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Syrup Making: Part 2
– The crisp air and the bright sunlight harmonize during syrup season. The forest, though still barren, is alive within, running with sweet sap. The river of sugary sap flows through our taps into the buckets. Every day, we tromp through the soft, wet snow and gather the sap. Production varies from year to year, but this year we collected enough sap to produce over 40 gallons of syrup. With the estimated ratio of 32 gallons of sap to 1 gallon of syrup, that is over 1,280 gallons of unreduced sap. The hours and days invested into syrup making is comprised of more than gathering and taping. Once the sap…
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Back to the Basics
Electricity—The impact of this single word is profound in our technologically advanced society. We rely on this commodity every day. It becomes easy and almost unavoidable to take the privilege of electricity for granted. We use it all the time. We use it when we take a shower, turn on a light, or cook a meal. It is everywhere. The electricity in the valley comes from our own (small), hydro-powered powerhouse, and the backup diesel generators. Though we theoretically have a steady supply of power, we experience frequent power outages. I count this as a blessing. It is a reminder of how great a privilege electricity is. The longer you…
