Introducing "Olympia Beekeepers, Thurston County"

"Meetings are on the second Monday of each month, except July and August, at the Roosevelt Elem. School, at 1416 San Francisco St. The beginner class is from 6:00 to 7:00 o'clock and the meeting from 7:00 to 9:00."

Yelm resident Thomas Mani is Vice President & Yelm resident Marjorie Smith is Secretary.

From Mr. Mani,

Dear friend of the honey bees,

Dear friends of the honeybee

The bee season 2010 is approaching fast.

Times for bees and beekeepers are challenging, not only in the Pacific Northwest. The headlines about the mysterious disappearance of honey bees all over the world made many people aware about the problem.
Unfortunately, those articles do not mention possible solutions other than leaving it to science. However, there is a solution that is simple and very efficient: more beekeepers!

The benefits of having bees are enormous. Not only is their pollination service required for every third bite we eat, but they also pollinate flowers to produce fruits essential to wildlife. Furthermore, they produce honey and bee pollen as nutritious food and natural remedies, as well as propolis and beeswax for many useful applications. In order to do their amazing work the honey bee flies up to three miles, way across your property line. Therefore, keeping bees is a service to the community and not only you will enjoy a bountiful harvest in the garden and orchard but your neighbors as well.

The interest in beekeeping is growing. In Yelm alone over 60 people have become beekeepers in the last two years. Join in!
For all the interested people we are offering a follow up class.
It will be held on Tuesday, February 16th at Gordon's Grange from
7 to 9 pm (cost $10).
Gordon's Grange is situated next to the Gordon's Patio Shop downtown
Yelm (308 Yelm Ave E).
The class will cover topics like basic bee biology, safety equipment, hive equipment, costs, suitable locations, educational material and more. Respond today and send an email to bee4ever@fairpoint.net to let us know that you are coming! We are looking forward to meeting you.

Thomas Mani, Karla Broschinski
Bee Forever Apiary

And, our other local Apiary in Rainier covered here previously: Starry Lane Apiary