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GARDENING 2017
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
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Maple Syrup festival celebrates 50 years of sweetness BY SALLY SMID One of the oldest Maple Syrup Festivals has reached its 50th year and this time the “Easter Bunny brought the flood of maple syrup”. There was a record number of visitors with 2200 guests who enjoyed pancakes and sausage in the Fair Hall deluged with 150 litres of maple syrup. Delta’s two day event on Easter weekend was blessed with warmer temperatures and sunshine on both days and the late afternoon showers did not really detract from the event. There was also a variety of syrup and craft vendors and lots of activities especially for the kids. Opening ceremonies took place at 11:00 on Saturday with MPP Steve Clark, Rideau Lakes Mayor Ron Holman and Leeds-Grenville Warden Robin Jones extending congratulations to Festival Chair Melinda Cowan. “It is the volunteers that drive this community,” remarked Clark and the other dignitaries echoed his words. Special thanks was given to the Fair
Board as well. This year ’s festival related to the Easter theme and included an Easter Egg Hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny on Sunday. Many visitors mentioned that they were in the area to visit family for the holiday and were happy that Delta was offering such a family oriented venue. The kids also were offered a Petting Zoo and pony rides, Mini Putt, face painting, games, wagon rides, and the Rynestone Magic Show. Chair Melinda Cowan explained that a 150 Celebration grant made it possible to expand this year ’s Festival. That helped provide funds for kids’ activities as well as special entertainment which included the Bob Burtch Band, an Elvis Tribute, Dueling Band Joes, and Fiddle Earth. There were also tours of the Old Stone Mill, the Old Fire Hall Museum and a huge book sale with coffee and bake goods provided by Stephanie Dobson of Bastard Bakery who hopes to continue her business in the
Old Town Hall in conjunction with the Delta Mill Society. On Saturday visitors watched blacksmithing demonstrations at the Mill Drive Sheds. There was also a ball hockey tourney and a dance on Saturday night at the Legion Hall. Sunday’s activities included an Air Castle Maize and Gabriella’s Drumming Lessons which added some aboriginal heritage. “The event not only helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Maple Syrup Festival, but also the 150th anniversary of Canada,” commented organizer William Morris, “The special funding from Ontario 150 assisted in providing the additional new entertainment attractions. I cannot say enough about the commitment and dedication of the hundreds of volunteers throughout the village that supported all of Delta’s organizations in sponsoring the activities during the festival. The success of the festival depends upon the combined efforts of all of our festival partners.”
Delta Fair Ambassador, Taylor Halladay, helps serve pancakes to guest Joan Schwarze at the recent Delta Maple Syrup Festival. Photo: Sally Smid
Doors Open offers tours, displays, gardens, museums and more BY SALLY SMID Doors Open Ontario is celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Participants will be able to learn more about local history by visiting any of the 34 area sites which are included in the Brockville/Thousand Islands area on Saturday May 27th and Sunday May 28th, 2017. Sites will be open with free admission in Athens, Brockville, Delta, Escott,
Lyndhurst, Lyn, Mallorytown, Maitland, and Prescott from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 on Saturday and some on Sunday as well. Each site will offer guided or self-guided tours and volunteers will be available to assist visitors with information and to answer questions. Some popular participants include Fulford Place, Brockville Museum, Fort Wellington, and new this year are 1000 Island
Village, Dominion Lighthouse and the Rotary Clock Tower in Prescott. The first Glassworks in Canada, 1867 domestic exhibits, and the 120th anniversary of the Women’s Institute are the displays open at the Mallory Coach House. There will be hundreds of hostas and unique works of art at Chillane Gardens in Mallorytown as well. Three tours a day are offered at Burnbrae
Red Canoefest Explore life on the water at the annual Red Canoefest in Seeley’s Bay Schedule: Page 11
Farms, a family-owned egg farm since 1893. Local artist Michael O’Connor will have a display at the historic Long Point School House. There will be artisans at work at the Heritage Place Museum in Lyn. Founding Father Joshua Bates, the 70th anniversary of Athens District High School student parliament, the oldest in Canada, will be featured at the Athens
Heritage Museum. In honour of Canada’s 150th, “Mother Barnes” will be on hand as well to highlight her reported connection with John A. MacDonald. There will also be tours and milling and blacksmith demonstrations at the Old Stone Mill in Delta. Archival research of the Township of Leeds and the 1000 Islands will take place at the Archives in Escott. Lyndhurst features a
unique gift shop, the Green Gecko. You can download a copy of the local Doors Open 2017 brochure at http://brockville tourism.com/event/doorsopen-brockville-1000islands There will be brochures available at all the sites or you can pick them up ahead of time at the Brockville and District Tourism Office or check the website at www.doorsopenontario. on.ca