Another Michigan Maple Syrup Association Winter Meeting is in the record books, and what a record it was. We were blessed with the best weather I can remember in a very long time and we set a record with 252 people attending. The speakers were excellent and covered some very important subjects.

I would like to give a special thanks to Dr Tim Perkins of the Proctor Maple Research Center. For an industry as old as ours, it is good to see the research being done and to learn of new ideas like the small spout and lead testing. We also need to take this opportunity to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who made this meeting successful. The board members did a great job as always. Thank you to the Arnold Family for handling registration, to Ron Kistler for organizing the vendor display area and Steve Youdes for handling the organization and judging the syrup and candy contests. Special thanks to Russ Kidd and his staff for all their help and support.

Our honored members this year are Gerald and Leola Lundstrum of Nashville, who were featured in our video. Gerald says that he has been involved with Maple Syrup since he was taken to the sugarhouse at the ripe old age of two. I won't do the math here but suffice it to say 'that is a very long time'. They were honored with a certificate and lifetime membership to MMSA. Congratulations Gerald and Leola.

I would like to thank John Anton and Brian Vissers our two retiring board members, for their years of service on the board. John has been both president and treasurer and Brian has been secretary. Both have served on several committees. Thanks John and Brian.

Ron Kistler was re-elected to the board, Ron Thomas from Rose City and Tim Boonstra from Fairview are our new board members. Welcome guys, we'll keep you busy.

Our board officers for this year are,

President-Larry Haigh
Vice President-Roger VandeBunte
Treasurer-Steve Youdes
Secretary-Jean Maday

Board members chair various committees to handle the business of the Association. These committees also include association members to assist in the various functions. The following is the Committee and Chair for this year. We always need volunteers. When you find a committee you would like to help with, please call the Chair and get involved.

Promotion-Tim Boonstra
Legislative-Mary Douglass
Fall Tour & Registration-Craig Arnold
Maple Syrup Contest-Steve Youdes
Constitution & By-Laws-Ron Thomas
Nominations-Tim Boonstra
Annual Meeting-Larry Haigh
Membership-Roger VandeBunte
Honorarium-Larry Haigh
Grants-Mary Douglass
Newsletter-Cathi Bates
Sale Items-Cathi Bates
Budget & Audit -Larry Haigh
Historian-Jean Maday
Supplier Display-Ron Kistler
NAMSC/IMSI Trip-Debbie Thomas

I would like to remind you that there are two major festivals in Michigan celebrating Maple. The Vermontville and Shepherd Maple Syrup Festivals both are being held April 28th and 29th. I am a bit biased toward Vermontville because we are active there. Both are good events with much of the proceeds going back into the community

The Fall Tour this year will be in the southwest corner of the state, from Paw Paw down to Niles. The tour is set for September 29th. Next year's annual meeting is all set for January 19th, 2002. Mark these dates on our calendar now.

The sun is getting higher in the sky each day, sunrise comes earlier and sunset is later. I've been sorting the tubing supply box and ordering supplies. It won't be long until we will be tapping. Some will say it's been a mild winter. Others will say it's been hard. To me it seems like this is more of the kind of winter that I remember as a kid. Having said all that, I am cautiously optimistic about this syrup season. So as you all head to the woods, please remember to work safely and enjoy the wonders God has given us.

Larry Haigh, President
Michigan Maple Syrup Association