MEMBER PROFILE
by Terry Coleman
Profile Editor

Larry & Ruth Horton

As an MMSA member since 1994, Larry Horton spent his childhood in the Harbor Beach area in the thumb of our lower peninsula. He still has fond memories of making enough syrup for family use from a few taps in the "woods behind the house". When he reached adulthood, he went to the Detroit area where he was a carpenter and his wife Ruth taught school. In 1994, after many years of work, they decided to retire. They made the move back to his wife’s' family farm southeast of Grand Haven, which was established in the mid 1890's.

Larry was toying with the idea of sugaring and conveniently met up with Earl Girard of the MMSA at the Grand Haven farmers market. Earl was ready to enlarge his operation so he sold Larry his 3'x10' JGD evaporator and the Hortons were off and running. They built a 30'x40' pole building with a canning room and began securing taps. They were fortunate to secure 400 taps, would you believe, in a local cemetery! They added 400 more between the woods on the farm and some local roadside trees. All of these taps are on sap-saks which are thrown out at the end of each season. The gathering process consists of Ruth driving the pick-up with tank and Larry gathering They have a small barrel hanging on the back with a pump in it to lift sap up into the truck tank. They are usually escorted by a volunteer neighbor or family member to help out.

Larry and Ruth share in the boiling and canning chores and since the hours become long, they have a cot near the evaporator and take turns napping. The evaporator is natural gas fired and they use a gas finisher and wool filters.

About 300 gallons is a normal season and much of it goes into barrels for later canning.
The Hortons sell some syrup in local stores but more is sold at the bush, which is run self-serve all year!! Sugar candy is also sold in their store. By October the syrup is gone and when the sign comes down the people quit coming. Larry and Ruth don't plan to change anything in the future. Their greatest draw to sugaring is 'meeting lots of nice customers and neighbors'.

To visit Crystal Creek Sugar Bush, take US 31 south from Grand Haven about 5 miles to Lincoln Street. Go left on Lincoln 5 miles and look for the maple sign on the right.