Dewar family’s annual auction for cancer centre now on
by Tom Sasvari
PROVIDENCE BAY—The annual Dewar family sugar shack syrup auction is not only one of the sweetest events you can participate in, but it also benefits a very important cause.
“This year marks the ninth annual Dewar Family Sugar Shack Syrup Auction, which opens for bids on March 27 at 6 pm and continues until 8 pm on March 31,” said Travis Dewar. “The first year of our auction was in 2015, and over the nine years our auction has raised $12,271 in bids and donations which is far beyond anything we ever imagined. The funds raised go to the Northern Cancer Foundation.”
“It is amazing what a litre of maple syrup will bring in, in bids,” said Mr. Dewar.
Mr. Dewar told The Expositor on March 14, “Last weekend the family got together at our sugar shack and we boiled up 10 litres of sap. But the temperatures for the rest of the week are predicted to be cool. I think it’s going to be a fast year, with the season being over quick. There is not much snow in the bush.”
“After hours of relentless stoking of fires, concentrating of the purest Manitoulin maple sap, and checking of temperatures and densities, we have finally produced and bottled our first delicious litre of 2023,” said Mr. Dewar. “Although we may be slightly biased, we know it’s the best! And if you would like to confirm that for yourself, keep reading and get in on the action.”
The Dewar Family Sugar Shack was constructed in 2014, with the evaporator installed in 2013.
“We produce the Nectar of the Gods, self-proclaimed, but has never been disputed,” said Mr. Dewar. “Bidders place their bids in an attempt to secure this delicious (first) litre for themselves and the proceeds go to the Northern Cancer Foundation. Every single penny makes massive positive impacts on those undergoing cancer treatment in Northern Ontario.”
Winners and those who make donations through the auction will receive a taxable receipt from the Northern Cancer Centre in the amount of their bid or donation, said Mr. Dewar.
As of Monday, March 27 at 6 pm, “we will be accepting bids in the comments section of the Dewar Family Maple Syrup Shack Facebook post for the 2023 auction. The auction will close Friday, March 31 at 8 pm, and the winner will have sweet, sweet victory!” continued Mr. Dewar. “During the auction, the Dewar family has hidden five secret milestone prizes, so if you are the lucky bidder to drive the auction above (or even to) the predetermined milestone, you will have won yourself a small, sweet prize which will definitely put a smile on your face. But please be prepared, the bids can get high, and the auction can be fierce, as all bidders strive to get this very limited taste of perfection,” continued Mr. Dewar.
There are five rules to the auction, said Mr. Dewar, “Just win, because no one wants to lose in a syrup auction; bids must be in whole dollar increments and will only be accepted on the original Facebook post; trash talking is acceptable. Voice your displeasure if you are outbid, but please keep it PG; watch, bid share and enjoy!”
“We appreciate everyone who enjoys, shares, bids, or encourages others to bid. Everyone has made this auction a huge success year after year, which helps the Northern Cancer Foundation provide the amazing care that they do,” said Mr. Dewar.
While the bidding on the first litre of maple syrup the first year was $150, the bids have surpassed $1,000 three times with the highest total being in 2022, when $1,200 was bid on the first litre of maple syrup.
