(gentle music) - [Michael] Tonight on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories," Learn about New York's (graphic whooshing) maple-sugar making processes and traditions just in time for Maple Weekend.

And a fashion show featuring amazing designs from the Saint Regis Mohawk tribe.

Also, Canadian singer-songwriter, Gerald McGrath, joins us in the studio to perform his original song, "Kenopsia."

Your stories, your region, coming up right now on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories."

(gentle music continues) (graphic whooshes) (graphic whooshes) (graphic whooshes) (graphic whooshes) (graphic whooshes) (gentle music fades) (gentle music) - [Announcer 1] "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories" is brought to you by... (bright music) - [Announcer 2] When you're unable to see your primary care provider, the Carthage Walk-in Clinic is here for you.

Located off Route 26 across from Carthage Middle School.

Comfort and healing close to home when you need it most.

- [Announcer 3] North Country Orthopaedic Group is there for your urgent ortho or sports-related injuries.

With our onsite-surgical center and same or next-day appointments, we're ready to provide care for patients of all ages.

Your health matters to us.

North Country Orthopaedic Group, keeping healthcare local.

(vibrant music) - [Announcer 4] We are the North Country.

We're protecting one another like family is who we are and where our tomorrow will always be worth defending.

Find out how we keep the North Country strong at claxtonhepburn.org today.

- [Announcer 5] Select musical performances are made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York state legislator, administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

- Good Tuesday evening everyone, and welcome to this edition of "WPBS Weekly" Inside The Stories."

I'm Michael Riecke.

The maple industry in New York state is huge, being the second largest producer of maple products in the United States.

From the Tug Hill to the Catskills, maple Farms are all over the state, each producing syrup their own way.

With Maple Weekend in just a few days, WPBS producer, Luke Smith, ventured around Northern New York to learn how different Maple Farms are preparing for this tradition.

(bright music) (crowd chattering) - [Nadeen] Quality maple syrup makes the best for people and we serve our community well.

- [Luke] As winter comes to a close, maple trees across the state are beginning to warm up for maple-sap production, which means maple season is in full swing with Maple Weekend right around the corner.

- Maple Weekend is the last two weekends of March.

It started with a few producers having it just on a Sunday.

New York State Maple producer is sponsor of this.

They push it out to all the regions.

You sign up for Maple Weekend through the New York State Maple Association.

It is a New York state maple tradition.

- [Luke] A tradition that's been going strong for 30 years, celebrating New York's maple industry by inviting the public to experience sugar-making firsthand.

People can learn about the industry's history at the International Maple Museum, while also partaking in Maple Weekend activities.

- Maple Weekend here at the International Maple Museum Center, we offer pancake breakfast.

Our pancake breakfast also includes a tour of the museum.

It's a walk-it yourself.

You can go around to our rooms and see what actually started.

You could see, like, the old cabin, which we happen to be in, where the loggers would be in and it would change to a sugar production and this is where they would actually stay.

They have a small little kitchen.

They have their equipment here, they cut their wood.

Everything's done directly from past.

This is many, many years ago.

The industry is a large interest that keeps growing and growing.

There's more and more maple producers.

- [Luke] And what would a maple weekend be without visiting a sugar house?

In New York state, there's over 2,000 to pick from, each represented by the New York State Maple Producers Association.

Sugar makers like Snyder's Sugar Shack who have been tapping trees and crafting sweet products in Copenhagen for the past seven years.

- Our process for making maple syrup starts in the woods with the trees.

When the temperature starts to do a freeze-thaw cycle is when we start to get sap from the trees.

The sap is essentially 98% water when we take it from the trees.

And then we run it through a reverse osmosis system where we remove most of the water first, and then we boil off the rest of the water on the evaporator to a certain temperature to make maple syrup.

For Maple Weekend, if we have sap, which the trees are our boss, we definitely have the evaporator running so they can see the maple syrup actually being produced.

We give away free samples.

We let people see our product.

We try to educate them on the production of maple syrup and where everything comes from.

