Bees are still dying from a mystery illness.

Hive Trouble

The nightmare began for tomato growers early this season with the sudden emergence of the late tomato blight. The fungus destroyed many backyard tomatoes and potatoes almost overnight. Beekeepers, however, have been dealing with a similar mystery killer for several years now.

The unknown killer was dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD for short, several years ago. Researchers have studied the yet unknown stalker, (PennState is a leader in the field), but no definitive cause has yet been identified, although there is a growing consensus it is somehow related to pesticide use.

Linesville beekeeper Charlie Vorisek, who keeps a hundred or so hives at his beefarm, is leaning towards the pesticide theory. He told me it could be a combination of different pesticides which leads to the fatal illness in the bees. The CCD mystery has wiped out literally thousands of hives in northwestern Pennsylvania and created hard financial times for many local beekeepers.

Compounding the problem this year was the lack of nectar in the end of the season golden rods in the local area. Goldenrod honey is good and there is little of it this year. Goldenrods also provide a necessary winter food source for the honeybees and Vorisek and others are already supplying the hives with a supplemental sugar-water food source to keep the hives nourished and winter has not even begun it’s entrance.

Vorisek, who is president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association, has cut way back on the use of any chemicals, like those used to control mites (yet another problem) in the hives. Chemical use is a last resort, he says.

Everyone can help. Buy locally produced honey, the Meadville Market House always has some for sale. Almost every neighborhood has a beekeeper who has honey for sale; it’s local, fresh, and healthy.

Curb or stop home pesticide use particularly in the flower or vegetable garden; there are many natural alternatives. If a pesticide must be used as a last resort, read and follow the directions carefully always remembering pesticides kill more than just the immediate problem.

Try to plant more native and heirloom flowers next spring; they are a rich source of food for the bees; the plants are also usually hardier because they are adapted to our weather.

More information can be found at the Crawford County Extension Office 814-333-7460 or email at crawfordext@psu.edu

Consumer Note: Ever had a jar of honey in the cupboard get hard? Vorisek recommends placing the jar in a pan of hot, but not boiling water, or in a sunny window. Just because the honey got hard or crystallized doesn’t mean toss it in the garbage; it is still good.

For additional information, Charles Vorisek can be reached at vbeefarm@windstream.com

Park for Kids Planned

Pam Donahue of Wattsburg has raised about $5,000 to be used for a Skate Park which will be located on South Street in Wattsburg along French Creek on land which she purchased several years ago. Pam operates Weaver’s Beauty Salon on Main Street and the park will be dedicated to her husband who died of cancer about 14 years ago. She says that the community has helped her so much during that time that she wanted to give something back in return.

She is concerned about the lack of recreation for kids in the local area and noted the kids sometimes get in trouble for riding bikes and roller blading in area parking lots. One of the few places for kids is several miles away in Canadohta Lake, the Canadohta Roller Rink.

The planned seven to eight acre Skate Park is still needs about $5,000 and several fund raisers are planned for the near future including a soon to be announced quilt raffle. She is going to also be holding some discussions with the Fish and Boat Commission about some fishing opportunities on French Creek for the kids. More updates will follow here. But if you care to donate now, call Pam at the downtown Wattsburg beauty salon.

Ryan Johnson

The blood drive for 3 year old Ryan Johnson on November 5 was a great success according to organizers. 48 people showed at the Wattsburg United Methodist Church to donate blood for the three year old suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He will need chemotherapy and transfusions for the next three year.

Organizers said that the blood bank people from Pittsburgh were impressed with the number of donations and expected no more than 25 donors. Ryan’s grandparents are Owen Johnson of Wattsburg, Janet and Charles Humes of Cambridge Springs. He is the son of Tina and Scott Johnson of Wattsburg.

More benefit events, including a Rigatoni dinner are planned, and will be posted here. For additional information or donations, contact Jane at the Wattsburg United Methodist Church at 739-2158.

Titusville

The Titusville Area United Wat is conducting a “Food for Thought” food drive to help area soup kitchens and food banks until November 19^th. Food staples are in short supply because of the late passage of a state budget. For more information or to donate called the agency at 827-1322.

Mound Grove Benefits:

Benefit for JonPaul Sandusky who was killed in an automobile accident recently on November 21^st and another on November 22 for Dan “Mrytle” Merski, who was diagnosed recently with Crohn’s disaese. Both have many friends and family in southern Erie and Crawford counties. Mound Grove is located in Waterford.