Opportunity Knocks, and no one is home

[Andy VT]

There's another thread in a facebook maple sugaring forum with a chorus of people signed up to get in here and having no luck.
This is a much more concerning issue than picture posting.
People actually want to join.
They cannot.
This has been going on at least 3 years because it took me almost a year to get in, and only because I somehow tracked down emails and facebook accounts of people who could make it happen.

[maple flats]

I sent Peter a note, asked him to let me know. Maybe he will give me the authority to accept new members to the Trader. I hope he's ok.

[Scm]

vBulletin really needs updating. version 4.1.7 was released in 2011. Ancient in technology times.

I would offer to volunteer some time to help update it. I'm no professional, but have some experience with this stuff.
Considering how out of date it is it may take some time to migrate up from 4.1.7>6.x .
Also, he would have to purchase the update. Version 6 is $179.
Would fix a lot of problems.

[maple flats]

Two bits of info. I emailed Peter Gregg, the owner of this forum. He replied that he currently needs to manually enter new members, if anyone is looking to join the Maple Trader, send him an email to: themaplenews@icloud.com with the request and your info. Secondly, he's planning to update the maple trader this summer. Hopefully that clears up the issues.
For now, finish cutting, splitting and stacking your firewood so it's dry when needed. Plan for everything you're going to improve for the 2026 season.
Me, I'm converting my 2x6 evaporator to oil fired, next season I'll be 79 and after burning wood for over 50 yrs between my home and maple, I'm cutting back to only heating my home with wood. I already have next winter's wood seasoned and by later this month i'll have my wood split and stacked for the following 2 seasons. I ordered a second door for the arch, the plan is to mount the oil burner, a Carlon 301, in the new door and set it up. If for any reason I ever need to go back to wood I'll just remove the burner, take out the ceramic blanket in the firebox to expose the firebricks and put the original door back on (I like having options and back up plans).