Old Fashioned Christmas on Knox Farm = Fabulous!!

The Christmas Season is when we find time to spend with family and friends, to celebrate traditions old and new and to create everlasting memories. Having moved to Brooklin over eleven years ago, we have accumulated a number of local Christmas traditions: Christmas in the Village at Grass Park, a drive down Old Scugog Road to take in the Christmas lights, the Oshawa Santa parade and a visit to Cullen Gardens to take in the Christmas displays. Many traditions are passed down from one generation to another but a new one can be started at any time. This fall I discovered that Knox Pumpkin Farm will be hosting their 1st annual Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm which means I have a new tradition on my list.

The one hundred and fifty year old, 300 acre Knox farm is just 10 minutes east of Brooklin located near the hamlet of Solina. The farm has been in the Knox family since 1946 and they grow a number of crops including pumpkins, squash, corn, wheat, barley, soybeans and hay. Their family has a large network of friends and family who have pitched in over the years to keep the farm operating through its many transitions from Dairy to Beef to a blend of Beef, Cash Crops and Pumpkins. The Knox’s love having people on the farm so several years ago, the family decided that they needed to share the farm experience with their community and they opened their gates to the public and school groups each October.

I recently had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Jenny Knox, whose enthusiasm and passion for farming and traditions is evident from the moment you meet her. She generously shares her knowledge with fellow farmers and gives her time to various organizations. I was amazed to learn that in addition to their responsibilities on the farm, all members of the family also work off of the farm. So it is remarkable that they actually find time to sleep, let alone plan to host a month long Christmas celebration after hosting thousands of people in October!

A Knox Family Christmas always includes 4 Christmas trees in the farm house including one that is at least 14ft tall, fresh greenery inside and out, candles, lanterns, sleigh bells on hooks and at least 40 family members for dinner.

This December, the Knox farm will be providing for all who attend, an Old Fashion Christmas experience including Fresh Christmas trees and Greenery, Mulled Cider, Caroling by the Campfire, Sleigh Rides, a live Nativity scene, a Christmas Boo-tique, pony rides, animal viewing in the barn, face painting, visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus, delicious homemade kettle corn, a straw jump and the corn maize. Additionaly, on the weekend of December 18th and 19th, a very special opportunity is being offered as Santa and Mrs. Claus will be hosting families in the Knox Family log cabin built in 1850 (pictured above). These special tours will include a wagon ride out to the cabin, children activities and of course a special talk with Santa.

When you visit the farm you may see some familiar decorations, it turns out that the Knox family purchased a few items from Cullen Gardens after it closed including Bambi, Thumper and many lights. So it looks like one of my old traditions has been woven into a new one. I suggest that before you head out to the farm please visit their website at www.knoxpumpkinfarm.com as admissions rates apply and remember to dress warmly.

I wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season.

Local Perspectives - International Grapes make Ontario Wine?

Brooklin Town Crier July 9th Edition - 2010

I have to say that the latest addition of the LCBO to Brooklin has received a warm welcome in our neighbourhood. It is a good place to pick up some local wine or beer, when hosting friends or enjoying a nice meal. However, it is important to check the wine label to ensure that you are actually buying Ontario wine.

Consumers may unknowingly be supporting foreign grape producers or their products because wines labelled “Cellared in Canada” can actually have up to 70 per cent foreign grapes according to Ontario laws. These wines usually sit on the shelf under the Ontario banner, so it is easy for consumers to be confused.

Why is this important? Last year, Environmental Defence reported that the equivalent of more than 10,000 tonnes of grapes were imported, while Ontario farmers with high-quality crops of the same variety were unable to find buyers and were forced to leave the grapes rotting on the vine.

If you want to buy Ontario wine, you must look for the VQA label. This means that the wine is made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes that have meet a high standard for the grape variety. A list of Ontario VQA wineries can be found at: www.vqaontario.ca/wineries. A recent trip to the Brooklin LCBO revealed that they now have VQA wines in their own section, which is very well signed and prominently displayed near the front of the store.

Brooklin is fortunate to be in close proximity to two local wineries, so we are not limited to just the LCBO to find local wine. Ocala Winery in Port Perry boasts a vineyard made up of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Auxerrios, Muscat, Vidal, Seyval, Baco Noir, Marechal Foch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. In addition, Archibald Orchards and Winery in Bomanville offers a selection of 20 different fruit wines to choose from, ranging from very dry to dessert "ice wine” types. My favourite is Spiced Winter Apple, a dessert wine reminiscent of apple pie.

I am hopeful that the recent attempts to bring this issue to light and the efforts by the LCBO to make it easier for consumers to understand what they are purchasing will lead to more informed local purchases.