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From our Holiday 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Raw honey for allergies, honey vinegar, 5th grade project, Are you still picking grapes? more allergy questions


Saturday, October 30, 2004 - Evelyn Gaylord

Help! My pot of creamed honey from Scotland has been finished--that had resulted in COMPLETE HALT of nasty eye allergies, from cats. Amazing Grace.

All honey doesn't work! I had to have some immediately and bought some at Miller's, their beekeeper supplier is in Davisburg. My eyes are now returning to the allergy stage again, and I will be scheduling/arranging for cataract surgery!

Is your creamed honey considered more concentrated than the liquid?
What is your delivery time via mail?
Can it still be picked up?
or . . . . Can your daughter--school teacher at the Harvey school at the end of the block--be enlisted to drive it in with her?
I will appreciate any/all opinions you have on all my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Gaylord

  • (HF) Hello Evelyn

    Yes we sell Creamed/Raw & Unprocessed honey - 2.5 lb jar for $9.50 & Mary could bring it in to her offoce at Harvey Elementary. You can also purchase it on line & I can ship it - it takes a few days.
  • (Evelyn) I saw Theresa Wittebol's large bottle of honey and decided you were an avenue I hadn't explored. Theresa still volunteers her time at Jack Harvery Elementary School, after 'retiring' with 20 years of service--and we've been street neighbors for well over 30. This explains how I heard about your Mary.

    Okay, now that I've read your comment about creamed honey being more concentrated I'll go back to the 'online store' to read my available choices.
  • (HF) I am curious where you purchased a jar of Davisburg Honey - Millers orchard in Romeo or another Millers, This year or last year?
  • (Evelyn) I bought mine about a week ago at the small Miller orchard store on Clinton River, just down the road-- about 3 miles down the road. Colleen runs that store, her parents have the orchard in Romeo and when they close for the season their honey supply will be sent down to the Clinton River store.

    The label on the 1 lb. honey jar indicates it's from David E. Barber, P.O. Box 309, Davisburg, Mi.--no street address, and doesn't return phone calls. My question would have been about the concentration factor.

    Barber's honey is clouded looking and so I was hoping it would work out. I don't know what they pack in the jars in Scotland, but it packs one heck of a whallop!!! Knowing nothing about honey, ever, I was surprised to see the texture of the Scot's as being very stiff. I didn't know what you called it, or what you would do with it.-
  • (HF) We have our own bees at Millers orchard in Romeo.
    Creamed honey is no more concentrated than liquid honey. Pure natural unprocessed honey will naturally granulate into a smooth spread.
    Many people like it for allergies since it has not been warmed to retard granulation.
  • (Evelyn) That's why I need it. But never having used it, ever, I was astounded at my bodies reaction in 24 hours to the Scottish honey, it halted the entire scenario of spectacular eye and nose allergies in mid air--the spectacular results lasted as long as the honey in the jar! It was unbelievable. Now that I changed to Barber's there is a decided difference in my eyes and nose reactions, not as helpful, but still worth taking.

    When I asked you in a previous note about summer or the darker fall honey being used in your products, I was looking for something that had most/all fall honey. It's supposed to be darker and be more helpful from the allergy angle.

    I read the information from the National Honey Board which was most interesting. Honey certainly has an incredible medical background. No wonder all the older generations chasied their kids around with a spoonful of honey, it's better than an apple a day.

    Cordially,

    Evelyn Gaylord

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - Miles Prodan

Looking for info on honey vinegar, can you help?

Miles


Thursday, October 14, 2004 - Barbara Fuller

Are you still picking grapes? I was just told about this vineyard last week and was hoping that there was still some grapes left to be picked.

Thank you. Barb

  • I am sorry but we are completely sold out of grapes and closed for the season.
    I have put you on our mailing list. Bill
    • Thank you...I'm sorry that I missed this season. This next year I will be especially interested in the niagra grapes as I am a wine maker and would like to try my hand at this white wine. Thanks again. Barb

Friday, October 15, 2004 - Brent Montgomery

Hello. My name is Joshua Brent Montgomery. I am in the 5th grade. I am researching bees, beekeeping, and how honey is made. I would appreciate any videos or information you have on this for my project. Thank you.

Brent Montgomery
Goodlettsville, Tn 37072


Thursday, October 14, 2004 - Evelyn Gaylord

Your online information states that:
The fall honeys have an amber glow and a stronger flavor. Sometimes this fall honey is preferred by persons seeking relief from allergy problems.

Is spring/summer or fall honey used in the Wide Mouth Raw Creamed Honey and your Apricot Creamed Honey?

My son carted home a pot of Scottish creamed honey recently, and I am astounded at the effects it has had on my cat allergies! I would never have believed it possible, and feel a bit of a kook in raving about it at all. So you can understand my interest in the strength of your products.

Cordially,
Evelyn Gaylord

  • Most of our honey is a blend of our fall and spring honey. Quite often the 2.5 creamed may have more fall honey in it - but I cannot say that all the time. Bill
    • Thank you very much for your information, I'd be happy to scream honey endorsements from the rooftops--I can't believe my wonderful, absolute relief from my cat allergies after 3½ days, there is a God.

      p.s. I still have the cats.



From our October 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Grape jelly, Shipping Grapes, Grape questions, Organic Grapes, Delaware, Wine supplies, No Vidal grapes, Juice questions, Wine using brown sugar, Nice website - see you soon!


Mon 10/4/2004 - Kathy

Hi there!

 

My daughters and I came to your farm the first weekend in September. We picked Seneca, Muscat, and Price for jelly. I expressed my interest in trying other varieties of grapes besides Concord for jelly. I guess, my hope was to try to “tweak” and enhance the flavor of my grape jelly. I was given several beeswax candles to entice me to email you with my kitchen “experiment” results. I’ll do one better ~ I’m sending two jars of jelly to you via USPS. You should receive them at the weekend.

See what you think.

Thanks for some amazing grapes!

Sincerely,
Kathy Lewis


Fri 9/24/2004 - Dawn Parker

Dear friends,

I am looking to purchase some grapes for home wine making. I have an old friend who has several years experience in home wine making. However, due to our wet weather, the local vineyards he usually purchases his grapes from have not had a very good year. We are looking to purchase appx. 15-20 bushels of grapes. Could you please advise us on availablility and pricing for different varieties? Depending on price, we would like to possibly have them shipped to us here in southeastern Ohio.

You may email me with any info.

I have purchased your honey products in the past and have been very satisfied with the quality products you offer. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Dawn (Campbell) Parker

  • We do not ship grapes - We are totally U-Pick. People drive here for quite a distance for grapes. However this year due to a very cold winter and a lot of heavy picking over the weekend we are sold out of most wine grapes.

