DAMASCUS, PA — Tis the season to tap maple trees.The sap is running in NEPA and the Upper Delaware River Valley National Scenic And Recreation Area. Trees are getting affixed with faucets and trimmed with buckets. Soon sugar shacks on family farms and backyards will have intense fires burning 24/7 transforming the clear sap into the warm hues of maple syrup.   

To celebrate this first stirring of spring and one of North America‘s unique natural products in NEPA, The Damascus Manor Community Center (DMCC) in Wayne County, Pennsylvania is hosting its fourth annual maple syrup harvest pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 16 from 8 AM to Noon at the community center building located at 60 Conklin Hill Road, Damascus, PA 18415. All are welcome to come and feast on classic and buckwheat pancakes served with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs and, of course, locally produced maple syrup all prepared in the center’s kitchen by community volunteers. 

The cost per person is $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children 12 and under, payable in cash only please. In addition to breakfast attendees will be able to purchase baked goods from the kitchens of Damascus Township cooks, including maple cookies and maple scones as well as locally produced syrup. There is ample parking, and the community center is handicapped accessible.

Guests are also welcome to follow a free self-guided tour of local “sugar bushes” to get a real flavor of the tree to table experience.The tour is sponsored by the NEPA Maple Producers Association.

Proceeds from the event will contribute to the coffers of the Damascus Manor Community Center to help support local services including the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the Damascus Food Pantry and the Equinunk Volunteer Fire Department.  

Damascus Manor Community Center chairwoman, Linda Dexter says, “We are fortunate to dwell in this beautifully and richly diverse part of Pennsylvania with so much history and tradition.These gatherings are part of the good old days happening right now.”

For information about the tour please contact: Trevor Tochydlowski, Wayne Conservation District, 570-253-0930. For DMCC breakfast information please contact Linda Dexter 570-729-7270.