REGION — Maine Maple Weekend is right around the corner and numerous sugar shacks in the area are opening up to give a tour and show locals how maple syrup is made. Furthermore, many of these producers will be offering samples and selling their freshly made maple products, ready to be served with pancakes.

Some maple producers have noted some issues with the levels of sugar in the maple sap used to concoct their syrup and other maple related products.

Wilton Selectperson David Leavitt, owner of Long Drive Acres Maple Farm, noted that the sugar levels in the sap were lower than usual. Leavitt shared with The Franklin Journal that typically, it takes roughly 40 gallons of maple sap to produce the normal yields.

This year, however, he is using 70 gallons to match their normal sugar content. “It produces a darker maple syrup, which is popular around here,” he shared.

Leavitt shared that he had spoken to other maple producers in the area and many are experiencing a similar issue. He attributed the lower sugar levels to a warmer than usual winter, but added that there is supposed to be a cold snap on Thursday. “That might bring sugar levels back up,” he said.

Over in New Vineyard, however, sugar content levels are not as low as those seen in other parts of the county. Schanz Family Maple shared that they have noticed a slight drop, but they have been boiling for weeks and it was not their biggest worry.

Rodney Hall over at Hall Farms Maple Products in East Dixfield did notice a drop in sugar content, adding that it could be any number of factors. “Everyone has a theory,” he said. “You can just pick one.”

Hall also stated that he has to use more sap to produce maple syrup that still has a very good flavor to it, but is darker in appearance. “Darker is very popular for table syrup, but not so much for the creams,” he added.

He added that he was not concerned with the lower sugar content, as every year produces different obstacles to work around. “You gotta roll with what Mother Nature gives you,” he said. “That is what maple makers have to work with.”

Numerous sugar shacks will be open over the weekend, and despite the lower sugar content in the maple saps, Hall and others have stated their maple syrup is just as sweet and flavorful as ever.

The following are shacks that will be open over Maine Maple Weekend, Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, with their address, dates and times listed.

• Black Acres Farm LLC, located at 123 Black Road in Wilton will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Hall Farms Maple Products, located at 8 Science Hill Road in East Dixfield will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• JB Farm, located at 140 Stinchfield Hill Road in Chesterville will be open Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Long Drive Acres Maple Farm, located at 319 Temple Road in Wilton will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Plaisted Farm Maple Products, located at 132 Borough Road in Jay will be open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Schanz Family Maple, located at 773 Barker Road in New Vineyard will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

• Shady Lane Sugar Shack, located at 108 Brahmer Road in New Vineyard will be open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• True Mountain Maple, located at 227 Federal Row in Industry will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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