Maple Syruping is Part Of Geauga`s Heritage

Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, March 3, 2016
MARCH 5-6, 12-13, 19-20
Maple Syruping is Part
Of Geauga’s Heritage
BY JOHN KARLOVEC
[email protected]
Les Ober is considered by many to be
Geauga County’s leading expert in maple
production. The Ohio State University
Extension agent is a fourth generation
Newbury Township maple producer who has
been making syrup for most of his life.
Ober and Judy Barnhart of the Geauga
Park District will host “Maple 101” on
March 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the park
district’s Swine Creek Reservatio, 16004
Hayes Road, Middlefield Township.
The workshop will include a slide show,
demonstrations and a walk to the park’s sugarhouse to see the maple sugaring process
in action.
According to Ober, Geauga County is the
largest maple producing county in Ohio,
making about 25,000 gallons of the sweet
stuff every year. About 60 percent of the
state’s maple production comes from
Northeast Ohio, which produces about
150,000 gallons annually.
In comparison, Vermont makes between
500,000 and a million gallons, followed by
New York, Maine and Wisconsin, with
Pennsylvania not far behind.
“Maple syrup is unique to North
America, which makes 100 percent of the
world’s supply,” Ober said. “Forty percent
comes from the U.S. and 60 percent from
Canada.”
Technological advances in collection
methods, such as tubing and check valve
taps, have resulted in expansion of the
industry, but it’s possible for backyard hobbyists to make their own maple products,
using either the newer equipment or custom
designing their own.
“Backyard producers are doing a fabulous job making syrup,” Ober said.
The season depends on the weather, but
typically runs from mid-February to early
April. Ober said the season ends when the
leaves start coming out.
“The sap will start to smell. You’ll know
it,” Ober said. “It’s usually the end of March
or the first part of April. We usually say
when the peepers come out and sing three
times, the season’s over.”
Syrup production is best during freezethaw-freeze-thaw conditions.
Ober said it costs about $570 for someone to start their own maple syrup production with 25 or fewer taps. He estimated
that someone tapping 75 trees will pay
about $2,075 to get started, and about
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Geauga County Maple Leaf
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MARCH 5-6, 12-13, 19-20
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Thursday, March 3, 2016
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It’s Pancake Time: Local Groups Host Breakfasts
American Legion Post 459
Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post
459 is serving all-you-can-eat pancake and
sausage breakfasts March 6, 13 and 20, from
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at 14052 Goodwin St. in
Burton. Call Ron at 440-343-1478 for prices.
AVFD Pancake Breakfasts
Auburn Volunteer Fire Department is
holding its annual buttermilk, blueberry and
buckwheat pancake breakfast with sausage
March 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the
Auburn Fire Department, 10950 E.
Washington St., Auburn Township. Cost is $8
for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children.
Firefighters will be in attendance to
answer questions and hand out goodies.
There will also be opportunities to see and
learn about the fire equipment.
For more information, call Fire Chief
John Phillips at 440-343-0064.
Bainbridge Clubs Breakfasts
The Bainbridge Civic and Bainbridge
Women’s clubs will hold their annual all-youcan-eat pancake breakfasts for the public at
Kenston High School in Bainbridge Township
on March 6 and 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guests will be seated and waited on by members of the clubs.
The menu features blueberry, buttermilk
and buckwheat pancakes, french toast,
sausage, Geauga County maple syrup, juice,
milk and coffee. The cost is $8 for adults, $7
for seniors and $4 for children 4-12.
Children 3 and under are free.
Tours of the high school will again be
provided. Please bring can goods to help
supplement the Bainbridge Food for Friends
pantry shelves in time for Easter.
Proceeds will benefit local charities,
organizations and scholarship funds.
BMR Pancake Breakfasts
Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club is serving its all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts
March 6, 13 and 20 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at Berkshire High School, 14510 Main St.,
Burton.
Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 4-10
and free for children 3 and under.
Four different types of omelets can be
added to the breakfasts. Omelet with pancakes is $11.
For information, visit www.burton middlefieldrotary.com.
Geauga Co. Historical Society
The Geauga County Historical Society
will hold its annual all-you-can-eat pancake
breakfasts March 6, 13 and 20 and April 3
and 10, from 9 am. to 2 p.m., in the Lennah
Bond Activities Center on the grounds of
Century Village Museum in Burton. Enjoy
fresh maple syrup produced from the
Society’s sugarhouse.
Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-12
and free for children 4 and under.
For more information or group reservations, call 440-834-1492.
Pancakes At Hambden Grange
Hambden Grange 2482 is serving an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast on March 13,
from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults
and $3 for children 10 and under. The
Grange is at 9778 Old State Road, Chardon.
Newbury Kiwanis Pancakes
The Newbury Area Kiwanis Club will
serve all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast every
Sunday in February at Newbury High School
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children
ages 3-12. Donations accepted for the local
food bank.
Parkman Chamber Breakfasts
Parkman Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 48th annual all-you-can-eat pancake
and sausage breakfasts March 6, 13 and 20,
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Parkman
Community House, 16295 Main Market.
Breakfast is served on real plates.
The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children
and free for preschoolers.
Adult takeouts are available, as well as
sausage patties to purchase and take home.
VFW Pancake Breakfasts
Chardon VFW Post 6519 will hold pancake breakfasts ever y Sunday through
March 20 from 8 a.m. to noon. The post is
located at 752 Water St., across from Sage’s
Apple Fruit Farm.
WG Kiwanis Pancakes
Kiwanis of West Geauga is holding its
63rd annual pancake breakfasts March 6, 13
and 20, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of the West Geauga High School, 13401
Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.
The menu features all-you-can-eat buttermilk, blueberry, buckwheat and chocolate
chip pancakes, french toast and sausage.
Cost is $7.50 for adults and $4 for children. Early bird special is from 8-9 a.m.
Kiwanis welcomes organizations and
individuals who would like to volunteer at
the breakfasts.
For information or to volunteer, call 440221-0112.
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, March 3, 2016
MARCH 5-6, 12-13, 19-20
For more information visit www.ohiomaple.org or 440-834-1415
Ashtabula County
CAMP WHITEWOOD • Saturday, March 5 & 12 Only, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All-you-can-eat country breakfast (fee applies). Maple Madness at
Camp Whitewood free. Sugaring tour and hayride. The camp is located
south of Mayfield Rd (U.S. 322) at 7983 S. Wiswell Rd, Windsor. Visit
ww.4hcampwhitewood.com.
ROCK CREEK MAPLE • Saturday, March 5 & 12 Only
This three-family sugaring operation has 2,000 taps, a modern sugarhouse with reverse osmosis and a state-of-the-art evaporator. Maple
products for sale. The sugarbush is located at 8242 Fenton Rd,
Colebrook Township, south of Mayfield Rd on left. This is an Amish sugaring operation.
Geauga County
BURTON LOG CABIN & SUGAR HOUSE • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 &
20, 26 & 27, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For over seven decades, the Burton Chamber of Commerce has
operated this working sugarhouse. Watch syrup and maple candy being
made. The Burton Sugar House is located at the Burton Log Cabin at
the south end of Burton Village Square, 14590 East Park St. Visit
www.burtonchamberofcommerce.org.
BELEW FAMILY’S MESSENGER CENTURY FARM • March 12 & 13, 19 & 20
This family has been carrying on the Messenger tradition for more
than 150 years. A 1905 farm building was partially turned into a “green”
sugarhouse in 2009. Enjoy samples, historic pictures and farm stories.
The sugarhouse is at 17098 Messenger Rd in Auburn Township, just two
miles northwest of routes 422 and 44. Email [email protected].
MA & PA’S SUGAR SHACK • March 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pa will hitch up the horses at noon and 2 p.m. and show visitors
how sap is gathered the old fashioned way. Join the fun in the gift shop
in an 1820s moved and restored log cabin. Sample maple candy, coffee and other tasty treats. Ma & Pa’s is located at 15161 Main Market
Rd (U.S. 422) near Burton in Troy Township, just two miles east of Route
700 and two miles west of Route 528. Visit www.maandpas.com.
JAMES MILLER FAMILY’S SUGAR VALLEY MAPLE • March 12 & 19 Only
Award-winning operation with sugarhouse set back in woods. Sit
around the fireplace and watch as award-winning maple candy and maple
cream is made. Tour the sugarbush set in the woods. Purchase syrup in
gallons, half-gallons, quarts, pints and half-pints. Located at 15771
Chipmunk Lane, off Georgia Rd between Tavern Rd (Route 168) and Old
State Rd (Route 608), and south of Route 87, between White Road and
Lake St. This is an Amish sugaring operation. Visit [email protected].
