4 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
41st Ruthven Apple Festival will be be virtual this year
Rob, left, and Mike Makhlouf in front of Freddy’s on Point Pelee Drive.
Sun photo
Freddy’s remains ready for Stage 2 By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — The folks at Freddy’s Restaurant in Leamington are ready to welcome customers to their patio as soon as they get the word from the province. “We are all set to go,� says Mike Makhlouf. “We have physically measured the space between patio tables and have all the necessary protocol in place.�
going to and from Point Pelee National Park every spring and summer, and much of that traffic just hasn’t materialized. “With the Point being closed all spring, the traffic just hasn’t been there,� said Mike. Point Pelee re-opened fully on Monday. “We are eager and anxious to open our patio,� said Rob. “We want people to support local and thank those who have supported us so far.� Freddy’s has been open for takeout for several weeks, but takeout doesn’t compare to being able to have people sitting on their patio. Normally they employ between 20 and 25 local seasonal staff, but with the CERB being a viable option for those employees affected, they will face a manRob and Mike Makhlouf on power challenge when this area graduates to their patio. Sun photo Stage 2. For Mike and his “Normally, we take brother Rob, their family time in the early spring to business, which has been train our employees, but open since 1988, has seen we are going to have to its challenges in the past hire and put them right three years. to work once we get the “From the road con- word,� said Mike. “We struction, to high wa- will ask customers to be ter levels, to COVID-19, patient as we expect a we’ve faced our challeng- brisk business from the es,� said Mike. get-go.� Being a seasonal busiThe Makhlouf brothers ness located on Point feel they are more than Pelee Drive, the restau- ready to open their patio rant depends on traffic and can’t wait to see it
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bustling with diners. They are a bit frustrated by the fact that people can order takeout and take it over to Mersea Park and eat at a picnic table that has only been sanitized by occasional rain, but they can’t sit at Freddy’s sanitized patio tables. “It’s an unprecedented time we are in, but it’s puzzling that we can’t have guests on our patio,� said Mike. “Where’s the logic?� Ironically, this spring’s weather would have provided for a great patio season, if not for COVID. “We’ve had great patio weather since March, but have been unable to use it,� added Rob. Despite the setbacks, the brothers remain optimistic that the customers will come. “We hope everyone will come out and enjoy our food as they always have,� said Mike. “We need to stay united, respectful and get through this as the big, strong community that we are.�
LAC
LEAMINGTON — Due to safety concerns with the novel coronavirus, Community Living Essex County, Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens and the Ruthven Apple Festival Steering Committee are shifting the 2020 Ruthven Apple Festival slated for September 26th and 27th, to a virtual format. “Given the circumstances, it would be very difficult to put the necessary precautions and safety measures in place to keep all festival-goers safe, therefore we are offering this much-loved event online this year,� states Karen Bolger, Executive Director, Community Living Essex County. “Although we know that many people look forward to this annual family tradition, we all agree that we must put the safety and well-being of our community first in the decisions we are making,� added Steering Committee Chair, Terry Colasanti.
The annual festival attracts thousands to Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens every fall and in its 40-year history has raised over one million dollars in support of Community Living Essex County. The funds raised go toward purchasing accessible vehicles to help people with intellectual disabilities more fully participate in the community. “Although we are sad to see the cancellation of the live event, we are excited about recreating the Apple Fest experience in a different format. Perhaps there may even be some apple pies being delivered to doorsteps this year�, states Tony DeSantis, Manager, Community Relations and Resource Development with Community Living Essex County. Look for more details and announcements on social media and at www. communitylivingessex.org regarding the 2020 Virtual Ruthven Apple Festival this fall.
RALLY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
LEAMINGTON — A group of about 75 people gathered on Sunday, June 28 at the Leamington Tomato to protest unsafe working conditions for migrant workers. The group then marched to the gates of Lakeside Produce on Wilkinson Drive before peacefully dispersing. Sun photo
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