— Photos by Bobbie Toner

Somerville Community Growing Center’s annual Maple Boil Down took place Saturday, March 7. As part of this project, volunteers collect dozens of gallons of maple sap from trees at Tufts. It was then boiled down into real maple syrup. Youth and adults had a chance to learn about tree anatomy and physiology and experience the process of making fresh maple syrup first-hand. This year’s event included programming led by Indigenous storyteller Anna-Celestrya Carr, historic events manager at the Somerville Museum, shared a “Maple Syrup Creation Story.” This event plays a critical role in supporting their mission to engage the full population of Somerville while providing a welcoming space for community interactions, environmental education and awareness, engagement with nature and culturally enriching experiences. If you were not able to attend this event and if you have the means, consider making a donation to help sustain this type of programming budget, and every little bit helps. https://www.thegrowingcenter.org/