- [Luke] But to get quality, maple producers need to know the best trees to tap.

- The best trees for producing maple sap are hard maples and then the older, the better it seems.

The sugar content tends to be a little better in older trees.

All of our taps are on vacuum, so we have a little bit longer season than some that would be on buckets where the air can get to the holes.

The holes might dry up a little faster.

But since we're all on tubing and vacuum, our holes stay better longer, so our season is a little more extended.

- [Luke] It's not just Snyder's, many producers like Shawn Massey at Massey Ranch, have switched to tubing for better sap collection.

- Our yield increases as technology does.

So I can get twice as much sap out of a tree now than I could have five years ago with buckets.

We tap 1,500 trees in those woods, and we take of our woods.

Our woods are very important to us.

We can't just replant a maple tree if we lose one.

These trees are 50 years old, 70 years old.

So, we really are a good steward of our forest because that's what produces the sap we need to make syrup.

- [Luke] When Maple Weekend comes around, it's a chance for Shawn to educate the public on how he makes maple products.

- A lot of people have never seen it.

Even people that live around here, they know we make maple syrup, but do they really know how we make maple syrup?

Most of 'em don't.

They think you had sugar at some point.

You add, you know, sweeteners.

We really add nothing.

We take the sap the tree gave us, and we boil it (sap boiling) until it turns into maple syrup, nothing's added.

We really jazz it up here at Massey Ranch because we want the public to come out here and experience, not just maple syrup, but the outdoors.

You know, we have bonfires, we have wagon rides, demonstrations of candy, demonstrations of cream.

You know, we really want the people to enjoy the North Country and what we have to produce and it's free.

The best thing about it, where can you take a family now and enjoy the afternoon and not spend a penny if you don't want to?

Maple Weekend.

- Aside from pancake breakfasts and syrup tastings... Oh, my God, wow!

That's amazing.

Activities span from maple production demonstrations to tours of the facilities.

- The reason to check out Maple Weekend is if you've never seen how we do it.

I mean, that's the biggest key to it is people do not realize how we do it.

And after they see how you make maple syrup, they just leave with a big smile and they just really enjoy how nature makes this natural product for us.

- We enjoy having people come to our farm, but we also enjoy seeing people talk about maple syrup.

Those people remember past years, their family used to talk about it.

They don't do it anymore.

They love to hear the generations and generations of how maple syrup was made.

Going to your local museum as us for the International Maple Museum, it's got so much wealth in history and there's people that come from all over the North Country.

It's a great way, to the take family, it's free, it's innovative, it's a learning process.

They give tours, they teach you how to make maple syrup, how it comes, where it goes, and there's lots and lots of sweet samples you can taste.

Besides, you can also pick up some of those samples and take them home with you.

- [Luke] So, take a trip to a maple farm, whether it's something to do on the weekend, or to learn more about- - That sticky stuff that everybody wants.

(Luke laughing) - [Luke] For "WPBS Weekly," (truck engine roars) I'm Luke Smith.

(graphic whooshes) - This year's Maple Weekend will take place March 22nd and 23rd, and again, March 29th and 30th.

For more information, just visit mapleweekend.com.

The Akwesasne Fashion Show hosted at the SNY Recreation Center in December was a huge hit with fans and community members.

This sold-out show features, models, designs and more, all created by fashion artists from the Saint Regis Mohawk tribe.

Take a look.

(bright music) (graphic whooshes) (crowd chatters) (soothing music) (singer vocalizes) (vibrant music) - [Host] The Akwesasne Indigenous Fashion show, hosted at the SNY Recreation Center, was a bright and brilliant display of indigenous creativity and spirit.

With a sold-out show on the first day, community members, as well as fans, flocked to see designs, performances and models on the runway for this unique event featuring many local and talented designers.

Lauren Mitchell shares her experiences as a designer.

- You know, it's like the greatest feeling.

I feel very lucky to be able to do this.

Not everybody gets a chance to put on a fashion show and have it be successful.

It's just, it's great.