    Here is a link for grape picking info:
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/farm2004.htm Bill

Fri 9/24/2004 - Sheri

Hi,
I live in BAd Axe and I would like to come to pick grapes sometime. I've never picked U-pick grapes. A friend let me pick her grapes one year and I loved the juice, so I want to do it again. However, I have a few questions:
Do you grow grapes good for juice?
Can I make juice and jam from the same grapes?
Do I bring my own containers?
How do I buy them, by the pound?
About how much a pound for juice grapes?
What is the harvest season for juice making grapes?
Thanks, SL Essian

  • All of our grapes are good for juice, jelly, wine or table grapes. The season runs till mid October usually, bu due to a very cold winter and a lot of pickers we are sold out of many things - but still have lots of seedless grapes and concord grapes left. They are sold by the pound and we have picking bags at the farm.

    Here is a link for more info:
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/farm2004.htm Bill

Fri 9/24/2004 - Lori

Dear Mr. Schnute,

I was wondering if you could tell me which pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that you use on your grapes. I am trying to use as many organically grown products as possible. I do love your grapes and your honey. Thank you for the info!

  • Our grapes are not organic. They have been sprayed with a normal spray schedule that is set up by Michigan State University.

    It would be very difficult to grow the number of different varieties without normal spraying. Even the "organic" growers use many chemicals such as sulfur, nicotene, copper. No grower sprays just for fun - they want to keep your produce as clean and free of insects and diseases as possible.

    The last time we sprayed anything was in Early August. Bill

 


Thu 9/16/2004 - Kevin

Do you pick and ship your wine grapes? If so I'd be interested in getting enough for a 5 gallon batch "Vignole or Delaware". - Kevin

  • We do not ship grapes - you must come and pick them yourselves. Vignoles is mostly gone - but lots of delaware. - Bill

Thu 9/16/2004 - Jim

Hi Bill-

We're coming out Sunday for grapes and I was wondering if you also have wine supplies-- narrow range litmus papers, tartaric acid, Nylon Straining bags, Potassium Metabisulfite, etc.

I would also like to know if you guys have done tests on your grapes-- specifically the Niagara, St. Pepin and Vignoles - for specific gravity, total acids and ph.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your place-- I can't tell you how excited I was to find local u-pick wine grapes!

looking forward to hearing from you,
jim

  • We do not carry a lot of supplies - just yeast, cambden tablets and some straining bags.

    St pepping & vignoles is getting sold out - but we still have niagara, delaware, seyval & horizon.

Tue 9/14/2004 - Trudi

I am looking for a recipe for the Vidal Blanc Grape? Can you suggest a source where we might find one for the home wine maker? Thanks... Trudy and George Karas

  • Vidal is an excellent grape It ripens in October in our area (Michigan)
  • Just crush and press the grapes and ferment the juice. I would add 1 to 2 cambden tablets per gallon and use a wine yeast. I like to ferment in 5 gallon carboys.
  • Here is more info on winemaking: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/homewinemaking.htm
  • http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/newsletters/2003/november/novvineyard.htm#pictorial
  • Good luck with your wine - Bill

 


Mon 9/13/2004 - Alan

Hi,

I found your website on the internet and loved it. Keep up the good work. My question to you is I was given a large amount of Vidal grapes yesterday and am looking for a receipe and directions on how to make some wine out of it. If you could steer me in the correct directions I would greatly appreciate it.

Alan

  • Vidal is an excellent grape - Where are you located that it is ripe now. It ripens in October in our area (Michigan)
  • Just crush and press the grapes and ferment the juice. I would add 1 to 2 cambden tablets per gallon and use a wine yeast. I like to ferment in 5 gallon carboys.
  • Here is more info on winemaking: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/homewinemaking.htm
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/newsletters/2003/november/novvineyard.htm#p
    ictorial
  • Good luck with your wine - Bill

 

      • I live in Kentucky - Alan

 


Friday, September 10, 2004 - Jeff

Hi Bill,

 

My Dad and I were out to your farm/vineyard today (September 10th) My Dad has bought grape juice from you in the past. I was impressed.

I notice that you are offering grape juice. Are you offering the Foch and the DeChaunac. As in either one or the other?

And you are offering Eastern White & Hybred white juice. Is that one or the other? What grapes are they? I am speaking about the white.

Can you make juice of other varities we are interested in? Like St. Pepin, Niagara and Vignoles?

My Dad and I would like to get some juice. So your speedy reply would help us decide sooner.

Serving Him the Barbarian Way, Jeff

  • Jeff - I can probably get you either foch or dechaunac juice, but sometimes we may have to substitute and sometimes when you order I even have to cancel the order because customers picked all the grapes before I can get to them.
  • Eastern white juice probably has some niagara and delaware in it and hybrid white has a mix of maybe seyval, gw5, horizon and others in it. We are very short on white grapes this year due to the past two cold winters. Some years we can press 100% varietal juice - but not this year.
  • Some times I have difficulty getting the grapes picked (for juice) before they get sold out so I have to make substitutions. I wish this year was like others when I could say I can press any juice you want.

    Please place your juice order as soon as possible. Bill

 


Sun 9/5/2004 - Lora

Have you ever made wine using brown sugar Lora

  • Lora

    No - I have never used brown sugar in wine. Usually people use sugar to raise the alcohol level or to sweeten wine - I use honey all the time in wine - It was very good, drops the sediment quickly and has some antioxidant effect.

    Hove you used brown sugar - it is an interesting idea? Bill
    • Have not used brown sugar in wine or honey we won't be making wine until this winter . Then we use frozen grape juice from Welchs we are in Fl and don't know if we will be up there for your wine grapes. Right now we are waiting for Hurricane Ivan after that we will be coming to Mi for awhile. Lora

Thu 9/2/2004 - Bonnie

  • Good Morning, Mr. Schnute.

    Just wanted to say that I look forward to seeing your website, it is fun and informative. We will see you soon for grapes and honey.

    Bonnie Beltramo



From our September 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Jelly Making, Foch grapes, Freezing Honey, Niagara grapes, Bev Art Brewer & Winemaker Supply, Concords, St.Pepin grapes, Friends from the Czech Republic, 2gal Pails of Unprocessed Honey


Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - Sylvia

Hello there,
I stumbled across your site and was wondering about jelly making. I recently made some jelly that did not set up. I feel I followed the directions very close and the jelly failed. Is it possible to remove the jelly from the jars and add another package of pecton and reheat it? Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Sylvia


Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - Dawn King

Hello,

I see from your website that you offer "u pick" grapes for winemaking. Will you have available Foch or Leon Millot grapes this harvest? I'm interested in reserving about 200 lbs of each. Can you let me know price, availability and procedure to reserve?

Thanks,
Dawn

  • Yes we have foch & no we do not reserve them. They will probably we ripe the 2nd week we are open. I will let you know.

