Donate in memory of Tom Matthews

6.14.30-9.25.24

Tom grew up around bees, hunting for wild swarms in the woods with his brother.  They wished for store bought equipment like their uncle had.  Sometime after his retirement in 1997, bees made a permanent home at Tom's house.  At some point in the last several years, the bees transitioned to Glenn's (Tom's son) management, where they still reside today.  Tom was a founding member of the Granville County Beekeepers Association. Donations will be earmarked towards our club apiary, support of new beekeepers, and community education projects.

Thank you for your support of local pollinators and beekeepers.

TELLING THE BEES

You may not know, but honey bees are not native to the USA.  Most were brought over by early settlers from Europe.  In tradition of the “Old Country”, it is believed that the bees must be told of important events in their keeper's lives - births, marriages, deaths, or even departures and returns in the household. In 1858 John Greenleaf Whittier published the poem, “Telling the Bees” in the Atlantic Monthly.  “Stay home, pretty bees, fly not hence!”  If the custom was forgotten and the bees were not "put into mourning", it was believed a misfortune was inevitable.  The bees may leave their hive, stop producing honey, or simply perish.   

“Honey bees, Honey bees, hear what I say!  Your Master Keeper has passed away.  But his friends now beg you will freely stay, and gather honey for many a day.  Bony bees, Bony bees, hear what I say.” 

A Telling the Bees Ceremony is TBD at this time. (9.26.24)