| April 2006 MSBA Officially has a Web Site. |
| The idea of creating a web
site for MSBA is not a new idea. Members like Sally Greene, our
secretary, who has been active for many years, have brought the subject
before the Board of Directors, numerous times. At the 2005 Annual Meeting in Augusta, president Skip Strong presented the idea to the audience and asked for volunteers to step forward and assist with the project. As with many all-volunteer, non-profit organizations, a small core group of dedicated individuals perform most of the work. It appeared that once again, pleas for member involvement would not be heard. Fortunately, there was a man in the audience who listened and thought about how he might help. Larry Peiffer, a teacher, employed by SAD #6, was involved in a web site project. He created web pages and links for SAD #6 and Bonny Eagle HS. In December of 2005, he took this knowledge and started working on a MSBA website using content from an issue of The Bee Line. Once it was in working order, he contacted Skip Strong and Roy Cronkhite to inquire as to their interest in using it. A meeting was set up where it was presented before the monthly MSBA Board Meeting in Augusta. The Board was greatly enthused with what they had seen and formed a working committee to bring the website up-to-date with information. The committee was charged with updating and polishing the web site before being unveiled to the membership and the outside world. Roy Cronkhite, newsletter editor with a computer background, was appointed chairman of the committee. He contacted Larry and they were joined by Sally Greene, who brought her publishing skills to the group. Al Maloney, a MSBA member and officer of the Knox Lincoln Chapter, was invited to join the committee. He is self-employed as web page designer and a service provider for web sites. The Knox Lincoln Chapter also uses Al’s services for their web site. With outstanding cooperation between committee members and their unique skills and experience, the web site went online in April of 2006. |
| Web Site Committee Biographies |
| Larry Peiffer is the
official webmaster of this web site. He was primarily responsible
for
creating the web site and building the various web pages. He
created
banners. He set up the navigation between pages and the links to
email
and to external internet locations. His interest in technology dates back to when he graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1975, with a BS in Industrial Education/Technology. He initially started teaching (31 years ago) Vocational Building Trades and woodworking classes. His interest in computers started in 1980, teaching Adult Education classes in Computer Literacy. These computer classes date back to saving data on a Radio Shack audio cassette. Larry is a relatively new beekeeper of three years. He is a current member of the MSBA and the local Cumberland County Chapter. Sally Greene helped with web site content, continuity, and design. She worked for over twenty-five years in print publishing, with experience in advertising, marketing, editing, design, production, and distribution, and currently has a small freelance graphics business. Sally has been a hobbyist beekeeper for about ten years, serves as secretary of MSBA, and is a member of the Cumberland County Beekeepers. She and her husband, Dave Chapman, live in an old (unimproved) farmhouse in New Gloucester in harmony with assorted domestic and wild critters. Al Maloney served as a technical consultant on the project. The web site is hosted by his web design company Dog Bone Designs. Al previously worked at Bath Iron Works for 30 years as systems analyst in the Engineering Division. Al has been hobbiest beekeeper for 4 years and is currently the Vice President of the Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers. He and his wife Nancy Williams live at NEWAIM Farm Alpacas where they breed and sell alpacas. They recently expanded their business to include NEWAIM Fiber Mill where they produce yarns and roving from alpaca, llama and sheep fiber. For more information about the farm or mill visit www.newaim.com or www.newaimfibermill.com Roy Cronkhite served as chairman of this committee. His primary role was to provide leadership and to encourage communication. He also assisted with design, navigation, and content. Roy has been a programmer/analyst for over 25 years. He was able to use his experience with project management and his communication skills with this project. Roy, a hobbyist beekeeper for 3 years, is from Livermore Falls. He is guided by his father, Roy Sr, a 30 year beekeeper. The two are often seen together. Roy and his wife, Cindy, live on an old farm where he grew up. They have two grown children and an assortment of pets, including six pot-bellied pigs. Roy belongs to the Western Maine Beekeepers Chapter of MSBA where he serves as membership director. Roy is currently the editor of the MSBA newsletter, The Bee Line. |