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Witness sirup's sweet start at Funks Grove
By Scott Richardson
srichardson@pantagraph.com
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SHIRLEY -- If you don't know, now is the time to find out where Sugar Grove Nature Center got its name.

The center, which lies in the midst of historic Funks Grove southwest of Bloomington, hosts Maple Sirup Experience Tours on Saturday.

Since the time American Indians called Central Illinois home, the sugar maples throughout Funks Grove have surrendered their sap at this time of year. Arthur Funk was the first to make the maple sirup into a commercial business at the site in 1891. The business continues to this day with the product spelled with an "i," as Arthur Funk originally spelled it.

During the Maple Sirup Experience, visitors will learn how the sap is collected and prepared. They will have a chance to visit the sugar shack where the smell of maple sirup hangs in the air. They will have the option of tapping a tree. A hole is drilled, and a spile, or spout, is hammered into the hole. A bucket with a lid on it is attached. The rest is up to the tree.

Afterward, visitors can stop inside the nature center to sample a variety of sweet treats made with sirup, including candy, cookies, muffins and fudge.

Tours start at 9 and 11 a.m., and at 1 and 3 p.m. Tour size is limited. Make reservations by calling (309) 874-2174 or e-mail register-sgnc@earthlink.net. Cost is $3 for adult members of the nature center, $1 for child members 16 and younger. Non-members pay $5 per adult and $3 per child.

For a map and directions to the nature center as well as updated program information, visit www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

Sugar Grove Nature Center also hosts field trips for fourth- to sixth-graders from mid-February to early March. Cost is $5 per student for four hours.

Maple sirup seminars also are scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday or from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. The programs are suitable for all ages. Cost is $2 for members, $3 for non-members.

Memberships to the nature center are $15 for students and seniors, $25 for a Sugar maple level and $50 for Paw Paw level. Members receive discounts on programs, a newsletter four times annually, invitations to members-only events and a 10 percent discount on center apparel.

Take a look
Hot maple sirup dribbles into a half-gallon jug at Funks Grove in this Pantagraph file photo. (The Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY)
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