The Buzz Newsletter

October 2009

 

 

Page 4

2009 Iowa Honey Queen

Happy Fall!!

The summer has been very busy for me. I have talked to a lot of people about bees wherever I go! When I went to Camp Cayoca, not only did I catch up with old friends but made new friends, I also talked bees to the camp staff, leaders and 150, 5th and 6th graders. Even the camp cook made sure there was honey available since the Iowa Honey Queen was in residents!

I spent three days at Iowa State for our annual 4-H Conference. I participated in the Round up part of the program and learned more about Swine. I purchased 6 piglets after out county fair. I am using the knowledge so we will have healthy meat to eat later!

I was in the Battle Creek July 4th parade as the 2009 Iowa Honey Queen. Thanks to my mentor, Cecelia, I was able to throw out some honey candy. they were surprised they made honey candy. I rode out 4 wheeler so I could really get the candy throw to a lot of people.

I participated in the Battle Creek and Galva Summer Reading programs. We all had fun learning about bees. The librarians put out there bee books and magazines. Some were surprised that we now have a hive at the White House. they thought that was awesome I talked to 75 kids total.

With the library activities finished, it was time to spend my time getting ready for the Ida County and the Iowa State Fair.

Our county fair was a blast! when I wasn't taking care of my animals, I was working on my duties as President of out Ida County 4-H Council. Your Honey Queen got a little of maybe I should say a lot dirty when I participated in our Hog Mud Wrestling. I paired up with one of my friends Eli, and we had to catch a 75lbs pig flip him over the fence they land on an old mattress, so they won't get hurt. the fair lots of water in the pit and the fun begins! Of course, you wear only clothing that goes directly to the garbage and no shoes. It is out most popular evening entertainment and over 150 teams of two participate.

We also do an Ag Olympics with hammers, nails, post holes digging, filling water buckets and caring pigs. Well, you can get the picture just a couple hours of good old fun for us county fair folks and lots of entertainment for our audience!

The weekend before fair, I kept busy getting 4-H supplies rounded up and packed in the trailer. I also had to wash my animals that consisted up of horses, a dog, goats, chickens, ducks and broilers. the judges like clean birds and it paid off. I won Best of Breed and Best of Show with my Wyandotte. With the same chicken I also won Top Senior Showmanship. My market broilers won top market. I went to sell my broilers at out livestock sale. the Bidders had a lot of fun with me and they averaged 115.00 each. that check looks really good for another college CD!

The Dairy Goat Show was fun and the weather was cool the week of fair. My goat, Penny, was the Top Dairy Goat and I also won Showmanship.
My Dog, Babe, won Best of Show at the Dog Show! My Dad was pleasantly surprised because Babe never listens to him!

The Horse show was also a beautiful day, I took our horses Misty and Whiskey unfortunately was just on vacation because, he split a hoof just before fair. Misty loves the games such as poles, softball race, key hole, and egg-spoon. This year they added a costume class, It was pretty easy to decided to go as the "QUEEN BEE" We are required to wear horse helmets, so my Mom found a "Bee" cover to put on my horse helmet. I stuck bees all over Misty and put an "X" on her butt for a stinger. then, I held a baby doll "Bee" and I was ready. I won the trophy and had a great time doing it!

I am very active in 4-H communication so I decided to do a Presentation on "Making Beeswax Candles" I received a Purple ribbon and Top Senior Award at the county level and went to State Fair where I received a Certificate of Recognition with a Seal of Excellence.

I did several projects for the Exhibit Hall. I put together nine pictures from my trip to Wyoming. I received eight blues and one red. I was disappointed on the red because that was one of my favorite pictures. I put together a report on "Making Beeswax Candles." I received a purple ribbon and was sent to the State Fair level. I entered  a jar of honey and received a blue ribbon. It was alternate to State Fair. I made my friend, Carman, a 4-4 garden quilt. It was so much fun! I used the color green to represent the growing season, blue for the sky, yellow for the sun and red because it is her favorite color. I received a purple at the county level and it went on to state where I received a red. I need to work on my wording for my Principles of Design. It looks great in her garden along the road people say she has the pretties garden in all of Ida County!

I also danced my Tap dance to Josh Turners "Firer Cracker." I earned a blue and was alternate to State. Our club also did a skit to the song Cadillac Ranch. We were alternates to the Clay County Fair in Spencer later on in September. 

Of course, I can't go to just the Ida County fair! We also took in the other fairs in out area to see the Tractor Pull, rodeo and the Demo  derby's! I really wanted to do the Powder Puff at the Ida fair, even had Dad and Moms permission, but guess what they couldn't get the other girls cars started. Maybe next year!! 

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