Plus, upcoming construction near Blair Street.

Hello Tuesday.

April 29 2025

A bit of a sticky situation

We’re keeping it short + sweet without getting too sappy as we tap into Wisconsin’s maple syrup industry.

Local maple syrups available at the Willy Street Co-op. | Photo by 608today team

Maple syrup by the numbers

The Badger State ranks No. 4 in maple syrup production behind Vermont, New York, and Maine. It was one of the state’s earliest agricultural products.
Maple syrup wasn't popularized until the mass importing of sugar cane in the 1860s when it took over as the dominant sweetener, requiring producers to reinvent the sap for consumer usage.
The 300,000 Wisconsin-produced gallons of syrup from 2021 were estimated at a worth of over $9 million.
Sap fresh from the tree is approximately 97% water and 3% sugar, which results in syrup after the sap is boiled down.
The third month of the year is when harvesting happens. Temperatures need to be below freezing at night and above during the day.
Last year’s harvest began on February 20 and ended on March 31.
Grading of syrups doesn’t have to do with quality, but rather coloring + flavor, which depends on the time they’re produced during the season. The lighter the syrup, the colder the temperature.
It generally takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.
Sugar maple has been the official state tree since 1892 after a statewide vote by school children.

The slow collection of sap. | Video by @gardenhandswi

See the sap yourself

Friends of Mackenzie Maple Fest, Q, W7303 County Hwy. CS, Poynette | Sat., April 2 | Join the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources to learn about past + present maple sugaring practices.
Open Kettle Farms, 5260 Otto Kerl Rd., Cross Plains | Sat., March 19-Sun., March 20 | See how maple syrup is made + enjoy treats at the family-operated organic farm.

3 MORE STICKY EVENTS

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EVENTS

Today

Lich King | Fri., March 18 | 9:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon | $15 | The ultimate crossover between punk and thrash. 🎵
Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few | Fri., March 18 | 7 p.m. | Cafe Coda, 1224 Williamson St. | $20 | A Chicago/Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and saxophonist.

Saturday

Rainforest Rhythms | Sat., March 19 | Times vary | Olbrich Botanical Gardens | $4+ | Celebrate cultures in rainforest regions around the world with performances of music and dance.
Late Winter Market at Garver Feed Mill | Sat., March 19 | 8 a.m-12 p.m. | 3241 Garver Green | Free entry | Pick up some groceries + enjoy locally-sourced produce at an outing hosted by the Dane County Farmers’ Market. 🧀
Bluestem Jazz Presents: The Bad Plus | Sat., March 19 | 8 p.m. | The Bur Oak | $35 | Unique sounds and a flair for live performance from the band. 🎷

Sunday

Caroline Rose | Sun., March 20 | 8 p.m. | High Noon Saloon | $20+ | An American singer, songwriter, and musician with her pop-rock album. 🎶

Monday

Madison Magazine Taste | Mon., March 21 | 6-9 p.m. | The Edgewater | $25 | Sample spirits, beer, wines, and desserts + enjoy music by Shekinah King.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

38º | Rain/snow | 80% chance of precipitation

Holiday

It’s Holi, a Hindu celebration of love also known as the Festival of Colors. If you’ve seen a Holi festival, you know why. Maybe you’ve seen Rang de Madison on the UW-Madison campus. While it doesn’t look like it’s happening this year, you can check out the India Students Association at UW-Madison for more info about previous years' events.

Traffic

Have you seen the orange cones near Monona Terrace this week? Excavation work on Blair Street will begin on Mon., March 21, closing off the southbound lanes at the intersection of John Nolen Drive and East Wilson Street. The second phase will begin on Fri., April 1 with full reconstruction scheduled to end in November. 🚧 (Channel3000)

Civic

The City of Madison’s springtime yard waste collection will begin the week of Sun., April 3. Residents can check the city’s website for their neighborhood’s collection dates or take yard waste to one of the city’s drop-off sites.
Dane County has shared its proposal for a landfill site on the Yahara Hills Golf Course. Situated near McFarland and Cottage Grove, the 230-acre site would have both a landfill + a “Sustainability Campus” to help offset the volume of waste. (The Herald-Independent and McFarland Thistle)

Sports

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is heading to Las Vegas. While the teams are still finalizing the agreement, it looks like the Raiders will trade two 2022 draft picks in exchange for the Pro Bowler. (ESPN)
Today is “Wear Red Friday” in support of the Badgers men’s basketball NCAA tournament game. Rep your Wisconsin gear all day + for those going to the game at Fiserv Forum, attend a pep rally at Punch Bowl Social before tip-off. 🏀 (Channel3000)

Arts

Local artist Emily Marie is hosting a watercolor painting workshop at Monroe Street Arts Center. The five-week course kicks off on Tues., April 5 + will teach budding artists different techniques and styles.

Announced

Robert A. Reed has been selected as Madison Symphony Orchestra’s new executive director. The seasoned orchestra manager will assume the position on Mon., June 6 + lead the organization into its 100th Anniversary Season. 🎻 (NBC15)

Cause

St. Vincent de Paul is hosting a toilet paper drive on Sat., March 26 at the Hy-vee grocery store on East Washington Avenue. The “Can you Spare a Square” campaign will help those experiencing poverty in Dane County. Donors can purchase toilet paper or personal care items to drop off or donate online.

Community

Lakeview Library has launched a Teen Movie Matinee series kicking off Sat., March 26. The first film will be “The Secret Life of Pets” with dinner provided to enjoy at home. 📽️
Madison BCycles are back + so are Madison Public Library’s cardholder passes. Starting next week, library cardholders can check out bike passes from any location for up to a week at a time. Need a library card? We’ve got you covered.

Home

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: If you've been looking for a 608today sticker, fear not. We've dropped some off at local shops around town, including Madison Modern Market on State Street.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? We covered the upcoming International Festival + voting procedure changes.

Today's edition by:

Audrey

608today Team

Editorial: Ryan Waldman, Audrey Rotman, Josh Kranzberg

Sales: Julie Brown

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