Pleasant Lane Apiary

City bees are all the buzz

2009-07-27T10:54:00.006-04:00

City bees are all the buzzBeekeeping gains in the concrete jungle, despite some concerns. by Bridget HuberCorrespondent of The Christian Science MonitorJuly 15, 2009 NEW YORK--Honeybees may not be the first thing that come to mind when you think of Brooklyn. Yet here’s Yeshwant Chitalkar, high on a rooftop in the Red Hook section of the New York borough, opening a bright blue hive to check on its

Rain

2009-06-19T15:47:00.003-04:00

Rain. Rain and rain and rain and rain and rain.That's what our weather has been since late April. The temperatures have been running close to 10 degrees below normal. Bad for local farmers. Bad for local beekeepers.Mike calls this weather "British summertime." If anyone in New England is considering taking vacation to either Britain or Ireland, take a look outside your window. That's how to

"Retired dentist uses bee venom as therapy"

2009-05-30T10:22:00.015-04:00

[I have studied apitherapy with Dr. Ed and he is a wonderful teacher, and a very good man. I am pleased to see his work receiving this recognition: his is an amazing story.--Pleasant Lane Apiary] by Tatiana PinaJournal Staff Writer Saturday, May 30, 2009 PROVIDENCE - On the second floor of his Tabor Avenue home, Dr. Edward Ziegler Jr. sits at his kitchen table

A growing interest in beekeeping in Rhode Island

2009-05-30T10:04:00.007-04:00

Peg Pelletier, right, looks at some honeybee eggs along with Dave Sieczkowski, left, as beekeeper Louis Chasse, center, talks about the queen bee and the drones.The Providence JournalPhoto: Kathy Borchers

Video: "The 'boys' don't sting."

2009-05-30T09:51:00.010-04:00

Beekeeping classes in SaunderstownMay 29th, 2009Louis Chasse, vice president of the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association, offers a free class on the second Saturday of every month through the summer. Graduates of beekeeping classes visit his property in Saunderstown to check out what his hives have been doing over the winter and to get a look at the nine new hives. There is an increased interest

"...unbelievable loss of wildlife."

2009-02-15T09:39:00.011-05:00

This month the world has witnessed the terrible fires that have been exploding across the Australian landscape. It is frightening to imagine having only moments to escape one's home or perish in an inferno. But that is what has happened there. Tragically, at least 108 people have lost their lives. (I would urge readers who wish to help the citizens affected by the fires to contact the American or

"Ag pesticides not uncommon in trapped pollen"

2009-02-04T13:11:00.006-05:00

From Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping"Researchers in Connecticut, during the 2007 growing season monitored pesticides found in pollen collected in pollen traps. Colonies studied were under normal conditions and were not collapsing or in any other way ill. No colonies died during the experiment."The researchers collected the pollen twice a week from four locations in Connecticut

Registration for 2009 RI beekeeping schools

2009-01-26T14:37:00.005-05:00

The following is a press release from the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association:The Rhode Island Beekeepers Association teaches beginner beekeeping classes every year in March.This year there will be two bee schools; one at the William M. Davies Career and Technical High School in Lincoln and the other at the East Farm at the University of Rhode Island.2009 Bee School Schedule for Davies

Harp and Conrad at the Pfeiffer Center

2009-01-26T10:41:00.015-05:00

Chris Harp of HoneybeeLives in New Paltz, New York was commended in June by New York State Governor David Paterson for his "tremendous work in fostering knowledge and awareness of naturalistic and organic beekeeping practices." For some of Chris's current interests and activities, have a look at the HoneybeeLives newsletter. On February 21 at the Pfeiffer Center of Chestnut Ridge, NY, Chris Harp

Hoping...

2009-01-15T11:19:00.012-05:00

It's snowing again. The temperatures have been hovering between single numbers and the low 20s for days. It's been a fiercely cold and windy week.I've never been at my best during the Winter. Oh, I appreciate the beauty of the season. But life can be challenging for all creatures who remain here during these months.When I woke this morning I looked from my window to the hive in the back garden.

