BJ, here are a couple sources for pure Maple syrup here where I am. Both of these farms are on FB, but one also has a website.
Hidden Acres Sugar Bush
https://hidden-acres-sugar-bush.myshopify.com/. You can also find thrm on FB under that name
Alpine Maple Farm
They don’t have a website but are on FB as well and they are happy to ship to all states. You can contact them via their FB page.
There is another one called Bragg Family Farm, also in FB, but not sure if thry just sell locally or what.
All of these are located near Gaylord. Their FB pages give you a good look at their syrup making process and how it’s done. Alpine Maple Fsrms also makes Maple sugar, Maple candy etc. Maple sugar which is pure natural sugar contains a number of natural vitamins and minerals and is better than refined sugar. Less is more with that sugar. Lot of people use it in recipes instead of white sugar and it’s great on oatmeal. You can find info and recipes online. Both syrup and sugar products are pure, no additives or anything added. One of natures gifts to us. It’s not rocket Science to make it, but it’s labor intensive on a large scale and requires investment in a lot of equipment. The averse backyard syrup maker just taps a few trees and boils the sap down in a pot over a fire or a portable gas burner outside, It’s a sure sign of spring in the north country. No calendar needed
Shirl, sounds like you have your “gardening g down to an art. And it’s thriving too. I agree, When Weather get too cold or frosty, we just move them inside the garage or cover like you say.
Judy, don’t know if you are coming up to MI this summer, but if you happen to be thinking about the UP or Mackinaw, there’s gong to be major construction on I-75 and U.S.23 at MackinaW City involving deck replacement on the bridge carrying 23 into 75, total reconstruction of the entrance and exit ramps (all 3) resurfacing of 23 from 75 to Huron St etc. will involve some lane and shoulder closure, traffic shifts, detours through city streets etc. and as you know, Mackinaw doesn’t have a lot of city streets. Should be interesting. Then add the thousands of tourists that flock there on top of it. Don’t envy the locals. I’m sure it will create backups on the bridge as well, both north and southbound. But it will be done in stages, first one starting yesterday till Memorial Day and the rest from June to November. For those u familiar with Mackinaw City, it’s actually a village of around 800 residents, but hosts up to 1.2 million visitors a year during the season from May to October at which time the shops close for the winter and the locals get their town back.
I’ll be taking my annual spring ride up there before long, like to go when all is still quiet in town although there are more and more people going there in esrly spring, but nothing open yet. But for today, it’s heading outside to get some things done before weather goes downhill for rest of week. The POA walking path that I maintain needs it’s spring clean up, that’s on today’s agenda and don’t know what else. May e walk the dogs in the woods as !pMolly has been bugging me to go that way for awhile now, but was too snowy. Yesterday I moved 250 feet of split rain fencing that was under a tree to back of my shed and recovered it. Glad that’s done. Rambling on too much Ch here, so will wish you all a nice dsy and move on
finally quieted down early this morning. I was so tired after work yesterday and fell asleep on my bed at 7:30pm, woke up at 11:30, put on my PJ's and went back to bed until 8am this morning. Went over to the putting course at 9. The lady I played with last week didn't show, so I played by myself and went around twice. 
At least it will look clean. SO much dust all over everything! I hosed down most of what was on the deck and it is all drying in the sun. Still have a ways to go but needed a break for lunch. Just needed to take advantage of the cooler weather as we may not get any more nice days like this to work outside until fall. 