DANIEL BYLER FAMILY’S MAPLE HILL FARM • March 5 & 12 Only
This is a fourth-generation maple syrup producer. Sap is collected
with horse-drawn wagons and there are 1,000 taps on buckets and tubing. This is an Amish sugaring operation. The farm is located at 15658
Burton Windsor Rd in Middlefield Township, just east off of Old State Rd
(Route 608) and north of Middlefield Village.
VALLEY VIEW SUGARHOUSE • March 14 & 21 Only
This is an Amish sugaring operation located at 15920 Burton
Windsor Rd in Middlefield.
GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT’S SWINE CREEK RESERVATION
Explore the sugarbush and learn maple history on interpretive trail,
from noon to 4 p.m., with costumed guides. Join sap gathering, as horses return to pull the sap cart. Entertainment and maple treats in lodge.
Swine Creek is located at 16004 Hayes Rd in Middlefield Township,
east of Middlefield Village and 1.5 miles south of Route 87. Visit
ww.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
GROSSMAN BROTHERS MAPLE PRODUCTS • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13,
19 & 20, 26 & 27 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a modern sugaring operation in a heavy timber-frame sugarhouse. There are 500-plus taps on tubing with a vacuum and a 3x12
wood-fired evaporator. Grossman’s is located at 12147 Claridon-Troy Rd
in Claridon Township, just north of Mayfield Rd (U.S. 322). Easy access,
call 440-231-5647.
GEAUGA COUNTY MAPLE FESTIVAL SUGARHOUSE • Sundays, March
6, 13, & 20, noon to 4 p.m.
The ceremonial tapping of Chardon’s first maple tree of the maple
season happens at 1pm March 6. Sugarhouse also open on Sundays in
March from noon to 4 p.m. for maple stirs (closed Easter). The sugarhouse is located on historic Chardon Square, at the intersection of
routes 6 and 44. Visit ww.maplefestival.com.
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RICHARDS MAPLE PRODUCTS • March 12 & 13, 19 & 20
Richards Maple Products has been serving the local maple industry
for over 100 years. The maple gift shop has samples, samples and more
samples! Richards offers fresh maple syrup, maple candies, maple cotton
candy, maple spread, maple coated nuts and many more maple items.
See maple candy demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 12 &
19, and visit a 1930s operating sugarhouse. It’s located at 545 Water St.,
off of Route 6 in Chardon. Visit www.richardsmapleproducts.com.
SALO MAPLE PRODUCTS • March 12 & 13 Only
This small producer has years of experience and a 15 acre operation of 600 taps. Maple nuts, candy, and syrup available. Salo’s is located at 16434 Leggett Rd in Montville Township, between routes 528
and 86, just north of Route 6. Call 440-759-9945.
K-C MAPLE SYRUP • March 12 & 13 Only
This is a backyard operation using a wood-fired evaporator. Free
samples. First-place winner 2010 Geauga County Maple Festival syrup
competition. Located at 16350 Hart Rd in Montville Township, between
routes 528 and 86, just north of Route 6. Easy access – handicapped
accessible; need boots for woods. Visit [email protected].
PLEASANT VALLEY VIEW FARM • Saturday, March 12 & 19 Only
Excellent backyard operation with buckets and tubing, with easy
access to sugarhouse. Maple syrup for sale in a variety of glass containers and plastic jugs. The sugarhouse is at 8810 Madison Rd (Route
528) in Montville. Call 440-667-7363.
Lake County
LAKE METRO PARKS FARMPARK • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A modern sugaring operation with buckets, tubing and sugaring displays. Maple syrup and candy samples available. Pancake breakfast
served in the café (fee). The Farmpark is at 8800 Euclid-Chardon Road
(Route 6) in Kir tland. There is an admission charge. Visit
www.lakemetroparks.com.
CROSS BROTHERS’ MAPLE • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Family-run sugarhouse with 600 taps on vacuum tubing and buckets.
Maple syrup samples; maple products for sale. Short walk required to sugarhouse. Check Cross Brothers Maple Facebook page for daily updates and
weekend specials. The sugarhouse is located at 1330 N. County Line Rd in
Madison, 2.5 miles north of
Route 20.