- [Host] The Akwesasne Indigenous Fashion Show committee with over 16 members were created to spotlight indigenous designers, models and artists from across the United States, each member playing a vital role.

Committee members Tisha and Tanisha Thompson explain.

(gentle music) (cameras clicking) - [Audience member] Wow.

(audience applauds) - I think this year's show went great.

Every year it gets better and better.

It's like a well-oiled machine.

We have a great committee.

Everybody has their roles and their jobs and I just wanna acknowledge our committee and how much they all stepped it up this year and everybody did awesome and I'm proud of everybody.

I'm proud of all the designers, the models, makeup, hair, everybody involved.

And I'd like to thank the SNY Recreation for hosting us this year.

(upbeat music) (audience applauds) - I'm hoping that they take from this show just something to talk about.

You know, like, go home and tell them everything that they seen.

All the designers put so much love and effort into every piece that they made that it's just so great.

I'm so grateful to be able to watch everything unfold, all the hard work that it takes to lead up into this show.

I want everyone to understand that it's not something quick and easy that can be made.

I mean, Terry Creek can pump it out in a day, but I mean all these pieces of walking art take time, love, affection, and so much blood, sweat and tears that I just want everyone to know how much effort and love and hard work goes into this show.

(upbeat music) - [Host] With the Akwesasne Indigenous Fashion Show being a huge hit, getting bigger and better, the future looks bright for next year.

- I'd like to mention that I'm just so grateful to be a part of this show and watch it grow every year into something bigger, better.

And just to be on the lookout for next year's tickets 'cause they fly off the shelves.

And keep an eye out for what's coming up next year.

(upbeat music continues) (upbeat music fades) (graphic whooshes) - You can find more videos from Akwesasne TV on Facebook and YouTube.

WPBS TV's annual Literacy Fair is back.

"Ready Set Fun!"

is a celebration of learning that has been held annually for more than 20 years and includes many partner exhibits.

You'll find PBS Kids' characters, a gently-used book swap, games activities and more.

Here's a sneak preview.

(graphic whooshing) (bright music) (graphic whooshing) (lively music) - [Guy] "Ready Set Fun!"

This March, spring into reading with WPBS' annual celebration of literacy and learning.

We talk with our events coordinator, Cindy Tyler, and Salmon Run Mall's Karla Niftier, about this exciting educational experience.

- This year's event is very special because we are, once again, going to be holding our event in March.

Now, if you've been here in the North Country, you know that our winters are particularly struggle-bus, so come inside in March and enjoy an entire day of free entertainment with literacy, books, children's fun, all free, all fantastic.

And we are celebrating spring into reading.

So, all of our vendors are going to have spring themes.

You're gonna see greens, greenery, and flowers and everything springtime that we're all very eager to see.

Plus, you get the magic of reading.

The North Country Library system will, once again, be running our book swap there, bring in a gently-used book and pick up a brand new one.

We're so happy to partner and promote with North Country Library Systems.

They're are fantastic friends and allies in the North Country here.

And, yeah, it's all gonna be indoors.

So, no heavy, bulky coat.

You can go grab a snack, walk around, play some games, read some books.

It's gonna be a great day.

- Being a part of the "Ready Set Fun!"

event again this year is a great honor, you know, with PBS or a great partner that we've been working with and we're a great venue, you know, for an event like this.

It's a family event.

We get kids of all ages, we get the parents coming out, grandparents coming out, and it's just a great time to spend with family.

- If you grew up watching PBS, which you did, we all know that we were all raised with "Reading Rainbow," with "Mr. Rogers," with "Sesame Street," and we were all taught the joys and imaginary excitement that comes along with reading.

It's that excitement that captures the children's imaginations.

And when we provide our services to the community, we're helping you reach your child.

We're helping you teach them and show them that reading is a doorway.

It's a way for them to go into their imaginations and go into new worlds.

- [Guy] The WPBS "Ready Set Fun!"

event is comprised of numerous educational activities, but one particular facet of this experience is known to create ecstatic joy in the hearts of attendees.

- I think one of the best things is the character meet and greets that PBS does with this event.