    Here is a link to our on line newsletter: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/farm2004.htm


Sunday, August 15, 2004 - Pottercorb

Dear sir,

I am a small honey producer. Last year I read that freezing honey was the answer, so I froze it all. When I thawed the honey it was all granulated with a fine texture. Is there something that I did wrong? What does it take to turn this crystallized honey into spun honey like Soo Bee honey sells? Paul Corbin

  • Freezing honey will make all granulation stop for the time that it was frozen. It should not stimulate granulation. I freeze comb honey to keep it from granulating and then I can store it all year.

    We make our creamed honey by taking a smaller amount of honey that has been warmed to about 130 degrees to melt any existing crystans, let it cool, and "seeding" it with high quality small grained granulated honey. After this is somewhat stiff (a week of so) we blend it into the larger tank and bottle everything - It may take about a month to set up. This is call the Dyce Process.

    Some people actually whip air into their creamed honey to make it not as stiff. Most creamed honey may be hard when it is cool (like a stick of butter) and softer when warm.

    Good Luck - Bill

Thursday, July 29, 2004 - Meldrum, Renee

My husband and I are looking to pick Niagara grapes this fall. Does your farm grow them and, if so, when do you think they will be ripe to pick?

Renee Meldrum Edel


Monday, August 02, 2004 - Greg Fischer [mailto:bevart@ameritech.net]

Bill & Pat:

Thanks for including us on your website. This year is shaping up to be a bumper crop in honey. We had a wet spring and we missed the black locust flows and the hives were very light. This last month my bees must have been working overtime because they got everything plugged up with honey! I have to run all my extra deeps for honey supers. I hope my back doesn't gripe too much about that. Are your bees doing the same?

How far are you from Chicago? I would like to make a trip out your way sometime. Do you do all your own web development and design. If you do, what program are you using?


Bee Happy

Greg Fischer
Bev Art Brewer & Winemaker Supply
Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery.

  • We are near Detroit - about 5 or 6 hrs. ??

    Our bee looked pretty good when I put honey supers on in July - although most of our colonies were either split for increase or package bees. We are a little short on bees this year - I like to be about 150 to 160 colonies and this year we are about 110.

    I do all my web work myself using dreamweaver mx. Our newsletter is done with dreamweaver and constantcontact (a newsletter service)

    Keep me in the loop about what you are doing and we can put more stuff in our newsletter.

    Bill


Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - Todd

Hi, I love your news letter. When will you be picking the concords?
Can't wait,
Cory

  • We will pick concords about the 3rd or 4th week in september - I will let you know.

    Bill

Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - Matt LaPlant

Hi,

My wife and I are considering coming down from Bay City for a few bushels of grapes for some homemade wine this fall. Will your St.Pepin be ready by the first weekend (Sept. 3rd) that you are open?

About what weekend would be a good time for picking other grape varieties? We may consider getting enough for 3 or 4 six gallon batches.

We where also wondering what this years prices may be?

Thanks,
Matt LaPlant
Bay City

  • I don't think st peppin will be ripe the first weekend - maybey 2nd or 3rd weekend. I will send you a notice. There are about 2 or 3 rows but they go real fast. Prices are same as last year:

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    COMMODITY PRICES
    U-Pick Grapes
    1-19 lbs. .80/lb.
    ½ bu (20 lbs.) or more .60/lb.
    5 bu (200 lbs.) or more .54/lb.
    10 bu. (400 lbs.) or more .46/lb.

    (An average person can pick from
    1 to 3 bu/hr - bring lots of friends)

    1 1/2 bushel (60lb) makes 5 gal wine

    Red & White Wine Grape Juice
    Foch & DeChaunac blush juice
    Eastern white & Hybrid white juice
    5 gallon pails @ $54.00 ea.

    Grape Pails (strainer bag included)
    2 gallon grape pail @ $22
    (16lb of crushed/destemed grapes)
    5 gallon grape pail @ $42
    (40lb of crushed/destemed grapes)

    Please order your juice as soon as possible.
    Although we try to complete every order,
    we sometimes have a shortage of harvest help,
    bad weather or U-Pick customers pick them first.
    Substitutions may sometimes be necessary.

    Call (810) 796-3253 in the evenings to order juice
    or order on-line at www.honeyflowfarm.com

    Here is a link to our on line newsletter: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/farm2004.htm


Sunday, August 08, 2004 - Paul Morrison

Hello,

I live in Howell, MI and have some friends from the Czech Republic coming for a short visit in late September. They will be here only for a few days and one of the things they are interested in is talking to a bee keeper. We have been struggling to find a bee keeper willing to meet with them to talk about bee keeping in this area. Our friend, Jaroslav, is new to bee keeping having just started his own hives in the Czech Republic last year. He is using the honey he collects to make Mead. This fits with his background as a brew master for Pilsner Urquelle brewery in Pilsen, CZ.

Would you be interested in meeting with him or would you know of any other bee keepers that would be interested in doing so? From your website it sounds as though your farm would be an interesting stop for them with the candles, grapes, and honey. Please let me know if we would be able to arrange any type of meeting between you and our friends. Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Best regards,

Paul Morrison
Little Brownies Kennel -- AWS
http://www.littlebrownieskennel.com/

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings

  • Send me an email in late september and I would gladly talk with him - we will be open weekends at that time.
    Maybe I can interview him for our newsletter.

    Bill

Thursday, August 05, 2004 - Noel Christopher Perry

Good Afternoon, I live in the Detriot Area and I am interested in the 2gal Pails of Unprocessed Honey. Are the prices listed on the site the same for local residents? And is pick up available?

Thank you for you time

 



From our August 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Niagara grapes, Starting new business, Yellow beeswax, Nativity sets without wicks, We do not sell bee equipment, Using pictures from our site, Concord grapes.


Thursday, July 29, 2004 - Meldrum, Renee

My husband and I are looking to pick Niagara grapes this fall. Does your farm grow them and, if so, when do you think they will be ripe to pick?

Renee Meldrum Edel

  • Yes - we have a few rows of Niagara grapes that will probably be ripe the 3rd week of September.

    I will send you a notification. Bill

Sunday, July 25, 2004 - Pajie Young

    Hi There,
    Sounds like everyone is doing well your way. Just read your latest newsletter. Great. I have a few questions for you. I'm in the process of starting up a honey packaging business. I started this almost a year ago but had to put my breaks on since my daughter who is 38 was diagnosed with M.S. Anyway I was hoping you could recommend to me a good wax melter and honey warmer. I've looked at Dadant, and a few other companies. I'm willing to spend up to 2000 each if necessary. Eventually I would like to do candles, soaps and the packaging of honey. I'm located near and work in Napa County, Ca. There currently is a candle factory named Hurds who had been in business some time but I thought that I might widen the market for Northern California. I hope to be retiring from the government within the next year if not sooner. I know several people in the Napa County wine industry to so I enjoy your vinyard news. Hope you can help. Thank you.

