Cindy Callahan, age 11, of Montoursville, Pennsylvania, for her question:

How did Johnny Appleseed get his name?

His real name was John Chapmen. He was born about two centuries ago, when the pioneers were venturing forth to settle the Midwest and West. This amazing man had a great idea that qualifies him as the first ecologist of our country. He knew that the settlers would need to grow juicy apples and other good things that cannot be found in the wild. So he left his home with pockets and perhaps a knapsack filled with apple seeds.

Early in the 1800s, he reached the Ohio River and planted a few apple seeds around each pioneer home he found. Perhaps he was not appreciated at first. But in a few years, those seeds became apple trees    and his fame spread. In later years, he was welcomed wherever he went and, naturally, the people called him Johnny Appleseed. This fellow happens to be one of Andy's favorite heroes and if you are in favor of a green healthy world, he surely is one of your favorites too.