Molasses Making Part 1

On Thursday a group of Mountain Alliance students learned how to tip, strip and cut sugar cane for making molasses. We joined Mike, Bill and Jack out on 194 to enjoy a warm September afternoon.
The first job was to remove all of the leaves and to leave only the stalk.

Joesph and Austin

Mike demonstrated to the group how to top the cane, which removed the seed head from the stalk.

India works her way down a row of cane topping each stalk as she goes.

Andrew takes a turn topping cane.

This is a picture of the stripped, topped and cut cane that is now ready to juice and boil into Molasses. Below the group posses for a photo after the field had been cleared. There wasn't much room left on the trailer. The next post will include some pictures from juicing and boiling the cane juice.

Molasses Making Part 2

On Saturday we completed the second part or Molasses making trip. If you remember we harvested the cane on Thursday and had it ready to be juiced and boiled.

 

The canes were pushed through the press resulting in bright green cane juice that was collected and prepared to be boiled. 

The cane juice was collected and strained through out the process to remove any debris.

This picture is of the crushed cane ready to be composted. 

Cecil and Mike were supervising the operation, teaching us the many interesting techniques that go into creating the delicious finished product.  

Here a Mountain Alliance student is pouring the cane juice through a filter into a barrel, that emptied into the larger boiler.

 

In this picture you can see the wood fire that provided heat for the boil and also everyone gathered near by. 

Skimming was a task that was done almost continuously to remove the scum that would collect at the top of the boil.

 

During the down time Cecil, Alex, Andy and Ethan entertained us with some great music. We left before the boil was completely finished so we don't have any pictures of the finished product, we did taste it a few days later and it was delicious.

Alpine Tower Work Day

Students, staff and friends of Mountain Alliance gathered to help prepare the Alpine Tower. Much of the day was spent grinding down and sealing the poles that will be used to construct the tower. Once complete the Alpine Tower wills serve students at the High School and elementary school level.

Mulch was also placed at the site to create a large group instruction area and a nicer programming site for students.

Spring Break Backbacking

Students gathered together on April 22 after school for a 3 day spring break backpacking trip in the Harpers Creek area. 8 students at 4 Mountain Alliance staff members went on the trip.
Harpers Creek provided a great setting for a fun long weekend. Warm weather also helped to make the trip a success. Students were able to swim, hike, and have a great time making friends on the trip.Check out other Mountain Alliance happenings on our facebook page and don't forget about Pancakes in the Park this Saturday, May 7 from 7am-11am.

Youth Service Day 2011

Global Youth Service Day took place this past Saturday, April 16. Mountain Alliance hosted the 4th Annual Youth Service Day for Watauga County. The Students Leadership Committee met weekly after school throughout the semester to plan YSD. The goals of Youth Service Day are to:

• Mobilize youth to identify and address needs of their community through service
• Support youth on their life-long path of service and civic engagement.
• Educate the public, the media, and policy makers about the year round contributions the youth in Watauga County are currently involved in.
  

This year 44 students participated in the event, volunteering their time at 4 different service sites. Students gathered at Watauga High School at 9am Saturday for the event. After waiting for the weather to improve groups split up and departed for their service sites. This year the service sites were Horn in the West, Children's Playhouse, Horse Helpers' Chompin' at the Bit Auction and Clinic, and a river clean-up site. Heavy rain Friday night and Saturday morning prevented us from going to the Humane Society and Elk Knob to work. After finishing at the sites students came back to the high school where there was a party to celebrate their service and hard work.

At Horn in the West students worked in the Amphitheater setting up chairs and preparing the site for an event. The River clean-up group started by picking up trash on Highland Avenue before heading to the river. Students assisted the Children's Playhouse in their consignment sale that took place at the Armory Saturday. The final group headed out to Trade, TN for Horse Helpers' 1st Annual Chompin' at the Bit Tack Auction and Clinic. Students helped to model items being auctioned and also helped with the parking at the event. As a result of Youth Service Day, participants collectively contributed 174 hours of service to Watauga County.

Hospitality House

Mountain Alliance has been cooking meals monthly at the Hospitality House for the past 10+ years. This is one of our students favorite service projects that helps connect them with individuals in need. Each month students slice, dice and chop food with the goal of having a healthy complete meal ready to be served at 5:30.

This month was our last time serving meals at the King Street shelter. Those of you that have ever been to the old shelter know how excited we are to cook in the new industrial kitchen at the new facility.

Here are some pictures from some Hospitality House trips in the past.
Hospitality House Slideshow

Mountain Alliance Happenings

This year Mountain Alliance continues to offer a ski series as part of the Spring calendar. There are 3 trips to Appalachian Ski Mountain as part of the series. The first trip took place on January 29. Mountain Alliance staff and students had a great time enjoying the snow at App Ski Mountain. The second trip of the series was canceled due to poor weather conditions and is rescheduled for February 25. The third and final ski trip for this spring will take place on March 18.

Other recent trips include a caving trip to Worley's Cave in Bluff City, TN. On the trip students learned about cave formations and how they are formed. They also learned about how sensitive the cave ecosystems are. Students had a great time crawling around and getting dirty in the cave.

On Wednesday, February 9 Mountain Alliance students went to the Humane Society. Some students walked and other rode bikes to and from the Humane Society from the high school. At the Humane Society students broke into groups to walk dogs, give puppies baths, and to play with dogs and cats. The students helped to socialize and provide care to the animals at the shelter.


Students met in the Mountain Alliance office Thursday, February 10 after school to decorate cookies and make cards for the Western Watauga Community Center and Meals on Wheels. The students were able to socialize after school while helping out the community.

Upcoming trips include cooking a Valentine's Day dinner at the Hospitality House, an overnight caving trip to Worley's Cave, shelter building, a hike and fire trip, and a service trip at Horse Helpers of the High Country.

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