The Superman of Sugarbush
Excerpt of an article by Lois Cole, Former volunteer coordinator,
Blandford Nature Center

Jerry Moleski retired this summer from his position of maintenance supervisor after 30 years with the City of Grand Rapids (26 at Blandford). Over the years, maple Syrup production became one of his areas of expertise, and one of his favorite times of the year.
Moleski took over the Sugarbush activity at Blandford Nature Center in 1974 and learned by hands on, and from talking to other producers. Over the next 20 years, he, along with a team of volunteers, improved the operation each year. In 1981, he designed and built the sugarhouse; a traditional post and beam, mortise and tenon structure with no nails, funded by a monetary gift. When the evaporator was purchased in 1982, Moleski trained a volunteer crew in operation methods. Tractors were outfitted to collect sap; a license was obtained from the health department to bottle and sell the syrup. From the three gallons made in 1974, to the record 112 gallons in 1999, the Sugarbush activity accounts for a third of the Nature Center's earned revenues.

The annual tapping of the sugar maple trees in Blandford's forest, and the timeless process of making sap into maple syrup will continue on again this year, due in part to the dedicated volunteers and the gone, but not forgotten spirit of the Superman of Sugarbush
School tours run February 26 through March 29. On weekends, beginning March 2 thru March 24, visitors can take guided tours of the Nature Center's authentic sugarbush to see the historic process of tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and boiling it down, including Native American methods using hot stones, early American pioneer practices and modern production in the Sugarhouse. 1:00-5:00 p.m. Admission: $2 adults, $1 children Self-guided tours all month during open hours (9 am-5 pm) brochure $1.00.