Hundreds of families celebrated new and old traditions Easter Monday by enjoying a pancake breakfast at the Wheelers Pancake House. Started in 1978 by Vernon and Judy Wheeler in McDonald’s Corners, about 100 kilometres east of Ottawa, it remains a family business and operated by their four children and ten grandchildren. More than 40,000 maple trees make syrup at Wheelers and is one of the largest producers in Ontario. “Our main goal here is to make exceptional maple syrup but also share that with the world,” says Tracy Wheeler. Serving nearly 900 people a day, Wheeler says it’s amazing to be part of people’s family traditions. Seth and Janine Oduro drove 90 minutes with their two children to enjoy some pancakes for Easter Monday. “We’re just here to eat breakfast. We don’t come every year to Wheelers but we usually pick one of the sugar bushes to come and have breakfast as a family,” says Janine Oduro. The family says the drive is worth it. “We love it. It’s a nice break from our regular routine. We love pancakes so what a nice day to be out as a family and enjoy pancake and chat,” says Seth Oduro. It’s the time of year when the temperature starts to get above freezing, when the sap starts running. “It’s been a really good season. More traditional,” said Tracy Wheeler. “With a start in early March, the sap started running and right now, we’re at about a litre per tap. That’s the goal. Anything after now is just extra. It’s been a really good season.” Other than pancakes, there’s also the Maple Heritage Museum, which holds a Guinness World Record for having the largest collection of maple syrup artifacts. “I’m here for my birthday today, I’ve never been to Wheelers Pancake House, so we thought we’d come here as a family for my birthday and celebrate,” says Tracy McCleery. People can also grab maple taffy on snow and take some maple syrup for pancakes and baking at home. Maple tapping season ends around mid-April.
