Latest news with #strawberryseason
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Island happenings from this week, in the past!
The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by. 125 years ago, in July 1900: A meeting was held to discuss the desirability of holding a carnival in Ryde. It was unanimously decided to go ahead with the idea. A short thought-provoking quote from P.T. Barnum appeared in a corner of the County Press: 'I say if a man has got goods for sale and he does not advertise them in some way, the chances are that one day the sheriff will do it for him.' 100 years ago, in July 1925: Due to a drought, the Island's strawberry season was a disaster. Very little of the fruit could be harvested, which was a hard blow for strawberry farmers. Dabell's clothes shop was advertising its mid-season sale, and women could buy a 'wilfit wrap-round corset in pink brocade for 5s 11d (29p). 75 years ago, in July 1950: The IW Rose, Carnation and Sweetpea Society's annual show was described as a magnificent vista of colour. The show, at Newport's Drill Hall, was praised by speakers as being 'charming to the eye and nostril alike.' Islanders who enjoy a tipple had the opportunity to visit various locations around the Island, which were screening a wine for the discerning — Amorelle Sparkling Muscatel. Hosteliers involved included the Ryde Castle Hotel, Brook House Country Club and Totland Bay Hotel. A new RNLI lifeboat, which was built by the Cowes firm J.S. White and Co. was launched at Holyhead. The vessel was a 52ft twin-screw diesel-engined boat. 50 years ago, in July 1975: A little-known Anthony Minghella was being congratulated for his graduation from Hull University. Anthony gained a BA (Hons) degree in drama. Ten tons of sugar were spilt over the top of Newport High Street when the British Road Services lorry carrying it turned the corner from Pyle Street too sharply. Six young holidaymakers had to be rescued from the base of Culver Cliff after they were cut off by the rising tide. The youngsters, aged between 12 and 17, had climbed around the rocks at Culver into caves which can only be accessed at low tide.
CBC
25-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Strawberry season arrives early for some Manitoba growers
Social Sharing Strawberry season is arriving a little earlier than usual in Manitoba, with some farms preparing to open their fields to eager pickers in search of the first taste of summer. At Lost Creek Acres, west of Portage la Prairie in the rural municipality of North Norfolk, owner Jane Giesbrecht expects her U-pick fields to open around June 30 — slightly ahead of schedule — but that depends on the weather during what's been an unpredictable season. "Just plan for all kinds of weather, especially this summer," Giesbrecht said. "Today I'm in a jacket and hat and sweater, and tomorrow I might be in shorts and a T-shirt. It's so hard to tell." A hot May helped strawberries grow quickly before cool temperatures set in, while dry conditions have taken a toll on the crop. "We're definitely seeing smaller fruit this year, just with the way things have been a little bit drier," she said. "But still … a ton of flowers, a ton of fruit out there." Cloudy skies and a lack of rain have slowed the ripening process, she says. The berries are forming well — but many are still green. If cooler temperatures continue, "then it'll be a little bit longer," Giesbrecht said. 'Picking should be good' despite dry conditions: farmer The dry conditions have also put pressure on irrigation systems. Lost Creek Acres relies on a dugout filled with spring runoff to power its irrigation system, but it's already nearly empty. "We've watered constantly," Giesbrecht said, adding that last year, the farm didn't start watering until mid-July. If the dugout dries up completely, they'll have to start hauling water to keep the plants healthy. A good rain would help ripen the berries and bulk them up before they're ready for picking, she says. "They still taste really good regardless of the size, but it's just nicer for picking if you can get bigger berries," she said. Andy Loewen, who runs Friedensfeld Honey & Berry Farm southeast of Steinbach, says his farm has also had to manage its crop carefully through dry conditions, but overall, things are looking promising. "We're off to a little bit of a hard start, with not as much rain as we would have liked," Loewen said. His farm, which has about 12 hectares of strawberries, has been relying on irrigation. "We feel very optimistic," he said. "I've done this for 20 years, and the fruit set and stuff I see out here … customers will be asking for more baskets when they go out in the field, because the picking should be good." 'Cautiously optimistic' In Winnipeg, local strawberries have already started hitting the shelves. Colin Rémillard of St-Léon Gardens told CBC's Radio Noon his Winnipeg market and garden centre began selling local berries over the weekend — unusually early for Manitoba. "This is one of the earliest we've seen from recollection," Rémillard said, which he credits to the warm spring causing plants to flower earlier than usual. "Last year was a tremendous season — probably the best I've seen since I started working here in 2009," he said. "This year will be tough to beat that, but so far, it's off to a great start." Angie Cormier, executive director of the Prairie Fruit Growers Association, said while some farms that have early ripening strawberry varieties have been able to open ahead of schedule, most will likely open on average dates. It's hard to say whether the season as a whole is truly early, she said. "Everybody's always cautiously optimistic, because we know that a lot can happen between now and when picking starts ... or even between now and when the season ends," said Cormier, who also runs Cormier's Berry Patch in La Salle. Most growers are expecting three to four weeks of picking, she said. If July brings intense heat, later berries could ripen too quickly. Ideally, cooler nights and temperatures in the mid-20s will stretch out the season and help the berries sweeten, said Cormier. "The general vibe out there right now is everybody is excited to get picking," she said. Giesbrecht said at Lost Creek Acres, around 1,000 baskets came off the field last year — not including what was picked by friends and family.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cape Cod Beer sold, lobster rolls, Homeland Security, principal retires: Top stories
