INSIDE: Evacuation notices issued to some along Fraser River
Pg. 3
T H U R S D A Y
June 21, 2012
29 N E W S ,
SPORTS,
WEATHER
&
She’s making a splash with major university
E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
Sweet side to wet weather
More rain and less warmth than usual, but berries are thriving ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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erhaps the only bright spot in Abbotsford’s cold, rainy spring is the emergence of fresh, local strawberries. While Environment Canada is confirming we’ve had above average rain and cooler than average temperatures, Abbotsford berry growers are harvesting their first bounty. Devinder Maan o f Ma a n Fa r m s said the unusually dreary June delayed “The berries the crop by about a week, but now local are coming in berries are ready for despite the cool the picking. It’s not the cold but weather and the wet that poses a they are large problem for strawberries, she said. and luscious.” “The berries are coming in despite – Devinder Maan the cool weather and they are large and luscious,” Maan said. But for an extended bumper crop Fraser Valley farmers will need to see some more sunshine, she added. “Strawberry plants need a balance of sun, water and nutrition and right now there’s a disturbance in the balance because there is too much rain,” said Maan. “We need sun. We can always irrigate them if it gets hot, but we definitely need sun.” If the wet weather continues there is the danger that rot can set in before the berries have a chance to ripen, she said. What’s more, U-pick sales tend to drop with damp weather. But there won’t be an end to the wet, cool weather before the beginning of next week, according to Environment Canada. Meteorologist Ross MacDonald said it’s too early to say if this June will be the see WEATHER, page A5
– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
Eleanor, a resident at Pleasant View Care Home in Mission, joins in with young ballerinas at the year-end interactive dance recital on Saturday.
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lending young and old, the year-end recital In the Company of Elders brought music, dance, movement, laughter, and tears. But mostly — joy. The Intergenerational Dance Project, under the leadership of dance instructor and choreographer Lee Kwidzinski, blended students from E.S. Richards Elementary with senior residents at Pleasant View Care Home in Mission on Saturday. “We’re not performing for the residents; we’re performing with them,” said Kwidzinski. “The age groups are not so far apart. Unconditional love is so easy to give to one another. Children have no barriers . . . residents pass it on to the kids. It’s magical that they share that.”
THE COMPANY OF
ELDERS
Innovative program gracefully leaps the generation gap by Jean Konda-Witte
The recital was for an hour a week, a culmination of a during which the six-month project JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com g i r l s d e v e l o p e d where Kwidzinski, with help empathy and understanding of from the Mission school board their elders and the residents and E.S.R. Elementary principal focused on strength, balance and Jan Minty, taught ballet and had the unique opportunity to movement to seven young girls, interact with the young ladies. ages 7-9, and also to seniors Many seniors who were not living at Pleasant View. Starting mobile performed the exercises in January, they came together from wheelchairs, while those
who could stand participated at the ballet barre (while some young dancers used the seniors’ wheelchairs as their ballet barres). The students had no dance or ballet experience before coming to this program. “The classes are so full of joy and elders have so much to contribute, there’s so much to be said for living in the moment,” said Kwidzinski. “The elders and children just so naturally fit together and should be together.” Researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley are closely following the program and will do a study in part on the cognitive, behavioural and physical benefits to the elderly see SENIORS, page A20
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Children are Waiting
Each year The Salvation Army sends dozens of community kids to Summer Camp for a whole week! You can help us by sponsoring one or several kids to enjoy this fantastic, often life-changing experience. Please call the Centre of Hope at 604.852.9305 for more information. Together we can make a difference. Visit us on Facebook at The Salvation Army Centre of Hope - Abbotsford 34081 Gladys Ave. Abbotsford • 7221 Park St. & Lougheed Mission • 604.852.9305