Chinook Honey Company

Hivelights

After last month’s newsletter we truly felt the worst weather was over for the winter. Little did we know what Mother Nature had in store for us! Since then we’ve only had 2 days that were somewhat close to 10°C - and more snow. Art attempted to feed the bees last week; however 90% of them were still buried. He was able to get some buckets of sugar syrup close to them, but without warm temperatures they won’t be foraging, if they can even escape their hives. You might wonder why we don’t just dig them out. Other than the fact that it would be labour intensive and we haven’t got the manpower, with the cold weather we’re still experiencing they are likely better off with the added insulation.
We are happily anticipating the arrival of our New Zealand packages April 25. There is still much work to be done to get their new homes ready for them but it certainly will be nice to see bees flying – you can bet we’re hoping for a BIG improvement in the weather!

Calgary Horticulture ShowOn another cheery note, we had a great time at the Calgary Horticulture Show April 9 & 10. We had the opportunity to participate in the Children’s Activity Centre (we actually were able to steal a few frames of bees from a hive the day before to make up a small observation hive). The bees were a great hit and we enjoyed everyone’s interest.

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In This Issue: April 2011

HIVELIGHTS
Hoping for Spring
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Life and Times of the Honey Bee
MEAD MATTERS
Berry Blisssss
RECIPE FROM OUR KITCHEN
Chinook Honey Ham
BEES AND HONEY IN THE NEWS
CHERIE'S WEB PICKS
TEASING TRIVIA

beePlease feel free to forward this newsletter to any of your friends if you think they might enjoy it too!bee

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Buzz Notes

beeBerry Blisssss – take advantage of the introductory offer- 10% off  Easter weekend (April 22,23 and 25)
beeThere’s still a few Brie Bakers and other “Gourmet Village” products left – 30% off

Berry BlissssMead Matters

Berry Blisssss

Join us Friday April 22 (Good Friday & Earth Day) for the release of our newest mead, Berry Blisssss.

There will be free samplings of mead and also many appetizers and ideas for mead pairings. As an introductory offer, Berry Blisssss will be 10% off throughout the Easter weekend (Friday, Saturday and Monday – we’re closed Easter Sunday).

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday April 22
Earth Day
Release of Berry Blisssss
Open House with mead food pairings, introductory sale on Berry Blisssss Chinook Arch Meadery
10 am to 5 pm

Friday April 29 &
Saturday April 30
Local 101: Ingredients for a Sustainable Culture
Slow Food Calgary
The Uptown, 612 - 8th Ave. SW
6 - 10pm Friday
9 am - 9 pm Saturday

Sunday May 1st
Local 201: Alberta Small Farms Summit
Slow Food Calgary
University of Calgary, ICT Building
10 am - 4 pm
Click here for more info

Wednesday May 25
Sunnyside-Hillhurst
Farmer's market
Opening Day
3.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Click here for more info

Saturday June 10
Millarville Farmer's market
Opening Day
9 am - 2 pm ** NEW HOURS**
Click here for more info

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Product of the Month

‘The Life and Times of the Honey Bee’

This month we are featuring one of our most popular books, ‘The Life and Times of the Honey Bee’ by Charles Micucci. Meant to be a children’s book, it is so well researched and illustrated that it’s a great resource for every age. It covers many details about bees and beekeeping and is very clear and concise. A definite must for any young person in your life (after you’ve had a chance to read it yourself!) It is available for $10.00.

life & times of the honey bee

 

Recipe from our Kitchen

Chinook Honey Ham

Ham is traditional fare at Easter and in the past we have received queries about where a ‘Honey Ham’ could be purchased. Pre-prepared Honey Ham is not very common in western Canada, but with this recipe you’ll have a star on the dinner table that will rival anything you could buy ready made. The biggest key is to baste it at regular intervals!

Chinook Honey Ham

Click here to view the full recipe.

 

Bees and Honey in the News

Jeff PettisTop level laboratory research showing that low levels of systemic pesticides are impacting honey bee health are not being repeated in the field.
By Alan Harman

Dr. Jeff Pettis, research leader at the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, MD., tells British Members of Parliament his research doesn't explain bee losses seen in the U.S. Pettis was the first researcher to suggest a possible link between insecticides called neonicotinoids and bee deaths (Read more )

Cherie's Web Picks

1. Buzz-ness is looking up- CITY ROOFTOP HONEY PROJECT
http://moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/buzz-ness-is-looking-up/

2. Some honeys good, but be careful…
http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2011.03.30.22.42.archive.html

3. Offenders swap fuzz for buzz of helping honey bee
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/offenders_swap_fuzz_for_buzz_of_helping_honey_bee_1_3274740

4. "Bee Friendly Farming" initiative
http://www.pfspbees.org/bff.htm

5. Industry’s war on nature: ‘What are the bees telling us?’
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2011/04/10/industry-s-war-on-nature-what-are-the-be

Teasing Trivia

Q: When do Honey Bees sleep?
A:.Honey Bees do not sleep. They take mini cat naps in between periods of work, whether that be the older bees  foraging outdoors or the younger bees working inside the hive.
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