By Mark Schadenberg
Since today is Easter, families continue their many traditions.
Our family of myself, Nicole, 8-year-old Maeghan and 5-year-old Spencer, enjoy a tradition of fluffy pancakes with real maple syrup every spring at Jakeman's near Sweaburg.
We attended again this past Friday.
The 4H club of Tavistock were hosts for the Jakeman clan, and the menu also included sausages and brown beans.
Our family's yearly trek also includes photos in the Trillium forest across the road from the Jakeman's Maple Store just west of Sweaburg. By reading the www.themaplestore.com website I discovered that the former Sweaburg General Store was moved to the farm about 30 years ago.
About 30 years ago, when I was in Grade 12, I remember visiting the same forest with Mr Harvey on a class trip from Woodstock Collegiate. We created quadrants in the forest and counted Trilliums so our teacher could report back to the provincial forestry folks about how well the Ontario flower was thriving that year.
I remember as a child, stomping through the Trillium Woods with relatives visiting from Germany. I have one photo to post from more than 40 years ago (I would guess 1972 and I'm the one with hands on his knees).
Below, are some 2015 family pictures. Most of the snow was melted as some years we would need warm coats and mitts, and some years is was almost balmy for early spring. The concern this year was avoiding horse droppings.
A little further below that is the story I wrote last year about our adventure.
Journey to Jakeman's for pancakes and family pictures
Our tradition of visiting The Maple Store in Sweaburg continued this past weekend
The Trillium Woods is a wonderful backdrop for family memory pictures, the pancakes drenched in maple syrup are picture perfect
By Mark Schadenberg
Maple syrup and bacon are Canadian traditions.
At Jakeman’s Maple Farm (The Trillium Woods) near Sweaburg, it’s all about authentic maple syrup, pancakes, sausages and maple baked beans.
Our family’s annual sojourn to The Maple Store at Jakeman’s took place this past weekend (March 23) as the provincially-recognized Trillium forest is part of the back drop of tall maples with pails catching sap and then processed into products including syrup (plastic or glass jugs, or traditional tins), candy (toffee, mints and even lollipops), maple popcorn, cookies, ice wine syrup. . .
Directly from their home page at www.themaplestore.com, you can quickly note that Jakeman’s has existed since 1876. The rustic barn should be deemed a historic site. The store on the second floor is converted into a breakfast destination in the month of March as many area 4H clubs serve up the fare as a fundraiser. (Ends March 29 and 30, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Nicole and I have been making the short trek out to Sweaburg every year, including before we were parents (see the picture of Nicole expecting in the series of photos below). If you’re on the 401, it’s Exit 230 with the large 230 Truck Stop visible. Drive south on the Sweaburg Road and right through the village of Sweaburg before turning right on Trillium Line.
Growing up in Woodstock, the Trillium forest has been a destination for me on several occasions, including during a visit of an aunt and uncle from Germany approximately around 1972, and in high school (WCI) a class trip with Mr Harvey (See: 2 links below) and a hands-on science biology lesson to literally grid off a large area to count Trilliums and then prepare a report submitted to a provincial ministry of forests.
For a family to mark a March tradition, such as pancakes and maple syrup at Jakeman’s, is important to creating a fabric with the four of us. Maeghan is now 7, so this was her 8th trip, while Spencer will soon turn 5.
Part of the interest in discovering The Maple Store, which is open year-round, is the artifacts on display and a wall mural which depicts the syrup-creating process. The person who created the sap flow chart (puns again from me) had impeccable penmanship. I wonder if it was Mary Jakeman. She was working the till (yes, they do have Interac there for those who want to make a bulk buy for all their aunts and uncles – near and far).
As you will quickly note from the below photo gallery of shots from the Trillium forest, we have been greeted with various weather conditions over the years. This past Sunday it was -8C on my car’s thermometer. Some years, there has been zero snow remaining on the trails and a horse carriage ride was added to the morning outdoor spirit.
I share this story to point out that Oxford County has a lot of treasures to discover and my family believes Jakeman’s is truly a place not to miss. I guess you could say it’s on my bucket list every year – bucket of sap dripping from a tree which is all about Canada – the Maple (leaf).
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In making natural maple syrup, naturally Jakeman’s Sugar Bush has a company promise:
Jakeman’s pledges to produce maple syrup and maple products of the most exceptional quality. We aim to impress through taste and innovation.
On August 29th of 2012, Jakeman’s received the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation for the introduction of their Maple Ice Wine Syrup. Pictured are: Left to Right: Dave Hope from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mary Jakeman and Devin Jakeman
More Jakeman’s Contacts:
Email: info@themaplestore.com
Call: (519) 539-1366 or 1-800-382-9795
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John Harvey Links:
Since this is free advertising, it’s the best advertising: work of mouth.
When you’re thinking of an Oxford County Realtor, think of me
Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
www.wesellwoodstock.com
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination
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