Historic Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., Ephrata, will hold its annual apple dumpling sale on Friday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. until sold out.

Proceeds will go to the Back to the Cloister Fund, which allows the Cloister museum to compete with private collectors and other institutions on the open market for original items made at the Cloister. Over the years, proceeds from the apple dumpling sale have been used to purchase one-of-a-kind furniture, rare music manuscripts, and the original 1739 deed to the historic site. More than 100 items have been purchased since the creation of the fund more than 40 years ago. This year, the Back to the Cloister Fund purchased a Jacob Gorgas tall case clock that was made around the 1790s in the Gorgas shop in Ephrata. The clock will be displayed in the Visitor Center at the Cloister.

The apple dumplings, made by Achenbach's in Leola, will be available for a fee per dumpling at the drive-through tent beside the museum store at the Historic Ephrata Cloister. The sale will take place rain or shine. Interested individuals are encouraged to make their purchases early. Preorders can be made by visiting https://ephratacloister.org and looking under "Events." Free delivery is available for preorders of 20 or more dumplings delivered within 10 miles of the Ephrata Cloister. Contact ephratacloister@gmail.com to make delivery arrangements. No admission to the museum is required to purchase apple dumplings.

The museum store, featuring locally made crafts, art, books, and one-of-a-kind items, will be open both days and will feature a selection of specialty goods.

For more information about apple dumpling sales or to learn more about the historic site, contact the Ephrata Cloister at 717-733-6600 or visit the aforementioned website.

Additionally, community members are invited to celebrate the musical heritage of Ephrata on Sunday, Oct. 13, by attending concerts at the Ephrata Cloister.

Music played a central role in the spiritual life of Ephrata Cloister in the 18th century. The community is home to some of the earliest documented music by woman composers in America, as discovered in a 1739 manuscript titled "Zionitischer Weyrauchs Huegel." Attendees of the concerts will hear some of these compositions, along with pieces from other early American religious groups, including the Shakers and Moravians.

The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform in the historic 1741 Saal (Meetinghouse) at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Flutist Glenn Fisher will be featured in the Saal at 1 and 3 p.m. Faith and Mercy Martin will play music on the harpsichord and violin in the Visitor Center auditorium at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.

Seating for performances is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center front desk on the day of the event and include access to all performances and the historic grounds. Admission is free for children age 5 and under and members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates.