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The Clarington Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, July 9,1994 5 Pingle's Farm Market is Becoming a Landmark in Courtice by Lorraine Manfredo Seven years ago, when their usual usual buyer went out of business, Colleen Colleen Pingle sold sweet com off the tail-gate of her pickup, collecting payment in a tin can on the honor system. Today, she and her husband Walter, Walter, their four teenage children and a crew of loyal summer helpers, run the bustling 350-acre Pick-Your- Own farm operation on Taunton Road. Before getting into the U-Pick aspect aspect of farming, the Pingles grew com and beans for a commercial canner in Whitby . Tour groups from Oshawa, Bowmanville, and even Holland have visited the farm. When that market dried up in '87 due to a plant closure, the Pingles had to make a big switch. Getting into the U-Pick business paid off. Pingle's Farm Market has become become one of the best-known and most-visited landmarks in Courtice. The first pick-your-own crop of the growing season is strawberries, and folks from all over flock to the Pingle's patch. Tour groups from Bowmanville, Oshawa, and as far away as Downs- view and one time even Holland take to the fields enjoying a spectacular spectacular view of the Clarington countryside countryside while filling their baskets and tummies full of the juicy red berries. A wagon ride back to the greenhouse greenhouse and market rounds out the trip. While pickers have their haul weighed, they can choose from a selection selection of fresh-baked fruit pies, tarts and muffins. Baker Colleen admits to being a stickler when it comes to freshness. This time of year look for apple crisp, caramel apple, strawberry- rhubarb, raspberry, blueberry, pecan, pecan, cherry, and apple-strawberry. Later in the fall, the market sells a lot of pumpkin pie. For those who want to bake or jar their own berry preserves, they can pick up all the necessary baking needs on the spot. A wide range of flowers, spices, vegetables and hanging plants are also available from the greenhouse. One of the high points in launching launching the berry season is the Annual Strawberry Festival. It's an extravaganza extravaganza of pie eating contests, bakeoffs, bakeoffs, auctions, pony-rides, games and fund-raising for a good cause. On Monday, June 25th, Pingle's Farm presented a cheque for $1,002 to the Hugh McMillian Children's Foundation. The Hugh McMillian Children's Foundation is a rehabilitation rehabilitation centre and school for kids handicapped from birth or through accident The Pingles have also supported the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at past season festivals. The farm has been in the Pingle family since 1947, except for a brief interruption in the 1970's when Walter Pingle's father sold to developers. developers. But, soon after, they went bankrupt and he ended up foreclosing foreclosing on them. Walter took over the operation, selling his own farmland in the bargain. As it turned out, the buyers of the second farm also encountered encountered tough times, so Walter foreclosed as his father had to and got the second farm back. The farm has been in the Pingle family since 1947, except for a brief interruption in the '70's Having so far beaten the pressures pressures to abandon farming, Walter tries not to dwell on recent news that the proposed Hwy. 407 and feeder road are scheduled to pave over his land in five to 25 years. In the meantime, Walter and Colleen Colleen will continue to try their luck in the true entrepreneurial spirit. Walter prides himself on having won an early round protecting his budding apple orchard from the appetites appetites of roving deer, soaping the leaves every night He also pampers his test patch of Saskatoon Berry bushes in anticipation of harvesting oversized fruit in the fall. 'JFi% Pingle's Farm owner Walter Pingle gives visitors aboard the wagon a guided tour of his family farm. The Pingles grow sweet com, beans, tomatoes and pumpkins in addition to strawberries and raspberries. Pick-your-own strawberry season will still be going strong for another few weeks with fresh ripe raspberries raspberries on their way. Blood Transfusion Scare Continues Dr. Bruce G. Wilson Family Dentistry 118-C King Street West Newcastle, Ontario LIB 1H7 Office Hours By Appointment Phone 987-2155 New Patients Welcome PATRICK G. DEEGAN Denture Therapy Clinic A Complete Denture Service Relines • Repairs • New Dentures Soft Liners FREE CONSULTATION 5 George Street Bowmanville 623-4473 /. ' 688 Regional Rd. 17, Newcastle L1B1L9 Gravel and Top Soli Trenching Grading and Levelling Septic