left to right: Todd Kasenberg, Mayor, Municipality of North Perth, Terry Hoover, Randy Pettapiece, MPP Perth-Wellington, John Nater, MP Perth-Wellington and Bennett Nater.
The Waterloo-Wellington Local of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' Association (OMSPA) held the First Tapping Ceremony at Hoover's Maple Syrup, just south of Listowel, on Line 78, on February 25th. There were approximately 50 people in attendance. The day started off quite blustery with a weather advisory in effect, but it cleared up nicely by the time people started to arrive around 11:00 a.m.
John Nater, MP Perth-Wellington, Randy Pettapiece, MPP Perth-Wellington, Mayor Todd Kasenberg, Municipality of North Perth, Lisa Schaeffer, Listowel, BIA (who also said a few words on behalf of Sharon D'Arcy, Listowel Chamber of Commerce), and Ashley Brockelbank, Tourism Officer, Corporation of the County of Perth to name a few, were in attendance and spoke about the maple industry and its economic impact in this region.
After the speeches, everyone went outside to do the ceremonial tapping. John Nater drilled the hole, Randy Pettapiece tapped in the spile and Todd Kasenberg hung the bucket. It was a joint effort - who said 3 different levels of Government couldn't get along.
After the formal part of the First Tapping Ceremony, everyone re-convened back into the 'Sap Shack' and enjoyed homemade apple crisp made with maple sugar, topped with ice cream and a drizzle of Hoover's Certified Organic Maple Syrup to finish it off. Things got quiet for a period of time.
Terry gave a tour of their facility, including the tubing system used to collect the sap. Hoover's have 2400 taps in their 50 acre bush and all sap comes up 1500 feet underground into the 'Sap Shack', nine feet underground.
Terry and Diane would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved, including members of the Waterloo-Wellington Local of OMSPA. Many hands make light work.