Welcome back to another edition of our Cape Cod Times news roundup, where you can find the most popular stories on the Cape Cod Times website from the past week. Currently on the site we have a photo gallery of strawberry season at Tony Andrews Farm, a look at the new Staples Rock, high school graduation photo galleries, and much more. There is plenty going on over on the Cape Cod Times sports page, too, as playoff season heats up. There is coverage of local tennis and baseball, plus lots more that you won't want to miss. Here's a look at the top five most popular stories on the Cape Cod Times website from the past week. Lobster roll, anyone? recently asked its readers to rank their favorite places for lobster rolls and eight of the winners were on Cape Cod. The lobster roll could be Connecticut-style − served warm, featuring 'lobster meat drizzled (or soaked!) in melted butter" − or Maine-style − "served cold, with lobster lightly tossed in mayonnaise, sometimes with a dash of lemon or a sprinkle of celery,' told readers. Which Cape spots made it on the list? Click the story link to find out. Lobster rolls: 8 Cape Cod restaurants chosen by tourist site's readers as best of 2025 Cape Cod Beer has signed a purchase agreement with Triton Beverage Group, a newly formed entity comprising Hog Island Beer Company and Mayflower Brewing Company. Owners Beth and Todd Marcus, who started Cape Cod Beer, decided to sell their Hyannis brewery after two decades of running it. 'While we weren't actively trying to sell, this came along and I have an almost 27-year-old child working overseas and I want to be able to visit,' Beth Marcus said Wednesday, June 4, in sharing the retirement news with the Cape Cod Times. What does this mean for the future of the local favorite beer, and how do the new owners plan to expand it? Read the story for all the details. Cape Cod Beer being sold: Buyer is Cape-based brewery group that includes Hog Island, Mayflower The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has removed from its website a list of cities, states, and counties that it said deliberately defy federal immigration laws, including a Cape Cod town and Barnstable County. A press release without the list remained on the website Monday, June 2. Orleans was the only Cape Cod town named on the list, and Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties were among the counties in Massachusetts singled out, as well as the state as a whole, according to a MassLive report on May 30. "We have not adopted any policy that would identify us as a sanctuary city and our local law enforcement staff work closely with our federal partners on all matters consistent with the law,' said Orleans Select Board Chairman Kevin Galligan. Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley called the list a political stunt and stated the county remains committed to cooperating with law enforcement within Massachusetts law. What other Massachusetts towns and cities were on the list? Click the story link to read more. Sanctuary jurisdictions? Homeland Security calls Cape Cod 'sanctuary' county. That's a surprise to Cape officials. Ezra H. Baker Elementary School Principal Kevin Depin is riding off into the sunset as he prepares to retire on June 13. Depin taught second grade at the school until November 1993 and had just moved to teaching third grade when he was hired as assistant principal. He became principal in February 1996 to replace the retiring principal. Depin doesn't have to retire, but said in an interview at the school May 28, 'I wanted to leave while I still loved it. I'm so blessed that I've had a career I've loved. I've had a job I was meant to have.' Click the story link to learn more about the innovations Depin helped make at the Ezra H. Baker Elementary School during this time there. Ezra Baker principal Kevin Depin: After 39 years at Dennis elementary school, principal retires. 'Solving problems' Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Times top stories: Lobster roll winners, Cape Cod Beer sold
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘It's difficult': Local farmers explain why this year's strawberry season has been unlike any other
FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) – Strawberry season in upstate New York is just around the corner, with prime picking conditions expected in the next week. However, due to frequent rain showers, preparing for the season has not been easy for many farmers. Co-Manager at Chase Farms Market in Fairport, Christine McGough, explained a major challenge they're facing this season. 'Once the berries are ready, we have to be able to harvest them,' McGough said. 'So, if we're experiencing constant rain and weather that make people not want to come out, or we're not even able to get our crew out because it's that rainy, it's difficult.' She explained that strawberries typically cannot be picked in the rain, as the conditions present a risk for disease to spread among the fruit plants. It also presents other product quality concerns. Aside from this, McGough pointed out the business's dependence on their self-pick strawberry option. 'Pick-your-own is a huge part of our business. Everyone loves to come out and pick strawberries, not so much if it's a downpouring,' McGough said. there is one positive that has come from the unusual spring weather conditions, as Co-Manager Don Chase explained. 'Strawberries are a crop that likes the colder weather,' Chase said. 'So they're coming along very nice.' Now, the team at Chase Farms Market, along with many other strawberry farmers in the Rochester area, is keeping their fingers crossed for optimal picking conditions as the berries become ready for harvest. 'What I'm hoping for is that these rain showers move out and we get more summer-like weather.' Chase and McGough say Chase Farms Market will open for strawberry season in around a week and a half, while planning to harvest ready-to-eat berries any opportunity they get leading up to it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