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Portage County
CASH FARMS PURE MAPLE SYRUP • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20
This is a first-generation sugaring farm with the sugarhouse built in
2008. Enjoy a pancake breakfast all day (small fee) and wagon rides
through the sugar bush 10a.m., 1p.m., 4p.m. Pure maple syrup, candies, popcorn, and maple bacon donuts. Located at 7057 Virginia Rd
in Atwater Township. From Kent/Ravenna, take I-76 to Exit 43 (Route
14). Go east on Route 14 for 14.5 miles, turn right on Route 183 for 6.5
miles and then left on Virginia Rd for .5 miles. Call 330-281-8530.
GOODELL FAMILY FARM • Sundays, March 6, 13, 20 from 8:30a.m. to 2 p.m.
Award-winning maple syrup is produced on this certified organic
farm. Started in 1825, seven generations have established this maple
sugar farm. Goodell Family Farm Pancake Breakfast serving pancakes
and sausage 8:30a.m. – 2 p.m. (fee) at Shalersville Town Hall (Routes
44 & 303). The farm is located at 10220 Peck Rd (Route 167) just off
Goodell Rd. in Mantua.
Trumbull County
HOPEWELL SUGARHOUSE • Saturdays, March 5, 12, 19 & 26
A therapeutic community where residents help collect sap for traditional sugaring operation. Wagon rides to sugarhouse, maple syrup to
sample and purchase. Shop in the unique Farm & Craft Market.
Located at 9637 Route 534 in Mesopotamia, 1.5 miles north of Route
87. Visit our facebook page hopewell.tc.
TWO TREES SYRUP • Saturdays, March 5, 12, 19 & 26
A new sugarhouse that’s part of a family operated business using
all natural and USA-made products for sale. Sample ice cream. Located
at 8488 State St. in Kinsman, 100 yards south of Route 87 and State
Street intersection on east side of State Street. Call 330-282-2461.
SUTTON SUGARHOUSE • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Three generations work this 60-year family sugaring operation with 5,000
taps. Paved easy parking. The sugarhouse is at 6200 Goff Court in Kinsman
Village. Take State St off Kinsman Rd (Route 87) south to Goff Court.
MCDIVITT FAMILY MAPLE • March 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free coffee and syrup samples, Candy and gift baskets in the store.
Located at 3930 Herr-Fieldhouse Rd, Southington; take Route 422E to
Liebyosbourne Rd to dead end turn right onto Herr-Fieldhouse Rd.
Geauga County Maple Leaf
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All About Maple Syrup
Do you love maple syrup and want to
know more about it?
Have you ever wondered what it would
take to make your own maple syrup?
If so, the “All About Maple Syrup” workshop will touch upon both areas: What you
should know as a consumer of maple syrup
and how to make your own, even if you only
have a few maple trees.
Join Les Ober, agriculture and natural
resources coordinator at The Ohio State
University Extension Office in Geauga
County, to explore the history, tradition and
modern methods of making maple syrup,
“why sap happens” and what syrup grades
are best to use for various applications.
The program will conclude with the
basics of how to make maple syrup and protect your valuable trees.
The workshop will be held in the new
Working Woods at The Holden Arboretum,
9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, on March 19,
from 9 a.m. to noon.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for
non-members. Registration required.
For more information, call 440-946-4400.
JOHN KARLOVEC/KMG
Sister Julie Boehnlein, an Ohio certified volunteer naturalist with the Geauga Park District,
demonstrates how to use a hydrometer during last year’s “Maple 101” workshop. A hydrometer is used to measure the density of maple syrup at specific temperatures.
Syrup
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$4,750 for 100 taps or more.
He compares it to the cost of gym memberships or other family hobbies.
Ober said tapping a tree does no harm to
it — if it is done correctly — and may even
contribute to lengthening the tree’s lifespan.
“One of our main goals is to identify the
remaining old family-owned sugar bushes in
the county and to preserve them for future
generations,” Ober said. “If you tap them,
you help preserve them. It may give you
some income, and you may qualify as an
agricultural use and get a tax reduction.
“It’s so important to preserve our sugar
bushes because they are very valuable to
Geauga County, to our history and to our
heritage, which goes deep here,” he concluded. “We want to preserve this heritage for
future generations.”