Patriots Day

April 19, 1775

I guess this is the best time as any to talk about Patriots Day.

With what happened Monday and has been going on since then I think celebrating our Patriots from 1775 is a good thing to do right now.

Patriots Day commemorates the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Two months later George Washington would be made leader of the new Continental Army.

Patriots Day is actually held on the 3rd Monday of April, but with not alot of people given the day off they hold the Battle reenactments the Saturday before. It is held at Minute Man National Historical Park area. The first 'battle' is held at Lexington Green in Lexington, Massachusetts, (around 6:00 am) and The Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, (around 9:00 am). In the morning, mounted re-enactors with state police escorts retrace the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, calling out warnings the whole way. (1)

As a re-enactor, you can either buy a replica costume but we find alot make their own. Some people laugh at one another about how much "one might have spent on their replica musket or the hours spent to finish the pair of breeches, but for big time re-enactors this is Woodstock."(2)

"You’re not allowed to fire a gun–even an unloaded replica during a re-enactment–on Park Service land. It’s also against the rules to pretend to be dead, so no one falls down on either side. High drama it’s not, but if you’re here to be entertained, you’ve missed the point." (2)

The Boston Marathon is scheduled to happen on Patriots Day every year. "Many Bostonians refer to it as Marathon Monday." (1) Every year since 1959 the Red Sox are always scheduled to play at home on Patriots' Day. This year games have been postponed due to the sad and very unfortunate circumstances.

Next year's Patriots Day is Monday April 21, 2014. The reenactments will take place on Saturday April 19th, 2014 at same time and place as stated above.

Next time on A Mile above the Syrup: Old Man of the Mountain

1. 'Patriots Day' Wikipedia. 2013

2. Patriots' Day: Two Mornings in April article. Yankee Magazine March 2012. Justin Shatwell  

Boston Marathon April 15 2013

I was going to post the next time about the Patriots. Patriots Day that is but with what happened yesterday I'm just going to make this short so we can have a moment of silence for those who lost their lives, were injured, some injuries that will change the course of ones life.

I could upload pics from all the sites that have been posted but some were so gruesome, there is no reason those of any age should see and have to remember.

We <3 you Boston. 

Sugaring Sweetness

   It's that time again in New England. The Sun is peaking out and the temps are above freezing. Now its time to tap those Maples and get that delicious sap a-flowin'. Whether you tap the trees with hoses, plastic jugs or use the old fashioned metal buckets, when the bucket is full, its time to start boilin'.



   The sweet smell lingers through the air and you crave those hot pancakes, waffles, sugar on snow, whatever strikes your fancy with that Pure New England Maple Syrup. Did I mention it's a good winter food source for weight loss (or so they say today).

Not only is Pure Maple Syrup a household necessity, its a way of life for alot of families (most passed down generation to generation) throughout New England, New York and Canada, possibily anywhere you find maples and the right temperatures. 

If you plan on Sugaring make sure you have the ambition, time and biggest one of all - Patience. I personally have not sugared but I have friends and know people who have and still do and its ALOT of work. Long hours, stirring and checking the temps to make sure it comes out juuusssttt right!    

Also, make sure you don't tap the trees in the same areas as those who been tapping for years, territory is key. Be sure to ask around where its ok to tap. Or ask a shack if you could help them out to get a feel for it.

Maple Syrup can be made into different types. "Maple syrup is graded according to the Canada, United States, or Vermont scales based on its density and translucency. Sucrose is the most dominant sugar in maple syrup. In Canada, syrups must be at least 66 percent sugar and be made exclusively from maple sap to qualify as maple syrup. In the United States, a syrup must be made almost entirely from maple sap to be labelled as "maple"." 1

I personally prefer the:

           Grade A Medium Amber to Grade B

Don't forget the Maple candy & Maple cream, its great on toast.

Have you ever tried sliced peaches with Maple syrup?

For those in the Pioneer Valley I have some Sugar Shacks waiting for your visit!

