One of my fondest memories as a teenager was working for a neighbor in his woods gathering sap to make maple syrup. This began first with “tapping” maple trees using a hand-drill and hammering in metal spigots (aka taps) on which we hung special metal buckets which had lids to keep out moisture and debris. Some trees on the smaller side only required one tap, while bigger ones could handle more. There was a lot of snow that particular winter, and we had to do some serious wading during our first attempts to reach the … Read More
It is that time of year to begin harvesting the sweet bounty of the woodlands
By: Tom Lounsbury. Foreward : By: Rebecca Morgan: “It’s a spring thing” Cool, wet, muddy, but with anticipation of nicer days ahead…. That’s the nostalgia I’d feel every year as we’d approach sap season. My dad tapped trees for many years with the help of family and friends, bringing people together during a time of year when winter is getting old and summer can’t seem to come soon enough. Gradually, my brother Craig took the reins of the operation, keeping our families well supplied with this delectable treat. Our family might be described as bonafide … Read More