Chronicles of a Beekeeper Wife Review of 2012

Wintertime for beekeepers in the New England area of the U.S. is a time to rest from the hands-on beekeeping work. It is catch up time on our beekeeping reading, scanning to see what articles we missed in Bee Culture Magazine, or the American Bee Journal. We dust off the beekeeping book that was forgotten as soon as dandelions started poking up on the lawn early spring. The frozenness of the pond that we can see from our front window is indication that it is time to reflect on the past year. We gather up our note pads and make a trip to one of our favorite coffee houses, and address some questions. “What worked in our hive management, what didn’t work?” “Did we have successes, how about any failures?” Then we take time to plan for the next season, work up our supply list of things we need to purchase and start making equipment.

Before I start jumping ahead to all the planning for season 2013, let me stop and do that reflecting now on 2012. . .

Phyllis Johns Sears with granddaughter 
Valarie Gravelle Wilson
1/7/2012

If you’re reading my blog, then it’s time to get personal. It was a year of loss. Ten days into January I said goodbye to my grandmother around 3:30pm. I had been visiting her daily for over two months straight, save Christmas day when I chose to give my family “me” for a day. She was talking to me and I said, “Love you grandma, see you tomorrow”. There wasn’t a tomorrow. By 8:22pm, I was standing by her bedside in the emergency department saying goodbye to her dead body. She was 90.
 

The loss continued, but in a very positive way, as I spent the next nine months, shedding weight and running my first 5k in June (with broken ribs). As the pounds continued to come off, I managed a total of four 5k fun runs; the last one in October (on a sprained ankle) proudly sporting my honey bee costume. 

Was there more loss, you ask? Well yes. We lost a hive to absconding, two hives and one Nuc to bear attacks, (Five bear attacks in all). And then there was the loss of my son’s gallbladder in September (a very good loss for him!).

And more loss -- November 25^th I lost my uncle Alfred to cancer. I’ll have to find two new honey lovers, as he and grandma both were lovers of our honey. Alfred was in my “top ten” people that I just loved to pieces. My heart has a void right now, but I suspect it will only get bigger as the people that I love are getting older or have some sort of illness. I’m thankful to my friend Susan that comforted me by sharing a scripture verse from ll Corinthians 1:3-4; a sweet salve to my hurting heart.

Uncle Alfred Young

OK enough with the loss. What was the good in 2012? Was there any sweetness at all? It was filled with joy, lots of happiness. My joy in the Lord never waned for a moment, and Christ remains the compass that keeps me on track.

Memorial Day weekend my husband surprised me with a Jack Russell Terrier puppy that has captured our hearts; the Wilson household, (Including my in-laws from New Jersey) is charmed by Hank, now nine months old.
 

Hank

Not only did I drop 22lbs but my husband and son joined me—together as a family we left over 85lbs of fat on the grocery store floor! 

Valarie, Christian & Scott

Beekeeping highlights:

It was a banner year in our sixth season. Largest honey crop to date. Our sales have been excellent. From Vermont restaurants that have strong roots in buying local, to community shoppers at local venues such as Farmers Markets and craft fairs (picture below taken when Simon and Michael surprised us by stopping by our booth at the Farmers market the day after EAS was finished), to those that come to our house, and our web customers. We even took on three reseller accounts in 2012. This meant turning away some new inquiries because we wouldn’t be able to serve our existing customers. This is a very good problem to have, especially in our economy. Thank you all that have supported us; we are grateful. 

Simon Crosen-AHC, UK, 
Scott Wilson-HHA, US, 
Michael Young-INIB, IE

2012 was the era of Bees and Beyond as the Vermont Beekeepers Association hosted the Eastern Apiculture Society's annual conference at the University of Vermont. Scott and I were part of the core team planning committee for three years. This was no small feat as there were over 700 in attendance. It was an awesome experience, and we met many new friends in the world of beekeeping, that we look forward to seeing again real soon.  

Mr. Ken & Valarie Wilson
at EAS 2012 
Burlington, VT

Swarm capturing—we were called on a few and found a few of our own. For us it’s still a thrill to capture a swarm.

Mentee, Gary 
from Lake Champlain Chocolates

Honey extraction--"If you build it, he will come" --Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams. This was our third season offering our honey extractions services and the business has remained steady. And it’s still fun!

Teaching/mentoring—Scott has continued to teach beekeeping classes, mentor some new beekeepers, conduct workshops, and make guest appearances on the local news channel.  

Scott-Charlotte, VT 
Tractor Parade

Hive status—we’re growing. We ended the year with double the hives as 2011. Now if we can do that again in 2013.

Craft fairs and Farmer’s Market—what a joy to have a customer come to our booth and say, “I’m so happy you’re here again, you have the best honey”. Tis sweet music to our ears when we hear our customers talk like that.

And the real kicker—we had a real cordial man by the name of Cecil Hicks call us up and ask if he could interview us. He wanted to write an article about our honey business to be published in the American Bee Journal. The AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL! That’s where all the “real” beekeepers are featured; the full-timers. What would the ABJ want with a little sideline operation like us? But sure enough on October 2, 2012 Cecil from Idaho was sitting at our kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee sweetened with a teaspoon of our honey. We of little faith, concerned our article would be cut, landing on the editor’s floor, didn’t tell friends about the interview. But the January 2013 ABJ arrived December 28^th and there we were on pages 67-71.

Hopeful for what the Lord has in store for Heavenly Honey Apiary for the 2013 season. We’re thinking a little more blogging, a new website, maybe a online shopping cart, more bees, more nucs, not so sure about more honey (only the Vermont volatile weather and bears seem to know if this wish will come true), more hiking adventures with our dog Hank. But the main thing is we're optimistic . . .