WENATCHEE, WA -- Stemilt founder and tree fruit pioneer Thomas Kyle Mathison died Dec. 26 of cancer. He was 82 years old.

Born June 23, 1926 and raised on Stemilt Hill near Wenatchee, Mr. Mathison was a third-generation apple and cherry grower, intelligent businessman and driving force behind bringing Washington fruit to the global marketplace.

Upon graduating from Wenatchee High School, he joined the U.S. Army and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the armistice as the war ended.

Cool temperatures during the Florida strawberry growing season have delayed the harvest by about a week or two for some growers, but the lasting effects on the deal should be stronger fruit and a somewhat longer season.

I don't know about you, but at home I have been experiencing phone call after phone call from insurance agencies, department stores, home improvement centers, telephone companies, banks and even window washers trying to sell me something new or convince me to upgrade what I already have.

Additionally, I am receiving loads of coupons in the mail from restaurants vying for my patronage. It's all part of "emergency marketing" as companies solicit for business in a slumping economy.

James Dale (J.D.) Ward Jr., co-founder of Sierra View Sales in Fresno, CA, died Dec. 9 in Lenox, IA, where he had been living for the past 18 months since moving from Fresno, CA. He was 55.

The cause of death was not revealed.

SACRAMENTO, CA -- State and federal agriculture officials have confirmed a Mexican fruit fly infestation near Azusa in Los Angeles County, prompting the declaration of a 70-square-mile quarantine.

A map of the quarantine area is available on-line at http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/PDF/maps/MEXFLYAZUSA.pdf

A group of more than 30 leading growers, suppliers, buyers, technical experts, environmental organizations and public interest organizations announced Dec. 18 the formation of the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops.

Through an inclusive effort, the multi-stakeholder initiative will develop and share a comprehensive system for measuring sustainable performance across the supply chain -- at farms, processors, distributors, food-service providers and retailers.