    Pajie Young - Blue Ridge Mtn Honey Co

    • Pajie Young - Good luck in your new enterprise. I suppose it depends on how many colonies you intend to operate. We run about 150 colonies and use (I think it's a dadant) wax melter - the electric grid is on the top in the layer of wax & wax and honey flow out the sides. It works ok for us but we could use a larger one - (very much more expensive.)

      In honey warmer I think you mean bottler? We use 2 tanks - a 50 gallon stainless steel tank with electric heaters (thermostatically controlled) around the outside and a Kelly 40 gallon double boiler style (With mixer blades). We use most all WT Kelley equipment - it is priced right & quality is good.

      Our basic system:

      I uncap with a Kelly electric vibrating knife.

      Use a grid style wax melter.
      (All this work is done above/in a 2 X 8 ft Kelly tank.

      I extract in 33/66 frame Kelly extractor.

      The honey flows into a Kelly 2 baffle sump tank that helps float the wax to the top and separate it from the honey.

      The honey is then pumped into a 100 gal (Kelley)(1200lb) tank that we fill 5 gallon pails & barrels from.

      Our honey is stored in barrels and when we need it we move them to our packing room where the barrels are melted with 2 1200 watt heating strips than wrap around the barrel - controlled by a WT Kelley thermostat.

      Honey is then pumped into either of our two bottling tanks. We usually bottle honey at 125 to 135 degrees.

      This system works good for our size of operation - big guys use more stuff.

      Good Luck - Bill
      • Hi There, So great to hear from you so fast. I will not be getting to the the colony aspect of things. My friend Rick has 5000 hives. He doesn't market his business much just word of mouth. He has Bee Happy Apiary here in Vacaville. My brother use to get his honey and package it. The more I read the more confused I get about the packer/handler aspect of the
        honey business. Like my friend and several other beekeeper's don't want to get involved with the government. Federal state or local. Well I work for the government. I work for Social Security Adm. almost 30 years in a few weeks. And of course I want to do everything legitimate.

        All the law's that you deal with are overwhelming to me. Dept of Ag,Health Dept the list goes on. It's like I wanted to sell at the farmers market's. They require every certificate you can think of. You can't sell there unless your organic and have a certificate.
        How does it work in your state? Not only that it's hard to find anyone in the state that is certified organic.

        Thanks for your info if anything comes up let me know. Oh I do have another question. Are there agencies out there that would help fund your business. Here we have the small business adm. but there has to be other agencies willing to help I also understand there are
        agencies out there that have work incentives if you hire the disabled. Since I work with the disabled I'm hoping to look into that as well. Keep me posted if you hear of anything that could help me market. I did contact the National Honey Board and they have sent me
        some great things. - Pajie

      • I do not know about funding a small business - ? Try Small Business ASS.

        I do not know how any business survives in California. The previous government there in their desire to cure all ills have so regulated things that many businesses have to either go underground as you mentioned, leave the state or go out of business.

        It is much better in Michigan.

        Good Luck - Bill

 


Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - Carol &kenny

Hi,,,,,just wanting to know do you people sell yellow beeswax,if so we are interested


Friday, July 23, 2004 - Bill Minnick

Folks, Can you make a set of the 11 nativity figures without wicks on special order. We do not want to just clip off the wicks and have the cut wicks
show as a spot on the figure. Would the price be the same? Is there a more detailed picture of the figures than we saw on the web
page. We are concerned that the detail may not be as crisp as we would like. Is there a price break if we order three sets of wick-less 11 nativity
figures?

Thanks, Bill Minnick
Cupertino, CA

  • Bill Minnick

    I have not put the Nativity Set in our new catalog yet (will do so soon) - but it is still on our old program (with pictures)through this month.
    Please let me know what you want. - Bill


Friday, July 23, 2004 - Scott Riley

Do you have any extra drawn deep frames that you would sell?

  • I am sorry but we do not sell bee equipment. - Bill

Wednesday, July 07 - Andy Alexander

This email is in order to ask your permission to use your grape/vine pictures. I am in the process of constructing a religious web site and find myself in need of pictures of grape vines and grapes. I found some pictures of yours at http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/grapeproject/grapeprject.htm that would fit my needs rather nicely.

Do I have your permission to use your pictures for building my website ?

Please respond as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Anselm E. Alexander

Andy Alexander
Principal Engineer
The Foxboro Company

  • Absolutely - You may use any pictures you like. - Bill


Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - fgross8828

We are looking for concord grapes for the season thank you - Berish.

  • We will have plenty of concord grapes this fall. I will let you know when they are ready. - Bill




From our June/July 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Grape leaves, Raw honey, Purchasing grape vines, Growing vines questions, Observation hive


Monday, June 14, 2004 - Dakroub, Mary

I love to can grape leaves. Do you allow grape leave picking? If not, are you aware of a farm in Michigan that allows you to pick grape leaves for canning purposes. Stuffed grape leaves is my favorite dish. In the past I use to pick wild grape leaves and each year it seems harder and harder to find.
Please reply.
Thanks Mary Dakroub

  • Mary - I just re-read your message regarding grape leave. I was thinking that you wanted them during the growing season - but if you can use them during the fall harvest, you can have lots of them. Just come out when we are open for picking grapes and mention our conversation. Any pesticide that has been sprayed on them no longer has any effect at that time and you will probably wash them anyway.

    Bill


Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - Darya Leong

Hello,
I’m do love your product!

I’m do have a willing to buy raw honey which can be granulation. I’m very interested in your bulk honey in 2gallon pails (24lbs).

But I’m live in California, Riverside 92505.
Is it possible in order you use for me your container, and send over?

Also can you please tell me how fast this bulk honey will start to crystallize?

And what color it will be.?


I’m do not eat sugar, only honey so this is important for me no added to it, this exactly how I did read from your page.

I’m from Ukraine, (Before 1991 Was Russia) and our honey only at spring can be liquid. So I’m not like to
eat it. I’m love texture, creamy natural honey which not so easy to find in America:)
Also we’re do have yellow (Sun flower), brown,(Mix fruit and from land flowers) white – but it only from
fruit tree honey. Very dark black – taste strong and great

Thank you anyway.

Will glad to hear from you. Darya.

  • Raw liquid honey is only available in the fall. We do have some granulated (solid pails available now) but shipping is expensive.

    Here is our bulk honey page:

    We do have melted (slightly warmed) pails or the solid raw pails available to ship now.

    If you want one, click on this link: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/order.htm
    and enter 73.25 ($42.60 for the honey and 30.65 to ship to 92505. You can enter your name & shipping address there and any other messages.

    Bill


Saturday, May 29, 2004 - Sonia Perez

Good Day,

I am interested in purchasing grape vines to plant in my yard. Could you refer me to a contact?

