Readers' Forum
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Readers' Forum provides tips and feedback on destinations - travel tidbits based upon experience that readers share and send to us, not to exceed 100 words. Sometimes, we offer a contest for the best tip on a destination. For example, the winner of best tip or tidbit about Oxford County (SW Ontario) destinations receives a small digital travel clock and digital frame for electronic pictures. Enter now. Email your entry which we will post. Include your name and mailing address (which will be used only for prizes and not be passed on. Send us your tips!
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Beachville, Oxford County, Ontario
I thought that since the National Post newspaper in a blind taste, ranked Jakeman's #1 Medium Maple as the "Best Tasting Maple Syrup in Canada, it was worth a visit, and I was not disappointed. After all, Canadians use syrup as a topping on pancakes, waffles, French toast, ice cream, fresh fruit, yogurt and many more items. In 1919, Ernest Jakeman hung 500 buckets; now there are 1,000 taps. Maple syrup is graded by colour, the lighter being the higher grade and more subtle flavour. If you host visitors from outside Canada, this makes a terrific gift.
Ingersoll, Oxford County, Ontario
Ingersoll's Elm Hurst Inn: let me count the ways: It's got a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, whirlpool hot tub, Aveda spa, yoga, walking trails, a pond, games room, outdoor skating rink, lounge, live entertainment and even complimentary high speed and wireless internet, movies, newspaper and breakfast. It's wheelchair accessible. They thought of everything. Enough said. Enjoy!
Francis Hicks, BC
I'm a cheese maker so the Cheese Factory was required viewing as well as the Sports Hall of Fame and Community Museum with a 20-foot wood-carved scene depicting the pioneer trek of the "Dunkards" to Grand River Valley. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the Miss Canada IV speedboat.
Hans Drucker, Ontario
Since I fix small engines, the Leaping Deere Legends on Clarke Rd., was a true find with its restored tractors, equipment and parts. The kids loved the incredibly large corn maze where we could have left them (with provisions) for an entire afternoon! It's huge!
Max Flanders, Ontario
Norwich, Oxford County, Ontario
Soft pinks, mellow peaches, deep purples, blues and burgundies-irises come in almost every shade and shape at McMillen's Iris Gardens near Norwich, Ontario. From mid-May to mid-June follow the highway signs to this delightful grower's paradise and tour this rustic flower farm, its colourful fields beckoning. Sit in a comfortable chair in the garden while your eyes dine and you sip a cool drink by the fish pond, and just try to decide which irises you will take home, either for their variety (there are many), or their luscious colours. And don't forget to check out the sheep!
Elaine Cougler, Ontario
Otterville, Oxford County, Ontario
Artist Sue Goosens displays a magic touch in her work, transforming flowers, buildings and nature into water-colours that are rich, fluid and dare I say, exotic!
Abby Klein, Ontario
What a terrific place to time travel back to the past! In 1807 settlers arrived and built a mill on the river which ran until 1980. Its post and beam construction with a floating floor, boasts a forty-foot pine purlin to support the rafters. At the west end of the village, the Woodlawn Octagonal House & Gazebo has been restored. There's a Grand Trunk Railway station and African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, St. John's gothic style church replete with stained glass windows and a Casavant organ, but best of all for re-enactors is the military re-enactment at Woodlawn and the station grounds each September, depicting either the Fenian Raids or the Civil War.
Peter Fowler, New York
Tavistock, Oxford County, Ontario
Looking for a tasty home-cooked meal? Try Quehl's Restaurant, somewhat of a museum, with artifacts dating back more than a century. When you enter, you are greeted with the delicious aroma of pies, pastries and bread. We discovered this local gem on a motor coach tour, returning from the Stratford Festival, only 20 minutes away.
Shelley Liba, Michigan
Tillsonburg, Oxford County, Ontario
Sometimes it's fun to go nuts, particularly at Coyle's Country Store whose specialty is fresh roasted nuts! They process over 50,000 pounds annually, a considerable amount, more than you see here in politics in my hometown, Ottawa! We savoured cashews, almonds, Brazils and roasted sunflower seeds which were all oh so good.
Wayne Bryson, Ontario
Annandale (home of the Tillsonburg Museum) is a National Historic Site which revels in Victorian design, known as the "Aesthetic Art Movement," popularized by the audacious dramatist, Oscar Wilde, who encouraged colour and decorative detailing. Here you gaze in amazement at extravagant, hand-painted ceilings and elaborate inlaid floors, ornate mantles, hinges and stained glass.
Cecilia Lao, Ontario
Trillium Woods, Oxford County, Ontario
Pick a sunny day in May to travel to Trillium Woods and walk the short natural trail through tall maples just far enough apart to allow joyful wild trilliums to thrive. Stop and listen to birds call and feel the sunlight dappling your face as you amble along this free natural walk where awed visitors marvel quietly at the many varieties of Ontario's provincial flower. White, deep magenta, pink, white with green stripes, and yellow three-petal blooms are sprinkled along the winding path.
Trillium Woods has facilities for wildlife only but is a delightful place to welcome spring every year.
Elaine Cougler, Ontario
Woodstock, Oxford County, Ontario
My wife and I were delighted to visit Woodstock's Peace Lighthouse located at 160 Ferguson Drive, a structure that commemorates 2000 years of Christian heritage. Christians and non-Christians alike will appreciate the many icons and logos depicting the life of Christ. We think that school groups or anyone interested in the Byzantine icon tradition, memorabilia, historical maps of Eastern Europe, logos, miniature lighthouses, and depictions of lighthouses along Ontario's southern coast will enjoy their visit. The structure is steel and concrete with a large entry and elevator. How appropriate to use a lighthouse, a symbol of safety and refuge.
Adam Wolf, Ontario
Last fall, we took the kids to Birtch Farms, beginning with a wagon ride through the orchard along the "Apple Tale Trail." Our children borrowed "little red wagons" and we headed out to the orchard for apples. If kids want bigger fare, they can fill up the wagon with pumpkins. They played in the corn maze while we took a quick look in the shops. The annual apple festival on the third weekend of September witnesses thousands enjoying a crisp fall country day. There are horse-drawn wagon rides, displays and yummy treats!
Macdonald family, Ontario
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