The Buzz Newsletter

June 2010

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,
Weather sure does change in Iowa.  I have received several phone calls from people with swarms in yards and buildings.  They would like to have them removed without killing them.  I can only give them beekeepers listed in our directory that live in the same vicinity.  I am sorry that I don’t know all Iowa beekeepers so that I can tell them who is interested in swarms and who isn’t.  We have a large membership and really would benefit from a listing of beekeepers interested in removing swarms.  I have tried to get a listing started, but I need your help.  You need to tell me if you are interested in doing this service or if you even have time to do it.  I apologize if you receive a phone call and are not interested.

Please attend the IHPA Field Day which is going to be held at Ebert Honey near Lynnville on Saturday, June 26th.  The information is listed in another article.  It is very important that we have members at events.  No matter how much a person knows about a subject, each time a gathering takes place more information is learned and passed on to others.  Maybe the information is passed on by you, maybe by presenters, maybe by just talking with other beekeepers enlightens and makes a person think about the best way to make an idea work. See you on the 26th.

Don’t forget to download exhibit information to enter honey and beeswax items for the Iowa State Fair.  Go to www.iowastatefair.org to get the forms and the instructions for entering.  If you have questions, contact Melanie Bower, Iowa State Fair Apiary Superintendent.  Her phone number and email address are listed on the back page of the BUZZ.

Congratulations to Doris and Vern Ramsey. They will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on June 12th.  We send best wishes and hopes for many more.  Doris has been the past historian for the IHPA and helps with registration at many annual meetings.  Vernie is doing bee emergency training with area firefighters for the IHPA and has been a past IHPA director.

I am taking names and phone numbers of IHPA members that are interested in working in the IHPA booth at the Iowa State Fair.  The fair will run from August 12-22, 2010.  It seems that each year it becomes more difficult to recruit workers to man the booth.  We need around 25 people each day.  The money that is raised during the eleven days that the Iowa State Fair is in operation funds most of the activities of the IHPA.  Without member support, it becomes nearly impossible to accomplish this task.  Please help.  The shifts run from 9 am until 1:30 pm; 1:30 pm until 6 pm; 6 pm until 9 pm.   Please either email me or call me to set up your working schedule.  Tickets to get into the fairgrounds will be sent to workers the end of July because they are unavailable until then.  Thank you for your help.

Don’t forget the deadline for submitting bids to sell honey products at the Iowa State Fair.  June 30th always approaches quickly.  Look for the information printed in this issue.

I haven’t received any art designs for the IHPA 100th Anniversary Celebration.  Please submit designs so that we can vote on them during the state fair.  The IHPA board has authorized $100 for the winning design.  The winning design will be used for special promotional items for our celebration.  There are many talented artists among the Iowa beekeepers, let’s see your designs.

I’d like to send a Happy Father’s Day wish to all fathers in our organization.  Enjoy your special family time.  Children grow up and move away all too quickly.  BEE HAPPY!

Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

IHPA Art Contest

The Iowa Honey Producers Association board would like to announce an art design contest to the entire membership.  Someone in the organization could win $100 for the winning design that will “bee” used for memorabilia to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Iowa Beekeeping. The Iowa Beekeeping group was established in 1912 making it 100 years in 2012.

The winning entry could be used for print material, bumper stickers, belt buckles, ball caps, bolo ties, etc.  Please submit your entries by August 1st, 2010 to Donna Brahms.  We will have the design on display during the Iowa State Fair.  Fairgoers will get a chance to vote on their favorite design August 12-22 while the 2010 Iowa State Fair is being held. Put your artistic thinking cap on and submit that winning design. 

IHPA Cookbook

The “new” Iowa Honey Recipe cookbook was created in 1999.  Many great honey cooks have joined our membership since that date.  It is time to publish a new cookbook.  If you would be interested in helping create our new cookbook, please contact Donna Brahms.

The board has suggested several names of people that might be willing to work on the cookbook, but we don’t want to overlook anyone that would be interested in helping.  The sales of the current cookbook have increased dramatically, so a new cookbook seemed like the thing to do.  We will let you know the schedule, the categories, and the submission form as we progress with this committee.  Start sorting your favorite honey recipes now.