President's Message for August 2009
Sunday, August 09, 2009
First, please send prayers/good thoughts:
The Club sent flowers to Gerry. If you would like contact info to send condolences and get well wishes, please e-mail Corresponding Secretary Jim Fischer at james.fischer@gmail.com.
Second, we need some donated items for our raffles. The prize box is getting a bit depleted!
So, if you see inexpensive bee-related stuff in a store, or have bee equipment or anything “bee” you don’t need, please bring it to the next meeting for the raffle. This month’s meeting prizes included a live Queen Bee and court, and beautiful bee photographs. Thanks to all who donated prizes.
Pennsylvania Master Beekeeper Bill Mondjack gave a wonderful presentation about macro-photography – which means getting great close-up photos of bees, flowers, and nature in general. He taught us how to put our personal bee photos on real US postage stamps, through the US Postal Service website, too. Cool idea!
Herman Danenhower of PA, who spoke to us about comb honey production last year, came with Bill as his “celebrity driver”. Herm has Ross Rounds equipment to sell, at amazing prices, if you’re interested in getting started with comb honey. Again, contact Jim Fischer to connect with Herm.
Bill's photography presentation was videotaped, and will be available on DVD from the Club library shortly.
This month, the practice of handing out meeting agendas on paper ended. To become more “green” and help the environment, agendas will be projected from a computer, for all to see and follow along. I’m exploring the idea of purchasing a projector that connects to a computer, so we no longer have to borrow a projector/impose on club members to bring one to our meetings. The price has come down dramatically, so possibly we can purchase one in 2010.
Financially, our Club continues to do well. We had another new member join this month, so the “winning streak” of at least one new member per month continues. Welcome new member Priscilla Reilly.
Thanks to all who made this meeting possible:
Here are some upcoming highlights:
Don’t miss our next meeting, the Progressive Hive Tour on August 16, in the Smithtown area. We will visit the apiaries of Webmaster George Schramm, Vice President Moira Alexander, and Recording Secretary Marianne Sangesland. They are short easy minutes of driving from each other, with refreshments at each stop. Thanks, you three, for opening your hives and homes to us.
And, definitely don’t miss September 19 – NOTE: It’s a SATURDAY! It’s Miguel Valentin’s Annual Pig Roast. Miguel is roasting a 70 pound pig. He’s having famous Hispanic musicians and dancers to entertain us. The pig will be ready at 5 PM. But arrive early, from 4:00 on, for munchies etc. Miguel asks that you bring a snack, side dish, or dessert to make the party heartier. If you’d like wine, beer, or spirits, bring them too. Miguel will provide soft drinks.
December 13 is a big day. It’s our Holiday Party and the celebration of our Club’s 60th anniversary: 1949-2009. It’s at a new location: The Flaming Hearth in Farmingville. Look for the menu and RSVP info on our website. Our past parties at Christopher’s in Bayport were wonderful, but, we’ve outgrown the space as our Club has happily grown. This party will be one to remember. We’ll have all the old favorites, like the “Santa’s Hive” grab bag, but new fun too, like music, a dance floor, and a 50-50 drawing to benefit the Club and a lucky beekeeper, with ca$h!
I’m assembling our 2010 meeting schedule. If you’d like to speak to our Club, please let me know. We have lots of talent in our Club. Please share yours!
You all are the best!
Warmest regards,
Joanne Thomas Fischer
- Mike Matassa passed away July 14
◦ Gisela “Gerry” Zanelli has been seriously ill in the hospital but should be coming home soon.
◦ Harry Gaulke is recuperating from surgery
◦ Eleanor Bizzoso is home from the hospital
◦ The anniversary of Clifford Still’s passing was July 13.
The Club sent flowers to Gerry. If you would like contact info to send condolences and get well wishes, please e-mail Corresponding Secretary Jim Fischer at james.fischer@gmail.com.
Second, we need some donated items for our raffles. The prize box is getting a bit depleted!
So, if you see inexpensive bee-related stuff in a store, or have bee equipment or anything “bee” you don’t need, please bring it to the next meeting for the raffle. This month’s meeting prizes included a live Queen Bee and court, and beautiful bee photographs. Thanks to all who donated prizes.
Pennsylvania Master Beekeeper Bill Mondjack gave a wonderful presentation about macro-photography – which means getting great close-up photos of bees, flowers, and nature in general. He taught us how to put our personal bee photos on real US postage stamps, through the US Postal Service website, too. Cool idea!
Herman Danenhower of PA, who spoke to us about comb honey production last year, came with Bill as his “celebrity driver”. Herm has Ross Rounds equipment to sell, at amazing prices, if you’re interested in getting started with comb honey. Again, contact Jim Fischer to connect with Herm.
Bill's photography presentation was videotaped, and will be available on DVD from the Club library shortly.
This month, the practice of handing out meeting agendas on paper ended. To become more “green” and help the environment, agendas will be projected from a computer, for all to see and follow along. I’m exploring the idea of purchasing a projector that connects to a computer, so we no longer have to borrow a projector/impose on club members to bring one to our meetings. The price has come down dramatically, so possibly we can purchase one in 2010.
Financially, our Club continues to do well. We had another new member join this month, so the “winning streak” of at least one new member per month continues. Welcome new member Priscilla Reilly.
Thanks to all who made this meeting possible:
- Ernie Schwasnick for booking the
air-conditioned facility. We needed that A/C! And
we did not blow the fuse with the coffee and tea
pots like last year!
◦ The Audio-Visual Team of Ray Lackey, John Schackelford, and Jim Fischer who got the computer, projector, and power cords working flawlessly
◦ Our “Hostess with the Mostest”, hospitality officer Joan Maloney
Here are some upcoming highlights:
Don’t miss our next meeting, the Progressive Hive Tour on August 16, in the Smithtown area. We will visit the apiaries of Webmaster George Schramm, Vice President Moira Alexander, and Recording Secretary Marianne Sangesland. They are short easy minutes of driving from each other, with refreshments at each stop. Thanks, you three, for opening your hives and homes to us.
And, definitely don’t miss September 19 – NOTE: It’s a SATURDAY! It’s Miguel Valentin’s Annual Pig Roast. Miguel is roasting a 70 pound pig. He’s having famous Hispanic musicians and dancers to entertain us. The pig will be ready at 5 PM. But arrive early, from 4:00 on, for munchies etc. Miguel asks that you bring a snack, side dish, or dessert to make the party heartier. If you’d like wine, beer, or spirits, bring them too. Miguel will provide soft drinks.
December 13 is a big day. It’s our Holiday Party and the celebration of our Club’s 60th anniversary: 1949-2009. It’s at a new location: The Flaming Hearth in Farmingville. Look for the menu and RSVP info on our website. Our past parties at Christopher’s in Bayport were wonderful, but, we’ve outgrown the space as our Club has happily grown. This party will be one to remember. We’ll have all the old favorites, like the “Santa’s Hive” grab bag, but new fun too, like music, a dance floor, and a 50-50 drawing to benefit the Club and a lucky beekeeper, with ca$h!
I’m assembling our 2010 meeting schedule. If you’d like to speak to our Club, please let me know. We have lots of talent in our Club. Please share yours!
You all are the best!
Warmest regards,
Joanne Thomas Fischer