1. Lawton Family Sugarhouse - 47 Goshen Road (Route 9) next to Pat's in Williamsburg 
   (413) 268-3145 (also sell Grassfed beef) call for hours.
2. Gould’s Sugarhouse – 570 Mohawk Trail in Shelburne – (413) 625-6170. Open 7days a week, 8:30am – 2pm.
3. Pomeroy’s Sugar House – 491 Russellville Road in Westfield – (413) 568-3484. Open Fridays – Sunday, 7:30am – 1pm.
4. High Hopes Farm Sugar House – 1132 Huntington Road in Worthington – (413) 238-5919. Open Saturday and Sunday, 7am – 2pm.
5. Tessiers Sugarhouse - Fairgrounds Road in Cummington (413) 634-5022 call for hours.

Did you know:

The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association was founded in 1893 making it one of the oldest agricultural organizations in the United States.

Vermont is the largest supplier of syrup in the United States, generating about 5.5% of the global supply. WOW!

Next time on A Mile above the Syrup: we celebrate the Patriots!

1. 'Maple Syrup' Wikipedia. 2013.  (Yes I used Wikipedia for that small amount of information, but they are right on the Sugar account of Maple Syrup)

Unwelcome Shamrocks in Boston

St Patrick's day is right around the corner. A day of frolicking, prankster leprechauns who may or not be actually Irish. 

The Irish immigration to America began in 1846, less than a year after the Great Potato Famine of Ireland. Just under 2.9 million Irish men, women and children migrated from there homes. It was the second largest migration to America behind the Germans.

At the time the Irish arrived and were looking for work, Americans liked them for cheap, hard manual labor but alot of people didn't want the Irish taking over, alot of signs stated 'No Irish Need Apply'. The roughest welcome they got of all was in Boston.

Proper Bostonians laughed at their clothing, made fun of the fact they had no education. Landlords forced them to pay $1.50 a week for a room that was no bigger than a jail cell, a place that had no ventilation, sanitation, daylight or water. In such poor conditions, 60% of children born here never saw their sixth birthday. Adults lived about only six years more since stepping of the ship(s).

The crime rate sky rocketed, school children ran through the streets creating mischief, pick pocketing and begging........

Looking ahead to 2013, we have seen in the past 50+ years that celebrating St Patrick's Day has become a way of life every year on March 17th. Cities such as NYC, Boston, Chicago go from Green beer, Green Rivers, Celtic Music concerts and parades to show their support of the heritages, history and folklore.

Fun fact: Boston held its first St Patrick's Day parade march 18th, 1737.

This year's parade starts at 1pm, Sunday March 17th. in South Boston.

Next time on A Mile Above the Syrup: 'Maple Syrup & Patriots'

Here we go...

Here we go... Everyone seems to have a blog so I'm jumping on the Chowdah train... I'll tell you alittle about myself and get into why it’s all about New England…

I'm from Western Massachusetts. A small little town just on the border of Hampshire & Berkshire County. Where its nature farther than the eye can see. Its fresh air and quiet. Farms, small town fun.

I lived there for the first 19 years of my life. Then moved around a bit, to Florida to work at Walt Disney World then to Colorado (why? you ask, my boyfriend is from Colorado). I currently work for a history museum in Golden, CO which centralizes on Golden history alone. Golden does have some great history, like Coors and Colorado School of Mines, dating back to mid-1800s and further with Native American history. But what I like the most is my New England history, almost 600 years of documented history we live and breathe even today.

So many great things come from New England- fall colors, maple syrup, Patriots, Red Sox… hehe...
Even the tragic history of Salem Witch Trials, Boston Massacre (more like a riot) but all great things that influence us today and will live forever in history.

Though New England was not the first place founded in the 'New World' (Jamestown beat us by 13 years) I believe the Pilgrims did make the bigger impact. (No offense Virginia)

Well thats all for now... Be back soon with my first story on 'Shamrocks in New England'.