At the 43rd Annual Michigan Maple Syrup Association Winter Meeting
Terry DeLoughary was presented as this year's Lifetime Honorary Member.

DeLoughary’s Sugar Bush
Terry & Rosemary DeLoughary
17934 N Eustis Road
Bark River, MI 49807
906-466-2305
www.maplecream.com -

“My son wanted to make some syrup,” Terry DeLoughary comments, justifying his reason for getting into the business of maple syrup. Then, as he explains, “It’s the rule of maples — beyond the last tree you tap, there’s always one more.” They sold syrup for the first time in 1976 with only 200 or less taps. Since those days, DeLoughary’s Sugar Bush has come a long way.

Most recently, Terry was honored at the January association meeting and awarded MMSA lifetime membership. He jokes, “They just look for the most decrepit one around. But seriously, it was an honor.” This honor comes after years of work, both in and outside of his local association. Terry has traveled to Vermont’s MapleRama several times, gone on the New York State Tour, and was even a speaker at the Indiana annual association meeting. He also served on the MMSA board for nine years and still drives down to all the meetings.

Currently, he is producing between 400 and 1,000 gallons of syrup. From that, his operation creates maple syrup — and much more. . . Cream, sugar, maple mustard, maple-pecan brittle, maple sugar sprinkles, and chocolate covered maple creams. When asked about maple mustard, he said he had thought about honey mustard and asked himself, “Why not maple?” All these products are sold out of his home, in a few local stores, and on the internet. Terry says that he does the boiling and candy making by himself, but hires people to help him with the work in the woods.

The evaporator he uses is 6 by 18 and fired with woodchips. Due to the well- known annoyance of squirrels, he still relies on pails, although he does use a tubing and vacuum system. And although he is west of Escanaba, Terry is not alone in his sweet hobby. He estimates that within 35 miles of his operation, there are at least 25,000 taps.

Looking at the association logo, Terry jokes and claims, “I’m the drip,” since that is the location of his sugarbush. Yet, by his accomplishments and his recent honor, it’s easy to recognize that he’s definitely more hard-working than your normal, everyday drip.

Member Profile by Becky Thomas