Elk Rapids Almanac
September 8
The Queens Bees - Vanity Fair
In Great Brittan, following a century’s old tradition, the Royal beekeeper has informed the Queens’s bees that the Queen has died, and King Charles is their new boss. He traveled to Buckingham Palace and Clarence House where he tied black ribbons on the hives and asked them to be good to their new master. The ritual is based on an old superstition that not telling the bees of a change of owner could lead to them not
producing any honey, leaving the hive, or even dying. _John Dingall, Mailonline.
A similar tradition is described in the novel The Secret Life of Bees, set in South Carolina in 1964. The “draping of the hives” was done when someone in the beekeeper’s family died. Squares of black crepe fabric were draped over each hive, leaving the entrance open, but hopefully keeping the bees from leaving. Having bees around was supposed to ensure that the dead person would live again. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd. _beekeeper Karen Ragland, Dolores, Colorado.
In keeping with the ancient tradition , we informed our 800,000,000 Italian honeybees on September 8th of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. We also informed them Charles had immediately ascended to the throne as King. On a personal note, when my daughter Alison was 9 (she is now 29) she chose one page in the “Secret Life of Bees” to write a school report on. I had previously read the book and was so taken with it I passed it along to
her. Even at that tender age, she “got it” and wrote eloquently about their caring devotion to their Queen and how this pertained to Motherhood. I still have and treasure those few pages she wrote. Rita Robbins, Proprietor, Lavender Hill Farm. _www.lavenderhillfarm.com
Though unaware of any such traditions, one local former beekeeper described an innovative honeybee program offered through Michigan State University Extension. Heroes to Hives seeks to address some challenges of military veterans by professional training and community development centered around beekeeping, allowing many service members to continue serving their nation by protecting our national food security through support of the most important pollinator in American agriculture: the honeybee. _Heroestohives.org
producing any honey, leaving the hive, or even dying. _John Dingall, Mailonline.
A similar tradition is described in the novel The Secret Life of Bees, set in South Carolina in 1964. The “draping of the hives” was done when someone in the beekeeper’s family died. Squares of black crepe fabric were draped over each hive, leaving the entrance open, but hopefully keeping the bees from leaving. Having bees around was supposed to ensure that the dead person would live again. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd. _beekeeper Karen Ragland, Dolores, Colorado.
In keeping with the ancient tradition , we informed our 800,000,000 Italian honeybees on September 8th of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. We also informed them Charles had immediately ascended to the throne as King. On a personal note, when my daughter Alison was 9 (she is now 29) she chose one page in the “Secret Life of Bees” to write a school report on. I had previously read the book and was so taken with it I passed it along to
her. Even at that tender age, she “got it” and wrote eloquently about their caring devotion to their Queen and how this pertained to Motherhood. I still have and treasure those few pages she wrote. Rita Robbins, Proprietor, Lavender Hill Farm. _www.lavenderhillfarm.com
Though unaware of any such traditions, one local former beekeeper described an innovative honeybee program offered through Michigan State University Extension. Heroes to Hives seeks to address some challenges of military veterans by professional training and community development centered around beekeeping, allowing many service members to continue serving their nation by protecting our national food security through support of the most important pollinator in American agriculture: the honeybee. _Heroestohives.org
September 10
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Golden Rod and Joe Pye Weed are now in full glory around the countryside, displaying the
beauty of Michigan native wildflowers. See local examples in the Zupin Anderson garden on Ames Street, showcasing several native species doing their job supporting the food chain for local insects. _ Cheryl Bachman, Elk Rapids Garden Club. September 22The autumnal equinox occurs, splitting the Earth’ day almost in half, giving us about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night.
September 25We are in the peak migration for several raptor species right now, and there are many ways that we can protect them. Many of our patients come to us as a result of vehicle collisions, so slowing down, not texting while driving, and giving wildlife a wide berth is crucial. Hunters should also consider switching to lead-free ammunition and tackle as it poses a serious danger to our eagle population. The migration has also brought back the threat of avian influenza. We need the public’s
support to afford the extra costs that comes with testing and quarantining our patients. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on social media. _James Manley, Skegemog Raptor Center. [email protected] |
Native wildflowers along Bass Lake shoreline. Photo credit to Cheryl Bachman, Elk Rapids Garden Club
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