by Shirley Acevedo

Nicole Pettibon, our 2009 Texas Honey Queen, is preparing to compete for the American Honey Queen title at the American Beekeeping Federation Convention in Orlando, January 2010! She has submitted her application with her required essay on honey, and the list of 50 events she participated in as Texas Honey Queen. Nicole will be traveling to Orlando from Emmaus Bible College in Iowa, since her classes begin January 7. Rachael Seida (2008 American Honey Queen) and I will meet up with Nicole in Orlando to support by assisting with activities like ironing clothes, coaching regarding the events of the Convention, running errands, etc. On behalf of Texas beekeepers, Nicole, we wish you safe journeys and much success at ABF! We greatly appreciate all you have done over the past year as 2009 Texas Honey Queen. We are honored to have had you represent us. We are proud of you!

And now I would like to introduce our 2010 Texas Honey Queen, Allison Adams of Plano, TX. She will accompany us to learn first-hand the workings of the American Honey Queen Program. Allison’s family will drive to Florida later that week, in time to join in the Saturday convention events, and spend family time in the Orlando area with Allison. We wish Allison and her family an enjoyable time in Florida and Allison a rewarding time at ABF.

The Texas Beekeepers Convention in Tyler began with Kids Learning About Bees on Thursday November 12. A well behaved 428 children came with adults to learn about honey bees and beekeeping. East Texas Beekeepers Association (ETBA) did a wonderful job of manning the numerous tables. Violet Bourns worked tirelessly over several months taking care of the details. Tammy Lenamond and Diane Rapazzo precisely managed the timing of the children’s arrival over the five hours.

Thursday evening’s Bee Buzz had a total of six Honey Queens and one Honey Princess providing delicious food prepared with honey to top off the finger food, tea,and coffee provided by Burlesons Honey, Dadant and Mann Lake. The lovely young ladies were Nicole Pettibon (2009 Texas Honey Queen), Allison Adams (Collin County Honey Queen), Diane Jurchen (American Honey Queen from Iowa), Kellie Lenamond (East Texas Honey Queen), Kaylynn Mansker (Collin County Honey Princess) and Rebekah Jones (Williamson County Honey Queen).

At the opening of the Convention on Friday morning, the Queens and Princess were officially introduced. Nicole Pettibon gave an excellent power point presentation of her year as Texas Honey Queen.

After the morning break, Diane Jurchen, Nicole Pettibon and Kellie Lenamond judged TBA honey contest entries. The Queen’s Luncheon took place at noon on Friday with 72 people present. Texas Honey Queen, Nicole Pettibon, gifted each person with a bright yellow button.
After the six Queens and Princess shared their favorite bee talk experience, everyone looked for a paper skep taped to their chairs to identify the winner of the lovely handmade centerpiece skep which were provided by the ladies of ETBA.
After lunch, the Honey Queens and Princess went to Rice Elementary School for a 30-minute bee talk to 132 fourth graders. The children were seated on the gym floor, and each of the six young women spoke for approx five minutes about an aspect of beekeeping. Buzzy Bear came too, thanks to James Mansker of Nevada, TX. Shelby Kilpatrick wore the bee suit, hat, veil and gloves for the school children!

Next stop for the Honey Queens and Princess: Tyler Rose Garden, to view the beauty of and smell the numerous fragrances of gorgeous roses. Later we watched hot flour tortillas roll off the conveyor belt at Mercado’s, ate dinner and returned to the hotel to dress for the Quiz Bowl.
Past Texas Honey Queens manage the Friday evening Quiz Bowl, where they test the beekeeping knowledge of the Queens and Princesses. This year was no exception; Sarah Paulson Landry (1997/1998 Texas Honey Queen & 1998 American Honey Princess) sent a “Jeopardy” game on a flash drive with her parents (Susan and John Paulson) since she could not be present. Thank you, Sarah and Susan and John! The game was a success and a lot of fun, and we even took questions from the audience which few in the room could answer.

Saturday morning included the Delegates Breakfast and then interviews for Kellie Lenamond and Allison Adams for the 2010 Texas Honey Queen position. Seven beekeepers interviewed the young ladies and deliberated for three hours before making the selection. Those present were Rachael Seida,Violet Bourns, Alan Eynon, Don Angle, Deborah Rankin, Jimmie Oakley (not pictured) and myself.

After a quick lunch, all attended the TBA Business Meeting and then took two hours for rest and relaxation away from the hotel. By 6 pm, everyone was dressed formally for the Banquet.

After a sumptuous prime rib dinner, Nicole Pettibon gave her farewell words and was presented with a certificate of completion of her year as 2009 Texas Honey Queen and a $2000 scholarship check from President, Todd Youngblood for TBA. Again, thank you, Nicole!
Kellie Lenamond, 2009 East Texas Honey Queen, was named 2010 Texas Honey Queen Runner Up and was presented with a beautiful bouquet of a dozen pink roses arranged by Janet Rowe of CCHBA.
Allison Adams was crowned 2010 Texas Honey Queen and was given a lovely sash and a bouquet of red roses also by Janet Rowe. Thank you, Janet, for your fine work.

The six Honey Queens and Princess skillfully helped with the auction by carrying items around the room for all to see and bid. Thank you, Texas Beekeepers, for providing many items for the auction! Thank you, East Texas Beekeepers, for providing the very capable auctioneer. The total income at the auction was $7600! And thank you to Lavada Talbert for taking in the auction items! What a generous and thoughtful association of beekeepers you are! On behalf of the Texas Honey Queen Program, I thank you!
Allison Adams as Texas Honey Queen, looks forward to visiting your area and local club. Over the next year ,she and the Queen Committee will look at possible options to keep the auction entertaining and of reasonable length.
Thank you again for your gracious support of our Texas Honey Queen and Honey Queen Program.
I look forward to receiving your invitation for the Texas Honey Queen to come to your event!