The Buzz Newsletter

Page 3

The Buzz –October 2006

Summer is officially over, and autumn’s crisp leaves will soon fall. Beekeepers have been busy wrapping up all of summer’s loose ends and are gathering the year’s worth of honey. But not all great things are coming to an end; Iowa has officially kicked off the first county fair of the 2006 – 2007 year. The Clay County Fair, in Spencer, also knows as “The World’s Greatest Fair”, was held September 9 – 17. This fair reminded me of a mini state fair; they had everything, a grandstand, industrial building, and a carnival even with a sky ride. They even brought in well known grandstand entertainment including Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Sugarland, and Neal McCoy. Besides all that, they even had the crowds to match. This year, they had 306,446 people attend their fair and I had the privilege to join in on a day’s worth of action. I attended the fair on opening day, and it was a cold, windy one but that didn’t stop enthused fairgoers from visiting to see what the fair all had to offer. In one of the numerous buildings, the Northwest Beekeepers Association set up a booth consisting of various honey products and educational displays including two observational hives. Throughout the day, along with other volunteers, I helped answer questions, showed children what the queen bee looks like, and helped sell honey products. By late afternoon, my day successfully ended. I can now say that I have been a part of the world’s largest county fair thanks to the Northwest Beekeepers Association and I can wait to visit again! I hope everyone had a considerably good year and best of luck getting ready for winter.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Macken
2006 Iowa Honey Queen

BACK TO BASICS
BEEKEEPERS CONTINUE TO EXPAND

At our first Fall meeting held September 22, '06, in spite of many homecoming football games, 27 persons were present including first-time attenders, a father and teenage son. Special Guest was American Honey Princess Teresa Jurchen. Regina Jager, Iowa Honey Queen Committee Chair, was also present and played the role of a Queen Bee while Teresa gave the presentation she had given last winter at the Ladies Luncheon during the ABF convention. It was a clever educational presentation that helped win for her the title of American Honey Princess, and it was enjoyed greatly by the group.

Also on the program was our new area Bee Inspector, Delmar Nelson, who told about some of the problems he was finding on his first Fall inspections. He demonstrated how to use the windshield washer fluid technique of determining the mite level in a hive. A good discussion followed about times to treat, treatment methods, products that can be used and how this can all be correlated with brood rearing to control the greatest number of mites.

A program committee had met and presented the year agenda of meetings:

Oct. 20 with "Equipment Review" -Nov. 19 "Cooking With Honey"
Feb. 16 "Processing Beeswax"
Mar. 16 "Liability Issues in Beekeeping, Bee Spills, Africanized Honey Bees"
Late April or early May, local Field Day on "Making Splits and Installing Queens & Nukes."

A financial report brought the group up-to-date on the summer Southern Iowa Fair Booth sales of honey lemonade and many honey products, and also Nelson Pioneer Farm Fall Festival sales. Appreciation was expressed to the many members who helped with the booth and display, and it was agreed these are good outlets for products of the beehive and also for educating people on the importance of beekeeping.

A bountiful table of goodies brought by families was enjoyed with fresh apple juice made by a member (from apples pollinated by his bees!) and coffee.

Submitted by Eves Cadwallader