Thank you, Sonia


Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - Errante

Hello Bill,

It's John Errante again.
I was reading one of my issues of Wine Maker. How to grow our own vines. I wanted to confirm something from you. It stated that when growing a vine the first year you should train one cane to grow up and take out the side shoots. Is this what you do with your new vines?

Thanks in advance, John

  • Sometimes, but I usually let the vine grow the first year and then prune it back to a few buds the next spring for the second season.

    If your vine is strong and you let it grow & train it up the first year it is ok - but you should take all the crop off of it the second year as the vine will most likely not be strong to ripen a crop the second year without weakening it.

    It is easier for me to just prune it back, the vine then becomes stonger and I do not have all the hand labor of removing flower clusters the second season.

    Removing the side shoots is not really a big deal but it helps the cane grow in only one direction. This may be more important for some varieties than others.

    Bill
    • Bill,

      Do you know of a local store that I can buy some wire (to attached to my post) for my vines? John
      • I have recently purchased rolls of 1000 ft of #12.5 high tensile wire from Tractor Supply co.




Friday, May 07, 2004 - Carole Hamlin, Jackson, Michigan

I am trying to locate a place where I can take my grandson (age 40) to see bees. Is your farm that type of place? If not, do you know of somewhere that I could take him to see bees as he seems to be extremely interested in them.
I am located in Jackson, Michigan and would like to find a place not too terribly far away from here.  Thank you

  • We have an observation hive at our farm during Sept & October just for that purpose. Bill

 

From our May 2004 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

    I found your red wine recipe, How are things at the vineyard going? The photos of the hives and honey process through the seasons was very interesting. I am a beginner looking for bees. I'm interested in buying 2 lb of honey. Wondering if you sell unfiltered wax, allergic to bee stings.


    Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - Kevin Walker   Ball, Louisiana

    I have been exploring your site and have finally found what I have been searching the net for.

    On this page: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/homewinemaking.htm

    I found your red wine recipe. I have been looking for a recipe for simple, old fashion, red wine.

    Is possible to crush the grapes and allow them to ferment by them selves with NO yeast added (allowing the natural yeast on the skin to do the job)?

    What I would like to do is make wine by simply crushing the grapes and letting them ferment in a primary and changing it over to a secondary for clearing and then allowing to age in a glass bottle with an air lock then bottling. Would this work?

    Thanks so much (in advance),

    Kevin Walker
    Ball, Louisiana

    • Absolutely - That is how wine has been made for thousands of years.

      The wild yeast on the bloom of the grapes will work fine, most of the time. Wild yeasts contain many strains of yeasts, some good & some bad. You just hope that there are more good ones than bad ones or mother nature may turn the wine into vinegar for you. The strongest strain of yeast will take over.

      The reason winemakers use sulfur to temporarily knock down the wild yeasts and then add a cultured yeast (which is many times the same as the wild yeast, just without all the bad yeasts in it) is to insure a consistent higher quality wine.

      Good luck with your winemaking. - Bill
      • Hey Bill,

        Thanks a million for the return message. I just wanted to clarify something. You said the "bloom." Do the grapes themselves have yeast on them? I would imagine that they would.

        Here is my dilemma: I live in Louisiana (and can't wait to get back to Idaho). The only grapes I know of are sold locally at the grocery store and NEED to be washed due to the pesticides. Taking this problem into the equation, do you think it will still ferment or do I need to find the yeast elsewhere?

        If you would not mind, would it be okay if I email you once in a while to pick you brain?

        Again, thanks,

        Kevin
        • Kevin

          Grapes have a whitish, dusty like material on them (bloom) that has yeast in it, this is what will ferment your juice.

          Regarding pesticides and washing grapes - I think it is a waste of time. Pesticides applied to fruit have a "number of days until harvest" limit on them and anything left is inert. It is virtually impossible to "wash" grapes. A good rinsing will remove soil and other particles, but keep in mind that whenever it rains the grapes are washed. If you tried to really wash them with soap, I don't even think I would want to make wine from them let alone eat them.

          If you arer really concerned about the quality of the fruit I would use camben tablets and wine yeast - available at any wine store. You may also want to try using grape concentrates (also available at wine stores).

          If I were you, I would just use the store grapes just like they are - although they are kind of expensive. But it is fun trying it.

          To experiment, try other grocery store items such as: Welches grape juice, apple juice, frozen strawberries or any other fruit. (Not as good as grapes - but lots of fun)

          Email me at any time.

          Bill



    Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - John Errante

    Bill,

    How are things at the vineyard going? I stopped by about 2 weeks ago it looks great to me. Can't wait to start picking and pressing the grapes.

    When I was at the vineyard I came to your door to ask permission to take some of your cutting from your latest pruning. A nice young lady answered the door and said you where busy with the bee's. She also gave me permission to take some of the cuttings I thank you.

    Could please tell me what the plastic tubes are around your young vines? Also what are they for? (Protection?) Are they needed and where can I get them?

    Bill your vineyard is a thing of beauty. I envy you and our vineyard. I hope one day to have small vineyard, about 40 to 50 vines.

    Any advice or help you can provide will be deeply appreciate.

    Regards,
    John Errante

    • Thank you for the comments.

      The blue tubes are "grow tubes" or "vine shelters" depending on who you buy them from. I use them on the young vines to prevent deer damage. Without them the deer will strip off 100% of they succulent young shoots. I leave them on until late summer & if the vine is strong and growing through the top they are not needed as much. They should be taken off before winter or the canes do not harden off properly.

      Last year I purchased some from AA Nurseries http://www.rakgrape.com/ - Bill

    Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - Rob Maher

    Regarding: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/beeproject/beeproject.htm

    Greetings--
    I was doing some quick honeybee research (I'm studying bee sounds and
    acoustics) and came across your web site. The photos of the hives and honey process through the seasons was very interesting. Thanks for posting this information!

    Rob Maher
    Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
    Montana State University-Bozeman

    • Thank you for your comments. - Bill

    Monday, April 26, 2004 - Daniel Evilsizor

    I am a beginner looking for bees. Can you point me in the right direction. Thank you. Kindly advise,
    Daniel Evilsizor

    Then call WT. Kelley co for a bee catalog: http://www.kelleybees.com/

    The magazines have lots of adds to order honeybees. The time is right now - so don't wait. Package bees are installed in april or may.

    Here is our resource page for honeybees: http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/beekeepingresources.php

    Good luck - Bill


    Sunday, April 25, 2004 - wendi berger

    I'm interested in buying 2 lb of honey. Is the honey good now or is it better to wait until the honey season?

