The Buzz Newsletter

June 2004

Featured Beekeeper of the Month

Our featured beekeeper of this month is Richard E. Blake. He and his wife Norma live in Shenandoah, Iowa. Richard tells me he started keeping bees during college in 1960. Then he taught algebra in school for nine years before becoming a fulltime beekeeper in 1972. He did the usual think, starting small with 10 hives, but he got serious and now has 1300-1500 hives. He markets honey, was, and propolis. He likes the outdoors, the challenge of raising bees, and has the true farmer spirit of hoping for giant crops and high prices. He also buys and sells beekeeping equipment.
As a member and past president of the Southwest Iowa beekeeper group of about 25 people, Richard keeps them informed about the happenings at the national meetings. They meet on a Friday in March socially for dinner. Being a dedicated beekeeper and meeting goer he says he has attended every Iowa Honey Producers meeting since 1968. Quick math tells us that’s 35 years. He has held the office of president, vice president and served on the board of directors of Iowa Honey Producers, and been an alternate on the National Honey Board for thee years. He has attended every American Honey Producer meeting since 1972 and served as vice president. Additionally, Sioux Bee has had the benefit of Richard’s expertise during 14 years on their board of directors.
Somewhere in all that service Richard tells me he has helped about 20 people get their start in beekeeping. I think I can speak for the other beekeepers in our state and say a big thank you, Richard, for all your many years of work directing and developing the beekeeping industry for us. Have fun producing honey this year. Maybe this will be the big one!!

Submitted by Ron Wehr

For Sale : Antique 4 frame root extractor (works)
                     10 to 20 deep hive bodies
                     20 to 30 Illinois supers
                     Misc: beekeeping supplies, covers, 
                     inner covers, bottom boards, etc.

                     Please contact: Arvin Foell
                     203 Cedar St.
                     Slater, IA 50244
                     ph: 515-228-3060
                     e-mail: ajfoell@huxcomm.net

Summer Field Day

Date: Saturday, July 17, 2004
Time: 9:00 to 3:00 (?)
Place: The North Central Region Plant Introduction Station in Ames

In the morning and after lunch there will be the following topics or workshops meeting at the station.

• Non-Apis Pollinators – Steve Hanlin
• Mead making – Presenter TBA
• Comb honey production – Presenter TBA
• Small/Hobbyist Beekeeper – Presenter TBA
- What type of equipment can be used and cost.
- Solar wax melters and how to use them.
- Equipment used for extracting.

In the afternoon there will be a group discussion on “where to buy and sell bee equipment and bees locally”.

For questions contact Steve Hanlin at (515) 294-1936 or sjhanlin@iastate.edu

Who is Iowa's Oldest Beekeeper?

Recently I sold some 4-frame nucleus hives, or "nucs", with Carniolan queens to a gentleman from rural New Hampton in Chickasaw County. He recently suffered a heart attack and had a stent put in and is now getting along fine.

Earl Drewelow and his father took care of 100 hives of bees during World War II, extracted the honey and sold it to a place in Waterloo for $.75 a gallon to be used in ice cream production. This was during sugar rationing times. In addition they were sales agents for Dadant Bee Supplies. He has had bees for many years.

Earl, age 90,who will turn 91 in a couple of weeks, still receives Dadant’s Wholesale Catalog and the American Bee Journal.

Unless no one comes forward, Earl will hold the title of Iowa's Oldest Living Beekeeper in 2004. Congratulations Earl!

Submitted by Tim Laughlin