Turning sap to syrup at Audubon

Guests learned how to make maple syrup March 16.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Turning sap to syrup at Audubon

SHARON — Visitors to Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon Saturday, March 16, took walking tours, stocked up on baked treats, and got a look at how maple syrup is made.

Wendy Miller, who is the education program manager at Sharon Audubon, was alone in the sugar shack waiting for the first group of visitors.

She fed logs into the large, wood-fired apparatus and asked a visitor, “Is it steamy enough in here?”

It was. The first group filed in, blinking a bit at the clouds of fragrant steam issuing from the bubbling sap.

Miller explained how maple sap is turned into maple syrup. It takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to get a gallon of syrup, she explained: “All we need to do is boil it. It turns into syrup by itself.”

The goal is to get the sap, which is 3% sugar, to turn into syrup — at 67% sugar — so the sugarers need to be on their toes.

If it boils too long, the result is solid and granular, definitely palatable but not practical if you’re thinking about pouring it on pancakes or waffles.

When the syrup reaches a temperature of 219 degrees Fahrenheit, it is almost finished. A hydrometer is then used to determine the sugar content.

If that is satisfactory, the almost-syrup is processed through a press that has seven filters, to remove what is known as “sugar sand” — minerals, mostly, plus any bugs that eluded previous screenings.

Latest News

Donald Terance Martin

NORTH CANAAN — Dr.f Donald Terance “Doc” Martin, 86, of North Canaan, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at his home in North Canaan, which was his last wish. Dr. Martin was a dentist in Canaan, retiring in 2014. He served the community and their needs whether they could pay or not, and at all hours of the day and night. They do not make men like Don “Doc” Martin anymore.

Born on Aug. 27, 1938 in Walla Walla, Washington, he was the youngest of George T. and Anna Mae (McGrath) Martin’s eight children. Don proudly served in the US Navy with the Seabees during the Vietnam War. He adopted the Seabee’s “Can Do” attitude that served him for the rest of his life. Don married Lynne Horner in 1964.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Winter to celebrate the winter solstice at Saint James Place

The Paul Winter Consort will perform at St. James Cathedral in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Saturday, Dec. 21.

Photo by Matthew Muise

Seven-time Grammy winning saxophonist Paul Winter, with the Paul Winter Consort, will return to celebrate the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 21, with sold out shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

A uniquely intimate solstice celebration, in contrast to the large-scale productions done for many years in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, it promises to deliver everything audiences have come to love and expect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Developers withdraw application to expand Wake Robin Inn

Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.

Photo by John Coston

LAKEVILLE — Aradev LLC has withdrawn its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a special permit to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn.

In a letter submitted to P&Z Chair Michael Klemens on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 17, law outfit Mackey, Butts & Whalen LLP announced its client’s withdrawal.

Keep ReadingShow less
North Canaan antique mall fills resale niche

The 403 Group is located at 403 Ashley Falls Road, where the old This N’ That for Habitat used to be.

Photo by Robin Roraback

NORTH CANAAN — The 403 Group Antique Market is “A hidden secret, a little off the beaten path, but worth the drive,” said Carey Field, who has a booth called “Wild Turkey” there.

“It’s a really fun group of dealers,” Field said. “A really eclectic group of antiques and the prices are reasonable.”

Keep ReadingShow less