Sunday, February 10, 2008

North Andover duo hosts Massachusett's Ceremonial Tree Tapping


North Andover duo hosts state’s ceremonial tree tapping

Drake Lucas
The Eagle Tribune

February 5, 2008

Paul Boulanger’s first attempt at making maple syrup didn’t turn out so well. When he was 12, he steamed the wallpaper right off the kitchen walls while boiling sap.

Boulanger has come a long way since then, though. And he can prove it March 7 when the sugarhouse he owns on Turtle Lane in North Andover with his fiancee, Kathy Gallagher, becomes this year’s location for the ceremonial tree tapping to kick off Maple Month in Massachusetts.

Representatives from the state Department of Agriculture and the governor’s office will attend to read a proclamation and do the ceremonial tapping. And people from local restaurants will serve up maple treats like cupcakes from Butcher Boy, waffles from Eatz and ice cream with maple syrup from Mad Maggie’s.

Melissa Leab, president of the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, boasting more than 200 members, said the day is a way to promote locally grown maple syrup. “You don’t have to go to Vermont for maple syrup,” Leab said. “We encourage restaurants and residents to look in their own backyard.” The event is also intended to teach people how syrup is made, and Boulanger and Gallagher are all about education.

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