Ground Hogs, Robins and Maple Syrup - Ohio Amish Country Experiences Volume #3 Issue #2

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year - thus predicting an early spring. We've already seen robins darting out from under bushes in search of food across snow-covered fields.

Sap buckets are hanging from the maple trees anxiously awaiting the first drops of "maple gold." The daylight portion of each day has grown noticeably longer.

Yet, in the midst of the speculation and anticipation, as this newsletter was being compiled, we in Northeast Ohio were under a winter weather advisory - and . . . we got dumped on by heavy wet snow! Oh well, time is now on our side, there is light at the end of the winter tunnel.

Maple syrup producers are going "full steam" ahead (sorry, couldn't resist) in anticipation of good sap runs.

It takes temperatures below freezing at night and above freezing during the day to get just the right "eb and flow" going for the sap to rise in the maple trees.

The season is a little tricky. If it gets too cold, the holes in the trees plug. If it gets too warm, the buds on trees come on more quickly and the season shortens dramatically.

The first run of the sap is the most mild and clear. As the season progresses and the buds come on, the taste grows stronger and the color darker.

Maple syrup is serious business in Geauga County. Their mascot is a raccoon named Maple Max. If you live near the Chardon or Burton areas - you're in for a sweet treat.

There's a special maple syrup tour available to visit area producers, to watch it being made - and to get samples. There are also syrup and maple sugar products available to purchase.

During March and April, there are a number of pancake breakfast benefits in the area where the featured topping is pure maple goodness.

Be sure to check out the events calendar for all the great events they have planned in Geauga County!

As the month of March progresses, more signs of spring will emerge. The cycle of life begins all over again. The cold of winter gently gives way to the warming of spring.

So, consider taking a little time from your busy schedule to visit Northeast Ohio Amish Country. Experience the "sweetness" and beauty of the season while there's time.

And, don't forget, if you need a little help navigating around Northeast Ohio Amish Country, consider getting a Northeast Ohio Amish Country map. See our tip below!

A favorite destination of ours in the Berlin area (in Holmes County) is a wonderful market east of downtown Berlin on SR 39.

It is the Troyer's Country Market. They are the home of Amish Wedding Foods and Troyer Cheese.

They sell all of their product lines in the market as well as wonderfully fresh seasonal produce, specialty and grocery items along with deli meats and cheeses. You can even grind your own peanut or nut butter and buy clover honey in bulk.

Into good food? They have a little café area in the deli where you can get fresh, made-to-order hot or cold subs & sandwiches. They also have homemade ice cream to top off your meal.

But, here's the part we like best: samples, samples, more samples - and did we say samples?! They have some of the best variety of samples of any establishment in Ohio Amish Country.

Sample meats, cheeses, chip dips, fruit & veggie dips, cheese balls, cheese spreads, grape & fruit juices, ciders & specialty drinks, fudge and so much more!

Be careful though, you may ruin your appetite and - you may want to buy some of everything you sample because it is all soooo good!

They are located at the intersection of SR 39 and CR 77 just east of downtown Berlin.

Their mailing address is: Troyers Country Market, 5201 CR 77, Millersburg, OH 44654.

You can call them at: 330-893-3786

Visit their site at: troyerscountrymarket.com _________________________________________________________________

March Only - FREE SHIPPING on the Experience Northeast Ohio Amish Country Road Map!

Since there are so many great events going on in Northeast Ohio Amish Country during the months of March and April, we decided to make this special free shipping offer on our Experience Northeast Ohio Amish Country Road Map for the month of March.

This map covers extreme Northeast Ohio Amish Country and includes all of Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties as well as most of Trumbull County and part of Cuyahoga County.

There's an index to cities and we list and index hundreds of shops, attractions, restaurants and lodgings on the map for you to experience.

We also include salvage stores, Ashtabula County covered bridges, parks, museums, camping locations, golf courses and much more!

Use this road map as your personal guide to help you best experience the Northeast Ohio Amish Country events.

It includes enlarged insets of Middlefield, Burton and Mesopotamia. All this and more for only $3.95 + Free Shipping in March!

Experience Northeast Ohio Amish Country Road Map - absolutely the best map of Northeast Ohio Amish Country you can get to help guide you around Northeast Ohio Amish Country.

Only $3.95 + FREE SHIPPING! (In Continental U.S. Only)

(You can still use your credit card even if you don't have a PayPal account when you proceed to checkout.)

Ingredients:
1 & 1/2 c. butter
2 c. peanut butter
2 c. granulated sugar
1 & 1/3 c. brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
2 c. oatmeal
4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
12 oz. chocolate chip

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars together. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan.

Calendar of Events

Cirque Mechanics "Boom Town"
Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: 7:30 pm, tickets: $34-50 each.

Shutterbugs Camera Club
Exercise your creativity with monthly photo assignments, learn tips, tricks and new techniques, all skill levels welcome, group meets the first Thursday of each month, 7pm - 9pm, Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

Amish Country Home and Garden Show
Discover new and exciting products at the Buckeye Event Center, 624 Henry Street, Dalton, Ohio 44619. Show hours are: Thursday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per person and children 12 and under are free.

"Wizard of Oz"
Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: 7:30 pm, tickets: $46-64 each.

Pancake Breakfast
Burton/Middlefield Rotary 59th year serving all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts, famous omelets also available, Berkshire High School, Sun. 8am - 1:30pm, 877-283-3496 or 1-877-283-3496.

