Pancake breakfasts, self-guided tours of maple syrup farms set for March 16-17

The greater Wayne County area has a long tradition in tapping sugar maple trees and producing quality maple syrup. The Northeastern PA Maple Producers are once again hosting self-guided tours of their maple farms on March 16 and 17, with pancake breakfasts with local maple syrup available at three locations.

Complementing this occasion and serving as an advocate is the 2024 Northeastern PA Maple Ambassador, Laura Nebzydoski. She is the daughter of Mark and Audrey Nebzydoski and a junior at Forest City Regional High School.

Laura recalls taking a kindergarten field trip to her uncle Tom’s sugarhouse. Now she has helped him change spiles on his tubing lines and check for leaks when the sap is running. Spiles are used to tap the tree to collect the sap.

She has had experience raising sheep, cows and pigs for 4-H projects and is active in school activities including FBLA, Envirothon, National Honor Society, and student council. Laura's sports activities include track, cross country and Ski Club. She enjoys reading and looks forward to learning more about maple production. She represented the region's maple syrup industry at Wayne County Ag Day, hosted by Penn State Extension Feb. 19 at Honesdale High School.

The public is encouraged to take the self-guided free maple tour to any number of 12 local sugarhouses and enjoy one of the pancake breakfasts. Seven of the participating farms are spread across Wayne County; two are in Greene Township, Pike County; two are in northeastern Lackawanna County and one is in Harford, Susquehanna County.

They are Burke’s Maple Farm, Streamside Maple, Journey's End Farm, Sticky Dog Sap House, Nebzydoski's Maple Farm, North Harford Maple, Shemanski Maple Syrup, Morning Sun Farm, August Acres, G&M Maple, Pocono Mountain Maple and Watts Hill Maple Farm.

Participants are advised to dress for the weather and have appropriate footwear in case of muddy or wet conditions. The tour is free to the public and invites all ages.

Along the way, witness the process of turning sap into syrup and pick up some locally produced maple syrup as well as other products that are infused with maple syrup.

Here is where breakfast is served:

• Damascus Community Center: Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. to noon. Adults $12, children 12 and under $6. 60 Conklin Hill Road, Damascus. Contact Linda Dexter at 570-729-7270.
• Newfoundland Moravian Church: Saturday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Adults $10, children 10 and under $6. 982 Main St., Newfoundland. Contact Tammy Lavoy at 570-620-8250.
• Costello-Monahan-Brown American Legion: Sunday, March 17, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Adults $14, children 12 and under $7. 964, Great Bend Turnpike, Pleasant Mount.

The Maple Open House Weekend is coordinated by the Northeastern PA Maple Producers Association, Penn State Extension-Wayne County and Wayne Conservation District.

Northeastern PA Maple Producers Association has over 25 members and represents “Sugar Bushes” ranging from a few taps to more than 5,000 trees tapped.

Visit wayneconservation.com for a map and more information about the tour.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.