Grapefruit is relativel y new and originated in the Americas

“Grapefruit in the morning, grapefruit in the evening, grapefruit at anytime . . .”

This nutritious citrus fruit with its sharp tangy taste is a favourite morning eye opener for many of us.

Yet of all the fruits of the citrus genus, it is one of the newest members and one of the few bred in the Americas.

A 17th century English seaman, known now only as Captain Shaddock, brought pomelo seeds (citrus maxima) from the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and planted them in Jamaica. Once they grew and produced fruit, he cross bred them with sweet oranges (citrus sinensis), which had been introduced to the island years earlier by the Spanish. After a time, this breeding resulted in a yellow-skinned, somewhat pear-shaped hybrid, smaller than a pomelo, but larger than an orange, and it was called a shaddock or shattuck fruit. According to the writings of Rev Griffith Hughes, saplings of this new citrus variety were taken to Barbados around 1750, where years later people commented that because the fruit grew in clusters rather than singly like both the parents, they looked like huge grapes, and soon the nickname grapefruit was being used. Botanists, however, still classed them as a variety of pomelos and it wasn’t until mid-1800s that they were recognized as a separate species and assigned their own botanical name, citrus paradisi.

“Be my winter sunshine and I’ll love you all the time.”

Grapefruit trees, which can grow 15 to 20 feet high, prefer a fertile sandy soil in full sun. They begin producing a good crop of fruit when they are between four and six years old and grapefruit season in the southern U.S. and Caribbean areas generally runs from June until October, which means we can enjoy them all through our cold weather.

But for many years, they were grown as specimen trees for ornamental purposes because of their shiny dark dense evergreen foliage and large attractive white flowers. It wasn’t until the late 19th century, some 50 years after Odette Philippe, a French nobleman, introduced them into Florida (1823) that grapefruits were first grown as a commercial commodity. Then, with further hybridization, not only did the fruit start to lose its pear shape, taking on the globular look it has today, its flesh or pulp became sweeter. A new variety, with light pink flesh, followed. In 1929, a fruit with deep pink pulp was discovered growing on a tree producing light pink fruit and the famous Ruby Red came into being. With this “red” introduction, the grapefruit industry became a real agricultural success. Cross breeding between tangerine and grapefruit produced the tangelo in 1905, the minneola in 1931 and the sweetie in 1984.

Grapefruit acts as a natural laxative and today researchers are looking at its other medicinal properties. By the by, doctors and pharmacists say that people who take medication, such as beta blockers, should not eat grapefruits or drink grapefruit juice. Oil from grapefruit peel has long been used in aromatherapy

“Grapefruit in the morning, grapefruit in the evening grapefruit at anytime, Be my winter sunshine and I'll love you all the time.” I can even sprinkle on some sugar! (Apologies to Charlie Phillips, Otis Echols, the McGuire Sisters and of course Sugartime).

Caring Hearts

You are cordially invited to an evening of promise and hope, to unite a caring community in support of a family overcoming the adversity of battling cancer.

The fund-raiser will feature live entertainment, a wine and cheese social soirée, cash bar, live and silent auctions, and much much more. This event is being held upstairs at the Dr. William Laceby Arena and Community Centre Feb. 20, commencing at 7:30 p.m. at the cost of $25 per ticket.

We respectfully ask for your support. If you are interested in purchasing tickets or donating items for the auctions, please contact Karen McLachlan at (905) 859- 3003 or Donna Marchand at (905) 859-8088. Monetary donations will gratefully be accepted at any TD Canada Trust Branch, with the following information: Transit number — 3085; Account number — 6248614; Account name — “Karen McLachlan and Donna Marchand In trust.”

St. Mary’s Catholic

Women’s League

Our monthly meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. for the general meeting and 7 p.m. for the executive meeting. The meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month and we look forward to new members. Meetings are held at the Nobleton Lion’s Hall on Old King Road. For further details, please call our president, Tina Luchetta at (905) 859- 5684. Christian Salvage Mission

at St. Paul’s Presbyterian

Our Prayer Group meets this evening (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m.

The St. Paul’s Community Youth Group is off to Recharge Snow Camp at Word of Life Ministries in Owen Sound this weekend. They will be departing from the church Friday around p.m. We wish them all the best in the Cardboard Sled Race competition.

