Burton's Maplewood Farm's Rum-infused Syrup for Oprah Winfrey Brunch

Hoosier-made Maple Syrup Stars at Brunch for Oprah

CHICAGO (May 20, 2011) – Indiana-made Burton’s Maplewood Syrup helped sweeten the morning for Oprah Winfrey and 250 celebrities Wednesday at a private brunch that was part of the festivities surrounding Winfrey’s final TV shows.

Oprah’s former personal chef Art Smith hosted the brunch at his restaurant, Table Fifty-Two, as a farewell to the TV host.  He ordered 250 maple-shaped bottles of the new rum-infused maple syrup to give to each guest.  Each bottled was sketched with “Thank you Ms. Winfrey. XO Julie and Art.” Julie Latsko is Smith’s business partner.

“We’ve supplied syrup to Table Fifty-Two for a couple years, but when Art told us he wanted to use it for Oprah’s going-away brunch, it was an honor,” said owner Tim Burton. “Many entrepreneurs only dream about getting their product in front of Oprah.”

Burton’s Maplewood Farm, a family-owned farm in Medora, Indiana, produces more than 500 gallons of syrup a year and sells it at farmers’ markets in Indiana and Chicago and through an online store.  Tim Burton was named an Indiana Artisan in 2009.

The new rum-infused syrup is made by aging syrup in 14-year-old Tennessee rum kegs from Prichard’s Distillery. The kegs were hand-picked, hot packed and bottled by owner Tim Burton to ensure the highest, most consistent infused flavor. It has a light buttery rum notes that greet the palette with a nice maple finish. The unique elixir adds a great finished flavor to savory and pastry dishes.

For more information, visit www.BurtonsMaplewoodFarm.com. 
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

A Color Purple was presented by Broadway Across America at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indy and I was on hand to check it out. Based on Alice Walker’s novel, the musical follows the life of Celie (Kenita R. Miller) an uneducated, and abused, girl-turned-woman, whose experiences earn her the love and admiration of many, including, eventually, her former husband, Mister (Rufus Bonds, Jr.).

With powerful vocals belying her petite size, Miller turns in the strongest performance; threading her way through the production much as her character threads her way through the lives of all who know her. As the lives intertwine throughout time, Celie remains the constant, offering wisdom as needed, a firm hand as required.

Stand-in La Trisa A. Harper, as lanky sister Nettie, complemented Miller’s performance, as the two played off each other’s differences in vocal style and physical size. With such a short amount of time to encompass many decades of living, it’s understandable if you feel something is
skipped over.

The best advice I can give is to read the book or, at least, watch the film before checking out the musical to help meld the gaps.

Also ending the year was the annual holiday tour from Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Conseco Fieldhouse. With new video screens, an updated light/laser show and a rising stage, fans were not disappointed.

Once again performing with the full intent of making sure no one is sleeping, TSO brought the traditional artificial snow, nontraditional holiday tunes and a little extra this go round, playing selections from the newest album Night Castle.

With the October ’09 release, TSO steps away from its well-known Christmas line and gives a new choice for rock opera fans. Also included with the CD is a storybook with excellent illustrations, somewhat like a dream sequence captured by the artist.

Founded in 1996, the group has toured every winter since 1999, announcing at this year’s concert that there will be a spring tour to promote the new music from the 26-track CD. This is great news for those who get a case of withdrawals, waiting for the group’s signature sound, from one Christmas season to the next.

If you have a unique restaurant, event or performance you would like reviewed, contact me at elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I’ll be right here, thinking about Wizards in Winter. Catch Elizabeth on facebook or Twitter.

--This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.