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The Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter put on a great Beginners Bee School in January 2007. The Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway was a fantastic facility and students seemed to like that venue.
Larry Sebren, BCBC's (un)official photographer did a great job of photographing this year's school....most of these photos are courtesy of him and his talent. Thanks, Larry!
BCBC Members assist students with registration on the first day of the School
Photo by Larry Sebren
Shannon Thornburg and Janet Shisler seem very pleased with what they were observing at the bee school...or they were up to something.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Thanks to all the BCBC members that came out to assist, each student got a warm smile and had all their questions answered as expertly as possible.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Connie you just keep smiling and act normal. I will sneak this quilt out the back door
The Browns Take donations on chances to win the quilt made by Diana Sammataro. The Browns have become a welcome addition to our bee club activities. Can you believe it has been a year since we first met them already?
Man! I should have gone to the restroom when I had the chance.
Photo by Larry Sebren
BCBC President, Janet Shisler, prepares to welcome everyone to the start of the third session of the bee school and introduce Dave Cowart. Dave did an excellent job discussing things like bear fences, how to set up your hives, and how to install packages of bees. Dave also discussed where and how to get your bees.
Photo by Larry Sebren
The auditorium at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway holds 270 people without the overflow seating. Janet is welcoming a mostly packed house at the first session. There were at least 215 for this session. Some came from South Carolina and up to 2 hours drive time from Asheville.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Looks like a PACKED HOUSE to me! When the 270-seat Folk Art Center auditorium is close to bursting at the seams you KNOW you have a crowd. They came from all directions, including South Carolina and up to 2 hours away from Asheville. One fifth of NC counties were represented at the BCBC bee school. WOW!
Photo by Larry Sebren
The first presenter, Calvin Robinson, wore his running shoes just in case the crowd turned ugly and he had to make a quick exit. They were not needed. This crowd LOVED learning about bees! The first session was well received by an enthusiastic crowd of future apiarists.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Not only did Calvin's 1st presentation on Saturday go over well, but they showed up again on Sunday for more about bees
Chances on the raffle hive from Brushy Mountain proved to be very popular
Just leave the name blank, I will fill it in for you
Photo by Larry Sebren
Photo by Larry Sebren
The breakout instructors took advantage of the 70 degree day to hold sessions outside in the amphitheatre. Those sessions provided hands on instruction for the eager students.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Could someone please get this bee off of me?
Students tapped into the knowledge Greg Rogers has gained from his many years as a successful commercial beekeeper
Photo by Larry Sebren
The students just jumped right in and indeed, "The water is fine"
Photo by Larry Sebren
Lets see...How is it we are supposed to light the smoker?
Robert Anders fields a question as he prepares to demonstrate how to light a smoker. Being able to be outside sure made this demonstration alot better.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Oh, now I think I remember.
Robert Anders came through with his demonstration and one memorable comment was, "Bees are like cigars; if you've got 'em, you gotta smoke 'em!"
Thanks alot Sebren, now I am going to see spots for the next 5 minutes!
Photo by Larry Sebren
Dave Cowart presented a very good demonstration on what to wear when working in bees
Look, I am just trying to teach here. I do not know who left the "r" off of "ncbeekeepers.org"
Photo by Larry Sebren
Dave started off with some general information
I wonder if I can hit Robert Anders from here with this helmet?
Photo by Larry Sebren
Dave really finished strong with his tap dance number to his original tune "Flight of the Honeybee". Some said it brought back memories of Danny Kaye tap dancing with Bing Crosby, others didn't say. (in case you were not there, NOT REALLY)
Photo by Larry Sebren
Students really enjoyed looking at honeybees through the microscopes
I had about twice as much as I thought I had
Photo by Larry Sebren
yeah, me too
Carl and Janet were just excited to finally find instruments that would accurately measure their last years honey production
No, that is just all the honey that was not entered in a fair
Photo by Larry Sebren
And thats the truth
Is this really all the honey you produced last year?
Larry Sebren answers the tough questions under the microscope
Photo not by Larry Sebren
Photos by Larry Sebren
Extenstion agent, Amanda Stone told about pesticide credits
Dave Cowart gave a very informative talk on working your bees, splits and setting up your bee yard.
OK, I know who shot the spit ball!
