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Ioka Valley Farm Win Maple Syrup Competition

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HANCOCK, Mass. — Pure maple products made by Massachusetts maple syrup producers were once again proclaimed to be the best in the world, as three of the state's sugarmakers took home prizes from the North American Maple Syrup Council's annual competition, held this year in Portland, Maine.
 
Four prizes were collected by Massachusetts producers. Massachusetts' winners were:
 
Maple Cream: 1st place, Rob and Melissa Leab, Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock
Maple Cream: 2nd place, Paul and Serena Zononi, Paul's Sugar House, Williamsburg
Golden/Delicate syrup: 2nd place, Howard and Jeanne Boyden, Boyden Brothers Maple, Conway
Amber/Rich syrup: 3rd place, Rob and Melissa Leab, Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock
 
The winners represent the breadth of the maple industry in Massachusetts. 
 
Ioka Valley Farm is a fourth generation diversified, family owned and operated working farm dedicated to providing high quality locally grown products as well as enjoyment for all ages offering seasonal activities. Maple sugaring has been a part of Ioka Valley Farm since 1992 and currently they have 18,000 taps. Boyden's are a multi generational maple business well known for their high quality syrup, cream, granulated sugar, and candy.
 
They tap between 3500 – 4000 taps each year and market their products directly, mail order, and wholesale. Paul Zononi is a first generation sugar maker that has been producing maple syrup for over 60 years, where making quality maple syrup and maple products has been his passion. He and his wife Serena have been sugaring together since 2007 and have won numerous International Maple Awards. 
 
They currently have 3,400taps. 
 
There are more than 250 maple sugaring operations in Massachusetts, many of which sell their products directly to consumers at farm stands and farmers markets. 

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Hancock School Celebrates Thanksgiving by Highlighting Community

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

The children perform music and a play during the luncheon.
HANCOCK, Mass. — For many, Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and unity. Hancock Elementary School embraced this spirit on Thursday by hosting a community Thanksgiving feast for seniors.
 
The children had a major role in organizing the event, from peeling the potatoes to creating the centerpieces to performing. 
 
"Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have. To be thankful for the communities that we live in. Thankful for the families that we have, our friends," Principal John Merselis III said. 
 
"And by opening our doors and inviting people in, I think we just embrace that idea." 
 
More than 50 seniors visited the school for a Thanksgiving lunch prepared by the school's students. In addition to those who attended, the students made enough for 40 takeout orders and to feed themselves and the school's staff. 
 
The lunch was kicked off with student performances on the drums, playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" using boomwhackers, and a play showcasing the preparation of a Thanksgiving feast, which caused rumbles of laughter. 
 
"[The event] gives [students] a great opportunity to practice their life skills such as cooking and creating things for people, and also [build] their self-confidence and just public speaking," said Samantha Lincoln, first and second-grade teacher. 
 
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