Installations Back Filling General Excavating Dump Truck Sen/ice (905) 987-4995 The Ontario Hospital Association unveiled today details of Canada's first comprehensive campaign to inform inform patients who received blood between between 1978 and 1985, that they may have been exposed to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Previous efforts have raised awareness of the risk of infection through transfusions that were given during that period," says Bob Muir, chair of the OHA's Professional Advisory Advisory Committee. "But, we now know that many people either don't remember or weren't told that they had a transfusion as part of their own medical treatment." To overcome this barrier, the OHA's province-wide campaign begins begins with the simple statement: "If you were in a hospital between 1978 and 1985, read this." Variations on this advisory will appear in posters, flyers, public service announcements and an information video. As well, ads will appear in all provincial daily French and English language newspapers newspapers on Tuesday, June 28. "There is no single way to get this important message through to everyone everyone who may be at risk," says Muir. "Through this multi-tiered campaign, we are working with local hospitals to ensure that the facts are distributed quickly to the widest possible audience." audience." The OHA's provincial campaign complements the individual efforts of' local hospitals which have launched their own community-based public awareness initiatives. The OHA campaign campaign was developed with the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health's Communications and Information Branch, Public Health Branch, AIDS Bureau and Laboratory Services Branch; Ontario Medical Association; Association; College of Physicians and Surgeons Surgeons of Ontario; Canadian Red Cross Society; and hospital representatives. representatives. AIDS community groups and physicians delivering care to people living with AIDS, also assisted. As the first comprehensive campaign campaign to be launched, it has been shared with the Canadian Hospital Association for consideration as a model for other interested provinces. The campaign targets the years 1978 to 1985. HIV is known to have entered the Canadian blood supply in 1978 but couldn't be screened out until until 1985 when the first reliable testing methods were available. As a result, a small number of individuals who received blood or blood products, at that time were exposed to HIV. "The goal of this campaign is to get individuals to ask two questions. First, 'Was I in hospital between those years?' Second 'Do I know for certain that I did not receive blood?"' says Muir. "If there is any doubt whether someone received blood, they should discuss their individual circumstances circumstances with doctor." Although effective screening for HIV has been in place since November November 1985, Muir says some people who were infected at that time may not yet know that they have HIV. An individual can be HIV positive for up to 10 years or longer before symptoms symptoms appear. "If someone doesn't know they are infected, there is a risk that they'll unknowingly transmit the dis ease to their sexual partner or unborn child," says Muir. "Equally important, important, early detection and treatment can maintain quality of life and delay the progression of the disease." Individuals who want more information information about testing in their communities communities should call: toll-free number: 1-800-461-2036; in Toronto, call 327-7730; for TDD, call 1-800-387- 5559. For further information: Beth Witney, Witney, Ontario Hospital Association, Tel: (416) 429-2661, ext. 2256, Fax: (416) 429-4615; or Hilary Short, Ontario Ontario Hospital Association, Tel: (416) 429-2661, ext. 2253, Fax: (416) 429- 4615. Hooper's Jewellers... Antique Pocket Watches and Modern Watch Repairing We use only fresh Maxell watch and electronic equipment batteries. All watches purchased include a FREE lifetime battery replacement. Hooper's Jewellers 39 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-5747 Michael Spooner and Sheila Stephens Spooner EARLY CANADIAN PINE • OIL LAMPS • PRIMITIVES OPEN APRIL - DECEMBER HOURS: Saturday, Sunday and Holidays -10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ALSO BY APPOINTMENT OR BY CHANCE (905) 983-9091 6179 Andrews Rd. R.R. 1, Kendal, Ont. LOA 1E0 4.8 km. east of Hwy. 115/35 on Clarke 6th Cone. Quality Body Work Quality Painting FREE ESTIMATES ON BOTH INSURANCE AND NON-INSURANCE WORK Open 5 Days a Week Monday through Friday r COWAN PONTIAC -- BUICK LTD. BOWMANVILLE -- ONT. 166 King Street East Telephone 623-3396