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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-04-22, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010. PAGE 7.From a banner year to half a crop,the maple syrup industry wentthrough a tough crop this season. The quick wave of warm weather that swept through the province in early March had an adverse affect on the production of sap. “The second week of March, we had warm weather,” Susanne Robinson of Robinson’s Maple Syrup said. “Our vacuumed trees didfine, but drip trees didn’t really show any sap until the end ofMarch.”Robinson said that drip trees, thattheir neighbours used, did eventually start producing sap at the end of March, but not as much as in previous years. “It was a crazy year, we haven’t seen anything like it,” Robinson said. Robinson’s produced roughly two- thirds of the crop they did last year,and other Ontario producers aresimilarly feeling the sting, havingbetween one-half and two-thirds oflast year’s bumper crop. “Last year was the best year for both production and price,” Robinson said. “The Federation [of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers] sets the price based on the forecasted production.” The Quebec federation sets prices as approximately 90 per cent of Canada’s syrup is produced there. Robinson explained that their syrup, being certified organic, is in demand, as people seeking for thatlicence will come to them, and itmay force them to buy from outsidesources. “We try to keep syrup all throughthe year, but this year could be tight,” she said. The unique products that Robinson provides will still be available, as the sap used for those products is minimal compared to the final output, but export may tough. For the second year in a row, foreign markets may cause a problem, but in the last few years, an unlikely market has made up for some of the poor economy.“We were astounded last year, butthe low economy didn’t stop peoplefrom buying,” Robinson said.“We’ve seen a market open up inJapan, and we’ve been exporting there a lot.” Robinson’s Maple Syrup store is located in St. Augustine with sugar camp nearby. Tours of the facilities are available through calling 519- 529-7857, and the store is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, just be sure to call ahead. More information can be found online at www.robinson- maple.com. At their April 6 meeting, Morris- Turnberry councillors reversed an earlier policy and decided to allow Sunday hunting in the municipality. The change of heart came about after a Ross Baird presentation. “Farming is very tough today,” Baird said. “All of us work through the week. We can only hunt on Saturday when Sunday hunting is not allowed. “I have two kids who love to hunt. I’d like to see you change (to allow) Sunday hunting.” Administrator clerk-treasurer Nancy Michie said that in Huron County, Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh, Bluewater, Huron East and North Huron all allow Sunday hunting with Howick the only other municipality to ban the practice. Councillor Bill Thompson said he had voted against Sunday hunting when it was proposed in the past but had changed his mind. Councillor Paul Gowing noted Morris- Turnberry is out of step with surrounding municipalities on the issue and made a motion, seconded by Thompson, to allow hunting on Sundays. But Deputy-mayor Jim Nelemans wondered if council shouldn’t advertise the fact it was considering the move and see if others with opposing views might come forward. He noted that only one person had spoken to the issue. He was the only councillor to oppose the motion. Baird also spoke to the problem of a growing coyotes population. “If we don’t keep this coyote population in check we’re going to have big problems,” he warned. “I’ve been hunting coyotes for 35 years. I’ve never seen so many coyotes.” Continued from page 3 some hum and some of us whistle. Our faith is like a song, it is in our heart. Sometimes we sing out loud and others sing very softly. The Bible tells the story of the Disciples being lost without their leader and Peter decided to go fishing and some of the disciples went with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. A stranger of the beach yelled at them to fish the other side. They caught so many they couldn’t get them on the boat. One of the disciples thought that the stranger on the beach was Jesus. The disciples sat and listened to Jesus. We need people to come to church and add their song. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Then Jesus told Peter to “Feed My Sheep.” We must sing our song so it adds to the rest of the world. The next hymn was, “When I Survey that Wondrous Cross.” The offering was received followed by the prayers of the people and the singing of The Lord’s Prayer, the last hymn, “God Who Touches Earth with Beauty”. Richard sang the commissioning and benediction, “Go Now In Peace”. M-T votes to allow Sunday hunting Blyth UC holds service Maple syrup industry experiences a tough season CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL ST. MARYS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL STRATFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL WE PAY A TRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS National Volunteer Week is celebrated April 18th - 24th 2010 HPHA from April 27 th to 30th 2010 This is the time of year we acknowledge the enormous contribution by the dedicated volunteers who give their time and efforts to assist in the delivery of programs and services that significantly enrich the culture of our hospitals and the communities we serve. We wish to recognize and express gratitude to all the volunteers who make a difference to our patients, staff, and our local healthcare system... If you would like to join our great team of volunteers, please refer to the information on our website, www.hpha.ca, or contact your local hospital. “Success is not built on what we accomplish for ourselves. Its foundation lies on what we do for others.” Hospital Volunteers, Hospital Board Members, Local Advisory Committee Members, Auxiliary Members, and Foundation Board Members Buzz off Buzz Off Cancer was held last Friday on the sidewalk in front of Turning Heads and Making Waves in Brussels where The Citizen’s Shawn Loughlin stopped in for a buzz. The event raised money for the Relay For Life, buzzing dozens of heads and raising hundreds of dollars that night. 60 years as Canucks The Siertsema family celebrated the 60th anniversary of their arrival in Canada with a family dinner at The Dinner Bell in Clinton. The Dutch immigrants arrived in Canada on April 12, 1950 at Pier 21 in Halifax, and, less than two weeks later, were working in Ilderton. Lined up oldest to youngest, from right; Teresa Roetcisoender, Murray Siertsema, Hebo Siertsema, Greta Greidanus, John Siertsema, Siebolt Siertsema, Tom Siertsema and Betty Baker. (Denny Scott photo) By Denny ScottThe Citizen By Keith Roulston The Citizen