Best Victoria Day Fireworks

We've been looking forward to this weekend for so long... the first long weekend which seems to kick off the summer season.

The May long weekend has long been associated with opening up the cottage, camping, gardening, bbq'ing and enjoying spending time with the people you love to hang out with.    Days prior to the long weekend are usually spent "praying" for nice weather.

I love the long weekend as it is a goal for me to get my gardens (front, back & side!!) edged, mulched and annuals spread around to give summer long impact between the spurts of bloom between the perennials.

It is also a time when people look forward to FIREWORKS!

There are many variety stores, temporary mobile trailer stores and sections of retail stores that sell fireworks for you to set off (safely) on your own property (please note recommendations at the end of this post).

For the Victoria Day 2012 long weekend, you will only find Public Fireworks on Sunday May 20th at the Dundas Driving Park, located on Cross Street in Dundas.     These are the official City of Hamilton Victoria Day Fireworks and Burlington does not have Public Fireworks this weekend.     The Fireworks in Dundas are presented by the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with the City of Hamilton.    Volunteers will be on hand to collect cash donations to help fund Rotary Community Projects.     PLEASE NOTE THAT PERSONAL FIREWORKS AND & SPARKLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE PARK.

Fireworks generally are set off when the sun goes down (sometime around 9-915pm.    As these are the only fireworks in the area, best get there early so you are not disappointed.

Guidelines for Setting off Fireworks:

• Family fireworks may be set off only on Victoria Day, Canada Day and the two days immediately preceding or following these two holidays.
• No child shall set off family fireworks other than a sparkler where the child is under direct supervision of an adult at all times.
• No person shall set off family fireworks on any land of which he or she is not the owner without first obtaining written permission of the owner.   Fireworks shall not be discharged over roadways.
• Appoint one person to be in charge who knows about the hazards of fireworks.   Carefully read and follow the label directions including requirements for safe distances to spectators.
• Always keep a pail of water or a water hose nearby.
• Firmly set the fireworks at least 1/2 its length in a pail of sand or dirt, angled slightly away from spectators, checking wind direction and speed.
• Never lean over a firework when lighting it.   Never re-light a "dud" firework.
• Supervise the use of sparklers with children.    They burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing and cause severe burns.   As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, immediately soak in water.

Best Gas Prices

Can you believe the price of gasoline?    I got my first car about 20 years ago, and back then the price of gas was a glorious 49.5 a litre!   Now, I consider myself lucky to fill up for under $75!

I've noticed over the years that in and around Waterdown, the best gas prices are usually on Highway 6 (North to Guelph) between the 6th Concession East and Carlisle Road.    It is usually a cent or two lower so if you need to go up that way it is very worth it to fill up when in the neighbourhood.    I wouldn't make a special trip to go out of my way to fill up on Highway 6 since the savings of going up there would probably be lost driving up there and back unnecessarily.

Technology can be wonderful, and I just recently discovered "Gas Buddy".    You can go on-line (www.gasbuddy.com)  to register a membership and immediately be able to find the best gas prices in your area... OR, you can download the Gas Buddy Mobile App for your smartphone.   I also found that Gas Buddy has a Hamilton specific site they operate at http://www.hamiltongasprices.com/    These sites offer a fascinating look at trends/maps/charts for the area, and all across Canada.     Gas Buddy's website also offers a great map to show you what gas prices are right across Canada.  http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_can_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Just logging in to Gas Buddy tonight on my phone I found that prices can be varied around town.    The Husky at the corner of Dundas & Hamilton was charging 135.6 a litre and just a little further down Dundas Street at the Esso Station (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) it was 131.8.      The gas stations on Highway 6 range from 130.9 (Pioneer) to 131.6 (Olco).

In these times of expensive gas, it is great that there is a website/mobile app like Gas Buddy to help us out with our comparative shopping.

Best Easter Activities

There is a fantastic forecast for the Easter long weekend this year, so when you are not taking part in worship services or family dinners, a great place to enjoy some Easter fun is at Springridge Farms.    Springridge is a little gem in the hills of Milton and is only open from Mid-April to Christmas each year.    The farm opened today April 5th, 2012.

This weekend the farm is offering great a Easter Easter Festival April 6, 7 & 8, 2012!    There will be an Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, Eggcellent Easter Show, Face Painting, Pedal Tractor Track and more!

Admission for the Easter Egg Hunt: $8.85 + $1.15 HST = $10 per person ages 2-92.  In addition to the special Easter Festival, you can also enjoy the rest of the grounds including the bakery, gift shop and cafe.   Then, for some hands on activites, check out the Fun Farm Yard.  

