Signs of spring are everywhere and none more so than the slow and steady cleanup of the Sugar Camp and Sugar Bush. If you look closely, there is a tiny hint of tree buds about to make their entry and we can hear the “peepers” in neighbouring ponds and flooded areas as the frogs and toads awake after a long winter. All of these changes mean the sap changes too and becomes unpalatable. It’s time for us to leave the maple trees and let them focus on the nurture of their next step – beautiful foliage!
I am so grateful for the hard work of our beloved sugar bush and family that produced this year’s crop. They put in countless hours and very long nights to keep up with the sap that flowed into the camp. By the time you read this newsletter, I hope the cleanup is just about finished and everyone is taking a well-deserved rest.
What’s next
From my conversations with neighbouring producers, it looks like everyone has had a plentiful year. This is a huge relief after last year’s abrupt and sudden conclusion when temperatures rose into the mid 20s Celsius. That unusually hot summer-like weekend last spring was a cottager’s dream but a syrup producer’s nightmare! Thank you, Mother Nature, for gracing us this year with good weather conditions and bountiful production.
So what happens now, you ask? Well, effective Tuesday, April 19th, the trails are closed for safe pipeline cleanup, forest management and eventually the mosquitoes and black flies take over!
Many of our staff return to other jobs or school and our management team will meet to review the season and plan for next year.
We focus on our wholesale clients to be sure their shelves are well stocked. Production of our maple gourmet products, candy and Maple Luscious bath and body line continue but at a slower pace.
Our Maple Shop returns to off-season shopping hours on Tuesdays and Fridays only, between 10am – 3pm. Online orders can also be picked up during these times as well. Should these hours not coincide with yours, please check in with us for an alternate arrangement. We are a small team and do our best to accommodate, so please don’t hesitate to ask.
Scott and I along with everyone that is Team Awesome are especially thankful to our amazing customers, both new to us and those that visit year after year. After many pandemic interruptions, we finally felt like we were able to truly celebrate in person with you and your family this year. You embraced our changes, you encouraged us, you laughed with us and cheered us on. I hope you know how much everyone appreciated that wonderful support.
It will be much quieter now, but we already look forward to your visits to stop in and say hello, stock up and keep your pantries filled to the brim with all things maple. Your support of this business and those around us makes a huge difference.
Cheers to you! See you soon in the Maple Shop.
Shirley
