Hivelights

These long, hot days of July have been just what the honey bees have been waiting for. The heat has finally brought on the nectar flow from all the late wildflowers, the alfalfa and, in the last week, canola. It has been a never ending buffet for the bees and they’ve been “making honey while the sun shines”. Our hives are now looking like small towers dotting the landscape as we add successive ‘supers’ until harvest next month.

The observation hive is also doing well. The queen we took from another hive was finally accepted and has been laying eggs non-stop since she arrived. With the extensive area of brood (the eggs, larva and pupae) we frequently are able to see new bees ‘hatching’ as they chew their way out of their honeycomb cocoon.

The Farmers Markets have been busy. The new board and management at Millarville Market has had some innovative ideas to make the visit more rewarding for the customer, such as a free draw basket giveaway each week and Saturday July 31 there was a Wild West Show for added entertainment. The Hillhurst Sunnyside Framers Market is also sizzling. July 21 was their Sun n' Salsa Farmers Market which saw a record number of visitors. Chinook Honey Company didn’t win the salsa competition but we’re already planning our secret recipe for next year! August 4 the market is sponsoring the free event “Bicycle-In Movie Night’ which involves a ‘gentle’ bicycle ride after the market closes at 7:30, then a viewing of “DIRT The Movie” back at the community centre. It’s a great way to grow community spirit!

And speaking of spirit, our 5th Annual “Flavours of the Foothills’ Harvest Festival is fast approaching. Mark Saturday August 28th on your calendar! It’s a great way to celebrate summer’s end and the bounty that Mother Nature provides us. This year will be a relaxing jaunt through the foothills with activities planned at 3 locations: The Leighton Art Centre, Kayben Farms and Chinook Honey Company. For further information on programs, costs and directions please check the Flavours of the Foothills website.

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Buzz Notes

New in the store "Orange Blossom Honey"
Coming back soon: Sage Honey
Flavours of the Foothills Discount Coupons – click here for yours

Product of the Month

Orange Blossom Honey

This honey has the most amazing flavour. Produced by the honey bees from orange blossom nectar, it is astounding how much the honey tastes like the fruit. But it is much more delicate and even carries the perfume of orange blossoms. Granted it’s from California and not our honey, but everyone needs a little variety!
 Try it simply by the spoonful, on a nice fluffy biscuit (BTW, Susan at Forage makes the best I’ve ever had). Or get inventive and try it as a glaze for pork or turkey.
The Orange Blossom Honey is available in a variety of sizes from 153g ($ 4.75) to 1 Kg. ($16.50).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday August 4
'Bicycle-In Movie Night'
After Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmer's Market
Click here for more info

Saturday August 21
'Priddis & Millarville Fair & Farmer's Market'
From 8.30 am until 12 pm
Click here for more info

Saturday August 28
5th Annual Flavours of the Foothills
Harvest Festival
A day of fun, learning and activities!
Click here for more info

Bees and Honey in the News

Rose-Lynn Fisher B E E y o n d
The first time I looked at a bee’s eye magnified I was amazed to see a field of hexagons, just like honeycomb. I wondered, is this a coincidence or a clue?
http://www.rose-lynnfisher.com/beepage.html

Cherie's Web Picks

1. Honeybees survive for millennia in Sahara desert oasis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8751000/8751889.stm

2. Government of Canada Creates New Market Opportunities for Canadian Honey Producers
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Creates-New-Market-Opportunities-for-
Canadian-Honey-Producers-1278493.htm

3. Honey Bee Venom May Help Design New Treatments to Alleviate Muscular Dystrophy, Depression and Dementia
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100709130831.htm

4. The clinical and cost effectiveness of bee honey dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T5Y-50BKDMD-1&_user=10&_coverDate=
06%2F19%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=
c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=abc0f91393bf6a324c76cb563dac2b8d

5. Diet effects on honeybee immunocompetence
http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/6/4/562.abstract?sid=e81acb21-6261-4fe6-b354-7c75626a456f

Teasing Trivia

Q: What is honeydew?
A:.Honeydew is a sweet liquid excreted by some insects like aphids which may be collected by honey bees. In some parts of Europe honey made from honeydew is usually called Forest Honey and can be very expensive to purchase.