The Ladies Who Serve group will meet this coming Tuesday (Feb. 9) at noon at the church. Please bring lunch and come out to see what this new group is all about.

Come join us this Sunday (Feb. 7) at 10 a.m. as we welcome Don Ralph of the Christian Salvage Mission. Don’s message will speak to us about “The power of new identity.” Child care (for children five years of age and younger) is provided during the gathering and our KidzKonnection program takes place at the same time.

For more information about any of our activities or events, please contact the church office at (905) 859- 0843 or visit our newly redesigned Web site at www.stpaulsnobleton.ca

Epiphany

Submitted by John Arnott

Many Christians in this area are observing the church season of Epiphany, which runs from Jan. 6 until Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) this year.

The name comes from the Greek word “epiphaneia,” meaning manifestation, appearance or more loosely showing.

Epiphany starts off commemorating the showing of the Christ Child to the Gentiles represented by the Wise Kings or Magi and the manifestation (revealing) to them of his divine nature. Christians believe this appearance of Jesus to non Jews was a sign from God that He was the long promised Messiah, not just for the Jewish people, but for all peoples of the Earth. As the season continues, commemorates the presentation of the baby at the Temple in Jerusalem and the showing of him by Mary and Joseph, to Anna and Simeon, the two very old holy people whom God had promised would see the Messiah before they died. Simeon's response has echoed down the centuries in the beautiful words of the Prayer Book’s Nunc Dimittis, “Lord lettest now thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before all people; light unto the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.”

In Epiphany, Christians also recall the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt to escape King Herod’s murderous intentions.

Jesus’ baptism many years later in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist is celebrated during this season. Its observance is the premier Epiphany event in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Churches.

Septuagesima, marking just 70 more days until Easter, falls in Epiphany (Jan. 31 this year) and the season includes Candlemas Feb. 2, when traditionally the church candles, which now include electric and battery operated ones as well as those that have oil canisters, were blessed. St. Valentine's Day also falls in the Epiphany season this year.

Liturgical colours for the first eight days called the Octave of Epiphany are white, symbolizing joy and purity then changing to green symbolizing life, caring and responsible stewardship for God's creation.

Nobleton United Church

Our annual congregational meeting takes place Feb. 7 at 12:30 p.m., to celebrate and discuss the ministry and work of God over the past year and to look to the future with trust and determination. A light lunch will be served.

Please plan on attending.

Sunday services continue as normal at 11:15 a.m., with Sunday school. Visitors are always welcome.

Nobleton Lions February

update

Submitted by Tony Peters

The first ever Texas Holdem Tournament was hosted by the Lions Club right here in Nobleton Jan 15, with 80 players turning out for a fun, and for some, profitable night of poker. Ten players made it to the final table, and earned a share of the payout. The Lions immediately decided to donate $500 of the night’s proceeds toward the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. The next tournament is set for March 12. Watch this space for more details as the date gets closer.

Next up for the Club is the annual Pancake Supper, to be held Shrove Tuesday, which is Feb. 16 at the Old Community Hall, just north of the arena. This yearly event is great value for your dining dollar, and is reminiscent of an old style church supper. With times being what they are, the Club has held the line on prices, charging the same as it has for many years now, $6 for adults, and $3 for kids 12 and under. The meal will consist of all you can eat Black Forest ham and pancakes, with rolls, salad, tea and coffee. We hope to see you there. Flyers will appear in mailboxes this week to remind you of the details, and also to give you a preview of information for the Lions Annual Fund-raising Gala, planned for June 12 this year, with a special singing appearance by the Bolton sensation Angelica. Having seen her performance, we can assure you, this girl can really sing.

The Lions Club of Nobleton has jumped into the cyber age and established a Web site which the public is encouraged to visit. Check out www.nobletonlions.com for details about your local Lions club, and the world wide organization of which it is a proud member. Your support is greatly appreciated by the Lions, and those who we support, in keeping with our motto, “We Serve.”

Nobleton Seniors’ activities

Our Tuesday evening euchre was well attended, even though a lot of our members are in Florida. The winners were Joy Lostchuck, Sandy Tower, Lou Curtis, Carol Burbridge and Iva Hilliard. Tied for most lone hands were Reta Borg and Bob Fleury. The 50/50 draw winners were Iva Hilliard, Joy Lostchuck and Roy Hilliard. The next evening euchre will be Feb. 9.