Santos retains apple peeling-title, but shares it with co-champion

By Mark Ribble

RUTHVEN — Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos had some stiff competition in the annual Ruthven Apple Festival’s Apple Peeling Contest this past weekend. The event kicked off this year’s virtual Apple festival on Friday evening, Sept. 24. It was one of few events that were held in person.

In total, nine local dignitaries looked to dethrone Santos as the king of the apple peelers.

Mayor Santos won last year’s virtual contest and the 2019 event that was held at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens.

This year, the setting was Simpson Orchards, where the Simpson family has been farming the land there for 100 years. Debbie and Wally Simpson, who donated apples for the Apple Fest Baskets and Apple Fest pies, invited the organizers to hold the contest at the orchard.

The 2021 contingent for the Ruthven Apple Festival Apple Peeling contest, standing are, left to right, Debbie Simpson and Wally Simpson of Simpson Orchards, CLEC President Sue Desjarlais, Tecumseh Councillor Rick Tonial, Essex MP Chris Lewis, Ruthie Van Apple, Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche, Essex Mayor Larry Snively and Leamington Councillor Paul Tiessen. Kneeling for the peeling are CLEC Manager of Community Relations Tony DeSantis, Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos, LaSalle Deputy Mayor Crystal Meloche, CLEC Executive Director Karen Bolger and Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain.

SUN photo

Challenger Tom Bain, Mayor of Lakeshore, said he planned on dethroning Santos.

“Last year, I peeled apples for a week and that didn’t work,” he said. “This year, I changed my tactics and ate about four apples a day.”

In the end, it didn’t matter for Bain, who didn’t stack up to Santos in the peeling department.

Someone who did stack up was Community Living Essex County (CLEC) Executive Director Karen Bolger, who matched Santos peel-for-peel with a similar technique.

Bolger’s continuous peel of 88 cm looked like it would take the title, but when Wally Simpson measured the peeling from Santos’ apple, it also measured 88 cm.

A tie was declared and each of the winners took home a freshly baked apple pie for their efforts.

Essex MP Chris Lewis, fresh out of the hospital from a fall off his horse on election day, had to bow out of the competition due to the cast on his wrist. He was there to show support for the other nine contestants and provided encouragement to those able to peel.

Santos' peeling techniques was being heavily scrutinized by Ruthie Van Apple (left).

CLEC officials were happy with the weekend’s results and expect to have a full tally of funds raised very soon.

“It quickly became apparent that if you could not go to the festival, the festival could come to you again in the form of the Apple Festival in a Basket,” said CLEC Manager of Community Relations, Tony DeSantis. “We are thankful for the overwhelming support.”

In addition to the baskets (which sold out quickly), online orders for apple pies and the sale of souvenir Apple Fest items like t-shirts were big hits.

A combination of both live and pre-recorded events, including a virtual classic car show, cooking classes and a selection of local musical entertainment recreated the Apple Fest experience in a virtual format enjoyed by many from the comforts of their own homes.