It’s over, but not easily forgotten …
And yes, the bride did ride in on a cloud that day
Two years ago, on the third weekend in February, my son married the wonderful Kristen.
I’m really glad he made her my bee-loved daughter-in-law and really really glad they did it two years ago on the third weekend in February, even though it meant I missed Kalamazoo’s Bee School. If they’d waited two years and done it this weekend, I would’ve missed Kalamazoo’s best bee school yet, held February 17.
Sam, far right, after school was over, but some of his (many) fans just didn’t want it to end.
If you ever have the chance to hear Sam Comfort speak, make it happen. He’s one of the most gifted speakers in the industry, with the ability to connect to wanna-bees through commercial guys … who may not like his message, but at least will chew on his food for thought, served in an amenable, upbeat way. We were blessed to have him, and his ukulele, start off a great day of education. Too bad his original tune, Varroa Mite Blues, probably won’t top the charts.
Frame-building class … led by Marshall who rarely talks. Beekeeping brings it out from even the most extreme introverts.
Beekeepers are generally introverts, but get us talking about bees, and we’ll drone on and on. Sam filled the room every break-out session he presented; the rest of us speakers tried to dazzle with riveting talks on hive inspection, pests and diseases, splits and bee-ginning beekeeping, just to name a few. None of us played a ukulele, but we appreciated the chance to talk about our favorite insect nonetheless. Did you know the queen mates with an average of 15 drones, although DNA testing shows a record 60 lucky gentlemen? For the first time we held a frame-making class, with frames donated to the bee club, and folks learning the proper techniques for assembling this important piece of equipment.
A young beekeeper shops the vendor selections
February is a hard month for bees and beekeepers alike. Our stinging darlings are fairly cooped up but anxious to start building up for spring; we beekeepers are sick with worry and extremely curious about what’s going on inside their homes. Hopefully something!
If you were one of the couple hundred people who swarmed together yesterday to learn about bees, thanks for your interest in beekeeping. The world desperately needs bees, and for you to become good beekeepers. We invite you to continue your education with the Kalamazoo Bee Club, as well as other opportunities. KBC will have a March meeting in addition to the big Michigan Beekeepers’ Association meeting in East Lansing; check the website for the schedule.
Mike Connor of Honeytree Nurseries kicks back after a loooong day. Mike’s classes on bee trees and what not to plant for bees (also) received rave reviews.
These are just a few pictures from the day; special thanks to Todd and Backyard BeeFriend’s Cathy for the shots.
A little hands-on fun as students learned of various split methods
Couldn’t make it to Bee School but sounds like it was a great success. I heard Sam speak and play at an organic beekeepers gathering a few years ago and learned a lot while being entertained.
I learned so much! I’m glad though that I’ll be going to the KVCC Culinary school for the weekly 101 Bee Class to firm up what I learned.
This is my first time attending the Kalamazoo Bee Clinic. I’ve been keeping bees 2 years and this will be my third summer.
I lost all my Bees the last winter so this winter I’ve got fingers crossed.
The Bees are teaching me as we go but I’m not learning fast enough.
Attending this Bee clinic was a breath of fresh air and Charlottes Knowledge of Bees and her professional presentation skills are amazing and will help me from accidentally killing my bees and work with them in a safer manor.
Great presentation Dr. Hubbard?