Local maple syrup producers (From Left) Jessie and Chris Armstrong of LOHA Farms, Ron Hubbs of Hubbs Sugar Bush and Sweet Water Cabin and Ryland and Dean Foster of Fosterholm Farms. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)
The sweetest time of the year is here. And, as it turns out, that timeworn phrase trumpeting the flowing of sap in early spring is especially relevant this year.
Local syrup producers gathered at the Fosterholm Farms sap house Friday morning to promote the weekend festival that celebrates both the making and the makers of County-made maple syrup.
They were pleased to report that last summer’s drought fostered a fine flow of the sweet stuff. Dean Foster, who has been boiling sap since February 21, noted the sugar content is as high as 2.8 per cent, well above average.
Dry conditions mean more transpiration. More starch stored in maple tree roots makes for sweeter sap.
“Last year we didn’t get over 2.4 per cent, so we already know we are going to have a really great product this season,” Mr. Foster told the members of the media, Mayor Steve Ferguson and Councillors Bill Roberts, Phil St-Jean and Sam Grosso at Maple in the County’s press launch.
The maple map is missing a few regular stops this year. Fosterholm Farms and Chris and Jessie Armstrong’s LOHA Farms on Luck’s Crossroad are the two official Maple In the County locations.
But the heavy snow in Ameliasburgh and a recent heart surgery mean Ron Hubbs and Sweetwater Cabin are on the bench this season. Mr. Hubbs attended the media event and showed off some pre-World War I-era maple sugar tools. In the olden days, when cane sugar wasn’t available, he said, maple sugar did the trick.
Mayor Steve Ferguson lauded the Armstrong and Foster families for carrying on the Maple in the County tradition and encouraged all local residents to get out and support one of our oldest agricultural traditions.
“It’s not easy work. I know sap season is also called the silly season, but it’s been an important part of Prince Edward County culture for several generations,” the mayor said. “Not many people understand the time and dedication that goes into syrup production, but I know everyone appreciates it once the finished product hits their lips.”
Meanwhile, the Sophiasburgh Rec Committe’s Maple Pub Night returns to the Town Hall Saturday, March 21. The evening of live music, libations and food features The Bush Pilots (Annelise Noronha, Lisa Bozikovic, Paul Lowman and Andrea Dawes and Heather Kirby with Jeremy Kelly) and the Sophiasburgh All Stars (Michael Farrell, Ben Vandergaast, and Art Woods).
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show kicks off at 8 p.m. Tickets and more information available here.
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