One of the most picturesque hamlets, barns, and as it turns out, kitchens, in town has been recognized as such. Bright Acres Farm Sugar House recently set the stage for a television commercial promoting, naturally, health. The locale on Old Kings Highway was selected as “just the right” sugar house for the filming of a commercial for Middlesex Health.  Shortly after six o’clock on the morning of January 17, a fourteen member crew started filming as Bright Acres owners, Richard Schenk and Judy Wilson, ran the evaporator to produce the right amount of steam until the desired footage was obtained. The crew also used the Schenk’s kitchen to film a short scene of children enjoying “Grandpa’s maple syrup”, which was, of course, produced on the premises. Rich and Judy described the experience as a “fascinating process. The amount of preparation, equipment, technology, talent and expertise required to film a 30 second commercial is astounding!” One member of the family was tapped for his acting skills. “All professional actors were used in the actual commercial. However Mattie, our nearly 15-year-old lab, was given a starring role beside ‘Grandpa’ in a couple of scenes,” Judy stated, adding “Rich did have to split the wood for the actor, who was then filmed splitting already split wood, and he did provide the actual sound of the wood being split.”

The airing of the commercial, which can be seen at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLnPGpjfzx0  coincides with the sugaring season itself. Treat yourself to the view, and to a sample of their syrup.