Madona Newspaper “Stars” Draws 26 Winners in Annual Honey Lottery
On 11 November, beekeepers at the editorial office of the Madona-based newspaper “Stars” drew the winners of 26 honey prizes in the paper’s traditional lottery. Winners can collect their prizes until 13 December.
The editorial office of “Stars”, a newspaper serving the Madona area in Latvia, hosted its traditional Honey Lottery draw on 11 November. Local beekeepers had prepared 26 honey prizes for the newspaper’s subscribers. The lottery was held under permit No. 9161 from the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection.
Four beekeepers took part: Jānis Puriņš, head of the Madona branch of the Latvian Beekeepers’ Association and owner of the “Jaunspieķi” farm in Cesvaine; Vilnis Špats, head of the Cesvaine municipal unit and owner of the “Mežgaļi” farm; Tālivaldis Sprūdžs, who runs the “Pļaviņas” apiary in Murmastiene parish; and Edgars Kramfts, owner of “Rutuļi” in Bērzaune parish. Folded participant cards served as tickets, and the beekeepers read out the winners’ names.
Fewer participants
Editor Baiba Miglone said 169 subscribers took part this year, fewer than before. As a result, roughly every sixth or seventh participant had a chance to win. Anyone who had subscribed to “Stars” for at least three months and submitted a completed participant card could enter.
Beekeepers on the season
Puriņš described the season as unpredictable. In his observations, the best period for honey gathering ran from 16 June to 3 July, when the weather held steady. Sprūdžs added that bees collected pussy willow honey in early spring, but no linden honey was gathered this year.
Puriņš said sales were as good and as bad as before, with difficulties this year in selling pollen, though not bee bread. Špats noted that beekeeping is more of a hobby than a source of income.
Collecting prizes
Winners can collect their prizes at the “Stars” office until 13 December, bringing an identity document and a receipt proving their subscription. The prizes include 1-litre honey pails, 0.5-litre honey jars and honey product sets.