    Thank you. - wendi berger


    Sunday, April 25, 2004 - Bob Carlson

    Wondering if you sell unfiltered wax, and if so what price would be . Thanks


     

    Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - Jenn ~ from South Carolina

    Hi there, I just happened upon your site and found it very interesting. I was wondering if you could answer a question or two for me? I know that some extremely small percentage of the population is allergic to beestings. I have been stung once, and while it my chest swelled and it became hard to breathe (I was stung in the chest), I did not go into cardiac arrest or anything - so I am probably not allergic, correct? Or no? Also, is it possible to be allergic to beeswax? I have tried different chapsticks and lip balms with beeswax present in the ingredient and my lips swelled up to double the size! If this is an allergy to beeswax, does this also mean no honey for me either? Thanks so much!!
    Jenn ~ from South Carolina

    • A normal reaction to beestings is some swelling and itching. More severe reactions impair breathing. I would definitely check with your doctor. The beeswax and lips swelling does not sound normal to me. - Bill



 

    From our April 2004 Issue
    Click here to view the Newsletter

    Wants to develop a Honey Farm & Vineyard, Removing honey bees? Newspaper called FarmWorld, Honey from friend in the Philippines, Planting some grape vines this spring, Use some of your pictures? New Bee Club Formed, Want 20lb of beeswax, Working in the vineyard this spring,


    Monday, March 29, 2004 - Falbo, Thomas

    I am so glad I ran across your web site. I am currently looking to get into something similar to what you have. I currently live in MN (just north of the Twin Cities) and am a hobby beekeeper (just started last year w/ 2 hives but have a MAJOR itch to expand.) I also have farming in my blood (Grandfather was a farmer) and though I've never done it, I feel the open fields calling louder every year.

    Just a month ago my wife and I went to a gardening seminar and one of the classes was on growing grapes (for home use) Well the guy giving the presentation is the secretary of the MN Grape Growers Assoc and said that there is a big demand for MN grown grapes since local wineries keep popping up and they cant produce enough grapes to keep up with their supply.

    Needless to say, the light bulb went on. Grapes and honey- What a good combination. I am currently working for a company that is going through a reorganization and it is very likely that I may be transferred to another location in MN. On the positive side, it would likely be an area where I could afford more land than I can in the Twin Cities (I am currently on about 1 acre)

    At this point, I am wondering if you have any information/advice on getting started with this type of venture. Can it be profitable enough to do full time or will I likely need to maintain an outside income source? I thank you for your time and any information you would be willing to share.


    • Tom Falbo
    • GO FOR IT!!!
    • What a great Idea - having a honeyfarm & vineyard!!!! (HA)
    • I do have a full time job working at a local utility - the size of the operation you end up with is totally up to you.
    • If I wanted our farm to be larger and full time I would just increase the size of everything.
    • The honey part pays more bills - we run 150 to 175 colonies. You would need to operate more for full time.
    • We sell U-Pick & that could work in your area, but you would probably need to be larger and sell wholesale also. Our size in the vineyard holds us back somewhat - (7 acres) not large enough for more streamlined operations, but large enough for lots of work.
    • I have always liked the two operations - they are completely different and it is nice to vary the kind of work you do each week. With beekeeping you can expand as much as you want and you do not need to purchase expensive property & equipment. Just a honey house, truck & a trailer.
    • Good luck & let me know what you do.
    • (PS - I just planted a lot of Frontenac Red wine grapes - they came from your area, make a great red wine and are becoming very popular.)

    Thursday, March 25, 2004 - jamie.felix.jvlm

    Hi! Just wondering if you could give me a name of someone that would remove honey bees?

    Thanks!

    Jamie Felix, Agent
    State Farm Insurance and Financial Services
    1184 S. Lapeer Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48360
    Office (248)693-8100
    Fax (248)693-0088
    http://www.statefarm.com/apps/agentLoc/AgentInformation..asp?na=US&st=22&ofc=6957

    • Try contacting:

      Nancy Schleibe
      7 Ponds Beekeepers' Club
      1-810-395-7379

      There may be club members who can help you remove bees.

      Good Luck - Bill

     


    Thursday, March 25, 2004 - Kevin Walker

    Dear Bill or Pat Schnute,

    Hi, I'm a freelance reporter for a newspaper called FarmWorld, a weekly newspaper designed primarily for farmers. I'm working on a story about beekeeping, or honey farming.

    I'm wondering if I could ask you a few questions about your business.

    • Do you consider yourself to be a commercial honey farmer?
      Answer - Semi-Commercial - I still have an outside job (full time at local utility) and our farm does not 100% support us.
    • With your honey business, do you get most of your income from pollination
      contracts, from selling honey, candles and the like to consumers, or from
      selling honey wholesale?
      Answer - about 25% on line candle sales, 25% retail in the fall at our farm & 50% wholesale
    • Which is more important to your business, your vineyard, or your beekeeping?
      Answer - both are, but the beekeeping part produces more income.
    • Are you a member of any honey coop?
      Answer - No
    • Around how many colonies do you have?
      Answer - - I like to abe around 150 to 175 colonies
    • I would appreciate it if you have time to provide answers to these
      questions. If you're wanting some more info. about me, you can email me
      w/your own questions, or call me at (734) 429-8559. I also interviewed Roger
      Sutherland today in Ann Arbor with regard to his bee operation.

    Thanks a lot for any help you can provide me with for my article. Kevin
    Walker


    Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - Barry

    Hi,

    I was surfing the web and found your site. I was wondering if you might be able to answer a honey-related question for me.

    I received some really, really natural honey from my friend in the Philippines. It came in a homemade bottle so I think its just the local produce from her hometown.

    There are two questions I have:
    1. While I really appreciate the efforts of my friend to get me this honey as a gift, the flavor seems to have a strong "smoky" aftertaste. I was wondering what this might come from. Perhaps its really from literally smoking the bees out of some tree when the locals went to get the honey maybe?
    Both my friend and I had some when she first gave it to me and she seemed to act as if that was the normal taste of honey, while I controlled my reaction to the smoky flavor so as not to insult her and her kind gift.

    2. Since it appears to be absolutely natural, I was wondering if I should heat it or something to do some kind of "home pasteurization"? What do you think? I've had a few tastes already so it's not bad or anything. I guess I was hoping some heating might even get rid of that smoky flavor that it has.

    Any advice? Thank you

    Barry
    Davis, California

    • It is possible that the smokey flavor came from using excessive smoke when harvesting - but I doubt it. It is more likely that the honey is from a plant not grown in your area and you are not familiar with the taste. Honeys from different floral sources have many different flavors, colors and textures.
    • Honey does not need pasteurization. Over heating it will damage it and probably not remove the aftertaste. I suggest you just enjoy the different taste and recognize that it is different from your local honey.
    • Good luck - Bill

    Sunday, March 14, 2004 - Errante

    Bill,

    I would like to plant some grape vines this spring. Do you sell grape vines? If you do could you please send me some information.
    If you do not could you please recommend some local places I could purchase them at. I live in Lake Orion MI. I'm frequently in your area I have two brothers who live near you (Hough Rd) and (Tubsprings).

