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March 2022

Spring is around the corner
It may seem like winter will never end but be assured that warmer weather is on its way! March 20 is the first day of spring which means an increasing amount of sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets.

Soon enough, our beaches will be covered in soft sand instead of white snow, and we'll be saying goodbye to our parkas and hello to paradise. Good vibes, good fun and breathtaking views are just around the corner.
Home is where the heart is
Durham Region is made up of many vibrant communities. Durham Tourism’s Durham is Home collection celebrates iconic locations and communities across the region, and their charm, quirk and notable features.

With 22 community designs on hoodies, t-shirts, hats, totes, wine glasses, coffee mugs and more, there's no shortage of ways to show off your love for Durham Region!

Proceeds from the sale of items that are earned by Durham Tourism will be invested into the recovery and restoration of our tourism industry to help promote the businesses, destinations and events that make Durham wonderful!

Shop our Durham is Home collection and share your community pride with us on social media using #DurhamIsHome.
Spectra announces Zamboni Experience
in Oshawa
Have you ever dreamed of driving the Zamboni? Well, this is your chance!

Spectra, operators of the Tribute Communities Centre, are excited to launch a Zamboni Experience at the Tribute Communities Centre.

The Zamboni Experience is a crash course in all things Zamboni, which includes an opportunity to take one for a spin on the ice. This one to one-and-a-half hour experience is designed for adults (18 years and older) with a valid driver's license to learn all about one of the most popular machines in the world, including how they operate, and how to drive them.
Culinary Corner: Featured Recipe
Durham Tourism, in partnership with local Chef Alex Page, will be sharing seasonal recipes to inspire you to try something different and support local farms.

This month’s recipe is: Smoked Turkey and Andouille Gumbo

What you’ll need:

For the stock:

  • 2 Pingle’s Farm Market Smoked Turkey Drum Stick
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and halved
  • 2 large carrots, cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 3 stocks of celery, cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 6 sprigs fresh parsley

For the gumbo:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 Max Meats Andouille Sausages (available at Trading Post Quality Foods), cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 yellow onions, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp dried onion flakes
  • 3 tbsp creole seasoning
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried red chili flakes
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Cooked white rice and thinly sliced green onions for serving

Cooking instructions:

  • Begin by making the smoked turkey stock. Place the turkey drumsticks, onion, carrots, celery and parsley in a large stock pot and cover with 12 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce to a simmer and simmer for 4-5 hours. Remove turkey legs and set aside. Strain stock and reserve. Once turkey legs are cool enough to handle, shred meat from the bones.
  • In a large stock pot, heat the butter over medium high heat. Add the andouille sausage and cook until golden brown, remove to a bowl. Add the oil and flour and cook while continuously whisking for 10 minutes, or until roux is deeply browned (slightly darker than peanut butter). Add in garlic, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic powder, dried onion flakes, creole seasoning, smoked paprika and chili flakes. Reduce heat to medium low and cook until vegetables have softened, about 8 minutes.
  • Add reserved smoked turkey stock, andouille and shredded turkey meat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, add Worcestershire sauce and simmer for about one hour, or until gumbo has slightly thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve over top of white rice and top with thinly sliced green onion.

Recipe serves eight.
Get to know the Underground Bake Shop
in Beaverton
By: Brent Colmer

The Underground Bake Shop started with entrepreneur Evelyn Pocock, who like many found herself graduating college during the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evelyn initially studied animal science and was working in the service industry at a café in Toronto. When she wasn’t studying or working, Evelyn found herself picking up the old hobby of baking, which she’s enjoyed since she was young. Friends and neighbours soon started looking to purchase baked goods and placing larger orders. At the start, all of the baking was done out of her basement apartment, literally underground—this is how the business name was born.


Spend March Break at Pickering Museum Village
‘Izzy and the Mystery at the Mill Drive Thru Tour is on from March 16 to 18 at Pickering Museum Village.

10-year old Izzy is the daughter of local constable, Charles Hadley. Set in 1830s Pickering, this drive-thru mystery experience is specifically for children (and the young at heart!) From your car, work together to help Izzy find clues to solve the mystery. Mr. Peak's freshly ground grain has gone missing at the local mill. It needs to be loaded on the next ship leaving the harbour! Can you help Izzy solve the mystery in time?

The program is done entirely from your car. The price is $20 per car, not per person, and the tour takes approximately 45 minutes.
Take a free self-guided hike through the sugarbush at Purple Woods
Purple Woods Conservation Area is offering a free maple syrup self-guided hike through their sugarbush. Discover the history of maple syrup and learn just how much sap goes into one litre of delicious maple syrup. Registration is required.
Cheers to St. Patrick's Day!
There are lots of reasons to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Maybe you’re Irish or just love the colour green. Perhaps you enjoy green beer or believe in the luck of a four-leaf clover. What ever your reason there are plenty of ways to celebrate in Durham Region!

Stop by The Crooked Uncle in Oshawa for some award-winning wings! If wings aren’t your thing, they have lots of other delicious dishes.

If you’re looking for an Irish atmosphere, Walsh’s The Snug in Newcastle is full of charm and character. For an authentic Irish experience, try the colcannon!

Live music is back, and The Doozies are playing at the Biltmore Theatre in downtown Oshawa on March 17. What a way to spend St. Patrick’s Day!

Want to catch the luck of the Irish? Roll the dice at Great Blue Heron Casino, Pickering Casino Resort or Casino Ajax.
March Break camp in the Township of Brock
The Township of Brock is providing a March Break Camp, as well March Break public skating. Register for junior camp (ages four to eight) or senior camp (ages nine to 12) for a week filled with fun and creative indoor and outdoor activities!
 
Follow the Township of Brock on Facebook for more updates!
What's happening in Clarington
There is plenty to do this March in the Municipality of Clarington!

Register for March Break Camp at Joey’s World from March 14 to 18. The camp includes use of all facilities including Joey’s World, Pinnacle indoor climbing, Skytrekking and Stoick Axe Throwing!

Bring out your inner artist and try art classes at A Gift of Art in Newcastle. A Gift of Art is a not-for-profit art gallery that is on a mission to boost the enjoyment of art locally. They offer art classes both in-person and virtually for all ages providing tips and tricks to bring out the artist in you.

Look for signs of spring on a walk through Bowmanville Creek or the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) trails.

Follow Clarington Tourism on Instagram for more of what’s happening in Clarington!
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture welcomes you back
The St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture in Ajax will be opening its doors and welcoming you back with a free concert from The Young Novelists—In City and Country on March 5.
For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism.