This energetic
shift causes many celebrations worldwide. In fact, many countries have been
celebrating this time of year for centuries. For example, in
Switzerland they are so ready to be done with the dark days of winter, they
burn a snowman on a stick as soon as the first flower pops its pedals from the
fresh earth.
In Japan, people
welcome spring by hosting parties under the trees of the famous cherry
blossoms. They even pay attention to a “bloom forecast” so they can make their
plans of festivity.
Large groups of
people will travel to a town in Bosnia, for the "Festival of Scrambled
Eggs”. In this city, scrambled eggs are cooked in huge pots and handed to all
who have come to celebrate -for free. Much like Easter here in the U.S. the egg
symbolizes new life and the birth of a new season.
Then of course, we have Easter here in the U.S. which,
depending upon your personal perspective, either includes bonnets and a sunrise
service or Easter Bunny and chocolates. Both ways are definitely fun - but here
in New England, its people have their own copyright on the celebration of
spring by reveling in sugar maple sap.
After the trees have been tapped and the sugary goodness
drips from the bark (when the daytime temperatures rise above freezing and
nighttime temperature fall below freezing) - this not only produces that auburn
liquid we all love, but it brings the community together to embrace the days in
front of us.
This natural miracle food is worth the celebrations that
will occur this weekend at various farms in the Windham and Raymond Communities.
There will be plenty of “Maine
Maple Weekend” activities such as
games, treats, pancakes, sugarbush tours, music, and animals to visit; all
providing relief from a long, dark and cold winter. (Be sure to check out pages 12-13 in our print edition to find a farm
location near you.)
How sweet it is -
that first taste of spring and, how much sweeter to celebrate - Maine style!
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