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The Citizen, 2015-04-09, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015. Cardiff hopes to turn heads at NAMA competition Brussels’ Matthew Cardiff is one of 10 University of Guelph students on their way to Kansas City, Missouri for the 2015 National Agri- Marketing Association (NAMA) competition. The product the group is working with is called StrawBabies, a bite- sized strawberry with no stem to cut off – a product that Cardiff and the group truly believes in and thinks is going to impress. In the group’s executive summary, members have focused on three aspects of the product they think puts StrawBabies head and shoulders above traditional strawberries, its closest potential competition, based on the trends they’re seeing in the world. “Currently, 71 per cent of American consumers base their food purchasing decisions on health reasons, and 83 per cent are trying to eat more fruits than in previous years,” the summary states in focusing on the healthy benefits of StrawBabies. “Packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, berries are recognized as ‘super foods’ with consumption projected to increase.” The other two benefits to the food, the summary states, is its bite-sized convenience and how easy it is to eat in a hurry, both factors that speak to how busy consumers are. “Consumers see fresh fruit as nutrient-rich, making it an easy choice over processed alternatives. Consumers like raspberries for their bite-sized convenience, but prefer the taste of strawberries,” the summary states. “With increasingly busy lives, 90 per cent of American consumers place a higher priority on convenience foods. While they like the convenience, they also want it to be a healthy choice, unlike so-called ‘junk food.’” Cardiff says he first became interested in the project when he saw a presentation at the University of Guelph. He saw being involved in the group as a chance to “flex his muscle” in terms of what he’s learned in his time at the university. After making his way through the group’s interview process, Cardiff immediately got to work, as the group’s first task was to choose an idea that they thought was original and marketable and that was going to turn heads as the competition process continued. One of the products that the group turned down, for instance, Cardiff particularly liked. It is similar to the Roomba robot that independently combs floors for dirt, but it would collect floor eggs in barns. For the time being, however, the idea was cast off and the group decided to focus on StrawBabies. The food was first developed at the University of Guelph by Adam Dale several years ago. At the time, it was called the MiniBerry, but for trademark purposes, the group has come up with a new name for its product. “This is a strawberry variety that produces smaller berries, about the size of a raspberry, and when they’re picked, the top stays on the plant,” Cardiff said. He says that by making them smaller and more convenient, people will use strawberries more frequently, putting them on a bowl of ice cream or cereal, without having to cut the tops off. He says that people prefer the taste of strawberries and that the price would be lower than raspberries or blueberries. As part of the project, group members have worked on the financial aspects of growing the fruit with a focus on California, which is where the prime target both for growers and consumers happens to be. Cardiff says that he was directed JOHN N. “JACK” CARDIFF John N. “Jack” Cardiff of RR 5, Brussels passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Born in Grey Township on Feb. 14, 1929, Jack was in his 87th year. Jack was the beloved husband for 62 years of Audrey (Stewart) and will be sadly missed by his children Colleen and Paul Hamann, Tiverton; Allan and Claudia Cardiff, Brussels; Janet Cardiff and George Miller, Grindrod, British Columbia; Catherine and Gordon Fuller, Creemore; Stewart and Alison Cardiff, St. Marys and Rob and Allyson Cardiff, Listowel. He was the dear brother of Isabel (Pearson) and Ken Wilbee, Listowel and Jean Wolfe, Vernon, British Columbia. Jack was also loved by his sisters-in- law Barb Cardiff, Petrolia; Norma Stewart, and Diane Stewart, both of Kincardine; Catherine McKague, Langley, British Columbia, his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Jim and Gerry. Friends were received by the family on Saturday, April 4 until the time of a celebration of Jack’s life which was conducted at the Brussels United Church. Rev. Gary Clark officiated. Interment will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Ethel. