January 30, 2016
The sap is flowing! Unseasonably warm weather days has brought an early start to the 2016 sugaring season. Mike has the first batch of maple syrup bottled and ready for some sour dough pancakes!
Maple Sugaring
is a New England tradition with roots tracing back to the native woodland
people who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. Before
the arrival of our European ancestors, the Algonquin speaking people, native to New
England, enjoyed and revered the rich abundant forests and plentiful lakes,
streams, and ocean waters that Mother Earth bestowed upon them. For more about Native American legends surrounding the maple tree, follow this link.
Native American Maple Tree MythologyAs Americans, we observe Thanksgiving every year on the last Thursday in November, but the Pokanoket people celebrated many Thanksgivings, including the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1620. Celebrations of Thanksgiving took place throughout the year in harmony with the changing seasons.
The first of six
Thanksgivings celebrated began in late February or early March with the
Maple Dance, giving thanks to the Creator for the maple trees and the flow of
sap to make syrup. For more information about Native American Thanksgivings follow this link Thanksgiving
Native
Americans taught their craft to the Pilgrims and the art of making maple sugar
continues to this day all across New England, including at our home.
A steady flow
of sap seeps from sugar maple trees during the warmer days of late February and
early March making it the perfect time for tapping the trees to make maple
syrup. With the weather conditions just right, cold
nights and warmer days, this year is starting out to be a great year for
producing lots of maple syrup.
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| Tap in Tree |
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| Path to the Maple Tree |
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| Sap Flowing From Tap |
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| Sap Flowing into Buckets |
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| Boiling the Sap |
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| Starting to Get Some Color! |
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| Finished Product! |
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| Official Sugar Maker! |
For information about demonstrations on making maple syrup visit the Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association's Facebook page Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association
or Davell's Farm.
Charlene Baer
© 2013 by Charlene Baer & Track My Kin
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