"The Secret Life of Bees" Cookbook

2009-01-13T20:15:00.010-05:00

Sue Bee Honey of Iowa has produced a Special Edition cookbook inspired by the feature film "The Secret Life of Bees," which opened in theatres in October 2008. All net proceeds from the sales of the cookbook will go to benefit First Book, a nonprofit organization that gives new books to children from low-income families.The cookbook features recipes from the main cast members Queen Latifah,

"Dreamers Awaken"--planning a new blog

2009-01-10T22:27:00.011-05:00

It came as a surprise last week when I was reminded this blog was launched one year ago. Though I haven’t always written as much as I would have liked, it's been a wonderful learning experience and a useful outlet for some of my latent creative urges.I've been thinking quite a lot during the quiet of the snowy holidays about many, many things in my life, and reading a lot of new blogs that have

A taste of Summer in the heart of Winter

2009-01-07T11:41:00.026-05:00

Several people have asked.Yes, we still have honey for sale from our 2008 extractions.Our honey is raw, unfiltered, unheated, and untreated. No chemicals are used in the hives, and we follow the practices of Ross Conrad, Dee Lusby, Gunther Hauk, Michael Bush, and others. We cannot ethically or legally label the honey "organic" partly because forager bees will travel up to three to five miles away

"...God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."

2009-01-04T19:23:00.028-05:00

I find news, as it is presented to us now, often resoundingly inane and tedious. I often have to remind myself that news of the-worst-whatever-it-is-in-the-history-of-the-entire-universe is being reported by a person about half my own age, who often has no personal frame of reference by which they might put the "disaster du jour" into some perspective. That doesn't mean there aren't awful events

A contemplative season

2008-12-28T19:45:00.036-05:00

This is the season when many people review what has transpired throughout the previous months, and also look ahead to the fresh new year, rich with possibilities. It's often when we vow to change or improve the way we live our lives. To me, that is such a hopeful and human thing to do.This year, as always, I've been blessed in so many ways. There have been losses large and small this year,

Veterans' Day 2008

2008-11-11T14:00:00.013-05:00

Yesterday America celebrated the 233 anniversary of the official formation of the United States Marine Corps and today we observe Veterans' Day on the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.To our enlisted men and women, and all who have served us throughout our nation's history, our profound thanks.Photos: AP

"Outstanding in the Field"

2008-08-19T10:37:00.006-04:00

This week I had the good fortune to discover this book in our state's library system. "Outstanding in the Field," is a cross between a cookbook and travelogue. "Jim Denevan's traveling open-air dinners treat guests to an unforgettable experience: a meal cooked with farm-fresh ingredients served right where they were grown--in fields, ranches, vineyards, and community gardens across the country.

The sweetest days of summer

2008-08-17T22:19:00.014-04:00

Earlier this evening, while enjoying the maneuvers of several hummingbirds flying around us as we sat in the garden, we realized it's already the middle of August and wondered where another summer has gone while we were busy working, gardening, and beekeeping. Here is a lovely photo of our old "Queen Bee" enjoying another beautiful summer's day. The deck is going to be painted this week and we'll

Our August extraction

2008-08-17T21:31:00.022-04:00

On Friday our friend Emily wrote to me:How are you? Is there honey and jars all over the place at your house this weekend?There certainly will be this week as you can see from this photo!We gathered another 150 pounds from five of the six hives. It will probably be our final extraction of this season because we want to leave enough honey, the approximately 70 pounds per hive that bees in this

Still curious about the Stella

2008-07-07T19:46:00.010-04:00

Cameron is also a friend of Deborah and Butch. We've all known each other forever, possibly longer. In fact, he is partially responsible for the outyard in Foster. When he told Deb I keep bees, she wanted to know more, and he gave me her telephone number at RiRa's one Saturday night. Thanks, Cam!Anyway, when I posted the photograph of the Stella guitar hanging from the garden fence, I invited him

Linden flowers

2008-07-07T19:33:00.003-04:00

"Eule Gibbons used to say that the linden tree is a tree that you find by listening, and what he meant was when the linden tree is in flower the flowers are so sweet that there are honey bees lined up in queues waiting to get at the flowers, and buzzing so loudly that you hear the tree before you see it or smell it."--Susun Weed, American herbalist

Reminds me of the song...

2008-07-05T11:58:00.007-04:00

I'm not sure why a Stella guitar is attached to the garden fence, but I find it funky and amusing! Besides being decorated in colors evocative of dusk in the American southwest, it has an angel painted on the front of it. Hopefully a guardian of vegetable gardens and apiaries...

4th of July in the Foster outyard

2008-07-05T11:48:00.008-04:00

Mike removing frames of honey for extraction.

