ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Breakheart Reservation Park Supervisor John Aziz and Ranger Mike Bruce use a two-man saw.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Breakheart Reservation is carrying on one of the state’s sweetest traditions for the month of March.
On Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers at the state park will begin offering maple sugaring demonstrations to the public with an annual event that draws in crowds of about 500 people.
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker declared March to be Massachusetts Maple Month in an effort to support the state’s maple producers and encourage residents to purchase locally-produced maple products.
“I am proud to recognize Massachusetts’ long-standing tradition of declaring March ‘Maple Month’ and encourage all residents and visitors to support our local maple syrup producers by purchasing Massachusetts maple products from one of the Commonwealth’s 300 maple producers,” Baker said in a statement.
Maple sugaring seasons lasts only as long as the days are warm and the nights are cold, but last year, more than 77,000 gallons of syrup was produced by about 300 producers in the maple sugaring industry. Maple producers’ sales each year contribute more than $6 million to the Commonwealth’s economy. More than 1,000 workers are employed by the industry.
https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/news/saugus-tv-animated-by-telly-award-win/
At the event, guests will learn about the different phases of the process. They’ll watch as wood is chopped with an ax and cut with a two-person saw, the trees tapped. They will visit the sugar shack, a small building where the sap is evaporated to create syrup.
The trees are tapped on the south side of the trunk, where they receive more sunlight and more sap is likely to drip. At the time it’s collected, the sap is 96 to 98 percent water, and between 2 and 4 percent sugar. In syrup form, it’s 66 percent sugar.
Storyteller John Porcino will perform at the amphitheatre at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. The Department of Conservation and Recreation Mounted Unit will be on site from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests can also gather around a campfire and toast marshmallows.
Pancakes with a sample of syrup will be served for free but a $5 donation will be requested to benefit The Friends of Breakheart and future programs. Wholefoods Melrose will also attend with healthy waffles as an alternative.
Schools in Lynn, Revere, Saugus, Wakefield, Everett, Melrose, Malden and Stoneham will take advantage of the special hour-and-15-minute long school program the following week.
The children will tour the property, following the process of creating maple sugaring from start to finish, then gather in the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center to sample maple syrup on french toast sticks and popcorn.
“I think Breakheart is such a valuable resource in our area,” said Visitor Services Supervisor Gillian Badwan. “There are a lot of towns that don’t have something like this. A lot of people of people call it a hidden gem.”
Park Supervisor Anthony Guthro said the free school program has been offered since 1988. The Lynnhurst Elementary School was the first to attend and has continued booking the field trip every year since.
The Friends of Breakheart will be selling maple syrup and maple candy. Proceeds will help the Friends and DCR continue to offer free programs to Massachusetts residents.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgeTurcotte