POTSDAM, NY – March 19, 2014 – Gene and Carolyn Kaczka of Hannawa Falls, NY, won the drawing for a gift basket at the Michael Farrell book signing event held at Maple Run Emporium on March 15.
The hardwood basket contained a copy of Mr. Farrell’s book, The Sugarmaker’s Companion, plus Maple Balsamic Dipping Mustard, Smokey Sweet Maple BBQ Sauce, Cinnamon Maple Pecan Brittle, Maple Syrup, and Maple Tea.
Mr. Kaczka, a retired Dean of Clarkson University’s Business School, said that his family “has been around maple syrup for years.” He has fond memories of taking his two children on “sugar runs for pancakes and maple syrup” when they lived in Amherst, MA. The Kaczkas’ favorite maple syrup is dark amber and cooking grade B.
The Kaczkas have friends that tap trees locally and when they get their syrup each year they always send some to their children who live in states that don’t produce maple syrup. “They always tell me they want real maple syrup!” noted Mr. Kaczka.
The Kaczkas tasted Mr. Farrell’s samples of birch syrup, black walnut syrup, and maple-and-walnut syrup. Mr. Kaczka said, “We found that birch syrup has a similar taste to balsamic. It would be good in salad dressings.”
During the four-hour book-signing event at Maple Run, author Farrell’s knowledge and love of sugaring was apparent as he fielded questions from attendees and served up syrup samples. He taps thousands of trees, including maple, birch, black walnut and butternut, at Cornell University’s Uihlein Forest, a maple syrup research and extension field station in Lake Placid, NY.
Attendees at the book signing also enjoyed the “tasting buffet” served up by Maple Run Emporium owner Mary Hilton. They sampled Maple Salt Water Taffy, Maple Cinnamon Pecan Brittle, Maple Chipotle Grille Sauce, Maple Balsamic Dipping Mustard, and Maple Chocolate Hot Drink.