Independence Day in the Foster outyard

2008-07-05T10:19:00.015-04:00

We began extracting honey yesterday. The established colony here in our garden produced a small amount of Spring honey, somewhat less than we expected, in fact. When he inspected the outyard in Charlestown, Mike was surprised by the amount of frames that were capped and ready to take. Our hives in Charlestown and in Foster were newly installed in April so we really didn't expect much or any honey

The hum of bees in the garden

2008-07-05T10:12:00.007-04:00

Sometimes, when I am working in my garden, when the day is hot and still, I am transported to another world. The hum of bees seems like singing wires from Eternity. It is as though a message were trying to come through and I know what it means but I can't hear the words.--Anonymous

Independence Day

2008-07-04T14:52:00.005-04:00

To the men and women serving in our armed forces around the world...to those who have served throughout our American history...we say a heart-felt "thank you." Thank you for being part of what makes America so great. Thank you for preserving our liberties and our freedom. Wishing everyone a happy 4th!

Midsummer

2008-06-28T13:15:00.012-04:00

The Old Farmer's Almanac tells us that 24 June is Midsummer Day because "to the farmer, it is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting...it's a time of magic and soothsaying as well for, as Washington Irving said, 'This is a time when it is well known that all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and fairies become visible and walk abroad.' "And who should know better

Manny hits #500!

2008-05-31T21:34:00.004-04:00

The Red Sox playing the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards this evening. At 9:29 pm, just as I was about to upload this photo, we watched Manny Ramirez hit home run number 500.Over the past few years Oriole Park at Camden Yards seems to have become "Fenway South" to those Sox fans who've made the trip to Baltimore to watch our team as tickets for home games become nearly impossible to purchase.

"Good vibrations" in Charlestown, RI

2008-05-16T21:08:00.012-04:00

We were asked to install bees in hives already located in a private garden in Charlestown. So, after completing our work for the day in the new outyard in Foster, Mike drove the remaining two packages of bees to their new home. Earlier in the month we'd met with the couple who own the garden to introduce ourselves. They've created a beautiful space. (This photograph was also taken on 13 April as

Installing new hives, Foster, RI

2008-05-16T07:53:00.012-04:00

This Spring seems to be a rainy one and that's not great for beekeeping, though it's lovely for the plants in our gardens. Honey bees prefer those warm, sunny days with little or no breeze. I've been stung a bit more than usual this year as a result of having to install or inspect hives on those less-than-ideal days.Earlier this year I wrote about acquiring a new outyard in Foster, thanks to Deb

Please help end the cruelty of "puppy mills"

2008-04-04T19:06:00.001-04:00

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Harriet of the Blogsphere

2008-03-18T21:39:00.008-04:00

Hello Harriet!Thank you so much for the lovely bee pin you sent last week. It arrived on Saturday and I am, as always, touched by your thoughtfulness.I have an online blog, a little journal, that I am keeping about my bees and beekeeping adventures. Perhaps you'd like to visit it:http://pleasantlaneapiary.blogspot.com/I wrote a little something about you and your bee. If you think the posting is

Beannachtai na Féile Pádraig

2008-03-17T20:19:00.011-04:00

We drove up to Thomas Ward's Publick House this morning to celebrate the day with a traditional Irish breakfast. We raised a pint of Guinness each (our annual treat) to the old snake-chaser Himself, to departed friends and family, to the good people of Tibet, and to the "ladies" of Pleasant Lane Apiary. It was a bright, blustery morning and the hearty, delicious meal really warmed and filled us!

Harriet's bee

2008-03-17T19:55:00.011-04:00

You might not realize it if you saw her on the street or in a cafe, but Harriet is a really remarkable woman. I cannot recall just now how long I've known her, but she is one of my favorite clients and one of the most delightful, exceptional people I know.When she first learned about my beekeeping endeavors Harriet was full of questions. We were supposed to be talking about her as it was her

The other "queen bee"

2008-03-16T17:26:00.015-04:00

The last of my four beloved cats, this ancient feline is the "queen bee" of our home. Dallas enjoys gardening and beekeeping, but the latter from a respectful distance. At nearly 18 years old, she is the benevolent ruler of our household and does whatever she likes with her days. This photo of her was taken at the end of February. The days were beginning to grow longer again and we were dreaming

Surveying our first outyard

2008-03-16T16:39:00.018-04:00

They're good people, Deb and Butch. I've known them both a long time. Deb and I had a telephone conversation early in the winter about installing a beehive in their garden. This is a win-win situation for all of us and for gardeners within a three to five mile radius from them. And hopefully a great place, too, for the bees. At our current location we can comfortably keep two hives but no more.

