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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter May 2009 |
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Iowa Honey Queen
Hello from Northwest Iowa!! I hope everyone got to enjoy our March weather. It REALLY gave me spring fever!!
We are calving this month and the warm weather has been perfect for that. My cows are all named after country singers and my cow Reba started me out with a black bull calf who I named Chuck after Chuck Wicks on Dancing with the Stars, calves start running and the moms can't catch them. And of course, I had my camera ready for more pictures for my record book and fair.
I had a 4-H Bee workshop on Friday, March 20, at the Ida County Extension office. I had 10 4-Her's and they learned a lot about bees. I encouraged them to think about becoming future youth beekeepers. I served four different Honey recipes. All were enjoyed!!
My Mom and I had a fun morning, when we mixed up several recipes for honey treats to share with the 4-H workshop and out trip to Spencer.
On Saturday, March 21, Mom and I went to Spencer to help Larry and Marlene Boernsen and girls with there workshop. We had 45 people. I met some really nice people and talked to a couple of kids who are interested in the youth beekeepers scholarship program.
I started track the first week in March, I am throwing the Disc with my right arm and my best has been 97.5 feet taking 1st place. I am throwing Shot Put, using my left arm and my best has been 29.4 feet taking fourth!!
On Thursday, April 2, my mentor, Cecelia and I traveled to Holstein to the Holstein Public Library. They had a "Friends of the Library" luncheon. I gave a presentation to 15 guest using a video we made back in 2001. When we had ordered 16 boxes of new bees and their queens. My Mom took the video of my mentor Cecelia, my brother Whitt and me. I was only nine years old and I was right in the middle of things. They really enjoyed actually seeing us, putting the bees in the hives and the follow up during the next week.
We enjoyed the luncheon. I also handed out some new pamphlets Louise ordered from the National Honey Board. Thanks Louise!!
On Tuesday, April 7, my Mom and I helped with the Ida County Farm Bureau Farm Safty Days at the Ida County Fair grounds. I told 88 second graders about my goats, chickens, rabbits and what they eat. They loved touching and petting all the animals. they also liked to play in the feed and smell the hay and brome. Farm life is great!!
This week I am getting ready for the Battle Creek-Ida Grove Prom on Friday April 19th. My dress is light yellow that is perfect for the Iowa Honey Queen.
Prom will get started about 6pm when Justin Grove and his four year old son, Collin will pick my date Austin and I up in his 2007 Black 383 Peterbilt Truck!! I work for Grove Trucking washing trucks and trailers. Burly asked me if I wanted to use his Convertible for prom and I told him I would rather have his new 2009 Black and White 383 Peterbilt. But he can't make it back from Montana, So Justin and Collin will do the honors! Collin is going to wear his chaps and spurs and climb up the truck to open the door to help me out. I am so excited and hope the rains hold off because rain and prom don't mix! I will let you know how it went next month!
On Friday, May 1st I am doing a Bee Workshop for our 4-H Junior Lock-inn. I have a few ideas and trying to get it all together.
On Tuesday, May 12, I will be going to Carroll, Iowa, for a county school workshop at Yellow Smoke Park. Donna Brahms will be taking the second day, because my family and I will be going to my brother Whitt's graduation from college. Thanks Donna!
My Brothers will be back from Wyoming for graduation so Whitt and I are going back with them to spend two weeks at the ranch branding and having fun.
I will update you next month! We still haven't split hives yet, still waiting.
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed it with Family and Friends!
Shiliah Spaulding Iowa Honey Queen
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