Category Archives: Maple Sap/Syrup

Vt holds meetings on maple grading

MONTPELIER — Maple syrup producers will get a chance to weigh in on whether Vermont should do away with the term fancy for its maple syrup.
The proposed changes to the maple grading system would unify the classification system across the United States and Canada.
Vermont’s syrup would go from Grade A Fancy to “Golden Delicate.” Grade A Medium Amber would be called “Amber Rich.”
Supporters say the new standards would give consumers a better description of what they’re buying.
Meetings are planned on Wednesday at the South Woodstock Fire Station and Thursday at the Lamoille Union Tech Center in Hyde Park. Both meetings start at 7 p.m.

Vermont touches down in Central Park

Snowboarding in June heat?

Only a team of Burton specialists and Smugglers’ Notch instructors could pull something like that off on a sweltering summer day in Central Park Saturday, and they did.

As crowds flooded Adventures NYC, a one-day outdoor activities festival, Vermont participants made a big impression, showing city dwellers how we have fun in the Green Mountains.  

“Dropping in!” yelled a little boy while launching off the mini table top, according to Sarah Neith of Ski Vermont.

  Burton Snowboard’s Riglet Park gave 3-6 year olds the opportunity to try snowboarding for the first time assisted by instructors from Smugglers’ Notch. It consisted of a faux snow track that zigzagged back and forth over rollers and other mini park features.

Snowboarding in June wasn’t the only activity to gain traction at the event. Park goers also had the opportunity to test out a mountain bike course set up by Vermont Mountain Bike Association, taste the delights of real Vermont maple syrup and Cabot cheddar cheese, and collect swag and win prizes from Ski Vermont and their resort members. Participants answered trivia about Vermont and ski resorts to win lift tickets and Burton backpacks.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better turn out,” said Neith, the VSAA director of public affairs. “The beautiful weather and promise of adventure brought the people of NYC flocking to the Vermont Adventure Center and their feedback and love of Vermont was touching.  So many gushed about how Vermont is a wonderful place to take their families and how welcoming our communities and businesses are to our guests.”

The Vermont Adventure Center at Adventures NYC consisted of Ski Vermont, along with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Burton Snowboards, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association and Vermont Maple Foundation. The Vermont presence was completed by the neighboring Cabot Creamery Coop, who hosted community tours and taste tests, including cheddar smores.

Police seek sap vandals

TOPSHAM — Vermont State Police say someone opened a valve on a holding tank and dumped about 4,000 gallons of maple sap on the ground in Topsham.
State police said about 50 gallons of gasoline also had been stolen from a fuel tank at the maple sugaring operation run by Michael Emerson. The vandalism happened over the weekend.
Emerson is offering a cash reward. The amount was not disclosed.