Volume III, Issue 1, January 5, 2017
 

 
Comments? Rotary News? Send to:  AspenRotaryNewsletter@gmail.com
Roger Nicholson, Editor-of-the-month 

 

 

Speaker: Chris Stoner, Wild Bear Bee Farm
Who would have thought that the subject of 'Bees' would mesmerize  the entire audience of Aspen Rotarians?  Unlikely that it would, but it did!  Our speaker removed all mysteries involving the raising of bees, the production of honey, the culture of the hive and the ways in which honey varies depending on the area that produced it.  Here are some key facts to know about bees:
1.  A Queen Bee lays about 2000 eggs a day
2.  A Queen Bee lives for two to three years.  She lives through our winters by being insulated by her swarm who die to protect her.
3.  Drones live for a single purpose--to fertilize a new Queen.
4.  When hives become over-crowded, bees swarm under the leadership of a brand new Queen.  They find a new home and the new Queen begins a new cycle of egg production.
5.  Drones don't sting.
6.  Worker bees are infertile females.  They can cover six miles in a single day as they hunt for flower blossoms.  They live for about six weeks.
7.  A bee produces 1/12 oz. of honey in its' life time.
8.  More than 1/3 of our fruits and vegetables depend on bee pollination.
9.  About 80% of almond production in California depends on bees being moved in during the Spring.  Herbicides have reduced the native bee population in California to that extent.
10. Here in Colorado, we spray herbicides to control noxious weeds.  We kill bees if we spray after the weed has bloomed.  Spray before blooming and chop down after instead of spraying.

P.S.  Steve Wickes wants to know why there is no 'King Bee'?        
 
 

Guests: Graeme Means, A Beekeeper in his own right (Rick Newton)

 

Ernie Fyrwald thanked all bell ringers and mentioned that an "anonymous and large matching offer was still on the table if more donations could be received in the near future".

Mike Kosdrosky, Ducky Derby Lead Duck, is in urgent need of a Deputy Duck who will assume the Chair position after this year's Ducky Derby.

Jeanette Darnauer announced the the Aspen Hall of Fame will hold its' 30th. annual induction dinner  on January 21 with five new inductees.  Info at www.aspenhalloffame.org.

Christina King, on behalf of Shawn Hathaway, reminded us that our local Aspen Leafs Ice Hockey team will play the Colorado Rampage team at Lewis Arena both Friday and Saturday evenings, Jan. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. and that proceeds from these contests will go to support Aspen Strong.  If interested go to www.aspenleaguehockey.com for info.

Deborah Breen announced that AVHS will open and dedicate The Marian and Ralph Melville Oncology and Infusion Center with a celebratory lunch Jan. 24 at noon.  Details and RSVP at

 

 

 

Happy Bucks:  Jim DeFrancia is happy that, after beating Navy for the first time in 15 years, will now be encouraged to play the game again this year.  Roger Nicholson is thrilled that his beloved USC Trojans recovered from sure Football death to beat Penn State in the year's Rose Bowl game with a field goal as the clock expired 52-49.  Chris Bendon is happy that his new company finished a year in business successfully and was able to support several worthy causes in the area.

 

 

Friday, January 13, 7:30 a.m. at the Mountain Chalet.  All Aspen Rotarians are encouraged to attend.

 

 

Grants Committee Chair, John Moore announced that the committee will meet in mid-February to consider new grant applications.