The fruit growers in the places where fruit is grown, in my opinion, should devote more research time into producing a longer growing season for those golden yellow rounds of deliciousness — the Rainier cherry.
If you haven’t tried them, it might already be too late this summer, but check with Todd at the fruit stand or browse the fruit aisles at the grocery stores. If you try them once, it is guaranteed that a second and third and fourth taste won’t be enough.
We were first introduced to Rainier cherries while on holiday one summer many years ago. We had stopped in St. Paul, Alta. and happened upon a mini farmers’ market where a travelling fruit merchant had a display. The yellow fruit caught our attention and we were offered a sample. We were sold by the taste, and he made a sale, as was his intention.
Years went by and then one day we noticed the gradual introduction of Rainiers to local markets. In addition to their pleasant taste, there was another selling factor — they do not discolour dentures like the regular dark red cherries tend to do.
And so each summer we haunt the fruit stand. “Do you have Rainiers this week?” I ask before saying “Hello.”
“Maybe next week. The weather has been rainy and chilly.”
Next week arrives and so do the Rainiers, large and sweet and oh so much in demand, not just by our household but others who have learned the secret of the fruit season.
While doing some research, I learned that Rainiers don’t like rain and wind. But birds love them, sometimes eating one-third of the yearly crop.
Rainiers are good for me (and others, of course), having the ability to reduce belly fat. They also act as a blood purifying aide. Therefore, growers should be mandated to grow more, and make them last longer. My health depends on it.
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When is a statement by a politician not political?
Some councillors, at the latest meeting of city council, accused Councillor Brian Swanson of engaging in a great political move when he again tried and failed to have his colleagues agree to a 20 per cent reduction in their remuneration (pay) from now to the end of this council term.
Another councillor expressed his disappointment that Coun. Swanson would “use this platform to politicize the tragedies of this pandemic.”
Hmmmm.
So the rest of the group wasn’t being political when various measures were approved to assist city taxpayers during COVID-19 — measures such as a zero tax increase (except for costlier water and sewer rates), waiver of parking meter fees, waiver of transit fees, being lenient regarding payment of utility bills, agreeing not to disconnect sewer and water services because of non-payment, and providing a subsidy for qualified businesses.
One could argue that council was indeed making political statements by agreeing to those actions, by seeming to stand against the potential tragedies unfolding as the pandemic shuttered most of the city.
But there was no talk of those decisions being political in nature when those hands went up in favour. There was a feeling of good will to all persons by the acts of apparent kindness, a recognition that these are tough times and leaders must lead with vision.
However, it was deemed political, when Coun. Swanson’s detractors refused to part with some of their own money to stand shoulder to shoulder with taxpayers facing difficult times because of the pandemic.
Curious reasoning, for sure. But then that’s politics.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
