Current Boiling Schedule

Updated: Saturday, March 7, 2010 6:37am

Yesterday we had about 140 third grade students out from Atkinson and Thomson Elementary schools along with about 40 adults.  It is always wonderful to share all that our little farm has to offer with these curious little visitors.

The sap run has been terrible to put it mildly.  It has been too warm at night, and the 10 day forecast doesn't look much better.  We are hoping something changes and we get some cold nights, otherwise we might no have much of a season.

We don't have any scheduled boils until Saturday, which is good because we don't have any sap either.  Cross your fingers that by Saturday morning we get some sap so that we can boil this weekend. 

Saturday, March 13:  9:00am - 4:00pm (tentative), drop in visitors are welcome.

If tentative is stated, it means provided that Mother Nature cooperates and provides some weather in the 40's during the day and overnight temps below freeazing.  We update our voice mail at home as well, so if you are ever wondering if it's a good time to stop by, check back to our website or give us a call.

Feel free to swing by, reservations are not necessary. Park on the street not in the driveway (and please don't block any of our neighbor's driveways). You can walk up the driveway and go around the left side of the house (follow the path). You will see the lights of the sugar house. You may want to bring your boots as there will be mud on the way back to the sugar house. If the sign is up at the end of the street, we are boiling because the first and last thing we do is put up and take down the sign.

We will update this schedule every couple of days, so check back often for the latest!

Also check us out at: www.facebook.com/turtlelanemaplefarm and at:www.twitter.com/turtlelanemaple

Brownie Troop #721

March 4, 2008
1:00 pmto2:00 pm

Brownie Troop #721 from North Andover will be coming with approximately 16 children ages 8 and 11 and several adults.

The Mother Connection

March 4, 2008
9:30 amto10:30 am

The Mother Connection consists of approximately 500 families in the Merrimac Valley. We’re expecting a fairly large group of preschool aged children and their families, potentially around 30 people.

Brownie Troop

March 14, 2008
4:00 pmto5:00 pm

Two brownie troops from Reading will join us with a group of approximately 28 first grade girls and chaperones.

Cadette Girl Scout Troop

March 7, 2008
2:30 pmto3:30 pm

This Cadette Girl Scout Troop joins us from North Andover.

Parents of Tots

March 16, 2008
3:30 pmto4:30 pm

Parents of Tots from Billerica will be returning again this year for a tour. Last year there was a group of about 11 families. We are hoping to have at least that many, if not more, this year.

Cub Scouts

March 16, 2008
1:30 pmto2:30 pm

A group of approximately ten 10 year old cub scouts will be joining us.

Newlywed Couple

March 15, 2008
2:00 pmto3:00 pm

Debbi Edmonston and her partner have arranged a tour for his newlywed daughter and son-in-law who will be traveling to Boston from Philly and wanted to experience something “New England” style.

Preparing for 2008!

We attended the Mass Maple Association’s annual meeting in January and are getting so anxious for the start of the 2008 maple season! We are working with all of the elementary schools in North Andover to schedule field trips for each of their fifteen third grade classes. We already have five other tour groups scheduled and have seven other groups we are in the final planning stages with. If you have a group and are interested in scheduling a tour, please send us an email at info@turtlelanemaplefarm.com.

We are also planning for a big event – the Mass Maple/Mass Department of Agriculture Maple Kickoff Event. This event will be held on Friday, March 7 at our sugarhouse from 10:30am until about 12:30pm. We are working with several local businesses like Mad Maggie’s Ice Cream, Butcher Boy Marketplace, Perfecto’s Caffe, Eatz Restaurant, The Loft… to provide maple treats. We will also be making mini pancakes, sugar on snow and other confections on site. We are working with the North Andover elementary schools to arrange to have a variety of 3rd grade students come to represent the school children we provide tours for during each maple season. This event is sure to be festive and informative, and we’re expecting upwards of 200 visitors, including friends and family as well as local and state governmental officials. All are welcome to join us for this special day!