by Shirley Acevedo

Nicole Pettibon as Texas Honey Queen is gearing up for Fall 2009! Having just graduated from high school this past May, Nicole will now be going away to college at the end of August to Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa. At Emmaus Bible College she will be in the tri-state area of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin_right there on the Mississippi River. She will definitely be in Queen Territory! Our present 2009 American Honey Queen, Diane Jurchen, is from Iowa. Our 2009 American Honey Princess, Allison Hull, is from Minnesota (just to the north of where Nicole will be going to college). We wish Nicole all the best as she steps into this new era of her life! She continues to be a star Texas Honey Queen!
Nicole will be cooking with honey at the State Fair of Texas on Thursday and Friday, October 1 and 2, 2009, as part of “Hello, Honey”! Nicole will be part of a group of Honey Queens and a Honey Princess. Allison Hull (American Honey Princess) will join us for the two special days of cooking, as will Harris County Honey Queen (Rebecca Hollington of Houston), East Texas Honey Queen (Kellie Lenamond of Wills Point), Collin County Honey Queen (Allison Adams of Plano), and Collin County Honey Princess (Kaylynn Mansker of Nevada). The “Royalty” will be riding in the Starlight Parade on Friday evening, October 2. Do come and volunteer at the TBA Honey Booth in the Food and Fiber Building during the State Fair of Texas. Contact John Talbert (972-843-8084, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to set up a time.
Nicole will also, of course, be at the TBA Convention in Tyler, TX, Thursday through Saturday, November 12 – 14, 2009! The American Honey Queen, Diane Jurchen, will be there, as will the Honey Queens and Honey Princesses from around Texas. We look forward to seeing all of you there! Come be a part of Kids Learning about Bees, the Thursday morning and early afternoon free event for the children of the Tyler area. Watch for more details in the next TBA Journal.
As you have any ideas or suggestions or requests for the Texas Honey Queen Program, please contact me.

Thank you, dear Texas Beekeepers, for all of your caring and support of the Texas Honey Queen Program.
All of us working together make up a great team to foster appreciation for and knowledge of the honey bee and use of the blessed products of the honey beehive.

See you soon!