Wakarusa Maple Syrup Fest misses dedicated volunteer

It’s been a little more than six years since Eli Kuhns passed on.

His was a presence known to many in the Wa-Nee area as a dedicated volunteer of historic preservation causes, a notable craftsman and a prime purveyor of some of the best maple syrup to be cultivated on Hoosier soil.

On March 11, 2017, several members of the Wakarusa Historical Society traveled to Kuhns’ sugar camp at a rolling rural farmstead nestled between Bremen and Nappanee. Kuhns was enthusiastic and excited that day. It had been an exemplary season for sap, he said, and he was anticipating the need to boil more than 6,000 gallons of sap in order to have a good supply at the ready for the Maple Syrup Festival.

Throughout that morning, Kuhns patiently explained the fastidious process through which the clear sap is transformed into liquid maple sweetness. He was a jovial narrator, even a bit mischievous at times.

It was a memorable occasion for everyone and an experience that lingered well after the event. Those who were present took home many samples and syrups that day.

Two weeks later, the Wakarusa Historical Museum hosted its annual “Educational Days” affair, during which local schoolchildren spent a day at the complex, touring the buildings and learning about community history and primitive lifestyles of a bygone era.

Kuhns, of course, was the one to oversee the workings and conduct the demonstrations at the museum’s working sugar camp. Who better to lead such a task, after all. Not only was Kuhns beyond well versed in the role, but the camp itself was created with wood from his family’s grove of trees. Kuhns distributed tiny cups of syrup to the enthralled students and their delight was evi- dent as they lapped up every last drop.

At the conclusion of Friday’s tours, on March 24, 2017, the museum volunteers said goodbye to Kuhns and thanked him for his integral role in presenting another successful run of “Educational Days.”

The following day, March 25, phones were ringing and word was resonating through the Wakarusa community that Eli Kuhns had died. It was a difficult thing to hear and just as hard to believe, as he had been joking, laughing and chatting with folks only hours before.

While the loss of Kuhns marked a conclusion of sorts, it was by no means the end of his teachings and influence.

Today, those same woods he tended to so carefully and passionately are now under the management of Kuhns’s niece and her husband, Joe, and Amy Schwartz.

Within a labyrinth of maple trees stretching skyward as far as the eyes can see, the family has become wonderful stewards of Kuhns’s expertise. Several varieties of the family’s maple products will be available for purchase during the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival. It’s a chance to truly own a small piece of the legacy he lived and loved.

REDBUD TRAIL RENDEZVOUS APRIL 29-30, 2023

10-5 SAT., 10-4 SUN.

Admission: $3.00 adult 12 & older

PROCEEDS HELP TO OPERATE THE MUSEUM LOCATED ON FULTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY GROUNDS ON U.S. 31, 4 MILES NORTH OF ROCHESTER, IND. www.fultoncountyhistory.org 574-223-4436 some of the

FOODS COOKED OVER WOOD FIRES, PROGRAMS, BLANKET TRADERS & MERCHANTS, TRADITIONAL CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS, CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT Festival will go on rain or shine - TO BE HELD IN LIVING HISTORY VILLAGE SOUTH OF THE ROUND BARN No dogs or animals allowed except to assist handicapped or pre-approved program animals.

Local veterans honored at Threads of Valor ceremony

Liberty Sewing Circle has teamed up with Kosciusko Senior Services to show appreciation for local nominated veterans.

A Threads of Valor quilt presentation will be held Tuesday, May 9, at the Senior Activity Center/Pete Thorn Gym, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. Posting of our flag will be given by the American Legion Post 49 Honor Guard. Guest speakers will follow. Handcrafted quilts will be presented to each veteran nominee by members of Liberty Sewing Circle. Due to limited seating, RSVP with the number in your party prior to May 2 by calling Patti at the KCSS office at (574) 267-2012, Marsha Huffman at (574) 594-2021 or Kathy Snell at (574) 268-8827.

Produced in cooperation with the Fulton County Tourism Commission.

SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION!

MCHATTON-SADLER FUNERAL CHAPELS

WARSAW, IN - PIERCETON, IN