Purchase fruit from fundraiser, support Longmeadow High School Music Department

Nov. 6, 2019 | Payton North
payton@thereminder.com

Students at the fruit sale in 2018 reenacting the scene of George Washington crossing the Delaware with their boat made of fruit boxes.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

LONGMEADOW – For over 60 years the Longmeadow High School (LHS) Music Department has hosted a fruit sale every autumn to support music students. The fruit sale is back again – and music students are looking for support from the community.

The late Wilfred Burkle was one of the founders of the Longmeadow Music Program. Though Burkle had been long retired at the time of his passing in 2018, Longmeadow High School Music Department Chair and Vocal Music Director Kayla Werlin had the opportunity to speak with him shortly before he passed. Burkle told Werlin that the fruit sale began when he wanted to do a musical exchange with the students and subsequently take them to New York.

“They needed to raise money, and at the time it was unusual to see citrus fruit in this area in the winter,” Werlin told Reminder Publishing. “They decided to bring citrus fruit here and sell it and raise money that way. It was a huge success.”

The fruit sale was born at some point between 1965 and 1969. Keeping to its original purpose, the fruit sale benefits music students in many ways.

“It allows us to bring in guest artists, to bring in a piano accompanist, helps to subsidize our travel when we take buses anywhere,” Werlin explained. “It provides travel scholarships so the playing field is level for students who have the skills and have done the work to be able to participate in events.”

Werlin later shared that the music students will be going to Philadelphia this year and that they “don’t want to exclude anyone,” so funding will be available to students who may need it.

“We also have the need for equipment that’s not always in the budget. You don’t necessarily know when you’re going to be in need of a new French Horn, so having this resource allows you to respond to those needs that the budget doesn’t always allow,” Werlin said.

Items for purchase this year are 40 pounds of oranges or grapefruit for $45, 20 pounds of oranges or grapefruit for $28, and 10 pounds of clementines for $26. For residents who may be out of town during the time of the sale, or for residents who may want to contribute but do not want the fruit, it is suggested that the resident order online through the fruit sale website and select Rachel’s Table to have the fruit donated.

“We very much appreciate all the support in the community for this amazing amount of time. It blows my mind, I’ve been teaching in Longmeadow since 1995 and it’s a treasured tradition,” Werlin stated. “There’s something very special knowing you’re a part of something that began long before you and will continue long after you. It seems like a small thing, but it’s something that means a lot to us.”

Werlin noted that they do over-order fruit, so if some residents would like to stop by the sale on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LHS, 95 Grassy Gutter Rd., there will be some fruit available for purchase.

To purchase fruit and participate in the sale, contact any LHS music student to place an order, available for pickup at the school on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you don’t know a music student but are still looking to participate, fruit can be purchased online at the following link https://freshfruitorder.org/LongmeadowMusic/Organizations/LandingPage.aspx . The deadline for purchasing fruit with a credit card online is Nov. 17, however if you would still like to order fruit after that date, residents may do so by contacting the Longmeadow High School Music Department at 565-4244 ext. 2353.

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