Saanich Fall Fair
Every year the Saanich Fall Fair happens over the Labour Day weekend on the Saanich Fairgrounds on Stelly’s Cross Road. And every year the club has a booth at the fair, with a demonstration hive generously donated by Don Lambert, and some presentation materials. People, especially the kids, get a thrill from watching the bees and finding the queen!
And – we need volunteers to staff our booth. I would encourage you to participate – it’s a lot of fun, and for doing so you get a free admission bracelet so you can look around after your 2-hour shift! If you’re interested, go to our website [1] and click on the ‘Club’ menu button in the top banner and choose the Saanich Fair/Volunteer [2] option to indicate which shift(s) you would be willing to do!
And continuing on the Fall Fair theme, this month’s main topic is on honey judging – what the judges look for in assessing different entries. The presenters are Larry Lindahl and Irene Tiampo – both previous judges and, in fact, they’ve trained many judges. Larry has written an excellent article on the history and the standards of perfection in the different categories [3] (posted with his permission for your reference).
I hope to see you at this Thursday’s meeting. Over and above the topics of discussion, there’s always something that comes up as either an “ah-HA!” moment or an “oh-Oh!” moment to inform your own beekeeping, and it’s a chance to meet and yak with your fellow beekeepers!
Our August meeting – the second Thursday, August 14th – will be our annual Summer Social, held at the Beaver Lake picnic grounds. Cake and beverages will be served. It, too, is a lot of fun. But be warned – there will be NOBODY at the Brentwood Hall that evening (except maybe for a member or two who hasn’t read this newsletter…).
Happy beekeeping!
Our monthly meeting is this Thursday, July 10th 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Venue: Central Saanich Seniors Citizens Association, 1229 Clarke Rd., Brentwood Bay [4]
- Agenda:
- 6:30-7:00 Beginner’s Corner
Winter is coming – Don L - 6:30-7:00 Intermediate’s Corner
Topic TBA – Bill F - 7:00-7:40 Main Meeting
Honey judging – What to look for – Larry L & Irene T - 7:40-7:55 What to do this Month – Larry L
- 7:55-8:05ish Club Business – Bill C
- 8:05-8:45 Social Time: Network with colleagues over coffee, tea – and cookies!!
- 6:30-7:00 Beginner’s Corner