| Stung by the beekeeping bug
MACKINAW -- As scientists ponder why honey bees are dying in at least 35 states, things are still buzzing around beekeeper Steve Mayes.Mayes, 58, has hundreds of hives producing the delicious, sweet honey which was once considered food of the gods.About 200 million pounds of honey is produced in the United States each year, and Mayes' business, Mackinaw Valley Apiaries Inc., averages about 24,000 pounds annually.The average American consumes about 1¼ pounds of honey each year, according to the National Honey Board, an agency of the U.S. government."I started 10 years ago with one hive. Now, I have 330," said Mayes, who was an analytical chemist before he was stung by the beekeeping bug.Normal firefighter Tom Elston raises bees for his Amber Bee Co. in rural Bloomington as a way to sooth a desire to get back to the land that gripped him more than 30 years ago.
WARREN PIECE: Warren County starts Quest for leaders
Vince Lombardi once said, "Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal."Over the next eight months, a group of people will take time out of their workday every two weeks to help make leaders in Warren County."The whole idea is developing community-based leadership," said Shelley Rowe, community development specialist with the Warren County University of Missouri Extension Office."They can take those skills back and benefit their employer, but it's also to develop a group of people who will look at changes in the community and what changes do we want to take place in our communities," Rowe said.The program, called Quest, is sponsored by the Warrenton Area and Wright City Area chambers of commerce.
Biofuel Company Selects Vonore Site
As more and more farms shrink or disappear to make way for homes and progress, many Monroe County farmers struggle to continue their way of life. Could something as simple as a blade of grass be the answer? Dr. Kelly Tiller, director of external operations for the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative and University of Tennessee agriculture economist, said this week she expects the university to partner with the ethanol production company Mascoma to locate a multi-million dollar plant in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park in Vonore. The plant will use groundbreaking technology to turn locally grown switchgrass into cellulosic ethanol that will fuel vehicles and farms. �This is going to draw national attention,� said Tiller. UT received more than $70 million from the state to begin the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative.
Local theater provides opportunity for growth
Another season of top-notch theater is winding to a close in Bardstown.Stephen Foster Productions annually brings a huge treasure-trove of talent to this community, adding immeasurably to the quality of life in Bardstown and Nelson County.The cast, crew and directors of Stephen Foster add up to 70 individuals who range in experience from college interns all the way to professional performers, with stops in between.This group includes performers from eight Kentucky counties, 15 states and Canada, according to Stephen Foster Communications Director Johnny Warren. The group of 10 interns is made up of recent high school graduates and college students in their first years of theater education. The interns can take classes in voice, drama and dance while participating in a professional theater production.During their summer job in Bardstown they also work on putting together an audition package to show off their skills for prospective theater jobs they try to nab on the audition circuit.Not only are they working to help themselves in the career they are attempting to pursue, they're also reaching out to high schools in the community to help local theater students.Today the group is scheduled to talk with theater arts students at Bethlehem High School.
Tourism numbers patchy
Visitors to Halls Gap may be looking sparse at present, but operators are not panicking as it has been a `patchy' summer. With last year's month-long non trading period due to the Grampians Bushfire still firm in traders' memories any business is good business. Northern Grampians Shire Council tourism manager Angie Lush said that tourist numbers had declined over past weeks. "What we've been finding is a slight drop during December in visitation," Ms Lush said. "In the first few weeks of January, people were coming more. "Some people have had good days, some bad days. It's hard to establish a pattern. "Going by what the retailers and accommodation providers have said business has been patchy." Melissa Griffin from the Halls Gap Caravan Park said that business was quiet at present, but would soon pick up.
Twellman stars for Revs
FOXBORO - Fortunately, Taylor Twellman found the back of the net.What with 35,402 fans on hand disappointed that David Beckham was not in uniform and unavailable for duty for the Los Angeles Galaxy, they would have been doubly distraught with a nil-nil (scoreless) deadlock.But, the New England Revolution's all-time career goal-scoring leader notched his ninth goal of the season - after going 0-for-5 on first-half chances - in the 56th minute of the MLS match for the margin of victory in the 1-0 verdict over the Galaxy Sunday at Gillette Stadium.The outcome almost took a backseat to the appearance of Beckham, the international superstar with Manchester United and Real Madrid, the latest in the line of European mercenaries to cross the pond to arrive on the shores of America to boost the popularity of futbol."I can't wait until we get going, because you can see he's good," said LA midfielder and USA National Team member Landon Donovan of Beckham.
Community Meetings
THIS WEEK Geechee Sailing Club 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13, Tubby's Tank House, 2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt. Open to all persons interested in boating and related activities. Call 234-1903 or go to www.geecheesailingclub.org. Chatham County Board of Commissioners 7 p.m. Aug. 14, Inn at Ellis Square, 201 W. Bay St. Commissioner Pat Shay will host a Town Hall meeting. Guest speaker Michael Scott will speak. Topic: "Urban Police Methods and the Importance of Defensive Design and Planning." Call 652-7923. Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society Meet 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Fairmont Restaurant, 65 W. Fairmont Ave. Call 748-8068. Friends of Oatland 6:30 p.m. Aug.
New transit chief is eager to get rolling
Allan Pollock has stepped in to lead the Salem-Keizer Transit District during a time of changes and challenges. He started as the district's general manager June 6 after serving as the director of transportation for the city of Montebello, Calif., for five years. The former Huntington Beach resident fills the vacancy left by Jeff Hamm. Pollock joins Salem-Keizer Transit after two failed property tax levies and reductions in bus service. His tenure also begins as the district prepares to implement route adjustments and starts planning for two new transit centers. Looking ahead, Pollock says he's optimistic. He sees the opportunity for the district to grow with the region, and one day, he wants it to become the flagship transit agency in the state. Question: What attracted you to the position of general manager for Salem-Keizer Transit? Answer: The Salem-Keizer Transit District is the type and size of organization that attracts me.
|
