ridgeline
Spring 2014
a publication of the Merck Forest and Farmland Center
“Teaching, demonstrating & sustaining a working landscape”
In This Issue
Maple Celebration and Pancake Breakfast
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March 22 and 23, 2014, 10 am - 2 pm Tickets sold at door: $10/adult, $5/ages 4 - 12, under age 4 FREE
Maple Celebration & Pancake Breakfast Hello and Farewell
2
Ephemerals Hikes Farm Staff Presents at NOFA-VT
3 2014 Apprenticeship Underway
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2014 Donors
5 2014 Donors
6 Mae and June at Farm Keeping in Touch, Letter from a Former Intern
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About Us & Membership
Volunteers are always needed for this event: - Collect admission - Help flip flapjacks - Cook eggs and sausage - Clear tables - Direct vehicles
The Maple Celebration and Pancake Breakfast has been a part of Merck Forest for just under a decade now. This year it returns at the end of winter with all of its usual sweet appeal, and welcoming family-friendly fun.
Annual visitors to the breakfast know they can expect a delicious spread of pancakes, eggs, Merck’s sizzling pork breakfast sausage, If you are interested in hot coffee, juice, and, of course, Merck volunteering for this event, Forest’s house-made Vermont-certified please contact Amy at organic maple syrup. The celebration boasts info@merckforest.org or call 802.394.7836. other happenings as well. A variety of children’s activities will be held: story time at the farm, hay bale obstacle course in the barn, a tree tapping demonstration, and if the weather permits, we will be boiling in the sap house. There may even be newborn lambs in the barn! Wagon or sleigh rides will convey visitors from the parking lot to the sap house.
In Remembrance of Victoria McInerney, Trustee
Our staff looks forward to hosting another great event this year. We hope to see you there, and, please call 802.394.7836 or email info@merckforest.org if you have questions, or would like to volunteer.
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Hello and Farewell, A Note From the Director
Spring Calendar
By Tom Ward, Executive Director
3270 Route 315, PO Box 86, Rupert, Vermont 05768 www.merckforest.org p. 802.394.7836
Will Bunten of Hardwick, VT will be joining our staff in May as the Forest Operations Manager. He has an extensive background in managing larger sugarbushes, training seasonal employees to work in maple groves, and for the U.S. Forest Service in Alaska. Will and his wife Kathy are both University of Vermont graduates and will live in Rupert with their two young daughters.
Sarah Ullman departed from Merck at the end of January and will be missed for her positive presence, development of our educational program offerings, and her leadership in creating the apprenticeship program. We wish the best going forward to this very talented educator.