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Brussels United Church or to Harmonize for Speech would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com BARRY ENGEL Barry Engel of Brussels, passed away at Seaforth Community Hospital on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Born in Listowel on Feb. 2, 1951, Barry was 64 years old. Barry was the beloved husband for 44 years of Diane (Turnbull), the dear father of Dawn and Bruce Johnston, Brussels, and Alexis Boughen, Kitchener and the loving grandfather of Jamee and Mike, Jessica, and Jordyn. He was the dear brother of Isabel Wick, Listowel; Faye and Campbell Grant, Listowel; Diane McClory, Woodstock and Gayle and Ken Dewar, Monkton. Barry was also loved by his sisters- in-law Pat Engel and Cindy Engel and brothers-in-law Neil Turnbull and Keith Turnbull. He was predeceased by his parents Ross and Tillie, brothers Monty and John and in-laws Wayne, Eldon, Ron and Midge. A private family service was held for Barry on Monday, April 6 from the Schimanski Family Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place with interment of cremated remains in Brussels Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com WILMA BARBARA (PRIOR) HICKS Wilma Barbara (Prior) Hicks of RR 1, Listowel, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Listowel Memorial Hospital. Born in Arthur on July 15, 1932, Wilma was in her 83rd year. Wilma was the beloved wife of the late Earle Hicks (April 16, 2013) and will be sadly missed by her children Pat Hicks, Stratford; Julie and Steve Coulter, Brussels; Ken Hicks, St. Marys; Rick and Kathy Hicks, Acton and Sherri Hicks and Tom Wilson, Listowel. She was the dear sister of Mary Breese, Guelph and was also loved by her brother-in-law Albert Hicks and his friend Muriel, Burlington; her sons-in-law Dale Newman, RR 3, Brussels; Tom Mayne, Listowel and Gerald Rathwell, Britain and her 18 grandchildren, 15 great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Wilma was predeceased by her daughters Carmie Newman and Jackie Mayne, her grandson James and nine brothers and sisters. Friends were received by the family on Wednesday at the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels. The funeral service was conducted on Thursday, April 2. Rev. Father Keith Morrison officiated. Cremation followed and interment of cremated remains will be in Brussels Cemetery at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com BETTY HIUSSER Elizabeth Mae (nee Dickinson) Hiusser of Seaforth passed away peacefully at Clinton Public Hospital with her family by her side on Monday, March 30, 2015. She was in her 84th year. Betty was the beloved wife of the late Ken Hiusser (2003) and cherished mother of Robert, and Sheila and her husband Bob. She was the loving grandma of Tracy (Mike), Stacey (Rick), Jonathan, Troy (Crystal), Tony, David and Dawn and the great-grandma of Robbie, Rebecca, Damien, Bradly and Braden. She will also be missed by her good friend Cynthia. Betty was predeceased by her parents Sidney and Mildred (nee Vanstone) Dickinson, stepfather Bob Scott, brothers Keith, Ken, Jim, sister Audrey Williams (Glen), two sisters-in-law and five brothers-in- law. Visitation was held at McGlynn Family Funeral Home, Seaforth on Wednesday, April 1. The funeral service was held on Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. Pastor Stephen Hildebrand officiated. A reception followed at the Seaforth Legion, Branch 156. Interment will take place at Maitlandbank Cemetery later in the spring. Memorial donations to Egmondville United Church or to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada are appreciated and can still be made through the funeral home or by visiting Betty’s online memorial at www.mcglynnfamilyfuneral home.com GORDON PLUNKETT William Gordon Plunkett of Auburn passed away peacefully at Seaforth Manor on Friday, April 3, 2015. He was in his 93rd year. Gordon was predeceased by his parents, the late Wilfred and Elizabeth Plunkett (nee Drennan) and one brother James Alvin Plunkett. He is survived by his brother Don Plunkett and sister- in-law Jewel Plunkett, both of Auburn and three nieces and nine nephews. Visitation was held prior to the funeral service which was held at Falconer Funeral Homes, Blyth Chapel on Tuesday, April 7. Spring interment will take place at Ball’s Cemetery in Hullett Township. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Austin Kenneth Plunkett trust fund or Knox United Church, Auburn would be greatly appreciated. Messages of condolence for the family may be sent through www.falconerfuneralhomes.com REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Obituaries Charges laid A car carrying a lone occupant ending up on its roof just south of Blyth resulted in dangerous driving charges for a 25-year-old Wingham man late last month. The Fire Department of North Huron and Huron County Emergency Medical Services were both on the scene on the afternoon of March 30 when, police say, the vehicle was passing others in a dangerous manner, travelling southbound on London Road when the driver lost control of the car and ended up on its roof in the road’s east ditch. (Denny Scott photo) Continued on page 27