Algonquin District

Largest geographically of OMSPA Locals. Encompasses Parry Sound District in the south, Nipissing District in the east, Timiskaming District in the north, and Sudbury District in the west and north. 

Brian O’Donoghue, President / Research Committee (pictured)

Michael Levithan, Co-President / OMSPA Rep

Andy Straughan, 2nd Vice President / OMSPA Rep / Web Journalist

Tracy Sequin, 3rd VP

Harry Kessels, 4th VP / Secretary / Membership Committee

Lori Costello, Treasurer

Mark Lupton, Research Committee

Jo Ann Long, Executive Member

Scott Cameron, Executive Member

Bill Hubbert, Executive Member

Brian O’Donoghue, President, Web Journalist 2

705-789-9098

Brian@sweetmuskoka.com

​

Michael Levitan, Co-President, OMSPA Rep

mlevitan@birminghamsound.ca
 

Andy Straughan, Web Journalist 1

705-723-2329

sugarstone.maplesyrup@gmail.com

Algonquin & District’s northern most member: “Halfway to the Sky Maple Sugarbush” is situated in the Lorrain Valley, a stone’s throw from the fur trade route of Lake Temiskaming.

​

Keep an eye out here for a historical spotlight.

1. Hello AMSPA members, as mentioned in an earlier Newsletter, the Algonquin Maple Syrup Producers Association has been busy working on three educational maple syrup production videos. These are now available and we hope they will be of interest to you and other maple syrup producers.

‘Backyard Sugaring’ is an introductory video and discusses successful and sound maple syrup production practices used by small-scale maple syrup producers throughout the region.

‘Maple Marketing’ looks at different options for selling maple products. Interviews with three commercial producers discuss bulk, wholesale and retail sale of maple products.  

‘Sap Collection’, a more technical video, examines various ways of improving sap collection. It deals with working in difficult terrain, sap ladders and lifters, tubing layout, remote collection stations, monitoring systems, and the use of vacuum.

These videos, produced by AMSPA volunteers, highlight successful practices of a number of our local producers.

The AMSPA Board of Directors would like to acknowledge the financial support of FedNor and the support of the Sault Saint Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) for this project. As well, the Board would like to recognize the significant efforts of volunteers - Michael Levitan, Scott Cameron, Art Robinson, Dave Slocum, Matt Plant, Bill Hubbert, Andy Straughan, Mike Clapperton, Dan Seguin, Lori Costello, Jo Ann Long, Mark Lupton, Tom Stehr, Don Manchur and Brian O'Donoghue.

To access these videos, simply click below. Enjoy! 

These are the links to the same videos.

Backyard Sugaring 

https://youtu.be/Izx8PtqlfW8 

​​

Maple Marketing 

https://youtu.be/7yWiKofXI2E

​​

Sap Collection 

https://youtu.be/PCEjijHbnpw

​

Click here for the PDF press release.

​

2. Your executive have been busy discussing options for our Fall Workshop & Picnic. As you can imagine, we are “in-limbo” with the Provincial Covid-19 situation. One item discussed that was unanimously agreed upon, was that we all miss seeing our maple friends and families (and I miss the homemade maple goodies!). Hopefully soon we can get together in person.