Maple-themed workshops coming to the Somerville Library
Thanks to the Somerville Journal!
By Auditi Guha Wicked Local Somerville Posted Feb 01, 2011 @ 09:00 AM
Somerville —
Groundwork Somerville maple educators will be leading four maple syrup-themed workshops at the Main Branch of the Somerville Library on Saturdays in February.
Somerville youth ages 6 to 9 are invited from 11 a.m. to noon each Saturday to engage in fun syrupy activities. Information, including the themes covered in each workshop, can be found on the calendar available at Groundwork Somerville’s website at www.groundworksomerville.org.
Groundwork Somerville coordinates the Somerville Maple Syrup Project with support from the Friends of the Community Growing Center, Somerville Public Schools, Tufts University and community volunteers.
Every February, local maple trees are tapped and the collected sap is stored for a two-day public boil-down event. Throughout the season, Groundwork Somerville staff supports community volunteers as they teach a four-week arts and sciences curriculum to second-graders in all of Somerville’s public schools, lead library workshops, and lead educational activities at the boil-down event. High school students working in the metal shop provide annual maintenance on the wood stove and evaporator pan they made in 2005. The syrup produced is given as thank you gifts to key partners and sold in maple leaf jars at the Grown in Somerville booth at the Union Square Farmer’s Market.
All components of the Maple Syrup Project, including the library workshop series, will lead up to the Maple Boil Down Festival at the Somerville Community Growing Center at 22 Vinal Ave. on Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to this free event to watch and learn as sap from local sugar maple trees is boiled down into pure maple syrup over a warm fire. Attendees can expect to enjoy syrup tasting, music, children’s activities and more. Waffles, syrup and Somerville Maple Syrup Project T-shirts will be on sale.
For information about the Maple Syrup Boil Down, the education series, or syrup production, email Tai Dinnan at tai@groundworksomerville.org or call 617-628-9988.