Spring Break Maple & Honey hosts international meeting in Smyrna

 By Kristi Brannen
Special to the Pioneer Times
    On Oct.26, Spring Break Maple & Honey hosted 85 members of the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) and the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC). Members representing 12 states and four Canadian provinces had been in the state for five days before arriving in Smyrna. They attended annual meetings, seminars, trade show, a special lobster dinner and tours of the coast of Maine, Old Town Canoe and the University of Maine’s Food and Science and Human Nutrition Department.
    This visit came upon the NAMSC’s 50th anniversary. NAMSC was formed to improve methods of production and processing, development of new and extended uses of maple products and propagation of high yield maple trees. It now represents the majority of maple producers and maple production throughout North America.
Contributed Photo
SPRING BREAK — The Smyrna-Merrill Historical Society hosted a lunch for members of Spring Break Maple & Honey when they attended their annual meeting Oct. 26. Cindy Bartman is seen making sure everyone has enough to eat at the home-cooked meal. Spring Break Maple & Honey hosted 85 members of the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) and the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC).
    The tour after the tour consisted of visiting sugaring operations throughout the state with the first stop at Spring Break. Visitors received a hayride into the sugar-bush to see the new pipeline and tubing system, a tour of the sugar-house and gift shop. At noon the group was treated to a home cooked meal at the newly formed Smyrna-Merrill Historical Society which consisted of turkey stew, sandwiches, home-made pickles and gingerbread with maple whipped cream. Historical society members received an ovation for their wonderful meal.
    After lunch the motor coaches rolled over the hills to visit a logging job in the Shin Pond area. Foresters from Huber Timber met the group and explained their forest practices to them. The group watched as mechanical harvesting equipment cut, felled, skidded and delimbed the wood.
    This visit was an honor for Spring Break Maple & Honey and for the town of Smyrna as these two organizations will not return to Maine until 2019 and the chance of them coming to Aroostook County again are slim.