by Shirley Acevedo, Honey Queen Committee Chair

We Texas beekeepers can be so proud of our Texas Honey Queen! In this issue (pages 6-9), do read Nicole’s report of her myriad of activities. As she travels around the state and encourages both the honey industry and the use of beehive products, other plusses also appear: we now have three local honey queens and one local honey princess in Texas! These young women remind me of the swarm queens, which take off from the home hive to produce strong colonies elsewhere. The Queens are Kellie Lenamond of East Texas Beekeepers, Rebecca Hollington of Harris County Beekeepers, Allison Adams of Collin County Hobby Beekeepers and the Princess is Kaylynn Mansker of Collin County Hobby Beekeepers. These young ladies represent us beekeepers at many events.
Our Texas Honey Queen, Nicole Pettibon, not only travels well, she also impeccably cares for the beehives in her backyard. Recently when Nicole and I were speaking over the phone, she mentioned she was preparing to collect a swarm from her own hives that had landed under a trailer at her home. Now as beekeepers, we all know it can be a bit challenging to retrieve a swarm while one is kneeling or
lying on the ground. Nicole accomplished the feat and hived the swarm.
Another out-of-the-ordinary experience occurred when Nicole received an invitation for a phone interview for the Houston Family Magazine. Nicole was given a list of possible questions for the interview. She prepared for those questions and for any others that might come up when she was put on the spot. The opportunity came about through Harris County Beekeeper, Lauren Lovell. Thank you, Lauren, for giving Nicole this special media exposure! The April article/interview is at http://houstonfamilymagazine.com; click on “Archives” to the left and follow instructions to read the Texas Honey Queen interview.
While at Sherman, TX, Earth Day on April 18, KXII, Channel 12, had a live interview with Nicole as Texas Honey Queen.
Many of you Texas beekeepers have made possible Nicole’s numerous events around our great state of Texas. Don Angle of Harris County Beekeepers came through over and over again in making arrangements for Nicole’s three trips to Houston. Misti Dillon and family (husband Billy, son Blake, and daughter Blair) hosted Nicole and provided transportation to and from Hobby Airport and other activities when Nicole was in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Burger also hosted Nicole and her brother, Caleb and took them to Hobby Airport during Nicole’s visit with the Houston Beekeepers. Thank you, Harry Reichart, for staying in regular communication to facilitate the Honey Queen’s Level 9 tour of NASA. Kay and Jimmie Oakley of Round Rock gave Nicole wonderful care when she was in Round Rock; and thanks to Kim Lehman, Nicole had a fun place to stay while in Austin for the National Honey Board Meeting. Thank you, Texas beekeepers, who played small and large roles. All of us working together make our Texas Beekeeping “hive” a strong and healthy and vibrant community.
Call or send me an email to arrange for Nicole Pettibon, Texas Honey Queen, to come to your area. Nicole would love to get to know you!

I look forward to seeing you in Webberville, TX, on Saturday, June 20! I will see you again in Tyler for the TBA Convention, November 12-14!!

Thank you for your generous support of the Texas Honey Queen program.
Blessings upon the Honey Bees and their Keepers!