It's Not Just Another Newsletter... It's Better!

Welcome to the first official newsletter of the Glee Club, in which we sing the praises of Glee and sustainability!

In this new bi-monthly bulletin from the makers of Glee Gum, you will find all the latest news on our natural, eco-friendly products including special promotions, exclusive discounts, and upcoming events. You'll also get the scoop on sustainable efforts around the world, from great green initiatives to features on non-timber forest products (like chicle, the tree sap used in Glee Gum!) There's a unique contest to test your luck and creativity, plus a standing invitation to join our online community.

Thanks for taking the time to read our inaugural issue. We'll be back in May to bring more Glee-ful news your way!

JUST MAD FOR MAPLE SYRUP!

As you know, Glee Gum uses chicle, which is an NTFP. (A what, you ask?)

Well, when we think about forests, we think of trees, right? Furniture, lumber, etc. But wait- there are lots of non-timber forest products (or NTFPs for short) that don't depend on cutting down the trees for people to make a living. Harvesting berries, mushrooms, and other plants provides a means of long-term income for folks. On the other hand, chopping down the trees can destroy eco-systems and, ultimately, communities.

There are lots of nifty NTFPs, and some can be found right here in the states. Presenting... marvelous, magnificent maple syrup!

Nothing tastes sweeter than real maple syrup poured on pancakes or French toast. And while everyone knows that maple syrup comes from the sap of the maple tree, the actual process of so-called "sugaring" is pretty neat!

In March and April, the maple trees tend to freeze at night and thaw during the day, causing the sap to flow. To collect it, a small hole is drilled into the trunk of the tree, and the sap flows into buckets or plastic pipes. (Fear not, fellow tree huggers! The trees aren't harmed.) Then it's collected and most of the water boiled away. It takes around forty gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup!

And it takes forty years for a maple tree to grow large enough to tap. But it's well worth the wait! Because then you can enjoy delicious maple syrup, maple candy, maple fudge, and more! Now that's one seriously sweet NFTP! Agree?

For more information on the process behind maple syrup, check out the Glee Guy's blog post about it here: NTFPs Are the Bee's Knees. For more information on NTFPs in general, click here!

Maple Syrup Special:

Suddenly craving a bit of maple goodness? Look no further! In honor of our NTFP focus on maple syrup, our friends at Pieces of Vermont have an exclusive offer for Glee Club members!

You'll receive a full 15% OFF their delicious products, including maple syrup, sugar candy, and more! This special offer expires May 1, 2009.

Glee Photography Contest

If making environmentally-friendly choices fills you with Glee, take a picture for posterity!

Send us your best shot of you or a friend doing something green. Whether you're recycling or bicycling, make sure to include a pack of Glee Gum somewhere in the scene. The top three photographers will each win a brand new Glee Gum Dispenser!

To enter the Glee Photography Contest, send your picture, name, email address, and zip code to gleeguy@gleegum.com by April 30, 2009. To be eligible for consideration, pictures must include an example of your preferred eco-friendly activity and a pack of Glee Gum. There is no limit to the number of photographs you can send. We plan to post as many submissions as possible to a new Glee Gallery on www.gleegum.com, so smile!

Shutterbugs, start shootin'!

Scholarship Winners, We Salute You!

In recognition of the importance of chicle in rainforest conservation and in an effort to empower the next generation of forest stewards, the makers of Glee Gum are proud to offer annual Glee Gum Scholarships to the sons and daughters of Mexican chicleros. The nature of the applicants' studies may range from biology and forestry to eco-tourism and beyond, but all winners commit to working in the community after completing their degrees.

We are pleased to announce this year's round of winners!

CONGRATULATIONS to: Jose de Jesus Chan Coh, C. Selmi Leticia Varela Coba, Sandy Amara Matias Chan, Laura Yesenia Madero Montoy, and Luz Verde!

For more information on and pictures of our winners, check out the Glee Guy's blog post about it right here: Congratulations to Our Scholarship Winners!

And speaking of studying, did you know chewing gum is rumored to help concentration? Just a Glee-ful reminder!

Introducing...Wee Glee!

Keep your eyes peeled for a new product coming soon from Glee Gum:

Wee Glee!

Each pack of Wee Glee contains one fun-filled ounce of itsy, bitsy pieces of Glee Gum, perfectly sized to pop by the handful!

With a tasty, fruity mix of Tangerine, Triple Berry, Bubblegum, and new Banana flavors, Wee Glee is bringing even more YUM to GUM!

Places You're Apt To Find Glee: Basically, Far As The Eye Can See!

Find more information about Glee Gum at GleeGum.com.