Just the look on the kids' faces when they'll see Big Bird or, you know, any of the PBS characters is really priceless, honestly.

And it's like they're seeing their hero in person.

(laughs) - They're not just important for young children.

Adults love seeing characters they know, too.

And we are so excited, we're going to be bringing "Arthur," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Daniel Tiger."

Everybody loves "Daniel Tiger."

He is our most popular character and "Super Why!"

So, we have a fantastic selection of your favorites and your children's favorites.

And when you get to see your favorite character in person and give them a hug and a high-five at the mall, that's fantastic.

That's something really special that we can bring to the community and just give the kids a really fantastic day with.

Make sure that you check the times for the characters that you wanna take a picture with, the characters will be in center court in the mall.

We have a schedule there and two of them come out at a time, so they swap off in 20-minute intervals.

So, just check the schedules, 'cause we definitely don't want you to miss your favorite character.

You gotta get that photo op, it's fantastic.

The vendors are spread out through the mall, so, I suggest coming in.

We start at 10:00 a.m., grab yourself a snack and start making your way down and just enjoy everything that the community has to offer.

(lively music continues) - [Guy] Key to the success of this annual literacy event is the synergy between WPBS, Salmon Run Mall and the many generous sponsors and vendors.

- PBS has been phenomenal to work with, very organized.

They know how they want the vision.

PBS already had a plan.

They're just like, "This is what we've done."

And I know they've tweaked it in other ways to make it work at the mall, and it's definitely worked for sure.

So, having this event, and I think it's great, just being it's a family event, I think that's important.

The fact that they do that and they do it well, it's great to have 'em here every year.

- "This event is made possible by viewers like you," that touchstone is something that you've always heard growing up and it still holds true.

We can't do any of this without you.

It is the backbone of who we are at public television.

And, so, your membership dollars, everything that you donate, everything that you bring in, is a massive, massive part of how we are able to do this.

Because we are a nonprofit, we take in grants, we take in sponsorship opportunities, underwriting and, again, membership.

And without that we wouldn't be able to bring you these fantastic events and all of the wonderful programming that you love and trust.

- [Guy] Celebrating the love of literacy in our local community.

For "WPBS Weekly," I'm Guy Carlo.

(graphic whooshing) - "Ready Set Fun!"

is happening this Saturday, March 22nd, at the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This year's theme is Spring into Reading.

As always, admission is free.

For more information on this and other WPBS events, visit wpbstv.org/events.

Finally, tonight we bring you Canadian singer-songwriter, Gerald McGrath.

Gerald spent 25 years playing in countless bands before taking his shows solo.

His music takes the best parts of the nineties' alt rock and present-day indie music that has drawn comparisons to musicians like the Wallflowers and Stephen Page.

Here he is now with his first single, "Kenopsia."

(graphic whooshing) (upbeat music) (graphic music) - I'm Gerald McGrath.

I'm a singer-songwriter from Kingston, Ontario.

Playing as a solo musician is really interesting because I spent a lotta time when I was younger playing in bands, which is, like, a completely different dynamic from being a solo musician.

When you're on stage with other musicians, you can sort of lean on each other and if you make a mistake, like, it's okay and there's... but when you're on stage by yourself, the only person that you can lean on is yourself.

So, if anything goes wrong, you're the only person who's up there.

And it's kind of exciting, and it's also, maybe, like, a little bit scary sometimes to be, to know that, like, you know, if something does go wrong, there's nobody else there to sort of help you out.

You have to figure out how to get out of that situation yourself.

And I kind of find that, like, exhilarating a little bit.

And it's also really satisfying to be able to play as a solo musician and make enough noise that people think that there are other people on stage with you, 'cause with the way that I play using loops and backing tracks and stuff.

"Kenopsia" came from a website/book called "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows," which is something that I did not know existed until I started writing the album a year and a half ago or so.

And it's this guy and he uses, like, Latin and other languages to make up words that don't exist that should exist in the English language.

Kind of, like, how in German schadenfreude means taking pleasure from other people's misfortune.

