The Summer Buzz

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The bees are enjoying everything blooming and they are using less sugar water now. The population in the hive was increasing and the advice from other beekeepers was to get another hive box as soon as possible.
Last Sunday, we went to Asbury Woods Nature Center in Millcreek Township and purchased two additional boxes and I also bought a nice pair of leather "bee gloves". The box needed to be assembled and that was a Memorial Day project. Under the cardboard box on top of the hives is a quart jar of sugar water.

Bees will swarm when conditions get too crowded. If you observe a swarm, don't panic, the bees when they are swarming, are gentle and not looking for a fight. If they are clustered in an inconvenient place and need to be removed, call your local beekeeper who will remove them for you.
Swarms usually happen in June in northwestern Pennsylvania.
 





Avian Flu Concerns Grow

The avian flu has led to the extermination of millions of chickens, turkey, quail and other domestic birds in many mid western states the last several months.  Since May 27 an estimated 40.5 million birds have been destroyed. The avian flu is spread by wild water birds such as ducks and geese and there is an increasing concern the avian flu could reach northwestern Pennsylvania during the fall migrations.
There are bio-security steps even some flock owners can take to protect their birds. Limited access to the birds is one bio-security step as well as limiting their contact with wild birds if the chickens are allowed to free roam.
For more local information, read The Flu.
The avian flu does not pose an immediate risk to human health, yet, according to the CDC..
The price of eggs and other consumer products could see some hefty price increases at the supermarket. And perhaps it's a good idea to get that Thanksgiving Turkey - now. For more information on the nation concerns, Prices Rise.

French Creek Summer Solstice Float  -  June 20 - June 21

Enjoy the beginning of summer on French Creek as the traditional Summer Solstice Float paddles downstream.. The Solstice Float, sponsored by the French Creek Conservancy is scheduled for June 20 and 21.

“This year we will float the northern sections of French Creek beginning just below the Union City Dam area,” Dave Washousky, the program Director at the Conservancy said. “We'll camp out overnight on private property and then conclude the float in Cambridge Springs the following day.”

Throughout the Float there will be special educational programs, entertainment, and food.

The educational programs will be led by members of the Erie National Wildlife Refuge.

“They will have presentations regarding the history and uniqueness of the region,” Washkousky said.

This will be the third year the Conservancy has sponsored the event.

“Other organizations have sponsored the float in years past and we took it over three years ago,” Washousky said. “It's a lot of fun and there are some fascinating thing to learn about French Creek.”

Registration is required by Saturday June 6 and interested persons can register online at

http://www.frenchcreekwatershed.com/sojourn-signup.aspx

Historical Marker to be Dedicated - June 27

 

Virginia Sorensen, and her award winning book will be in the spotlight on June 27. Sorensen wrote Miracles on Maple Hill while living in Edinboro and was awarded the John Newbery Medal for her distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

In honor of her work, the importance of the maple industry in the Edinboro region and the 175 anniversary of Edinboro's founding, a new roadside historical marker will be officially dedicated beginning at 2 p.m. The general public is invited which will be held at the Culbertson Stables, 413 West Plum, Edinboro.

Sorensen used many locations and the local residents in her novel and there will be a driving tour from 9 a.m. to noon to visit many of the places she mentions. Meet at the Edinboro Library to start the tour. There will also be special exhibits during the day at the Library which is located on Route 6N

In the evening, there will be a special dinner hosted by the Hurry Hill Maple Farm Museum Association at 11424 Fry Road.. The Maple Tasting Room, museum and the Miracles of Maple Hill room will open at 5 p.m. The museum is the repository for the Newberry Medal awarded Sorsensen, as well as many other artifatcs related to the book.

The Maple Farm to Table Picnic will begin at 6 p.m. and will be catered by Nick's Place.

The cost of the dinner is $15 per person. Reservation are required and need to be made by June 10. For additional information or questions, call 814-397-8690. Checks can be mailed to HHEMA (Hurry Hill Farm Museum Association),, Montgomery – Farm to Table, 114 Maple Dr,. Edinboro, PA 16412.

More information next week.

Fishing

“Family Fishing” — NOTE: SPECIAL REGISTRATION

Tuesday, June 9, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Stainbrook Park, Shelter #2
Please register with Chad Foster, PA Fish & Boat Commission:  814-683-5126 OR online: http://www.fish.state/pa.us.
Join the Crawford Conservation District and the PA Fish & Boat Commission for a late afternoon of instruction, casting and fishing! All supplies will be provided. You do not need a fishing license for this PA Fish and Boat Commion sponsored educational event. Open to all ages and will be held rain or shine.

And Just for the Heck of It

 Bee diets are pretty straightforward—pollen for the larvae, nectar for the drones and workers, and when supplies get low? Cannibalism. Honeybees are known to eat their hive mates and larvae when times get tough.