The Fun Farm Yard includes:

• Spiderweb Climber
• Farm Yard Pipe Slide
• Giant Sandbox
• Farm Animals
• Corn Trails
• Straw Play
• Escarpment Lookout
• 40' Windmill
• Antique Tractors
• The Fun Farm Yard experience includes a tractor drawn Wagon Ride.  Enjoy the views of the Niagara Escarpment and learn about the farm and the land around us. 

Wagon Ride Departure Times (Weather permitting)

Weekends: 11:30, 1:30 & 3:30

Weekdays: 11:00, 1:00 & 4:00

 

Watch Rocky the Rooster make friends with Animal Barn visitors!

Weekend Pony rides are available for the children for an additional $3 per ride.  Maximum weight 80lbs.
There is no charge to enter the Springridge Farm Gift Shop, Bakery and Cafe.  At Springridge our Fun Farm Yard is a safe, educational and fun area for families to explore and play. 
Regualar Season Fun Farm Yard Admission: $3.54 + .46 HST = $4 ages 2-92, April until mid-November.   
For those frequent visitors we recommend a 2012 Season Pass
Individual Pass $20
Family of 3 Pass $60
Family of 4 Pass $70
Season Pass excludes Festival weekends.
The admission charge only applies to those wishing to enjoy the The Fun Farm Yard activities and Wagon Ride.    

To learn more about the farm and it's history please visit...  www.springridgefarm.com

Best Mom to Mom Sale

Over the last number of years I have been hearing the term "Mom to Mom Sale" more and more.    It makes great sense... Anyone with kids knows that you have a small fortune of clothes that your kids have outgrown and in many cases they have never worn.    It presents a great opportunity for you to be able to make some money selling your gently used children's clothes, or pick up some new to you clothing.

A Mom-to-Mom Sale is essentially a huge rummage sale where you can buy gently used baby and kids' items directly from sellers.   Get great deals on second hand baby clothing, kids' clothing, toys, games, furniture and gear.
Generally, to participate as a seller, simply register for a table. You bring your items to the sale and sell them yourself.    Whatever you make at the sale, you keep!
As a buyer, just show up on the day of the sale and pay your admission. Bring cash to pay for your items and make sure you have change. Reusable shopping bags are great for toting your treasures.

Tomorrow is when one of the biggest Mom 2 Mom Sales in the area is happening at Flamborough Baptist Church in Waterdown located at #41 on the 5th Concession East (just east of Terra Greenhouses)  

Here's an excerpt from the churches website:

"Date	Saturday March 24 2012
	9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Details	Location: Church auditorium Admission: $2 for ages 12 and up ." Click on the link below for a map of how to get to the church.   Happy Shopping! http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=41+Concession+5+E&city=Waterdown&state=ON&zipcode=L0R&country=CA

Best Photo Opportunity

What a glorious week.    I'm loving this warm weather, and gardens everywhere in Southern Ontario are awakening from their slumber.   I can see daffodils, crocuses and tulips starting to emerge in my garden.

We moved here to Waterdown 10 years ago when I was pregnant with our youngest.    Our first spring I noticed in the Flamborough Review, that a local greenhouse/nursery "Connons" did a special photo shoot with very young children called "Tots in Pots".     What a great way to celebrate spring and have a special photo of your children.    We took advantage of the opportunity when our girls were 1+ yrs and almost 3yrs old.    I treasure our special photo taken in 2004.

Plans are underway for Connon Nurseries 12th Annual "Tots in Pots" Photo Day.     They will take place on Saturday April 7th from 9am to 5pm.   A professional photographer will take a picture of your child(ren) aged 0-4 yrs "planted" in a blanket lined pot.     Make sure you call ahead to book your time at Connon's (905) 689-4631.   The cost is only $12.99, but the memories will last a lifetime!

UPDATE:  March 29th, 2013 - No "Tots in Pots" this year at Connon's.    Not a good response last year so they decided not to do it this year.

Best Maple Syrup Festival

Spring is coming!   I'm already seeing shoots from my spring bulbs in my garden, the Robins are out and about and the sap is running from Maple Trees... sure signs of spring!

When I think about what things remind me of Canada and being Canadian I think of Maple Syrup.   Making Maple Syrup is a process that is older than Canada itself.    A few years ago, we took our girls to Westfield Heritage Villiage in Rockton (just a short drive from Waterdown) so they could learn about the legends and techniques of making Maple Syrup which started many years ago from Canada's First Nations People.  

from Wikepedia:

"Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in the spring.  Maple trees can be tapped by boring holes into their trunks and collecting the exuded sap. The sap is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup.
Maple syrup was first collected and used by aboriginal peoples of North America.  The practice was adopted by European settlers, who gradually improved production methods.  Technological improvements in the 1970s further refined syrup processing.   The Canadian province of Quebec is by far the largest producer, responsible for about three-quarters of the world's output; Canadian exports of maple syrup exceed C$145 million (approximately US$141 million) per year. Vermont is the largest producer in the United States, generating about 5.5 percent of the global supply.

