Highland Maple Festival Numbers Strong Despite Adversity

    Despite bad weather and the loss of the Puffenbarger sugar house, first weekend numbers were strong at the 50th annual Highland Maple Festival in Monterey.
  Highland County Chamber of Commerce director Carolyn Powhowsky said ticket sales were comparable to years past in spite of poor weather on Saturday.

  Ivan Puffenbarger, owner of one of the first sugar camps in the county, said his orchard sold more doughnuts than any other opening weekend he could remember.

  Puffenbarger lost his sugar house, where the family made maple syrup, to a fire on February 27th.

  The festival continues this Saturday and Sunday in Highland County.