R. I. Beekeepers Association's website

2008-03-06T23:36:00.006-05:00

The Association's website has been redesigned and its forum reorganized. Since the summer of 2007 RIBA volunteers have been attempting to devise a dynamic and user-friendly website and cyber discussion group for its members.There's informative content about the association at RIBeekeeper.orgThe discussion groups' threads, a calendar of events, and a colony count data base are currently found at

The new RIBA class at East Farm

2008-03-06T22:14:00.017-05:00

The East Farm school completed its second week last night and the room has been filled to capacity with 45 attentive and enthusiastic students. The classes have been enjoyable and informative under the leadership of volunteer instructors Mark Robar of Trail's End Farm, and Louis Chasse of Arson Alley Apiary. For last night's gathering RIBA member and one of this year's presidential candidates,

New "Haagen-Dazs loves the Honey Bees" campaign and website

2008-02-23T19:19:00.003-05:00

Last week Mike brought some ice cream home from the shops. We only eat Bryers and Haagen-Dazs, and only the flavors they create that do not contain those various gums and thickeners. But this still leaves a lot of wonderful choices to enjoy from these two brands.On the side of one of his cartons was a heart bearing wings, and covered in black and yellow stripes. That's where we first learned

Deadly problems for another pollinator

2008-02-16T16:42:00.004-05:00

Besides feeding on mosquitoes and other insect pests, bats are also pollinators. All the more reason the following article is extremely troubling."Deadly Bat Epidemic Still Baffling Scientists"Friday , February 15, 2008Associated Press--ROSENDALE, N.Y. — "Bats in New York and Vermont are mysteriously dying off by the thousands, often with a white ring of fungus around their noses, and scientists

The evolution of consciousness and honey bees

2008-02-16T15:18:00.006-05:00

"...we cannot rely on those in positions of power and leadership to solve the myriad social and environmental issues with which we are currently faced. Just as the ultimate answer for solving the numerous difficulties facing humankind lies in the raising of our society's collective consciousness, the most desirable and permanent solution to the difficult times the honey bee is now experiencing

Workers and Queen

2008-02-02T20:34:00.002-05:00

In August 2007 we volunteered to work at Mark Robar's booth at the Washington County Fair. We met so many wonderful people during the two days we were there! But, I must confess, it was disheartening to learn that most of the visitors we spoke with did not know the difference between a honeybee, a yellow jacket, a wasp, or a hornet. (Where was everyone during 4th grade science class, we wondered?

To feed or not?

2008-02-02T16:27:00.002-05:00

It was beautifully sunny today with clear, azure skies. The temperature nearly reached 50 degrees, but there was a blustery wind, so it felt colder. Kite-flying weather, I thought. Or the ideal day to begin drying linens on the clothesline again. But I resisted the temptation: we could see our bees were taking cleansing flights. Honey bees, fastidious creatures that they are, won't defecate in

Haagen-Dazs Reserve: Hawaiian Lehua Honey & Sweet Cream Ice Cream

2008-02-02T15:31:00.002-05:00

Celeste and Ed are local beekeepers. They had a beautiful honey in 2007 that we really enjoyed. Last summer we savored it over goat cheese on Ryvita crackers. We're still trying to imagine what plants their bees pollinated because the honey was very light, but not too sweet, and had the most amazing mint finish to its flavor. Much like wine is influenced by the grapes used, as well as the climate

From "Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture"

2008-01-27T16:43:00.001-05:00

"All these experiences have nurtured a connection between the honey bee and myself that is deeper and more meaningful than I can put into words. The bees have taught me so much over the years and have brought so many wonderful people into my world. It is my hope that I will always have honey bees around me, until the end of my days..."...We certainly do not have a situation where there are too

"Mother Nature's Honey Recipe"

2008-01-27T13:20:00.001-05:00

When we first began beekeeping in early May 2006 we soon realized friends and family will turn up all sorts of bee-related collectibles.One especially lovely gift was sent to us from my long-time friend, Stephanie, who now lives in Northern California. It's a small, very fun and kitschy tapestry which reads:Mother Nature's Honey RecipeIngredients: 1 Busy Bee, 2 million flowers, 1

The Beehive and other geysers in Yellowstone National Park

2008-01-27T12:25:00.002-05:00

Yellowstone National Park offers live-streaming webcams which are fascinating and fun to watch. "This full-motion, live-streaming webcam is located near Old Faithful Geyser and brings online visitors views of several other geysers in the area. When geysers such as Beehive, Lion, or Giantess are erupting, the camera will be aimed at them and zoomed in for optimal viewing enjoyment. When bison, elk

The Providence Journal: Edmund Hillary, 1919-2008

2008-01-27T11:34:00.001-05:00

Editorial: Edmund Hillary, 1919-2008The Providence JournalProvidence, Rhode IslandSaturday, January 26, 2008Edmund Hillary, who died this month at 88, astonished the world in 1953 when he reached the top of Mount Everest with his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay. Straddling Nepal and Tibet, Everest rises 29,029 feet above sea level. The New Zealander’s feat, climbing the highest peak on Earth, seemed

