Some fresh tomatoes displayed at the Farmer's Market in Belleville.

Sheena and Cory Mayer show off Thor, their appropriately named Great Dane, at the Strut for Strays fundraiser in Zwick's Park on June 14, 2008. Photo by Brian St. Denis

Strawberry season begins tomorrow, June 19, for Norman McCaw of the West Moira Orchards. While the cooler weather has delayed the season, McCaw anticipates a good crop of berries again this year. Phot

A sample of some of the diabetes resources available at Kelly's Guardian Pharmacy in Belleville, a community partner with the Canadian Diabetes Association. With an estimated 10 per cent of the population having the disease by 2010, it is recommended individuals educate themselves about diabetes.

By Jeff Labine

Good or bad?: Some fresh tomatoes displayed at the Farmer's Market in Belleville.A recent scare over salmonella in American tomatoes is not causing as much concern in Canada as it is in the United States.

Kathy Suddard, a manager at the Paulo’s restaurant in downtown Belleville, says that the salmonella outbreak didn’t affect them that much and they didn’t receive any complains from customers.

“All of our produce is washed thoroughly before being used so it didn’t really affect us at all,” said Suddard.

“According to the newspaper it didn’t affect anything coming to Canada. But we still wash everything thoroughly.”

By Megan McKinnon

Belleville city council has decided to wait to make a decision about whether to announce public transit bus stops, which would aid riders who are visually impaired.
Following the closed door meeting on June 9, council was announced that the city will wait to make a decision about what actions council – and bus drivers – will take regarding the announcement of bus stops by bus drivers. At the meeting, Councillor Jack Miller proposed that council delay the move to have city bus drivers announce bus stops.

By Brian St. Denis

Lots to read: A sample of some of the diabetes resources available at Kelly's Guardian Pharmacy in Belleville, a community partner with the Canadian Diabetes Association.Despite a staggering increase in provincial cases of diabetes, local health officials say the problem isn’t a lack of programming and education to prevent and manage the disease.

A recent Ontario Ministry of Health study expects provincial cases of diabetes to double between 2000 and 2010, when an estimated 10 percent of the population will have the disease.

A statistic like this begs the question of whether or not people understand the disease, or if they are taking the precautions necessary to avoid it.

April McCann, public programs and services co-ordinator for southeast Ontario at the Canadian Diabetes Association, says the information is readily available for those who want to get it.

The association provides 40-minute presentations throughout the region on the disease itself and on living well with diabetes. McCann says there are presentations geared towards all age groups, including an animated presentation for kids aged six to nine to address the increased cases in younger groups.

Food labels are broken down into three categories that will assist you in making healthier choices: nutrition claims, ingredient lists and nutrition facts tables.

NUTRITION CLAIMS

By Paula Trotter

Grocery stores can seem like a giant jigsaw puzzle to a frustrated shopper trying to piece together a healthy menu from the array of fresh produce and indulgent treats.
But Stacey Kimura, a public health dietitian with the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, insists understanding how to read food labels will help you piece together all the parts of a nutritious meal. After all, labels offer imperative health information, she says.

By Brian St. Denis

Walk a puppy?: Sheena and Cory Mayer show off Thor, their appropriately named Great Dane, at the Strut for Strays fundraiser in Zwick's Park on June 14, 2008. Photo by Brian St. DenisZwick’s Park went to the dogs Saturday for the Fixed Fur Life organization’s annual Strut for Strays fundraiser.

Canines of all shapes, sizes, colours and breeds were present throughout the day with their proud
owners, and a turnout of approximately 2,000 people.

“It was a good day. People were coming in a constant stream so it worked out very well,” said Darlene Quinsey, president of Fixed Fur Life. “It’s definitely a bigger turnout from last year,” said Quinsey, saying that attendance had doubled from 2007.

Last year, the event raised $18,000. Although this year’s goal was double that amount, $25,000 was brought in this year to support homeless pets in the Quinte area.

“We’re going to fix a lot of dogs and cats with that,” says Quinsey, stating that on average it costs $150 per cat.

One hundred per cent of donations go toward veterinary expenses, primarily spaying and neutering procedures. To date, the Fixed Fur Life organization has fixed and found homes for 4118 strays.

The main event of the fundraiser was a two- to five-kilometre walk along the Bay of Quinte, but a variety of other booths were available in the park. Displays featured invisible fences, pet costumes and professional pet photography.

By Sarah Swenson

Kihon: Sensei Kenzo Dozono practises kihon (basics) with his class at the Shotokan Karate International Belleville Karate School. Photo by Sarah SwensonAt an age when most people are starting to consider retirement, Kenzo Dozono is still getting his kicks teaching martial arts at the Shotokan Karate International Belleville Karate School.
Sensi Dozono, 63, has been teaching at the Belleville school for 39 years. Over the course of the week, Dozono has at least 17 hours worth of classes, in both shotokan-style karate and yang-style tai-chi chuan.
“Karate is about speed, power, getting in better shape and tai-chi is for breathing, balance, and flexibility,” explains Dozono.
Tai-chi is a classic Oriental form of exercise with the ultimate goal of complete relaxation. It is a unique mixture of slow tempo self-defense training and meditation. Shotokan karate (literally translated ‘open hand’) is a weaponless form of self-defense, using all parts of the body. Although karate is a form of fighting, the principles that guide karate-ka (students) are those of non-violence.
“Fighting people is easy but learning how to control yourself is most important,” says Dozono.
For students, it’s not hard to be inspired by Dozono.

Arnold Vader, 77, takes a break after showing his sugar bush in Cherry Valley. If his grandsons don’t take over, the current generations may be the last to run the sugar bush.

Trucker Joe Boomgaars is a owner operator who has been driving for 35 years. Even with the soaring gas prices and tougher rules for drivers he still enjoys the freedom of the open road.
Photo by Dav

Nicey guy who runs a sugar bush.