"We are missing so much because we don't do things like this in our culture any more."
Yes we are, Metmom!
I have a ton of apple trees, but weather-depending they don't produce well each year. I let Nature do her thing; no chemicals for me, and my area is famous for a late frost after the trees have all bloomed, so it's an every-four year event.
On years when we have a bounty, we borrow the old Cider Press from the in-laws. It weighs about a million pounds, so I need All Hands on Deck to move the d@mn thing, LOL!
We've had great time doing just what you suggested. Pressing cider, drinking fresh apple juice, setting some aside for Hard Cider and the chickens just LOVE crushed up apples.
Good times. :)
Late frosts really are a bummer.
Cider freezes beautifully. We use empty rinsed out soda bottles and leave some head space for it to expand. Since the caps screw on so tightly, they hardly ever leak.