The Secret Behind Catskill's Premium Maple Syrup

MILESTONE

Catskill Crew has crossed 20,000 Crew Members. That’s pretty wild. This has been an incredible journey and I’ve never felt more connected to our community. I’ll continue to do everything I can to highlight what makes these mountains special, support local business, and brings folks together. My inbox is forever and always open - so reach out and say hi.

With the deepest gratitude - thanks for being here, now let’s get into it.

   - Michael

MAPLE SYRUP

When winter loosens its grip on the Catskills, maple syrup season arrives. That magical freeze-thaw cycle kicks in — warm days wake the trees, cold nights keep the sap sweet, and suddenly the maples are ready to share their liquid gold.

Getting sap is surprisingly straightforward. Find a healthy sugar maple (at least 10-12 inches in diameter), drill about 2 inches into the south-facing side, tap in a spile, and hang your bucket. The real work comes next. It takes roughly 40 gallons of that watery sap to make just one gallon of syrup, boiled down through a process that demands patience, precision, and plenty of firewood. A single tap might yield enough sap for about a quart of finished syrup over the season — not much reward for the effort, which explains why the good stuff commands its price.

If you're curious to see the process firsthand or just want to stock up on some fresh Catskill syrup, check out the events section below for maple celebrations happening throughout the region this weekend. There's nothing quite like the steam rising from a sugar shack to signal that spring is on its way.

SKY REPORT

Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation on March 8th, giving us a rare peek at this sneaky little fella. You can catch it hovering about 17° above the western horizon just after sunset, where it'll hang out for roughly 90 minutes before disappearing at 7:28 PM. Since it orbits so close to the Sun, Mercury usually stays hidden in the glare, but for about a week around the 8th, we will have a few good shots. Find yourself a spot with a clear view west and soak it in.

ADOPT PETS

Meet Dory, a mellow brown tabby who rocks a perpetually-stuck-out tongue and an undying passion for snacks (think we can all relate). Then there's Valentina, a mixed breed hound pup who's perfected the art of belly rubs.

HOUSES

Many moons ago the people voted in favor of adding real estate to this newsletter. I wanted to go big, but opted not to - mainly because a lot of other folks cover that space, and truthfully they can do it way better than I ever could. So with that being said, I was thinking of adding a house or piece of land I come across each week - nothing crazy, keeping it simple. As always, you all decide… You want it, you got it. You don’t like it, it’s gone. 

Example: This week we have a house with a name, and she goes by Black Bear. Built in 1902, sitting on 3.14 acres in Gods Country aka Livingston Manor. The house clocks in at 1,490 sq ft, with 3 beds and 2 baths — ladies and gentlemen, I present the first house of the week check it out

GAMES

Last Week: What famous fly pattern did Theodore Gordon adapt from English patterns to better match Catskill insect hatches, revolutionizing American dry fly fishing? The answer was The Quill Gordon, which is pretty much Catskill fishing royalty. It perfectly mimics the Epeorus Pleuralis mayfly. Designed by Theodore Gordon himself back in the late 1800s, this beauty was one of America's first true dry flies and remains a staple in every self-respecting angler's box around these parts.

TUESDAY

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Performance by award-winning gypsy jazz violin legend Tim Kliphuis and America’s rising guitar star Jimmy Grant at 7pm enjoy the show

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Concert with Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve (Night 1) at 8pm sold out but you can get an alert if they become available

Colony, Woodstock - Karaoke in the Ballroom at 6:30pm 

Saltbox, Kingston - Mardi Gras party at 7pm can’t believe its march

Tubby's, Kingston - Mardi Gras DJ Night from 7-11pm details

WEDNESDAY

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Concert with Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve (Night 2) at 8pm tix still available - act fast

Colony, Woodstock - Monthly Blues Night with Regina Bonelli in the Ballroom at 7pm enjoy 

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Music Night with Jenna Nicholls from 7-9pm have fun

