"Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders" by Olya Illichov & Maddy Shyba; art by Diana Bezukh

"The truth about stories is that's all we are" says Thomas King, Canadian writer and broadcast presenter.  

Youth authors Olya Illichov and Maddy Shyba give their version of two ballerinas escaping a war-torn Ukraine.  This addition to our Bastion library collection gives us a literary glimpse into the struggles of Ukrainians surviving the current war with Russia.

A continued warm welcome and blessings to the families that have sought asylum in our Salmon Arm community, and Canada as a whole. 

Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders: author interview (2:04)

• Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders by Durville & UpRoute Books, Calgary, Alberta
• Bastion Elementary's copy of Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders

Canadian Maple Syrup: Indigenous Knowledge and How to Make It - Then and Now

       Maple Syrup - Canada's Liquid Gold!

Early Signs of Spring  = 's  Sugaring off , March'ish!
Sugaring off is happening now (Feb & March) in Central and Eastern Canada, and even British Columbia - as we shift from winter into spring and the temperature rises. 

Ms. Ollinger's class called this time of year "Winspring" et la classe de Mme Valerie ils l'ont nommé cette fois "Prinver!"  Excellent/Excellente!

Beyond knowing that maple syrup is delicious, what else do you know about this amazing tree gift?

Heritage Minute: Syrup (1 min)
Aboriginals learned about this maple tree nectar 

& shared their knowledge with immigrants/settlers

CBC Archives shows the history of maple sugar production from Aboriginals to Canadian immigrants.

• The Legend of Chief Woksis
• Industrie du sirop d'érable Enclopedie Canadienne
• Maple Syrup Industry Canadian Encyclopedia 
• Wonderopolis:
• How Do You Tap a Maple Tree
• How Do Trees Make Sap
• A connection to French Toast - Where Does French Toast Come From?

QUEBEC:

Le goût et la couleur du sirop d'éreble? - UN CHEF À LA CABANE - Capsule - S8E079

(4:07)  (Discusses molecules!)

ONTARIO:

Ontario maple sugar producer: Fultons Pancake House & Sugar Bush, 
Pakenham, Ontario.  (5:35)




"Tap My Trees" aims to teach hobbyists and home schooling families how to make maple syrup.





"Tap My Trees" reviews the supplies you will need.

Faits de Le Sirop D’Érable / Maple Syrup Facts:

• Maple syrup is one of Canada's most popular commodities and accounts for 85% of the world's total supply (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) (Feb., 2016).
• Several Canadian provinces produce maple syrup; Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia account for most of Canada's maple syrup production. Maple festivals abound wherever syrup is made.  There are 17 syrup-producing states in the U.S. 
• The province of Quebec recognized as the leading producer of maple syrup worldwide
• Les Produits et le Terre D'Origine
• Histoire et Origines: La Légende de Nokomis
• SIROP D'ÉRABLE PUR : 60 ml (1/4 tasse) vs Sirop Habitant
  • Calories : 220
  • Glucides : 54 g
  • Sucres : 48 g
  • Riboflavine : 25 %
  • Manganèse : 15 %
  • Calcium, magnésium et zinc : 4 %
  SIROP HABITANT : 60 ml (1/4 tasse)
  • Calories : 213
  • Glucides : 53 g
  • Sucres : 47 g
  • Riboflavine : 0 %
  • Manganèse  : 0 %
  • Calcium, magnésium et zinc : 0 %
  
  "Comme on peut le constater, côté calories et sucres, ces deux produits sont très semblables. Toutefois, le sirop Habitant ne renferme ni vitamines ni minéraux.
  
  Liste d’ingrédients
  Si le sirop d’érable ne contient que du sirop d’érable, la liste d’ingrédients du sirop d’imitation s’allonge. Celle qui rassemble plusieurs ingrédients, dont le glucose-fructose, le sucre, le sirop de maïs et la cassonade, compte aussi des additifs, du colorant caramel et un arôme artificiel d’érable.
  
  Antioxydants? Indice glycémique plus faible? Rien ne s’applique à ce sirop d’imitation! Sans parler de la saveur qui ne rappelle en rien le délicieux sirop d’érable bien de chez nous! "(Source: Le Journal de Montréal)

Festival du Sucre D'Érable et Cabane à Sucre / Maple Syrup Festivals & Sugar Shacks - Fevrier et Mai / February-May

• Le Répertoire des Restaurateurs de Cabanes à Sucre du Québec - (avec une carte)
• New Brunswick
• Ontario

Poesie/Poem
"Maple Feast"
In the big-flaked sugar-snow
The crystal-gathering sledges go.


Stumbling through silver to my knees,
I shout among the maple trees,


Tilt gleaming buckets icy cold
Till I am full as I can hold


Of clear bright sap, until I feel
Like a maple tree from head to heel!


Then to the sugarhouse I run
Where syrup, golden as the sun,


Is boiling in the crisp march air.
And I, as daft as a baby bear,


Eat, till my buttons burst asunder
From maple sweetness, maple wonder!


By Frances Frost from Sing a Song of Seasons: Poems about Holidays, Vacation Days, and Days to go to School. (821.008 BRE)


RECETTES / RECIPES:

• Maple Butter, Blueberry Moose, Sugar Pie, Chocolate Maple Cake, Glaze for meat and fish
• Recettes par Maurice Jeanotte

Sirop D'Érable Maison (Francais) (3:06)

TEACHER RESOURCES:

• Spring - Ziigwan DVD, 10 mins (SSD0924, RSC)