Clinic Road now closed

 

Although Paul Beckstead at Smyth’s Apple Orchard on County Road 18, west of Williamsburg, says 2012 isn’t the worst apple season, it certainly ranks a very close second.

Beckstead, whose Smyth’s Orchard is the largest in South Dundas with over 25,000 trees offering 54 apple varieties, recalls 1981, when whole trees were lost.

That year a mild winter was followed by a very late spring cold snap. “The sap was up and the leaves were out, and it literally froze the sap and the bark,” says Beckstead.

This year the three local apple producers, Smyth’s, Dentz Orchard and Berry Farm on the Brinston Road and Barkley’s Apple Orchard north of Morrisburg, are reporting a better than hoped for apple harvest, but one that falls well short of even an average season.

The poor season got its start back in March when the area experienced unusually mild temperatures, well into the 80s for an extended number of days, which sent the trees into early bud production.

Then in late April, we experienced several days of cold weather with heavy frost which damaged the tender blossoms that were one to two weeks ahead of schedule.

With all of the growers hopeful that enough blossoms were spared for a reasonable harvest, the area then experienced a summer-long drought.

“It’s been so hot and dry which added to more stress on the trees,” says Paul Dentz. 

Dentz explains that the size of apples is relative to the amount of apples on the tree. In other words a smaller crop (which it was heading into the summer) would normally mean bigger apples.

However, because of the drought, the trees were using what moisture they could to stay alive and as a result the apples, with the exception of a handful of varieties, did not develop to be as large as was initially expected.

“It did not turn out as good as we had hoped for,” said PaulDentz. Although Paul and his brother Calvin had brought in a helicopter to fly over their orchards during the frosty April night, and blow the warmer air back down to the ground, “we knew at the time the helicopter was here that the temperatures it was bringing down were not adequate.”

At Smyth’s Orchards, “it’s a touch better than we had anticipated,” says Beckstead. “It was so dry that the apples didn’t size up, so it is by no means a big crop or a bumper crop.”

The Macs are generally down in size as are the Spartans. The Empire and the Delicious, which like more heat, fared slightly better, and it was a good year for the Honey Crisp.”

“We have enough to do the local stores, and we will have apples available all winter for our customers,” says Beckstead.

At the Barkley Orchard, north of Morrisburg, Bill Barkley reports a reasonably good crop.

Barkley says his trees didn’t suffer as much from the drought as might be expected. He owes this to the clay soil which holds moisture better and the fact that, “we probably aren’t tile drained as much a some other producers.”

He also allows natural grass cover to grow up under his trees, which he says also helps to hold the moisture.

“Things are dry, but hopefully we will get a good cover of snow this winter.”

Barkley is selling his apples at local fruit stands, at McHaffie’s Flea Market and at Ottawa Markets.

Smyth’s Orchards will sell from their home location all winter and have their products in various stores in the area. The Dentz farm facility on the Brinston Road will soon close for the season.

The three Orchards are now wrapping up this year’s harvest. Beckstead reports his trees are looking good and are now producing their buds for next year.

Apple lovers can expect to pay a bit more for their favourite fruit this winter, with prices up about 30 percent.

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“I am amazed at how well, comfortably and calmly everyone spoke today, and how well each speaker looked at the audience,” said deaf and hard of hearing resource teacher, Ashley Middleton, who joined retired teachers and fellow judges Ron Gillard and Chris Jarvis in judging the Morrisburg Public School grades 4-6 speeches on Thursday, April 12. Nine speakers presented outstanding speeches to the school on topics ranging from Bollywood to Accents, from Maple Syrup to Budgies. The winner was Bronwyn Wallace, with a speech on Phobias, with second place going to Abigail Jordan, who talked about Shoes. Runner-up Shyla Crowder spoke about Universal Studios. Bronwyn and Abigail will be going to the Dundas Public Speaking Contest on April 18. All the speakers posed with their awards. In front (l-r) are Kristyn VanHoof, Erika Jordan, Bryce St. Pierre, Brody Fairbairn, Grant Wells and Harneet Cheema. In back are Abby Jordan, Shyla Crowder and Bronwyn Wallace.

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Glenna Schaillee, special programs officer for St. Lawrence College’s Centre for Training and Business Development attended the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting where chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald recommended that council approve township support for a Morrisburg Blossoms program.

The program, expected to run from May 29th to August 17th, was originally introduced to township staff when, in March, Schaillee approached them about the 12-week employment program designed for people aged 15 to 30 who need to gain work experience and training.

“St. Lawrence College, through the Centre for Training and Business Development, has been successful in obtaining funding for an employment preparation and training program,” reported McDonald.

“Participants will graduate with well rounded knowledge, practical skills and certifications in WHMIS, First Aid/CPR/AED, and safety training.”

There will be six weeks of in-class training and six weeks of placement in the “work world.” Participants will be paid $10.25 per hour for the 12 weeks.

In addition, Schaillee reported that the 12 people chosen will also receive work boots and tool kits, free of charge.

Participants will be expected to commit to 30 hours per week for the 12 weeks. South Dundas township is currently creating a list of work projects for participants to complete during the work portion of the program.

Some items from the list presented to council include:

• “Iroquois Marina – repair cement walkway east of boathouses

• Morrisburg outdoor rink

• Paint and install shelves at Iroquois visitor centre

• Earl Baker Park – general gardening, edging, pruning, painting picnic tables”

McDonald told council that “we would basically provide the projects, budgets for materials and supervision by our own staff.”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke supported the program saying, “it’s an opportunity to get some beautification projects done that might not otherwise happen.”

“I agree,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde, “it’s a great project.”

Councillor Archie Mellan added, “it’s a great opportunity for people to get some experience and training.”

With unanimous support from council, mayor Steven Byvelds concluded the discussion saying, “we do appreciate the opportunity to participate. It will not only provide opportunity to get some stuff done in South Dundas, but also provide opportunity for employment.”

To apply for the program, interested people must first pass an eligibility test by phoning Lauralee Barkley, a St. Lawrence College representative, at 613-933-6080, extension 3176. For starters, the program is set up for people who are “out of school, out of work, and not receiving EI.”

During the phone consultation, Barkley will ask for some personal information, including name, contact information and social insurance number. 

According to Schaillee, the information collected will  then be “sent into Service Canada to see if they’re eligible.”

For those who are eligible, there will be a one-page application to fill out. The successful applicants will then go for an interview following which, if chosen, they will meet with Job Zone to complete the process.

True to its name, the Morrisburg Blossoms program training will take place in Morrisburg, while, as McDonald pointed out, the work portion “will be in Iroquois and Morrisburg.”

The program, however, has “no geographical boundaries” in terms of who can apply. 

In addition, Schaillee reported that there may be options available for those people who need extra assistance with transportation or daycare costs.

Organizers will continue to take applications until May 18th or until all twelve spaces are filled. With limited spaces, Schaillee reminded that this is a first come, first serve situation.

The Blossoms program has previously run in the Sharbot Lake area as well as in the Winchester and Chesterville areas. In each situation, the program met with great success.

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