This past weekend not only spelled the end of daylight time, but for residents of Cosgrove Crescent it was also the end of Halloween candy apples from the Jeffs family.
According to Chris Jeffs, parents Ted and Ella first began making and distributing candy apples for Halloween in 1950, the year they were married, when they lived in Harewood. The tradition continued after they moved to Cosgrove Crescent in 1963.
Both parents died within the last few years and the house has been sold, but seeing as the owners hadn’t taken possession yet, Jeffs said it was time for one last hurrah.
“This is like a tribute to them,” said Jeffs. “This is an even 65 years, so after [Halloween] is done, this will be the last year for the apples for the kids. It’s all good. It’s kind of bittersweet. You know, it’s life and you have to go on and have one final good party with it.”
Between 250 and 300 apples were candied for Halloween 2015 and according to Jeffs’s calculations, 19,500 apples have been used during the 65 years.
The recipe is a family secret, but the apples are sprinkled with coconut, and Jeffs said the family will now only make apples for special occasions.
“I thought a couple of weeks back, I e-mailed (brother) Mark and said ‘65 years, what a good time to retire,’ that’s a good round number,” Jeffs said.
He doesn’t rule out restarting the tradition in the future.