November 2018 News

NOTE Our Off-Season Hours

After a fantastic 2018 maple season, the Pancake House Restaurant is now closed. The Maple Gift Shoppe remains open by appointment or chance.  Planning ahead? Call 613-256-3867 or email us at info@fultons.ca to set up a shopping date - we're always  happy to open the shoppe and help you find what you are looking for. 

Scribbles by Shirley

What is Fall? FALL = Colours, Football, Track & Field, Church Suppers, Fall Bazaars, Thanksgiving, Christmas Planning, and Spring Maple Season Planning & Preparation. 

Fall, what an amazing show of colours this year! Al and I wandered the backroads from Merrickville to Renfrew to Snow Road and everywhere in between. There were picture perfect colours around every corner! 

Our Grandboys love their sports and we experience all types of weather as we follow them around on game days-- hot summer days to very cold wet weather days. 

I am 'The Keeper' of family treasures, pictures and unending stories. This month I will not be doing a 'Looking Back' column. I am restarting the organizing of my family's multi- generational pictures and treasures. Boxes and boxes and bins and bins of wonderful memories that were carefully tucked away by my mother. Mom was such a great 'keeper' of the Fulton family history; pictures have names and years noted on the back of them and many are in albums by year (many others are loose in boxes!) and dozens of scrapbooks of world and family newspaper clippings. 

My Dad and Uncle Johnny left files and files of business treasures, invoices, tax bills, assessment notices, bank correspondence, some in files, others in boxes and loads more rolled into cylinders and tied with twine (these need to be flattened to be legible!). So bring on those snow days and miserable evenings as I have lots to keep me busy during 'bad' weather. Below are a couple of photos-- all that's missing is my cup of tea!

I look forward to spending time 'looking back' and immersing myself in family. I'm sure many forgotten stories will emerge.  All this is in preparation for our celebration of 50 Flippin' Years in the Pancake House in 2019. There will be a Staff Reunion on Sunday, February 17 starting at 3pm  for anyone who has worked at Fulton's, as well as some celebratory activities for visitors to Fulton's over the maple season. More details to follow.

Sweet maple wishes to you,

Shirley Fulton-Deugo

4th Generation Owner

Former Fulton's Staff- Save the Date!

Sunday, February 17, 2019, starting at 3pm (Family Day weekend)

Staff Alumni Reunion at Fulton's as part of the celebration of 50 Flippin' Years in the Pancake House. More information to come. Please plan to attend with your family. We have launched a Facebook page. If you are a former staff and would like to be on the distribution list, please send a message to marketing@fultons.ca. 

Corporate and Christmas Gift Orders

Corporate and Christmas orders are rolling in. We've had orders for more than 1500 single maple sugar candies and have been busy bees producing the candy and labelling it for delivery to clients. 

Looking for gift ideas for family, friends, employees or suppliers? Here are some Fulton's products to consider:

- 1L glass bottles of syrup (they fit perfectly into wine bags)

- 50ml or  250ml of syrup in a beautiful maple leaf shaped bottle

- Maple Sugar Candy, made on site in small batches

- An array of delicious Fulton's Gourmet products, also made on site (BBQ Sauce, Maple Mustard, Maple Butter, 5 types of Maple spices, Strawberry or Spiced Blueberry Jams and Chai Tea) 

- Maple Fudge and Maple Brittle

- Sugar Camp or Snow Maple Tea packaged in a nice gift tin

- Fulton's Maple Luscious Bath and Body Spa products (Maple Body Butter, Body Lotion or Polish, Shea Butter, Sugar Scrub, Lip Balm, Bath Salts, Travel Trios and soaps).  

We can put together custom baskets for individual gifts or to share in an office or group environment. It's not too late to order! Contact us at info@fultons.ca or 613-256-3867 to discuss. 

