Wow – what a turnout we had for our talk by Chairman of the Board of the Eastern Apicultural Society, Jim Bobb, at this month’s meeting. It was the one of the biggest meetings ever.

Jim Bobb gave a wonderful, informative, humorous presentation about honey plants. If you couldn’t make the meeting, Jim’s handout is here on our Club’s web site at http://www.longislandbeekeepers.org/library/digitallibrary/digitallibrary.html. I hope the ladies enjoyed their gift of long stemmed roses in honor of Mother’s Day!

What a biography Jim Bobb has, from studying physics and math, traveling all over the world, running a Brazilian nightclub in San Francisco, running a computer company, to botany, beekeeping, educating people from kindergarteners to Seniors about bees, becoming a master gardener, and ascending to the top of the ladder!

My husband Jim and I had a great time socializing and talking with the Big Shot after the meeting and the next day too, here in Manhattan. The two Jims went to the Central Park Conservatory Garden to look at plants and honey bees.

Thanks, everyone, for coming. Welcome to our new members , Tim and LeeAnn Seeley, Gennady Osmerkin, Bipinkumar Momaya and thanks to all who paid their membership dues. Our treasury is in great shape thanks to all of our new and renewed members.

Also thanks to Joan Mahoney who handled the refreshments for the first time. And thanks to all who brought goodies for us all.

Thanks to all who brought prizes for our raffle, especially Ray Lackey. We have a bunch of extra prizes now, but can use more for the future. So, if you see inexpensive bee-related stuff in a store, or have bee equipment you don’t need, please bring it to the next meeting for the raffle. And who donated that adorable apron and pot holder that will be raffled off soon? Please let Conni know!!

And if you’d like to speak to our Club, please let me know. Speaking of speaking – don’t forget that our next meeting is June 21 (Father’s Day) at Ray Lackey’s home. It will be American Beekeeping Hero Day too. I have a special gift for the fellas. But the fellas need to share their funniest, best, or strangest beekeeping stories – in 5 minutes or less. I will bring my Personal Trainer stop watch! So get ready!

We will have a giant American Hero sandwich for all and drinks. Feel free to bring dessert as usual. And don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and veils!!!

And, I hope you will all come to the EAS meeting August 3-7, 2009 at Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY. EAS is rarely in NY, so we need to represent the NY contingent and be stars! It’s really upscale, with a golf course and all kinds of amenities. Look at http://www.holidayvalley.com/HolidayValley/info/activities.aspx for more info - golf, spas and more.

I’m very honored to be speaking again at EAS, about healthy living for beekeepers. Looking forward to it…

Thanks for all you do,
Warmest regards,
Joanne Thomas Fischer

P.S. - I am seeking old photos from our bee club, maybe even back to its origination in 1949, as I prepare for our celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Club. Please let me know if you have photos to contribute.

Thanks!