    Hope to hear from you soon!!!!


    Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - Christopher JACKSON

    Dear Bill and Pat,
    I always look forward to your eMails but try as I might I could not get at your laugh of the month "Dr. Evil Sadam's Lament". Tried half-a-dozen times and it just hung there. Never mind. I would like to use some of your pictures to illustrate our local beekeeping association monthly newsletter. I will be happy to give the full credit to Honeyflow Farm, and include your web address. If you would prefer that I did not use your material then please let me know. Thanks again for the interesting content of your letter.
    Sincerely
    Chris Jackson
    Devizes, Wiltshire, England

    • Chris

      Use whatever photos or material that is usefull on my site. Linking or referencing our site works well. Please send me you local newsletter - I assume it is an email letter?

      Bill

    Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - krystal kendrick

    Dear Mr.Schnute, My name is Krystal Kendrick. My mother Holly, brother James and I worked at your farm last year. You mayremember us we are the kids that you kept behind last year after the 2weeks to finish up what wasn't done. Well I am writting you to ask you about the upcoming prunning season. We enjoyed working for you and at your farm and we were wondering if when it was time to send out the letters to round everyone up again if it would be alright if we could come back. We would really like that. Well I am looking forward to seeing all the old faces and working at your farm again. Hope to hear from you soon and you can count that we are going to be excellent workers again this year.

    • Hi Krystal - How could I forget some of our best workers!!!
    • We are pruning vines during the week of Spring break (Dryden Schools) which is April 5 to 10. I will be sending out a letter to everyone who was here last year (I recorded your new address), welcoming them to return and with all the dates & times.
    • I assume you are in Imlay City schools now - I think their spring break is the same time, but if not there are still weekends and other times & I really like how responsible you are and the quality of your work and will be seeing more of you.

    3-5-04 - Chris Bilinsky

    Bill,
    A honey bee association has recently been formed in Lapeer County. I wasn't sure if you were interested but thought I would pass along the information should you care to go. We hold meetings monthly at 7 Ponds. They are being held the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM, at the nature center building.

    If you have any questions you can call me at 810.798.3295.

    Chris Bilinsky


    Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - Karen Koch

    Hi,

    I'd like about 20 pounds of wax. I'm in the Lapeer area often and could pick it up or if shipping is best please give me a price for shipping to Lapeer.

    Have a great day, Karen

    • If you like you can order 20 lb of beeswax and pick it up from my front porch at our farm in Dryden, about 20 minutes from Lapeer. You can leave a check in a box provided if you wish.
    • If you want to pay by credit card, Just click on the link below and order the wax. Make sure I get a message that you are picking it up and I will just use the order for you to safely transmit your bank info. I can then cancel that order and submit another one without the shipping charge. - Bill

    Bulk Wax


    From our March 2004 Issue
    Click here to view the Newsletter

    Moving concord vines, making beeswax candles for 10 years, wanted to know it you used cotton, lead free wicks, watch the beeswax candle dipping process, your honey is wonderful, in the process of developing our own site - I happened to find yours and found it excellent. revised total on our order, make candles in the plastic molds you see every where, I'm allergic to bee stings and swell very badly when stung.Will I show any type of reaction, if i smell of beeswax candles? a bunch of great questions, science project involving an experiment comparing beeswax candles to paraffin candles. Your products are very beautiful. Do you have a catalogue you could send me, What do you charge for picking grapes for home winemakers? AS A POLISH TRADITION WE BURN BAYBERRY CANDLES EACH CHRISTMAS EVE, Identify grape picture on a cake.


    Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 'JoLynn Dassler'

    I have been exploring your website and found such useful information.

    I live in Wisconsin and would like to move my concord grape vine this spring. From what I gather, I should cut it back and just transplant the roots with a little of the trunk. Is this correct?

    Can you give me specifics on replanting it. Depth of planting, fertilizer to use, etc., etc. What will I find when I go to dig this up? Do I need to get everything or just a good chunk of the roots? How long Before it produces fruit?

    Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

    • You have the right idea. Just dig up as much root as you can, Leave a foot or so of trunk if you want - mainly for a marker - it will die out. Plant the vine at the same level as it was, although it makes very little difference. You are basically just planting a new vine with a larger root system. Spread the roots out as much as possible. You will need a large pruner to cut off some of the longer, larger roots. Do not fertilize - It could burn the roots. A "good chunk of the roots" is just fine.

        Plant it this spring and let some canes grow up to a wire or on the fence. Next year prune it back to about 2 canes and you may get a small crop in the second growing season.

        Good luck with your vine. - Bill


    Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - Laura from MoonShineCandles,Gabriola,B.C

    Hello, I hope you can help me. Ihave been making beeswax candles for 10 years I started with tapers and they are still the backbone of my home based business. This year I have had extreme difficulty keeping air bubbles and /or whitespots and streaks off my finished taper. It always happens on the last couple of layers and makes the candle look not top quality. I have never had this problem before and I have tried to finish the last layers at many different temps all with the same result? Could you help me please? Thanks. Laura(from MoonShineCandles,Gabriola,B.C.)

    • I remember having that problem in the past and cannot remember what I did.

      Some things I like to keep in mind are:

      Constant temperature - changes can stir up any debri in the bottom of the tank.
      Try different temperatures.
      Maybe different wax will work better.
      Sometimes water in the bottom of the tank can cause different things to happen.
      I think there may be some impurities in the wax.

      I am not sure what else to tell you right now. We just had to replace our old candle dipping tanks that we have had for many years. I will have pictures in our next newsletter.

      Good Luck - Bill

    Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - Mark and Diane Kraft

    Hello, I wasn't able to leave a message on your site. I want to put together a gift box and wanted to know it you used cotton, lead free wicks. Thanks in advance for the info. Grateflully, Diane Kraft

    • Yes - we use cotton or paper core wicks in all of our candles. - Bill

    Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - Angele Smith

    would like to watch the beeswax candle dipping process. I dip beeswax candles two at a time during a re-enactment of the French Fur Trade at Metro Beach in Mt. Clemens.

    It would be interesting to see how several are dipped at once. May I view this in February?

    Thanks, Micki Smith

    • It is very difficult to view us candle dipping since we do it a almost any time of the day between other jobs going on around here.
      Add to that - our main candle tank just gave up the ghost and I have had to arrange for another one to be built.
      We use frames that hold more candles and do them by hand - just like you do.
    • Thanks for the answer to my query about candle dipping. I still do intend to come out and visit your place. It does look very interesting. - Micki Smith

    Mon 2/9/2004 - Margie

    I forgot to tell you that your honey is wonderful. I've been using only Tupelo for years only because it doesn't crystallize. You must know just where to take the bees!

    The natural candle smells just like the honey!