Pancake Town U.S.A.
Enjoy Pancake Breakfasts to Benefit the Geauga County Historical Society, Burton Volunteer Fire Department, Burton-Middlefield Rotary, or the American Legion, Burton Chamber of Commerce, 8am - 3pm, 440-834-4204 or 800-526-5630.

Pancake Breakfast-Century Village
A Geauga County tradition! All-you-can-eat pancakes featuring their very own fresh maple syrup, no member discount for this event, Century Village, Lennah Bond Building, 9am - 2pm, 440-834-1492.

Sap's-A-Risin'! Maple Sugaring Celebration
Visit Geauga Park District’s Sugarbush, Sugarhouse and Lodge for a walk through time and sweet taste of how the maple sugaring industry evolved from the Native American tradition to modern methods, help gather with a sap sled, enjoy historical interactions with costumed interpreters, see sap being boiled in the sugarhouse and have a sample taste, warm up with live music and maple treats in the lodge, for more information call Geauga Park District - Swine Creek Reservation, 12pm - 4pm, 440-286-9516.

Sweet Scenes Sap Bucket Painting Workshop
Inspired by the Creativity Tapped art exhibit at The West Woods Nature Center, children ages 6-12 join artist Carlene Exline to paint a landscape on a 6" sap bucket, the decorated sap bucket may then be used for a planter, art supply container, decoration, etc., fees apply, pre-register by calling 440-286-9516, 6pm - 7:30pm, Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

ECO-BIA Spring Home & Garden Show
New Towne Mall, New Philadelphia, hours: Thursday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, Sunday Noon-6 pm, admission: free.

Bill Engvall
Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: 6:30 pm & 9 pm, tickets: $44-64 each.

Maple Sugaring Weekend
Witness the entire maple production process as sap is collected, boiled, and turned into maple syrup and other products, discover how trees are tapped, maple stirs, maple-oriented crafts and sampling maple syrup and candy, Farmpark's own maple syrup and other maple items will be available for sale, a pancake breakfast will be served between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., no reservations needed but Farmpark admission is required, Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Sat. & Sun. 9am - 5pm, 440-256-2122 or 800-366-3276.

2011 March Maple Madness Drive-It-Yourself Tour
Join in the 11th Annual March Maple Madness Drive-It-Yourself Tour, this year it will be held the 2nd and the 3rd weekends of March, the selected maple sugaring operations will be open to the public 10am - 5pm, this drive-it-yourself tour will show you how true Maple Syrup is made by different producers, 440-286-4160, www.ohiomapleproducers.com

"Hector Olivera in Concert"
Tuscarawas Philharmonic Concert, Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: 3 pm, admission: general admission - adults $18, seniors $16, students $9; reserved - adults $25-32, seniors $23-30, students $16-23.

Tappin Sunday
A celebration to start out the maple syrup season, at 1PM will have the "offical tapper" tap the first tree of the season, the Sugar House will then open and sell sweet maple stirs, all are invited to come to the festivities, Historic Chardon Square, 1pm - 4pm, 440-286-1912.

Irish Music Shaker Workshop
Join a Roots of American Music (ROAM) musician to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by creating shakers out of recycled materials and learning to play along with traditional Irish tunes, for children ages 6-10, fees apply, pre-register by calling Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center, 2pm - 3pm, 440-286-9516.

St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef Sandwiches
Corned Beef Sandwich, pickle, bag of chips, open to the public noon till sold out or 7:30pm, cost $6.00 each, add $.50 for Swiss Cheese $.25 for TO-GO orders, call-in orders accepted starting 11:00am, Fraternal Order of Eagles Chardon Area Woman's Auxiliary, 12pm - 7:30pm, 440-286-9921.

ECO-BIA Spring Home & Garden Show
New Towne Mall, New Philadelphia, hours: Thursday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, Sunday Noon-6 pm, admission: free.

Tuscarawas Central Catholic Irish Extravaganza
McDonald/Marlite Conference Center, New Philadelphia.

Pancake Breakfast-Holden Arboretum
Enjoy pancakes and sustainable Ohio maple syrup at Holden, for menu and reservations call The Holden Arboretum 440-946-4400.

Baltic Fire & EMS Annual Pig Roast & Bingo
Baltic Fire Station, hours: serving begins at 3 pm.

Sage's and Fruit Tree Pruning
Learn how to prune all kinds of fruit trees and brambles, bring your pruning gear for a day full of fun and learning, Eric Draper, Geauga County's Horticulture Extension Agent will be available to answer questions, dress to be outside! To register or for questions, call the Geauga County Extension office 440-834-4656, 440-285-2222, or 440-564-7131 ext.5260, registration also available at the door, Sage’s Apples 440-286-3416.

Robert Waters and Jerry Wong in Concert
Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: doors open at 6:30 pm, program begins at 7 pm, admission: free, seating on first-come, first-serve basis.

"Avenue Q"
Kent State University Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, New Philadelphia, hours: 7:30 pm, admission: $39-64 per person.

Amish Country Quilt Show
Buckeye Event Center, 624 Henry St., Dalton, 412-372-8130.

Well, guess that's all for now - hope you find this news helpful and as exciting as we do.

Ohio Amish Country Experiences

March 2011

Calendar of Events