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www.gregmonforton.com Volume 3, Issue 16
Weekend Weather Thursday
H 21º L 6º
Friday
H 23º L 11º
Saturday
H 25º L 1 1º
Sunday
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Local apples bit by frost By Bryan Jessop
H 29º L 14 º
As reported from Environment Canada www.weatheroffice.gc.ca Harrow AAFC
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Early heat plus late frost will equal a shortage of apples for orchards across the Great Lakes region this year. Leamington-area apple growers are no exception. Several orchards around Ontario, which produces nearly half of Canada’s apples, are experiencing 100 per cent loss this year. Simpson Orchards, on Mersea Rd. 5, has by no means dodged the late spring weather’s frosty bullet. Owner Wally Simpson explained that while it’s still too early to determine the exact degree of damage, he expects to lose 75 to 80 per cent of his apples for 2012. “With all the rain we had last year, we wondered how things could get worse,” Simpson said. “This is our answer.” Simpson’s apple trees are spread out through four different locations, with the main farm appearing to be hit the hardest. Older trees located on higher ground seem to be suffering less while young trees closer to lake levels are proving far less fortunate. “Even in one location, the trees at the front are affected different than the trees at the back,” Simpson said. “The bigger trees that don’t seem to have as much damage are only 1,500 feet from the ones that are hit the hardest.” As a result of unusually high temperatures in March, apple tree buds began blossoming three weeks ahead of schedule on most local farms. Open blossoms have (Continued on Page 2)
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Brophey part of RCMP Musical Ride By Bryan Jessop
This year has been no time to horse around for Sarah Brophey. The former Leamington resident is participating as one of 32 riders in the 2012 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride, a tour that will feature nearly 40 venues. Although most shows will take place in Ontario and Manitoba, this year’s schedule began May 4 in Verden, Germany, and proceeded to Windsor Castle and Devon County in England for May 9-13 and May 17. Brophey will return to Essex County Sept. 2-3, as the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association will host three RCMP Music Ride performances at its 3323 North Malden Road, Essex site. Show times will be 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2 and 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. On the second date, a photo opportunity will be available at 10 a.m. at the Harrow Fairgrounds, one day after the 158th annual Harrow Fair. WETRA was founded in 1973 as the Windsor Association of Riding for the Handicapped. Thirty-nine years later, the organization continues its commitment of enhancing the quality of life for physically, emotionally and psychologically challenged patients through equine-related therapy. The three Musical Ride performances serve as one of the group’s fundraisers that allow WETRA programs and events to take place. Tickets for the local stops of the Musical Ride are available at www.wetra.ca for an advance price of $8 per adult and $6 per child under 10 years of age. Advance online ticket sale
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Sarah Brophey riding Pichou in front of the Parliament buildings
packages feature two adults and two children for $24. At-the-door prices are $10 per adult and $8 per child under 10. Tickets can also be purchased in advance by contacting Sarah’s parents Stan and Pat Brophey at 519326-3467. WETRA gave the Bropheys 160 tickets to sell. “I was as proud as punch,” said Stan Brophey upon hearing that Sarah was chosen in May of last year for the 2012 Musical Ride. “It’ll be a wonderful experience. “They make them work very hard. The training is very intense — they’re all on the horse daily.” Sarah is riding atop Pi-
chou, a 15-year-old Hanoverian mare standing at 16.3 hands (roughly 5’ 5” at the withers). Weighing in at 1,600 pounds, Pichou is participating in her ninth Musical Ride. Hanoverian horses originated from the same area in Germany where this year’s tour began. The qualification process for the RCMP Musical Ride begins with submitting an application. In late autumn of 2010, tryouts were held in Ottawa, the same location for five months of intensive training that began in August of last year. The Musical Ride is a three-year commitment and applicants cannot re-apply for future
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tours if not selected following their first tryout. Const. Sarah Brophey, 30, has been living in North Vancouver for the past five years and has been with the RCMP since 2006. She and the other 31 riders conduct shows that are 40 to 45 minutes in length and perform to pre-recorded music that includes the former theme to Hockey Night In Canada. On July 6, the group will perform as part of the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede and will finish the tour in Topsfield, MA - the only American stop Sept. 29.
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