Maplewood Farm and Orchard

As if we hadn't had enough food from the friday night commute - we got invited to an open house pancake breakfast early Saturday morning. Duane and Karen La Fever are two of the nicest people we have met upstate. Duane was our contractor for our house and should have his own HGTV show like Holmes on Holmes. Duane is a perfectionist and an all-around nice guy. Karen is attractive, sweet, talented and helps run their business with Duane. As if a contracting business isn't enough, they also own a maple syrup business. They run Maplewood Farm and Orchard. I never turn down pancakes or any food for that matter so we drove over to the open house. You arrived at the open house which was a large room with room-length tables and you sat down and a large plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage was instantly set in front of you. Every weekend should be like this. The breakfast was delicious. The room was full of happy local people eating and chatting. Along the perimeter of the room were tables with displays of all of the products that the farm produces. Maple syrup, candies, spreads - if it's maple they make it. In addition to the Maple displays - the local Dairy ambassador ( apparently it's an official title and it comes with a sash) has a demo table displaying Dairy Ambassador type thingies.

We didn't know anyone there so we walked back to get a tour of the evaporating equipment room with Duane. Duane is always happy but seems especially proud of his equipment. We got the tour and got to watch syrup being made. Afterwards, we went out front and chatted with Karen and not that we were obligated but bought a crate of syrups, candies and spreads. Their products are really good and make great gifts. Thanks Karen and Duane for inviting us!