A variety of maple products were available for sale at Sweetrees Maple Products on March 24 during the second annual SAPpening event held in Berkshire. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The second annual SAPpening run/walk took place in Berkshire, N.Y. on March 24.
In partnership with the Newark Valley Chamber of Commerce, visitors enjoyed a pancake breakfast at the Berkshire fire station, a craft fair at the neighboring Community Hall, family activities at the Berkshire Free Library and a tour of a working sugarhouse at Sweetrees Maple Products.
According to auxiliary members who hosted the morning meal, more than 160 people were served, and many arrived early to get fueled-up with pancakes and rich, locally-made maple syrup before taking off on the run/walk. And, as a special surprise, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies mascot stopped by for a meet-and-greet.
A noncompetitive family fitness activity, the one-mile run/walk drew about 40 participants. Ruth Beasley, of Sweetrees Maple Products, a retired physical education teacher, launched the run/walk event.
Happy visitors leave Sweetrees Maple Products in Berkshire, N.Y. following a tour. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Ruth remarked, “Last year about twenty people did the SAP run, and I’m happy to see the number double this year.”
Sweetrees, located at 761 Glen Rd. in Berkshire, donated their own locally-made maple syrup for the pancake breakfast, and then opened their sugarhouse for tours.
The varying weather was a factor for maple syrup production this season, but the Beasley’s have been pleased with the results.
Dan Beasley chuckled, “Every year is different, and Mother Nature doesn’t work off a calendar.”
The Beasley’s, who opened their family business in 2004, started with just one tree and three taps. Upgrades throughout the years have allowed them to bring in state-of-the-art equipment, which now includes a pellet-fired evaporator.
Today, the production process in Berkshire features eight miles of tubing that connects 2,000 taps. The Beasley’s, from Cicero, N.Y., also make their own electricity on the Berkshire property with a 20-panel solar array.
In partnership with the Newark Valley Chamber of Commerce, visitors enjoyed a pancake breakfast at the Berkshire fire station, a craft fair at the neighboring Community Hall, family activities at the Berkshire Free Library and a tour of a working sugarhouse at Sweetrees Maple Products during the second annual SAPpening event in Berkshire on March 24. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Traditional buckets still hang on maple trees near the sugarhouse, which is one aspect that visitors were able to view during an outdoor tour. Inside, demonstrations allowed guests to better understand the entire maple syrup process, and, in addition, guests were offered multiple maple samples such as syrup, maple cream, jelly, cotton candy and fudge. Maple products were available to purchase as well.
Over at the community hall, several vendors were set up to sell handmade and specialty products and services. At the Library, families enjoyed crafts and other activities.
Peggy VanVorce of the West Creek Family Farm, located at 238 Back West Creek Rd. in Newark Valley, was on hand selling maple syrup and farm fresh eggs, along with many other items. A self-sustaining farm, the West Creek property has been part of Tioga County for nearly three decades and features honey, beef and dairy, goats, alpaca, sheep and more.
VanVorce reminds the public to support local farmers, and shared that the West Creek farm store and greenhouse are in the works to be expanded.
For more information about Sweetrees Maple Products or West Creek Family Farm, you can find both on Facebook.
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