PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Here in "North Country," apple orchards are the order of the day especially when the leaves start their magnificent metamorphosis in autumn.

The $20 million SUNY Plattsburgh Federal Credit Union sends appreciation to its members with homemade donuts, apple cider and of course apples of every variety ("for the health conscious") from some of those nearby local orchards, said Jody Carpenter, director of marketing. Each October, the credit union opens up its lobby for appreciation day by sharing scrumptious food and drink with members. "This is our way of giving back to the members because, in turn, they give to us," Carpenter said. The kids are even appreciated. The credit union has a coloring contest each year and the winner receives a new backpack filled with Crayola crayons and other art supplies. "The members really enjoy this," Carpenter pointed out. Since the credit union uses apple orchards so much, she recently started thinking about organizing a visit to one of them for members as another way to thank them for their loyalty. Founded in 1971, SUNY Plattsburgh FCU serves more than 3,100 members. –[email protected]