2021 - A YEAR IN REVIEW - MAY

Vaccines ramp up against third wave

Ontarians can expect a rapid ramp-up of vaccine supply in the next few weeks, ushering in the possibility for everyone in the province 18 years and older to have at least one dose in their arms by June.

According to the Ontario Health team, those 50-plus can book their vaccination appointments starting tomorrow — Thursday, May 6.

In addition, if you live in any of the hotspot postal codes, you were eligible to book a vaccination if you were 18 years or over starting Monday, May 3.

Local orchards optimistic after frosty mornings

The significant snowfall that blanketed this area on April 21 was cause for alarm, but the sub-zero temperatures that followed on April 22, could have been devastating for local tree fruit growers.

In fact, according to Wally Simpson of Simpson Orchards in Leamington, the blanket of snow may have helped save some buds from freezing.

“The snow acted like a blanket on those buds and protected them from the temperatures,” he said. “The same thing happened last spring.”

Last year’s late snow fell on May 8, and the temperatures got as low as -4 degrees Celsius that day.

On April 22 of this year, the temperature dipped to -4.4 and stayed there for a couple of hours.

“Thankfully, it didn’t linger all night,” says Simpson.

Changes coming to farm dwelling bylaws

Despite concerns from local greenhouse growers, Leamington Council made the decision to impose heavier regulations on farm worker dwellings within the municipality.

At a special meeting of Council on Thursday April 29, delegations were heard from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers and lawyers representing growers in the region.

Council was meeting to vote on recommendations from administration on on-site and off-site farm worker dwellings.

Local artist helps toddler with Grinch painting

A long friendship has brought a Leamington man’s artistic creation into the hands of Toronto Maple Leafs superstar, Auston Matthews.

The Leamington retiree — and avid Maple Leafs fan — Frank Silveira, has been keeping busy during the COVID pandemic, creating various colourful cartoon characters in his garage.

Now, through a charitable set of circumstances, one of Silveira’s masterpieces has found its way to Scotiabank Arena, where it was recently signed by Auston Matthews.