Maple syrup is graded according to the Canada, United States, or Vermont scales based on its density and translucency. Sucrose is the most prevalent sugar in maple syrup.  In Canada, syrups must be at least 66 percent sugar and be made exclusively from maple sap^[1] to qualify as maple syrup.  In the United States, a syrup must be made almost entirely from maple sap to be labelled as "maple"."

Tours and Demonstrations run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.    If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids during March Break, they are open on Wednesday March 14th and Thursday March 15th of the March Break.

The Sweet Tast of Spring Maple Syrup Festival at Westfield includes a full schedule of activities.     There will be horse and wagon rides, tours through Westfield's many historic buildings and shops, as well as the opportunity to enjoy Canada's favourite sweetener.    You'll be able to see demonstrated the way of collecting and making Maple Syrup over the centuries.   As you wander around the grounds you will see many of the trees with a bucket attached and a spout inserted into the tree to extract the Maple Sap.    You'll also see how the Aboriginals made syrup and sugar by using a hollowed out log and hot rocks, how the Pioneers used the three cauldron method to prepare the sweet syrup and how modern method uses the evaporator in the Sugar Shack.    And you'll get to sample the  maple syrup and maple sugar too!

To start or end the day, make sure that you check out the Ironwood Building where guests can sit down and enjoy a pancake and sausage (or ham) breakfast for just $1 per item, made courtesy of the St. George Lions Club.

Admission to Westfield Heritage Village is $11 for Adults, $10 for Seniors, $6.50 for children 6-12 and children aged 5 and under get in for free.

For more information please visit call 1-800-883-0104  or visit their website  www.westfieldheritage.ca

Best Airport

With March Break coming up, many people are looking for ways to escape to warmer climates.   If I have to fly somewhere, I ALWAYS check to see if I can fly out of Hamilton's John C Munro International Airport rather than having to fly out of Toronto.    Best thing is from Waterdown you can make it there in less than a half an hour.    Hamilton's little airport is the BEST way to fly... period!    For years my family from Nova Scotia have been flying in to Hamilton, which helps them stay away from the Toronto traffic which they prefer to avoid at all costs.

In February 2007, our family flew into Orlando on WestJet from the Hamilton airport and it was such a positive experience.    My husband had never been to the airport so when we pulled into the parking lot and saw all the available parking he questioned me "Is this it?".   "Yes, this is the Hamilton Airport." I replied.    We parked the car grabbed our luggage and within two minutes were at the ticket counter.... His reaction when we got inside "Wow!"    He was so pleasantly surprised with the ease of parking and no line ups.

(from Wikipedia...)  History

The airport was originally built in 1940 as the Mount Hope Airport, a Royal Canadian Air Force base. During World War II, the field hosted two units for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan: first, No.10 Elementary Flying Training School (later moved to RCAF Station Pendleton) using the De Havilland Tiger Moth and Fleet Finch, then No.33 Air Navigation School using the Avro Anson. After the war, the airport gradually shifted towards civil use, until the military ceased using it as a base for Air Reserve operations in 1964.

Hamilton turned over operation of the airport to TradePort International Corp. in 1996. In 2007 YVR Airport Services (YVRAS), which runs the Vancouver International Airport, took over 100 per cent ownership of TradePort in a $13-million deal.

Future

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has pushed for the construction of the Pickering Airport to relieve Toronto Pearson International Airport, claiming that Hamilton is too far from the city of Toronto core to be practical as a major hub for travelers. Critics point out that the reliever airports for Boston, Massachusetts (T.F. Green State Airport in Providence, Rhode Island and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire) are utilized effectively despite being further from the Boston city centre than Munro Airport is from the Toronto city centre. Should the GTAA decide not to build the proposed Pickering Airport, which could prove controversial due to the required expropriation of land, Hamilton may have an increase in passenger traffic and possibly new airlines.

Accidents and incidents

The airport received notoriety when a chartered Boeing 707 carrying rock band Bon Jovi skidded off the runway in January, 2006.

Airlines and destinations

Airlines	Destinations
CanJet	Seasonal: Cancun, Holguin, Punta Cana, Varadero
WestJet	Calgary Year Round Seasonal: Cancún, Edmonton, Halifax, Las Vegas, Moncton, Orlando, Punta Cana, Winnipeg

You can also fly many other places via connecting flights.    To learn more about the Hamilton International Airport, what airlines fly out of there where and how often check out their destination map (link below)

http://www.flyhi.ca/destinations-and-airlines/route-map/