaping.

"Thank you for this award, we will proudly display this in the garden and can't wait to continue our landscaping plans."

Finally, the crowd waited to see which sim would take home this simyear's Spirit of the Community Award. The Spirit of the Community Award is for sims nominated based on a criteria of community service and good old-fashioned "neighborliness". The award recognize sims because of something unselfish. Not necessarily a local hero, but close to it.

This simyear was the closest race ever bewteen candidates. This simyear's winner would collect $3,000 in simoleans to help with the winner's plan to strengthen the community, a relaxing vacation worth $5,000; a $1,000 certificate to The Herendez Art Gallery, a $500 certificate to The Farmer's Market and a $250 certificate to CupaJava.

"Congratulations to Dr. Julio Wilsonoff!"

Julio grinned as he accepted the award.

"Thank you, wow! This means a lot to me and my family. It's been a rough simyear for us and this means...means so much to me...to us...thank you so much. I can't wait to get the youth fitness program started. Thanks again!"

Finally the moment the crowd had been waiting for, S'Ahmisa moved forward to the edge of her seat as the band entered the stage. She had arrived early to get a front row spot for the concert. Benjamin sighed as he watched the artists take thier places, one day crowds would be screaming for him when he took the court and he would get all the girls...one day.

"Hello Apple Valley!!!" Trevor screamed into the microphone. "Are you ready to rock with Aerial Bionic?!?!"

The crowd screamed in response. This concert was supposed to be the band's last concert for a while as they were headed back to the studio to work on their next album.

As usual, Aerial Bionic wowed the crowd with Gareth's memorizing skills and Trevor's smooth voice.

"Good night, Apple Valley!!!"