Recipes from Honey Garden Apiaries, Vermont

2008-01-26T21:41:00.001-05:00

Honey Gardens Apiaries of Ferrisburgh, Vermont, have created a beautiful and informative website. We would encourage you to explore it as well as their blog.We subscribe to their online newsletter and were inspired by their cooperation with the Vermont Elderberry Project to plant a few elderberry bushes on our property for the pollinators and possibly for our own uses once the bushes begin

Tentative Course Outline for East Farm Beekeeping School

2008-01-25T16:15:00.002-05:00

Mark Robar has permitted us to publish his tentative syllabus for the upcoming beekeeping school, sponsored by the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association (R.I.B.A.), to be held at U.R.I.'s East Farm starting at the end of February. There could be some last minute changes to the course listing, so please keep that in mind if you are planning to attend.Some time ago Mark mentioned he would like to

"Queen Honeybees Keep Harems of Dancing Males"

2008-01-23T16:51:00.001-05:00

Who could have guessed just how sexy beekeeping is? No, not our attire in the bee yard, but the activity of the queen. Here's an article we found yesterday:"Honeybee queens have sex with harems of males apparently to give birth to much better dancers, research reveals."The better honeybees dance, the better they are at hustling for chow, scientists add."Taking lots of male consorts is a dicey

Movie production begins for "The Secret Life of Bees"

2008-01-22T20:30:00.001-05:00

Author Sue Monk Kidd has a new website on which she has posted this announcement: "Fox Searchlight began principal filming for the screen adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees on January 9th in North Carolina. "Written and directed by Gina Prince-Blythewood, the movie stars Dakota Fanning as Lily Owens and Academy Award Jennifer Hudson as her caretaker and 'stand-in' mother, Rosaleen. The two

The first 2008 catalog arrives

2008-01-22T14:04:00.001-05:00

The first of the 2008 beekeeping supply catalogs arrived in the post today. It was exciting. It indicates that a new year of beekeeping is upon us.Some really harsh cold weather has visited Southern New England this winter. This morning we woke to 14 degrees F. Though we have insulated our hive, we do worry about how well the bees are faring inside. The queen should begin laying eggs again very

"Honey of a treatment"

2008-01-20T20:31:00.001-05:00

"Amid growing concern over drug-resistant superbugs and nonhealing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original antibiotic -- honey -- is making a comeback."More than 4,000 years after Egyptians began applying honey to wounds, Derma Sciences Inc., a West Windsor company that makes medicated and other advanced wound care products, began selling the first honey-based dressing this fall

"Moving the Bee"

2008-01-10T21:43:00.001-05:00

"The Seabee symbol is being temporarily dismantled so that it can be refurbished.""[The Seabees] Construction battalions were born in 1942, when the Navy realized it could no longer use civilian contractors in the war zones of World War II, and the first battalions were formed at the new Navy base in Davisville. Later that year, a Navy lieutenant asked Frank J. Iafrate, a North Providence native

Beekeeper and Mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary Dies at 88

2008-01-10T20:17:00.001-05:00

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called "Ed" and

Volunteers at Trail's End Farm, May 2007

2008-01-09T13:44:00.001-05:00

Three members of a small group of volunteers who gathered on an unusually chilly Spring day to help beekeeper Mark Robar assemble equipment for his new queen-rearing program.

Celebrating the 2007 World Series

2008-01-08T17:40:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken in our back garden during the afternoon of 30 October 2007. Our team, the Boston Red Sox, had won the 2007 World Series and we were celebrating by watching the rolling rally victory parade on television. During the parade we heard a LOT of noise. It wasn't Papelbon and Dropkick Murphys "Shipping up to Boston." It was coming from our back deck. Who knew the Jacuzzi Sisters

"Colony Collapse Disorder" one of 2007's "Green" Headlines

2008-01-08T12:59:00.001-05:00

According to The Providence Sunday Journal (Providence, Rhode Island), Sunday, January 6, 2008, "Colony collapse disorder" was one of the top "green" stories of 2007 listed by the online journal, Grist.org. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is the name of the mysterious phenomenon that describes the massive die-off affecting an entire beehive or bee colony. This collapse of colonies has been

New beekeeping school in South County

2008-01-07T21:07:00.001-05:00

South County residents who are interested in learning about beekeeping will now have the opportunity to attend courses in the local area, thanks to Mark Robar of Trail's End Farm, the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association, the University of Rhode Island, and several volunteers.RIBA has presented classes annually at the William M. Davies Career and Technical High School, known in Rhode Island as