Finishing Up Fall Chores

The project to expand the tap lines for sap and increase Fulton's syrup production capacity is pretty much wrapped up. With winter fast approaching (and a couple of snowstorms under our belt already in October!) some of the Grands were recruited to help tidy up the area where a trench had to be dug to install some pipeline as well as the general area where our  customers walk around during the maple season. The property is looking shipshape and ready. 

Watson Pewter

Have you ever noticed the beautiful pewter ornaments and jewellery for sale in the Fulton's Maple Gift Shoppe?  Watson Pewter was started in 1972 by Gordon Watson as a hobby while he was in the Armed Forces.  After Gordon retired from the Army he took a two year pewter smith apprenticeship with Ivan Crowell in Fredericton, NB.  In 1980 Watson Pewter moved to Peterborough where the combined store / workshop operated downtown on Water Street until the end of 1997.  

Grant & Ruth Robinson (Gordon's daughter) bought the business in 1998 and work from their backyard workshop near Tweed.  While they don't sell from home, they attend craft shows and their work is available at parks, museums and gift shops mostly in Ontario.

They carve original designs, then molds are made so they can reproduce the designs by casting.  They then file, polish, solder (if needed) and clean the cast pieces.

Grant & Ruth both have a background in the natural resources field which is reflected in the Canadian wildlife /outdoor themes of their work. The most popular items are Christmas tree ornaments with the toboggan being the most popular ornament.  Customers seem to like designs that remind them of their own experiences from childhood, vacations or where they live. Each Watson Pewter item comes with a card which reads Handmade in Canada Since 1972.

What aspects do Grant and Ruth enjoy the most about their business?  Ruth shared with us that crafting items by hand, working with metal to make items that last, designing original items and working at their own business are the highlights. They are grateful for the support they get from customers choosing handmade in Canada. And Fulton's are proud to support this family-owned Canadian business! You can find Watson Pewter products for sale in person in the Fulton's Maple Gift Shoppe or through our online store.  

Recipe of the Month

Tangy Maple Meatballs

Fall has arrived and it's time to start cooking comfort food. We love these homestyle Tangy Maple Meatballs that have Fulton's Organic Maple Syrup in the sauce. You are likely to have most or all of the ingredients already on hand. Preparation and cooking times are minimal. Whip up a coleslaw (or purchase a pre-made bag of coleslaw mix at the grocery store) and you have a simple but hearty meal.The recipe makes enough for 6-8 people so you can feed a crowd or have leftovers the next day. 

Upcoming Local Events

Wednesday, November 14, 7pm - Book Launch for "Two Week Window: Living with Lyme and Thriving in Life" by local author Kristy Wood-Giles at the Mississippi Mills Public Library - Pakenham Branch - Meet Kristy and purchase her new book. 

Thursday, November 15, 5-9pm - Holiday Street Market, downtown Almonte- Kick off your holiday shopping with in-store specials, giveaways, demos, refreshments and fun. Don't forget to book dinner at one of the many restaurants before you spend your evening in the Almonte, the Friendly Town. You can find Fulton's products at Dandelion Food and Equator Coffee. 

Sunday, November 18, 2-4pm - Dessert Tea & Gift Basket Auction, St. Andrew's United Church, Pakenham- Many themed baskets to be auctioned off starting at 3pm. Proceeds to the Pakenham & District Civitan Club. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. 

Thursday, November 22, 6:30-8:30pm - 2nd Annual Ladies Night at Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm- An old fashioned evening of Christmas hospitality and warmth. The first 50 ladies will receive Swag Bags full of surprises donated by local businesses. Shop for a wide array of indoor and outdoor Christmas décor, handmade wreaths and gift ideas. Tantalize your taste buds with samples of maple treats. Lots of door prizes. More information to come in a separate newsletter. Mark the date now!

Saturday, November 24, 10am-5pm - 7th Annual Pakenham Country Christmas- Start the day with Breakfast with Santa, and then head down the street for Christmas baking, pony rides, festive carols, and the opportunity to pick up unique gifts for everyone on your list. Details here.