|
|
News
The Kettle boys are makers of olde time maple syrup and collectors of olde time stuff. In particular, we have collections of antique spiles, logging hammers and rope machines. We use the collections for display purposes, to give people a "hands on" idea of the olde fasioned practices of maple syrup making, logging and rope making. Sadly, the founder of the Kettle Boys, Tom (Shorty) Stephenson passed away on March 26, 2023. The following message was posted on the Fortune Farms website:
With a very heavy hearts we announce that our dear friend, mentor and kettle
boy leader Tom Stephenson passed away early Sunday morning, March 26th.
Tom was a close friend to our family as he made Fortune Farms his spring
home for the last 25+ years.
I met Tom at Forestry School at Algonquin College in Pembroke in 1981.
Tom was a unique professor, stressing the need for human relationships,
attention to detail and pragmatism.He had a low tolerance for slackers and
challenged many students over the years to do better. He focused on the need
for useful skills in forest fire fighting, forest industry operations,
safety, and surveying. He had an extensive network of contacts and
helped many of his students secure their first positions with the Ministry
of Natural Resources and launch their careers. Tom’s infectious enthusiasm
and energy were contagious, and we became good friends. 
In the 1990s when Tom’s “sugar bush” at Achray Station was closed down, I
invited him to bring his kettles to our farm. Not only did he bring
his kettles, but he also brought countless handmade toys and a few of his
friends.
My mother, Ruth, branded Tom and crew the “Kettle Boys” and the rest is
history! The Kettle Boys entertained hundreds of people each spring at
the farm and branched out to cameo appearances at Winterlude, local fairs,
and maple events. Tom traveled far and wide collecting maple items,
making friends and telling stories the whole time. He is widely known and
will be fondly remembered by many.
Tom was a character with many names – the “Jigger”, “Red”, “Soupy” (his
middle name was Campbell), and Kettle Boy “Shorty”. I have a
vivid image of Tom one Easter weekend walking from lunch to the Kettles
wearing his Easter bunny ears fashioned from old fire hose, his coveralls,
felt hat, and a fluffy white cotton tail while yodeling. What a guy!
We gathered at the kettles Sunday evening and toasted Tom with fresh kettle
boy syrup, recognizing how he brought us all together and that his legacy
lives on.
We are grateful for Tom’s friendship and the wonderful times we had together
and extend our sympathies to his family.
Jamie Fortune For Tributes to Tom from MP Cheryl Gallant in the House of Commons ~ click here For Tributes to Tom in the Eganville Leader ~ Click here  For more current information on the Kettle Boys, please go to our Facebook page |