    Thank you Margie


    Thu 1/29/2004 - Ed Gagnon

    I am the President of the Upper Ottawa Valley Beekeeper's Association and we are in the process of developing our own site. I happened to find yours and found it excellent. I really like the good use of pictures showing the different things that you do each month.

    Thanks,

    Ed Gagnon - Pembroke Ontario

    • Thank you for the comments.

        We do our own site and it is quite easy to just take a camera with you and "tell a story"

        Many people who visit our site are not beekeepers and have no idea how a beehive works - this is who we aim our site to rather than a true beekeeping site that wants to increase beekeeping skills. Much can be done with a camera & quite easy.

        Good luck with your site - maybe your members can take pictures and you can use them. - Bill


      Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - Deborah A. Hodges

      Dear Bill...Thanks so much for your email re: the revised total on our order...We received our Honeyflow Farms package today...I'm so grateful to have come upon your website to order the beeswax candles and honey! I do hope to be ordering more candles and honey in the future...Thank you again for your kind and proficient business manner! God bless you and yours...Debbie Hodges


      Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - sunflowersnmore

      i had question
      can i take beeswax and make candles in the plastic molds you see every where just using the bigger wick
      randy

      • You certainly can - many people use any kind of mold found in their house (cans, bottles etc) to make beeswax candles.

        Good luck - Bill

      Monday, January 26, 2004 - Milton Tart

      Hello,
      I have ordered 2 pillar beeswax candles (12 1/2 ").I'm allergic to bee stings and swell very badly when stung.Will I show any type of reaction,if i smell of beeswax candles?This may be a dumb question,but I'd like to hear your comments on this.

      Thanks, Milton

      • Milton

        I have not heard any report that people allergic to bee stings have any problem with beeswax candles. The alergy is from the venom and there is no venom in the beeswax. I hope every thing goes fine.

        Bill

      Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - Michelle Vu

      Can you answer these questions for me because i need
      it for my report.

      1) How long does it take for a bee to get honey from a
      flower?

      2) How long do bees rest?

      3) How fast do bees fly?

      4)How long does it take a bee to fly 5 ft?

      • What a bunch of great questions - Some are very hard to answer.

       


      Thursday, January 08, 2004 - markalbert

      Hi! My 13-year old son David wants to do a science project involving an experiment comparing beeswax candles to paraffin candles. He wants to make 10 votive size candles out of pure beeswax and 10 out of paraffin.

      He intends to weigh them on a balance beam, then he will burn the candles for certain period of time and reweigh them. After several test burns, he hopes to have enough data to see which candles burn the longest (fewer grams consumed per period of burn time).

      I would like to order the beeswax from you for his candles. If he makes at least 10 votive candles, how much bulk beeswax should I order?

      He wants to make his own candles so that both the beeswax and the paraffin candles will have the same wicks, etc. That way he'll be testing only the wax as the variable.

      I suggested that perhaps he could obtain some of your finished pure beeswax votives and some of the wick stock you use. That way, he would only have to make his own paraffin votives for the experiment. Can we order the wicks for this purpose from you?
      My son (and I) have been researching beeswax, paraffin, and hydrocarbons in general to come up with a hypothesis for why beeswax burns so much longer. So far, we think it's because the molecular structures of these waxes are different. Perhaps you could offer some suggestions for further research (books, articles, web sites). Or perhaps someone on your staff can give us some clues as to the chemical nature of beeswax and why it is so slow burning related to its chemistry.

      By the way, reading about beeswax has the whole family excited about this amazing material. We are also alarmed by some of the hazards from burning paraffin that we have read about.

      Thank you very much for your patience and cooperation.

      Best regards, Mark Albert

      • Mark Albert

      Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - Patricia Fazzone

      Hello,

      Your products are very beautiful. Do you have a catalogue you could send me
      at the following address: - Patricia Fazzone


      Thursday, January 08, 2004 - Donna Van Natter

      What do you charge for picking grapes for home winemakers?

       


      Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - G. WITKOWSKI

      AS A POLISH TRADITION WE BURN BAYBERRY CANDLES EACH CHRISTMAS EVE THE LAST ORDER I MADE WITH YOU IS NOW GONE PLEASE HELP ME RE ORDER THANKS GERRY

      • GERRY

      Saturday, January 03, 2004 - Miriam Ben-Loulu

      Dear Friends,
      I'm not sure whether you can help me or not. My daughter in law has a site for the bakery goods she makes. I do the writing for the site. One of the wedding cakes she made has crimson calla lillies and some purple grapes. I could just write "royal purple grapes" but I'd rather be able to add a name of a type of grape. Since she just made "grapes" and not any particular one, this may not be possible. But if the grapes she made closely resemble a real type of grape, I would like to know so that I can put that in (for example, "royal purple concord grapes" - or whatever). I tried finding photos on the net to help me, but became totally confused. I liked your site and decided to ask you for help. If you can't help, or if the grapes don't look like any particular grape, ok. But if you can help me I would appreciate it. I'm sending a photo of the cake as an attachment. Her site is www.mayascakes.com Thank you.
      Sincerely, Mrs. M. Ben-Loulu

      • Mrs. M. Ben-Loulu

        I think they are actually an art drawing of grapes. If you live in an area where concord grapes are grown and want to call them
        "royal purple concord grapes" that would work fine. - Bill
      • Thank you. "If you live in an area where concord grapes are grown" - actually, she was born in Israel and lives in New York and may be moving to California. I was born in Texas and live in Israel. So I guess I'll just ask her if she wants to call them "concord" or not. So much for trying to be accurate! Thank you very much for your prompt answer. The funny thing is that I live near Rishon l'Tsion which was settled as a place of vineyards and a winery. I've picked grapes for wine while at a kibbutz (in my youth of course!), and I've visited wineries in different parts of the country. But I still think of grapes as red, purple, black, or green, seedless or with seeds. I just never realized until now how ignorant I am in this field! Have a very good year!



    From our January 2004 Issue
    Click here to view the Newsletter

    Weight of the 12 inch pillars? Straining honey, Lead Free Wicks? Candle Information Sheets


    December 27, 2003 - 'mochakasem'

    The 3.5 x 12.5 cylinder pillars are quoted as 4.5 pounds. Is this correct, or a typo? If it is correct, are there different densities of beeswax used in your candles?

    • Thank you for bringing this to my attention - the 12 inch pillars are 3.5 lbs. It is the saem beeswax in all the candles. We do not offer free shipping at present. We are moving to a new e-commerce program next year and we may be able to do that for orders over $150.
    • I just checked our site and the 4.5 lb that is shown refers to the "shipping weight" - this is another reason we are moving to a different program. - Bill

    Monday, December 08, 2003 - emuinc
    what is the best way to strain the honey out of the wax to put in a jar for serving and how du you get all the honey out of the cones.

    • I am not sure what you are doing?

Honeyflow Farm
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Dryden, Michigan 48428
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