Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on March 18, 2009, 06:47:28 PM

Title: JoAnne Visits Her Brother Peter & Sister-In-Law Rita's Sugar House
Post by: Henry on March 18, 2009, 06:47:28 PM

JoAnne Wilkins sent me some photos she took when she visited her brother Peter & sister-in-law Rita Lavallee in Milton.

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/022_G.sized.jpg)

The fire box in the arch

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/025_G.sized.jpg)

Pete is checking the density of the syrup with the scoop

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/032_G.sized.jpg)

Pete is checking the density of the syrup with the scoop

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/024_G.sized.jpg)

Drawing off the syrup

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/030_G_001.sized.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/039_G.sized.jpg)

Grading the syrup, of course it tastes good.

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/icestorm_080309/040_G.sized.jpg)

Rita is canning the syrup, and helps with the operation with especially good treats to eat.

Title: Re: JoAnne Visits Her Brother Peter & Sister-In-Law Rita's Sugar House
Post by: Henry on March 21, 2009, 07:22:15 AM

I think Pete typifies the average backyard sugarmaker.  The forego most of the modern stuff and produce syrup the way the old timers used to.  They use sap buckets, gather the sap, use wood in the arch and some type of filtering system.  I asked JoAnne how many trees Pete tapped and she replied:

Hi,
I believe  Rita told me that Pete has about 160 taps (not trees, taps).
He lives on the West Milton Rd. near the bridge. If you are down that way and there is steam coming from his garage, he welcomes visitors.

JoAnne