The table for educational materials was a popular place. Do not fear the folks in the white coats...they are here to provide you educational materials.
Dave Cowart had several opportunities to share his knowledge
Local Queen Breeder, Mike Singleton of Cold Mountain Queens, spoke about the New World Carniolan Bees
The ever-entertaining Edd Buchanan, Master Beekeeper, taught us all we ever wanted to know about Italian (EYE-talian in Buchanese) Bees.
Photos by Larry Sebren
OK, but I am selling the tickets.
Why can't I sit here? After all, I assembled and stained the hive.
I am not sure what Doug Pippin was trying to demonstrate here, but it appears he may have been sharing a technique he uses to get club members to renew their memberships. Doug was busy with his treasurers duties signing up new members and renewing old memberships in the BCBC
The beautiful garden hive sponsered by Brushy Mountain Bee Supply will be raffled off to someone who purchased a ticket to support the bee school
As always Diane Almond did an outstanding presentation on honeybee biology. The slide show was very polished and her knowledge and teaching ability kept the students on the edge of their seats.
Photos by Larry Sebren
Chris Mathis is like a Pied Piper with the great deals on beewear. Even with the deal, Chis donated part to the bee school.
Not sure what Diane is telling them, but she sure has their attention. Each speaker had loads of students with questions after their presentation.
They are as gentle as houseflys
Looks like Mike's presentation may have sold someone on Carnies
Beekeeping for Dummies is a great book. I am glad we chose it for our text. As a matter of fact as soon as I saw the title, I knew it was the text for me.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Over at the Education Materials table, Calvin Robinson sold DVDs of last years great bee school. He also got a lot of questions and chances to share his experiences and opinions.
I bet you say that to all the instructors
Photos by Larry Sebren
Diane received lots of praises for her presentation
As always, there was time for friends to chat
BCBC is so fortunate to have beekeepers like Greg Rogers. He is always willing to share advice, experience and opinions. He did double duty with hands on activities and presentations.
Photos by Larry Sebren
The expert panel was a big hit again
After Greg spoke about Russian bees, many people came to him with additional questions.
Don't make me have to come up there
Dave also had lots of students meeting him after the presentation for additional questions.
Dave Cowart was a busy guy with presentations and demonstrations. He is so good at it, the students did not want the class to end. BCBC has a wealth of capable instructors and Dave is one of our best.
Photos by Larry Sebren
President Janet Shisler did a wonderful job heading up the bee school committee. She organized, delegated, followed up and managed crisis moments without blinking an eye. On top of all that, she managed to MC the event and did quite a nice job at that also. Thank you Janet for all your hard work and using your skills to shepherd the 2007 bee school into the barn (or Folk Art Center). What a great example of leadership she has presented.
Chris Mathis, of Spicewood Farm, presented an outstanding program on going into your hive and basic manipulations. All the helpful tips a new beekeeper needs were laid out in a well organized and highly interesting format. Chris has quite a talent for teaching beekeeping. Did I mention Chris got interviewed by WLOS? Great job with the WLOS interview Chris!
Photo by Larry Sebren
Edd Buchanan had a great program on pollination, parts of the flower, honey extracting and plenty of great stories and side notes. Thanks to Edd for his dedication to our hobby, profession and industry.
Photo by Larry Sebren
Photo by Larry Sebren
Diana Sammataro Research Entomologist, Carl Hayden Bee Research Lab, Tucson, AZ made this quilt especially for us. The proceeds from the raffle really helped in paying bee school expenses and was much appreciated. Many of us hated to let go of it.
Quilt close ups by Calvin Robinson
Web site photo Diana Sammataro Click photo for link
Quilt photo by Janet Shisler
The educational materials table had books as well as DVD's from last years landmark bee school. Proceeds from the DVD's went to the bee school.
The DVD's continue to be available and would make wonderful additions to your personal library or your bee club library.
Additional titles available soon.
Photo by Calvin Robinson
Thanks to one of our bee school partners, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, we were able to raise more money for the bee school with this beautiful Garden Hive raffle
Photo by Calvin Robinson
The course text, Beekeeping for Dummies was only one of the publications available at the education materials table. Robert Anders was faithful to serve collecting the money
Photo by Calvin Robinson
Phillip Sanders was much appreciated as he did tech support
Photo by Calvin Robinson
Edd has a keen eye out to spot a deserving young beekeeper that shows the promise to be selected to receive the Edd Buchanan award hive
Photo by Calvin Robinson
Calvin Robinson and Robert Anders look at a sample of drawn comb
Photo by Larry Sebren
Edd came early on the last day of the school to help early birds review for the test
Photos by Larry Sebren
Chris Mathis did a fantastic presentation on pests, pesticides, pest management, diseases and treatments / preventions.
Stuart Van Meter tells the class about the group order of new equipment from Brushy Mountain
Photos by Larry Sebren
Shhhhh! Be quiet they are testing . Approximately 175 people signed up to take the certified beekeeper test in the master beekeeper program.
Some were very serious others were more casual in the essay for the Scholarship hives
Photos by Larry Sebren
Due to the threat of bad weather, only about 145 people took the certified test. At least 116 of those also wrote essays in hopes of winning one of the sponsored hives we gave away.
Larry and Calvin were happy to be a part of this great school
From Larry's camera
Photo by Larry Sebren
Janet collected every test as it was completed (she is a teacher you know)
Everyone wore smiles after the school
Photos by Larry Sebren
I really appreciate all those people that made this bee school a success
My new text...
Photo by Larry Sebren
Thank you Janet for leading the best bee school ever!!!!
The 2007 Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter Bee School was a huge success. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. The school was FREE to those attending. Quality optional materials were available, including DVD's of last years popular bee school as well as great printed materials. We had lots of fun and learned a lot in a short time. New friends were made and the world of beekeeping will be a better place as a result.
Here are some interesting facts from the school.
- 250 people registered
- 214 people took the class
- 175 people ordered the certified state test
- 145 people took the test on a questionable weather day
- 116 people completed the essay to try and win a hive
- 74 new BCBC members (19 other counties may also)
- 19 counties represented and one from Pickens SC
- 10 sponsored hives were given to qualifying essay winners
- 2 hours (farthest distance traveled by a student)
- 1/5 of NC's 100 counties participated in the WNC bee school
- 0 amount charged each student for the excellent school
WOW! This was a school for the future old timers to look back and say, "I remember when we had the biggest and best bee school ever!"
November 8, 2006 was Edd Buchanan day!
Edd is one of the founding members, a past president and still a faithful contributing member of the Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter. In his honor, the Edd Buchanan award beehive will be given to a promising young beekeeper each year by the BCBC. Edd was presented with a nice plaque of appreciation and a proclamation for Edd Buchanan day. Edd was honored and humbled by the event. He stated that it was "one of the greatest honors he has ever had". Well, we are even because the club considers it a great honor to have such a fine gentleman in our midst. We love you Edd and thank you for all you do to help the rest of us beekeepers.
Here are some photos of the night courtesy of, you guessed it, Larry Sebren.
Great cake!
BCBC members getting ready for party
Taking a peek at the plaque
Edd thought we were celebrating being named Chapter of the year.
Past presidents David Cox and Bill Metts get ready for a roast of EDD
Diana's quilt seemed to show up everywhere
Lots of Edd's friends from out of the county came to honor him.
Lots of Edds loved ones shared in the celebration
The food was obviously "finger lickin good"
Yes Edd, Janet got one over on you!
Note the fire extinquisher as a backup plan if Edd can't put out the raging fire! -->
Edd puts those strong lungs to work
Edd faces the music
The man of the hour shows his plaque and proclamation
Connie and Ted Brown sent in these photos of the honeybee activity in their yard on January 19th. Well, the birds were not using it at the moment anyway.
They came home to find the bees covering a bird bath in numbers like you would expect from bees feeding on sugar water.
Figuring they must really be in need of water to be doing this in the winter, they provide additional sources and the bees took to them also. I figured they may have some young brood since we have had such a warm winter and needed the water to reconstitute some pollen and crystalized honey to feed them.
This illustrates that you need to provide your bees with a water source. If these bees had not had a source close to the hive, the danger of getting caught outside in cold weather would increase the farther they had to fly to get water. Marginal temperatures can become dangerous to bees very quickly in the winter.
Carolina Hand Surgeons
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