So, he goes and he finds these emotions and ideas that he thinks need a word to describe it.

And kenopsia was one of those words.

So, I stumbled across it, and the his definition of kenopsia is the eerie feeling that you have in a place that is usually, like, bustling with people and full of life, but you're there when it's empty and it's weird and uncomfortable.

And the example that he gives is, like, if you go back to a high school in the evening in the hallways and it's darker than it should be and there are fewer people around and it's not the same.

And that feeling that you get inside that something is off or off-putting, that he gave that kenopsia is the word that he uses for that.

So that song is just kind of about that feeling and kind of about how, you know, we end up feeling that way in places that you maybe wouldn't expect to have that feeling come, or that feeling can come from a person who's, you know, normally around you, and then their absence creates that hole that gives you that feeling, as well.

My name is Gerald McGrath and this song is called "Kenopsia."

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) ♪ Move in close ♪ ♪ Feel your breath ♪ ♪ Up and down ♪ ♪ What is next ♪ ♪ Not making sense ♪ ♪ What does it mean ♪ ♪ Is it more ♪ ♪ Than it seems ♪ ♪ Cherished rooms ♪ ♪ Emptying ♪ ♪ By degrees ♪ ♪ I'll try to say something ♪ ♪ Whether it's right or wrong ♪ ♪ Or maybe say nothing ♪ ♪ For one beat too long ♪ ♪ Walk away ♪ ♪ Where'd you go ♪ ♪ I can't ever ♪ ♪ Ever know ♪ ♪ Empty rooms ♪ ♪ Crumbling ♪ ♪ By degrees ♪ ♪ I'll try to say something ♪ ♪ Whether it's right or wrong ♪ ♪ Or maybe say nothing ♪ ♪ For one beat too long ♪ ♪ Wonder why ♪ ♪ It gets so high ♪ ♪ Wait it out ♪ ♪ Upside down ♪ ♪ I'll try to say something ♪ ♪ Whether it's right or wrong ♪ ♪ Or maybe say nothing ♪ ♪ For one beat too long ♪ ♪ Try to remember ♪ ♪ Why I am even here ♪ ♪ Feeling a little defensive ♪ ♪ Maybe I'll disappear ♪ (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music fades) (graphic whooshing) (bright music) - That's all for this Tuesday night.

Join us next time for a fresh look inside the stories.

(graphic whooshing) It's breakfast time in Johnny Spezzano's kitchen.

He joins brother and Rochester radio personality, Scott Spezzano, to fire up a delicious family recipe they call a Hunt's breakfast.

And the Embassy Cafe in Kingston, Ontario brings people together in a small, yet cozy, community hub.

(graphic whooshing) Meantime, if you have a story idea you'd like us to explore, we'd love to learn more.

All you need to do is email us at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org and let's share that story with the region.

Well, watching your favorite program without commercial interruption, or helping your children or grandchildren learn, are just two of the reasons why tens of thousands of North Country residents rely on WPBS each month.

But this local service isn't guaranteed.

It's up to us to protect this vital service.

Go to protectmypublicmedia.org to learn how you can help.

Thank you.

That's it for now, everyone.

Have a safe night and we'll see you on the next episode.

Take care.

(bright music continues) - [Announcer 1] "WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories" is brought to you by... - [Announcer 2] When you're unable to see your primary care provider, the Carthage Walk-in Clinic is here for you, located off Route 26 across from Carthage Middle School.

Comfort and Healing close to home when you need it most.

- [Announcer 3] North Country Orthopaedic Group is there for your urgent ortho or sports-related injuries.

With our on-site surgical center and same or next-day appointments, we're ready to provide care for patients of all ages.

Your health matters to us.

North Country Orthopaedic Group, keeping healthcare local.

(dramatic music) - [Announcer 4] We are the North Country, Where protecting one another like family is who we are and where our tomorrow will always be worth defending.

Find out how we keep the North Country strong at claxtonhepburn.org today.

- [Announcer 5] Select musical performances are made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislator, administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

(bright music) (gentle music)