Calling any girls who would like to run for 2008 Wisconsin Maple Syrup Queen. Contact Gretchen Grape 715-447-5758 or email gretchen_grape@yahoo.com as soon as possible if you are interested. Crowning will be at Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on January 5, 2008 . Be sure to put the underscore between gretchen_grape

Congratulations to 2007's WMSPA Maple Queen, Holly Melander!

Holly Melander

Holly Melander was crowned 2007 Maple Queen at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 6, 2007, during the Wisconsin Maple Institute.

Holly lives in Merrill, Lincoln County, and is the daughter of Ray and Pam Melander. Her family purchased their sugar bush, Leafy Grove Maple, in 1997. Holly, 19, attends UW- Green Bay studying Broadcast Journalism and Theatre.

She looks forward to promoting Wisconsin maple products in 2007 through radio promotions as well as visiting elementary schools and sugar bush open houses. To schedule Holly for a special event or open houses contact Maple Queen Co-orindinator Gretchen Grape at gretchen_grape@yahoo.com or phone 715-447-5758.

The Maple Queen Coronation ceremony @ Wisconsin Rapids, January 6, 2007.

 

What is the Maple Queen Program?

Each year, the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association chooses an individual to represent and promote Wisconsin maple syrup products. this yearlong position includes various promotional responsibilities as this individual serves as the statewide ambassador for this great Wisconsin commodity. Specific duties and responsibilites include:

 

 

The 2006 WMSPA Maple Queen - Cynthia Voelz.

Cynthia Voelz
 

Cynthia was crowned 2006 Maple Queen at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 7, 2006.

Cynthia lives in Tilleda, Shawano County. Her family has been making maple syrup since the early 1900s, when her great-great-grandfather started cooking sap in an open pan in the woods. Since that time the tradition has become a family owned business in which she takes an active part.

In January of 2006, she hosted 36 Korean children through their church to visit the Voelz Sugar Bush in Tilleda. She performed the honors of the "First Tap" at Hedmark's Maple Ridge in Florence, WI. Then she oversaw the 25th Annual Maplesyrup Saturday at the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton. Cynthia traveled to Viroqua on March 25 @ Kickapoo Gold's pancake breakfast. In April she visited the Stockwells S&S Sugarbush. She attended the June Dairy Breakfasts in Scandinavia, Merrill, Arkansas, and Antigo. She also attended the Wisconsin State Fair and worked the WMSPA booth. She assisted in the maple syrup judging contest in Marshfield at the Fall Maple Festival. She represented the Association at NAMSC-IMSI in Green Bay as well as at the Winter Institute this past January. Thank you so much for your outstanding effort throughout the year as it was greatly appreciated!