It’s the eighth season for the Secord family corn maze just north of Dauphin and what's unique about this corn maze are the farm animals that have unique stories. Shelley Secord is putting her love for animals, storytelling, and community into action. Already known for the corn maze that she and her husband, Allen, build each autumn drawing people from across the region, Shelley has written children books to share their farm animals' stories. "We have some really interesting little characters around here as far as animals," shares Secord. "My mother-in-law said something that I always took to heart ... she said every animal - it didn't matter if it was a pig or a chicken or a cow - if you watch them, paid attention to them, they all have their own personality. And you can really see that! And so, the critters that we have around here, they've all got some interesting stories about how they got here." "Last year I wrote a story about our goat Flash, who started off his life literally as a house goat and then he had some tough times happen, and then he came here," explains Secord. "And Slash is, he just loves people. He loves kids. He likes to be the center of attention. And so, I wrote a story about what happened to him and how he got here." "So, it's kind of a story about how you should never give up, that things are going to turn around," she says. This year, Secord wrote a story about their two cattle, Sonny the steer, and Cher the heifer calf, that have become the best of buddies. "They each had rough beginnings and hard times, and then they came here and they found each other and they're the best of friends," she explains. "They don't go anywhere separately. And so, I wrote a little story about them. And yeah, it's fun! I love to do that!" The 2 story books are available at the Secord farm and folks can meet Sonny & Cher and Slash, and all the other farm animals that are sure to bring smiles to all ages. Secord says she takes the winter months to write her children's stories and tries to have a message behind her writing. "I just kind of thought that, even though they're just like goats and cows, they do have inspirational stories behind what has happened to them in their life, so I wrote little stories about them for kids," she says. "So, the cool thing is they can come here, and they can meet the animals!" "I generally bring Slash the goat out into the common area, and he gets all the attention. And they get to feed Sonny & Cher and meet them and so it's kind of neat right? They're not only going to say, 'look there's a cow,' but they get a little, story behind it. And maybe there's something in their life that it helps them with, knowing that there's another creature out there that's also had a similar experience. So yeah, that's what they're about." Secord says she has great fun designing their 5-acre corn maze, with each year's theme being something different. The maze also features theme-based games throughout the pathways, and in the common area, giving folks a real hands-on experience. This year's theme is all about hockey and yes, the Stanley Cup has been cut into the corn maze, believe it or not! "I like the planning part and the building part of all the games," she says. "And then of course, when all the people come that's like the grand finale or the icing on the cake, right? All these people come out and I get to chat with them. And then because we do things the way we do, like when we're trickling people in, we sort of get a chance to maybe have a little, bit of a visit with folks, you know? And so, it's just really fun. I love every part about it!" For more information and to book your own special group tour, visit the Secord Corn Maze website HERE and Facebook HERE! Don't forget to say hello to the precious farm animals on the Secord family farm!