Lake Country Beekeepers Association observes National Honey Bee Day

Published 8:54 am Thursday, August 31, 2023

The Lake Country Beekeepers Association celebrated National Honey Bee Day on Aug. 19, at the Sparta-Hancock County Library. The special day was in honor of the insect responsible for more than one-third of the food that is eaten.

Four stations were set up to give an enjoyable experience for the family on National Honey Bee Day. The first station was a show and tell with an in-depth explanation of the following bee equipment used.  The brood box/chamber is where the queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day; the honey super is where worker bees store honey and is harvested by beekeepers; the hive tools are used to pry apart the brood chamber from the honey super and remove frames for inspection; the feeders are used inside and outside the hive when natural nectar sources are scarce; and the beekeeper’s protective outfit includes the hood, jacket, and gloves. The second station was honey tasting, which offered a complete sensory experience. Everyone got to sample a variety of honeys. Some were amazed by the various colors, the aromas, tastes/flavors and textures of the honeys. A honey wheel was provided to help with the nuances of the different honeys. It was interesting to see each taster’s reaction. The third station was family creativity time, using arts and crafts inspired by the live bee hive inside the library. The fourth station was a demonstration on the importance of bee pollination, showing the connection from how bees pollinate vegetables, fruits, and nuts to our enjoyment of having a delicious meal or snack.