As a result of attending the Davie County Beekeepers Association meeting in June, I have a renewed respect for the little honeybee. Did you know the honeybee is the only insect to produce food for human consumption? Also, did you know honey has all the ingredients to sustain life? I didnít.
Knowing I wanted to learn more, Ben Knox, a friend and regional agronomist, led me to the president of the Rowan County Beekeepers Association, Denny Booe.
Driving up the driveway of Janice and Denny Booe, I couldnít help but notice the picturesque pond to the right of the front yard in West Rowan. Mallard ducks and Canada geese were swimming in the pond, while others roamed about freely. Janice and Denny were standing on their side porch. They graciously invited me into their home, and I soon saw the enthusiasm they share about working and caring for bees. As a young boy, Denny helped a family friend who had about 100 colonies. From this experience, Denny knew he someday wanted his own hives. He shared his love of the honeybee with his girlfriend, Janice. By the time they were married, she had the same desire.
I could tell Janice and Denny have a passion for not only sharing their knowledge with others, but also for getting new beekeepers started. They see this as a calling. One of their favorite memories is of a young boy who came to their house, years ago, longing for his own hive. Janice says he wanted a beehive so badly, they gave him one. That boy today is a grown man and a member of the Rowan County Beekeepers Association.
The association is active in the community, promoting the importance of protecting the honeybee. Money collected from dues and fundraisers often goes to buy equipment for novice beekeepers to borrow until they can afford their own. Other monies go for community projects such as the bee exhibit at the Asheboro Zoo. The association understands the importance of education, especially for children, since they may be future beekeepers. Children need to know honey doesnít come from a store but from honeybees.
Even though everyone should take protecting the honeybee seriously, sometimes funny things can happen when working with them. Janice recalls such a story. It happened one night when she took a flashlight to check on some hives. She had not been working with bees for very long at the time, so she wasnít thinking about them being attracted to light. Her only concern was not stepping on snakes. When she turned the flashlight on, the honeybees soon began swarming. She took off running and never forgot that lesson. Denny laughs because he thinks lessons are often better learned the hard way.
I spent about an hour with Janice and Denny, and then it was time for my visit to end. I felt like I had made new friends, and before I left, they gave me a jar of honey. I couldnít wait to get home and spread some of it on a piece of bread. I can tell you now, it was delicious! My mom loves honey, too, so I might even share my jar with her. Then again, maybe Iíll just give her mine because I know where I can get more.
Anyone interested in learning more about the honeybee is invited to attend the Rowan County Beekeepers Association meetings the second Monday of each month, at 7 p.m. The meetings are held at the Rowan County Agriculture Center, 2727 Old Concord Road, Salisbury. For more info call 704-278-4016.

Dicy McCullough is a writer and poet who lives in Rowan County. Contact her at 704-278-4377 or online at dicymcculloughbooks.com.