The maple
trees in and around Columbia County not only provide great shade and beautiful
autumn color but come mid-February, precious sap. And that, all you pancake
lovers, means pure sweet maple syrup. We know that includes all of us at The
Inn, Farmhouse and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill!
trees in and around Columbia County not only provide great shade and beautiful
autumn color but come mid-February, precious sap. And that, all you pancake
lovers, means pure sweet maple syrup. We know that includes all of us at The
Inn, Farmhouse and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill!
Maple trees
are native to North America and we have the Native Americans to thank for
uncovering their sweet side. To make syrup, producers select maples that are
10” in diameter or larger (around a 20-year-old tree), drill a small hole into
the trunk and insert a small spout to collect the sap. Because sap is nearly
98% water, it is immediately heated until it reaches 7 degrees above the
boiling point. This process evaporates some of the water as it thickens the
sap, making it sweeter. It’s a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, using
40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!
are native to North America and we have the Native Americans to thank for
uncovering their sweet side. To make syrup, producers select maples that are
10” in diameter or larger (around a 20-year-old tree), drill a small hole into
the trunk and insert a small spout to collect the sap. Because sap is nearly
98% water, it is immediately heated until it reaches 7 degrees above the
boiling point. This process evaporates some of the water as it thickens the
sap, making it sweeter. It’s a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, using
40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!
Visitors can
learn about this process first-hand at two open houses being held at the
Montour Environmental Education Center in Danville. Following a free two-hour
program, which includes a film on the cultural and natural history of sugaring,
visitors can take a short walk to the Sugar Shack to see the process at
work—and enjoy some sweet sights and smells.
learn about this process first-hand at two open houses being held at the
Montour Environmental Education Center in Danville. Following a free two-hour
program, which includes a film on the cultural and natural history of sugaring,
visitors can take a short walk to the Sugar Shack to see the process at
work—and enjoy some sweet sights and smells.
Montour
Environmental Education Center
Environmental Education Center
700 Preserve
Road, Danville
Road, Danville
Saturdays,
February 28 and March 8, 2015
February 28 and March 8, 2015
Programs at
12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Outdoor
demonstrations from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
demonstrations from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Maple
products will be available for purchase.
products will be available for purchase.
For a maple
experience with some tasty brew included, check out the Old Forge BrewingCompany’s week-long Maple Fest, March 3-8, 2015. Maple-inspired foods will be featured and a new beer, Mable Nut Brown Ale, will be tapped, with fifty cents of each pint sold donated to the Montour Preserve. Also scheduled: a tapping class on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Old Forge
Brewing Company
Brewing Company
298 Mill
Street, Danville
Street, Danville
570-275-8151
Plan to stay
at The Inn, Farmhouse and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill before and after your
tour—we’re conveniently located to all the activities. As a bonus, you just
might get to taste how delicious that syrup is on our homemade pancakes or
French toast!
at The Inn, Farmhouse and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill before and after your
tour—we’re conveniently located to all the activities. As a bonus, you just
might get to taste how delicious that syrup is on our homemade pancakes or
French toast!