Rosendale Recreation Center, Rosendale - Ukulele Jam Session from 6-7:30pm check it out

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Movie Night: The Seed Of The Sacred Fig at 2pm and 7pm watch the trailer

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Open Mic at 6:30pm sing it

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Stacked night: Queer Apocalypse Community Assembly from 6:30-8pm, Queer Trivia from 7:30-9:30pm, followed by Bights & Banter from 8-10pm details

THURSDAY

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Low Cut Connie at 8pm get a ticket

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Sam Grisman Project at 8pm tix

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Karaoke Night at 8pm

The Local, Saugerties - St Patrick’s Celebration with Irish Legends Lúnasa + special guests at 7pm have a guinness

Keegan Ales, Kingston - Stand Up – Open Mic Comedy Night at 8:30pm laugh more

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - On the Fly Story Slam: Changing Lanes at 6:30pm info

Park Theatre, Hudson - A Galere of Poetic Autopsies at 6pm check it out

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Big Old Book: The Count of Monte Cristo from 6-7:30pm read more books

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Trivia Night from 6-8pm

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Line Dancing at 7:30pm have fun

FRIDAY

Skatetime, Accord - Airbrush and Graffiti Skate Night from 8-12am get out there

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Go hang with our good friend DJ Harlan at 9pm info

The NEST, Woodstock - An exploration of Crazy Wisdom, Holy Fools, & Sacred Clown energies at 11am details

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Kim Deal with the Nobody Love your More Tour at 8pm probably sold out

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Performance by Jeffrey Martin at 8pm tix

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - E.T. at 2pm and 7pm what a film

The Local, Saugerties - The Boogaloo Beat: Spanglish Fly at 8pm check it out

Laugh it Up Comedy Club, Poughkeepsie - Performance by Lee Syatt at 7pm have fun

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Live tunes by Public Water Supply at 8pm info

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - On Beams of Light at 5pm (until March 23) learn more

The Callicoon Theater, Callicoon - Movie Night: Paddington in Peru at 7:30pm tix

SATURDAY

Olive Free Library, West Shokan - Hidden History: Native People and the Catskill Mountains from 1-2:30pm very interesting

Outside Institute, Narrowsburg - Annual Maple Tapping & Tasting Event along with Guided Walk and Chili Cook-off this will be cool

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Maple Fest 2025 get tapping

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - A Celebration of Maple Sugaring & Stories w/ Bear Fox from 9am-1pm enjoy

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Open Auditions: Bye Bye Birdie at 10am (until March 9) get on stage

Ralph's Bar & Bowling, Big Indian- Bierhalle Series from 7-11pm love it

Dette Flies, Livingston Manor - Beginner Fly-Fishing Workshop with Craig Buckbee tight lines

Made X Hudson, Catskill - Knitting circle from 2-5pm make things

The Half Moon, Hudson - 12 Year Anniversary Party at 8pm info

NightSwim, Kingston - Burlesque and live vocal performances from 8-11pm

The Old Foundation, Kenoza Lake - Foundation of Funk at 9:30pm have fun

Union Street Brewing, Hudson - Kingdom Comedy from 8-9:30pm

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - 30th Annual Pisces Party with DJ Dave Leonard and Friends at 8pm info

Van Smokey, Livingston Manor - Performance by Ailise Hayes at 8pm info

SUNDAY

The Common Good, Ellenville - The Southbound Writer’s Round 2025 Tour from 7:30-9:30pm info

Return Brewing, Hudson - Dog Fashion Show at 3pm cheers

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Kundalini Yoga, Meditation and Gong Immersion with HariPrakaash from 10-11:30am info

Colony, Woodstock - Dean Friedman with Vance Gilbert in the Ballroom at 7pm enjoy

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Brunch Bingo from 10am-1pm BINGO

RMV Cellars, West Park - The 209's from 5-9pm have fun

MONDAY

Mirador, Kingston - #22 Edition Of International Vinyl Supper Club check it out

Scramble Answer: Hemlock Tree