The sap is running in the maple forest and the fun begins for another season at the Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush.
Not only that, but the sugar bush pancake house has been a family favourite since 1972, said Kinette Club president Carol Cooper.
The sugar bush is open every weekend this month and daily during March break at the edge of the Fanshawe Conservation Area in London.
Today's traditional opening ceremony features Dan and Mary Lou Smoke with the Walking Eagle Drum group from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation performing the blessing of the forest ceremony.
"Join us on our horse-drawn wagons featuring the famous Singing Brook Farm Belgian horses on our historical tour of how maple syrup was discovered and made over the years," Cooper said.
Visitors can also walk through the forest and enjoy a "mouth-watering" serving of flap jacks drenched in fresh syrup.
Spring Cottage Life Show
Thoughts will soon turn to opening the cottage and tips and tricks can be learned at the Spring Cottage Life Show.
Presented by Cottage Life magazine, the show runs from March 26 to 28 at the International Centre in Toronto.
With more than 475 exhibitors, there's "everything you'll need for the cottage, including architects, builders, boats and marine accessories, alternative energy and environmental products," organizers say.
There's a large area all about cottage real estate to check on the latest trends in prices and availability.
The Cottage Dock Party returns with samples of cocktails and summer tunes while there will be plenty of how-to-do-it seminars.
Wayne Lennox will demonstrate how to build a canoe rack while chef Anna Olson will bake some of her "perfect" butter tarts.
Canadian Fly Fishing Forum
Learn from the experts at the Canadian Fly Fishing Forum on April 10 and 11 at the Holiday Inn in Burlington.
"Fly fishing is no longer just a sport but a lifestyle and getting started is not as easy as it looks," said John Fox, forum chair.
From tying a first fly to casting techniques, the forum has a beginner's program "tailor-made to teach people how to start in this fascinating hobby," he added.
For women, there's a beginner and intermediate workshop led by Heather Jones and Sherri Steele while workshops and seminars are planned for beginners to experts, and fly tyers will show off their creations.
Biologist and guide Trevor Nowak will speak at the sponsoring Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club's annual awards and fundraising banquet on April 10.
Toronto Sportsmen's Show
Outdoor enthusiasts ready for the change of seasons will attend the Toronto Sportsmen's Show in droves.
After 62 years at Exhibition Place, the show moves this year to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from March 17 to 21.
This is where the country's top authorities in fishing, camping, hiking, hunting and boating will set up camp, said show manager Heather MacRae.
Bob Izumi, host of Real Fishing, will show the tricks on how to reel in the big ones while visitors can cast their rods at the Toronto Sun casting pond for a chance to win a share of the $75,000 in cash and prizes.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters hosts a wild turkey seminar and the birds of prey exhibit will show a peregrine falcon, barn owls and bald eagles.
This "rite of passage" into spring features some 400 exhibitors with the latest gear for the great outdoors.
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
IF YOU GO
Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush is at 21201-C Lakeside Drive (follow the signs east from Huron Street and Clarke Road). Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14 and March 21, 27 and 28. Admission: $3; $2, children to age 12; $10 a carload. www.kinsmenfanshawesugarbush.com; 519-461-1073.
Cottage Life Show is at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd. (at Derry Rd.), Toronto. Hours: March 26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; March 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and March 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $15; $8, ages 13 to 18 (no charge to age 12); $22, weekend pass. Parking is free. www.cottagelife.com
Toronto Sportsmen’s Show is at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,
255 Front St. W. Hours: March 17-20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; March 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $17; $11, “juniors” and “seniors”; no charge, children to age six;
$40, family pass; $5, after 5 p.m. www.torontosportshow.ca
Canadian Fly Fishing Forum, April 10 and 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is at the Holiday Inn, Burlington, 3063 South Service Rd. Admission: $10, no charge children to age 16; $12 per seminar; $75, two-day package with all seminars. www.iwffc.ca or call (905) 276-6345.
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