Feb. 5, 2010
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Last Monday was a chilly and rainy night but several dozen Geneva residents made it out to the Geneva Citizens Association meeting at the Community Center. It was the annual meeting for election of officers, the financial update of the GCA and included a salute to Geneva "api" and "agri" culture by two local growers. On hand were Laura Braun of Resthaven Farms, who brought the delicious and healthy hydroponic tomatoes and produce they are famous for, and Bill and Marion Frederickson of Frederickson Apiaries and Happy Bee Honey Farm. The Fredericksons gave a wonderful presentation on the state of the bee world and the benefits of honey.
Why are countries all over the world losing 30 to 90 percent of their beehives? It comes down to natural and manmade enemies such as carpenter ants, beetles, moths, mites, chemicals and systemic pesticides. Listening to Bill and Marion, I sensed such contrasts between their little bee farm off State Road 46 and its connection to the planet. It's amazing that the same enemies that affect their hives also affect hives all over the world. Equally startling is how man has become capable of killing pollinators such as bees (and certain hummingbirds, bats, flies and beetles) that help produce something that has no expiration date and has so many internal and external benefits. Honey is not only a sweetener, but has medicinal, antimicrobial, antioxidant and preservative properties. How sad that our society has become obese partly from high fructose corn syrup, which is in nearly every processed or nearly processed food due to cost savings in place to avoid sugar tariffs.
Listening to the Fredericksons talk about raising bees, work they love and have done for more than 30 years, they seem like modern-day Davids, standing firm and hoping that by educating others, bees can make a comeback. Our food supply and that of our livestock surely depends on it. Contact them at 407-765-1048 or happybeehoneyfarm.com to get information on bee classes and purchase their product, or visit them on the weekends at several farmers markets around Orlando.
We also learned about the Hometown Democracy Amendment, the Rural Heritage Center status, the upcoming Fourth of July planning meeting and the need for more donations and visitors to the First United Methodist Church Thrift Shop.
Learn more about the Hometown Democracy Amendment at www.floridahometowndemocracy.com. This will be on the ballot for the state of Florida in November and gives the people a say in changing the comprehensive land-use plans of their area. Get educated so when the advertisements for and against it begin you will be prepared. Be sure you have a say in keeping the state and our rural zones as you would like them to be. When it gets closer to November, if you will need help in getting to your polling place in Geneva please contact the Geneva Citizens Association and they will try to find your transportation.
Come Saturday morning, Feb. 6, to the Annual Geneva Pancake Breakfast and if you're lucky you might (no guarantees) still get a seat on the bus for the Historic Bus Tour of Geneva. Seats have sold out and there's a waiting list but sometimes folks don't show up so you can take your chances. Otherwise just enjoy the homemade pancakes and sausage breakfast and the Geneva Museum of History too.
Later this month please consider attending the first Fourth of July planning meeting. If you would like to become more involved in this community and get to know your neighbors it's a great way to do that. If you've never been involved before, just come and listen at least. This year the parade and festival will be held on Saturday, July 3, and we hope it will be bigger and better than ever. There are jobs for everyone, and we have a successful template for the parade and the festival that has worked beautifully over the years — plus it's fun! Come to the Community Center at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 and you'll be out by 10 a.m.
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