In Other Words by Cindy Davidson

When you read through this second issue of Lives & Times, you are sure to find some mistakes. No matter how hard I tried not to, I made mistakes. I can't tell you where they are -- that's your job. When our first issue came out in February I was disappointed to count at least 10 mistakes, and even more disappointed when people told me about others. I had read through it very carefully before it went to press, but then I was reminded by someone that I am only human.

So this time around, I'll use the mistakes to my advantage. Make a lesson out of it! Try to find all the mistakes and circle them. I'll try to have less and less every issue and maybe by the last one, we'll all have perfect records. Good luck and please remember "I'm only human."

There is a saying that if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. "This year, the first weekend in March was cold and stormy, but so was the last weekend. March 21 was the first full day of spring, but you wouldn't know it by this picture. Hopefully the nice weather we've had the last week or so will be here to stay.

It's that time of year when the sap is running and syrup is on the way! Maple Syrup producers are busy with this sweet symbol of spring.

Sugar bushes in the region have been the site of festivals that boast the smell of boiling syrup in cast iron pots over slow burning fires. There are many folk tales about when the perfect time is for the sap to start running. Some say it is the first two weeks of March and others believe it is after the first full moon in April. All producers seem to agree that the best conditions for sap are when days are warm and sunny and the nights are cold with below freezing temperatures.

Quebec remains one of the largest producers of maple syrup in Canada, but parts of Ontario are catching up, especially in Grey, Bruce and Huron counties. Popular festivals held since mid-March include Purple Valley, Staffa, and Wildwood Inn. One of the area's biggest and oldest festival's was held last weekend at Saugeen Bluffs, north of Paisley.

Highlights of these festivals include horse-drawn wagon rides through the sugar bush, pancake breakfasts and syrup making demonstrations. If there is still some snow on the ground, a favorite ritual of young and old is dropping spoonfuls of hot syrup onto the cold surface and then wrapping a wooden stick in it for fresh, home-made maple taffy. Maple syrup is a popular souvenir of Canada and is sent all around the world. While this is the busy season for producers, most sell it all year- round. The cost of a 4 litre tin ranges from $35 to $40.