The Brown County Beekeepers Association has been fortunate to have Julie Mazzoleni as our Vice President for the past 6 years. On November 5, 2022 she was recognized for all of her education efforts when she was awarded the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association (WHPA) Education Award at the 2022 Fall Convention.
Julie coordinated the Green Bay Botanical Gardens Children’s Pollinator Camp, where young people spend a day learning about honeybees, including an experience in the hive. She also organized a half-day Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program at UW-Green Bay teaching children about bees and has made numerous visits to local classrooms.
Julie is also a youth mentor in the WHPA Youth Scholarship program.
The use of smoke causes to things to happen, both of which are beneficial to the beekeeper. First, the smoke masks the alarm scent bees emit to warm other bees about dangers to the hive (like a human taking the roof off their house). Without the warning bees will be less defensive. The second thing smoke does is make the bees believe there is a fire nearby and that the hive may be in danger. The response in the bees to go gorge on honey, as they may have to fly away and create a new home somewhere else. So a number of the bees are busy eating honey and less defensive.
What can be used a smoker fuel?
There are many types of fuel that can be used in your smoker. Here in Northeast Wisconsin there is an abundance of fallen pine needles which work very well. Other materials include pine cones, newspaper, cardboard, pelleted fuel, cotton waste, etc.. You can use pretty much anything that is combustible. Just don’t use anything that might be toxic-to you or your bees.
How does one light a smoker?
First, gather your materials. The smoker, an ignition source, flammable materials, hive tool, and fire extinguisher or water. Start by lighting something easy, like balled up newspaper or a used egg carton. Put it in the smoker and give it a few puffs. When it is burning well add more materials over it (pine needles, pellets, etc) and give it a few more puffs to get the material lite. Use you hive tool to gently press the materials down in the smoker. This packs the materials for a longer burn and can sterilize the hive tool if hot enough. Add more materials, pack, add more materials until full-all the while puffing away to ensure it stays lit. You are looking for a cool, white smoke and, for sure, no flames or embers flying out the nozzle which could injure your bees or start a fire.
So now, how does one use the smoker?
Start by giving a few puffs at the entrance to the hive. Remove the top cover and give a couple of puffs through the hole in the inner cover. Crack the inner cover and give a few more puffs. That should be sufficient to initially open the hive. Smoke the bees again if they are getting aggressive or the sound changes. There are times when the bees are just all wound up and no amount of smoke will calm them down. In that case, it is best to put the hive back together and come back another day
September 2022– A big thanks to Bob Michiels and Tom Cashman for covering the Club booth at the Green Bay Botanical Garden Fall Fair. According the Tom, “The weather cooperated and it didn’t rain on us. Our booth was located way down from the main building but the people made it down and found us. They liked looking at the observation hive and were buying stuff off the table like crazy. I hope we go again next year.”
Kids enjoying the observation hive at the Garden Fair.Starting to learn about bees at an early age.Booth at the Garden Fair
April 2022– Ever wanted to see little bundles of energy learning about bees and pollinators. Julie Mazzoleni and Bob Michiels had a fun day exploring pollinators with over 50 first grade students in Oconto, WI. The students were fascinated about honey bee “SUPERPOWERS” and became experts at the waggle dance (no pictures unfortunately).
Julie showing a bee videoBob displaying a frame of capped honey
April 2022 – The East branch of the Brown County WI library system hosted an information gathering session for more than 10 young, first time beekeepers. Dave Elsen, Bob Michiels, and Wayne Steigelman added to the attendees excitement as their knowledge about what it means to be a beekeeper was expanded. These new beekeepers left with a better understanding of how the Brown County Beekeepers Association is a resource throughout the season.
Bob pointing out bee infoDave displaying a frameBee books
January 2022– Julie Mazzoleni, Bob Michiels, and Wayne Steigelman met with the Gardeners Club of Green Bay (an affiliate of Gardeners club of America). The presentation focused on honey bees, native bees and other pollinators, the threats they encounter in today’s environment and the actions gardeners can take to protect all pollinators. The Garden club members were also treated to a honey tasting event where they were able to sample 5 different flavors of honey.
Julie presenting to the Gardners ClubFive different types of honeySeveral types of honey ready for tasting
As beekeepers we don’t ever want to do anything to harm our bees. Using the weed killer Roundup has been reported to be harmful to bees. There is an article discussing this topic at consumernotice.org which is very balanced and fair. Here is some more info about Roundup from Drugwatch.com
The recipe for homemade week killer is simple to make with everyday ingredients.
Homemade Week Killer
1/2 gallon of vinegar 1/2 cup of salt 2 tablespoon of dish soap
December 2021 – Club member Emily Skala was recognized at the WHPA Fall Banquet for completing the first year of her Youth Beekeeping Scholarship. The Brown County Beekeepers are proud of her accomplishment and Julie Mazolleni for being her mentor.
Participating as part of a panel discussion.
Talking with the media
Presenting to the club
November 2021 – A very special club meeting. Most of the meeting was dedicated to club members sharing how they use honey and wax products to generate additional income AND to use the outputs of the bees hard work.
Making bees wax bars and candles.
Multiple products
The most popular product – honey based Mead alcoholic drink.
Carol making honey and lemon cough suckers.
Carol and Dick demonstrating making honey and lemon cough suckers
Making wax sandwich wraps
Different products using honey or wax
September 2021 – The Club was represented at the Botanical Gardens 25th Anniversary fair. Lots of folks that are interested in plants and flowers learned about bees and their importance to the food/flower chain.
Observation hive always interests the kids
Ready to sell honey
Even adults like the observation hive
Observation hives are always a hit
August 2021 – The club meeting in August was very special. The bulk of the meeting was spent honoring Tom Cashman for his 50 years of service to the club. Tom has been an officer ALL of those 50 years. He followed in the footsteps of his father who was club President in the 1930’s. The club has had a Cashman in the club for over 75 years!
One of a kind – 50 year bee club jacket
An article about the Cashman family in American Bee Journal.
Gifts presented to Tom honoring his 50 years
Specialty cake honoring Tom Cashman
July 2021 – The annual club picnic was again a success. Thanks to Dick and Carol for coordinating the event and to Jim for cooking and providing homemade wine.
Prize winner, Emily, drawing the next winner.
Awaiting the door prize drawing
The bee club annual picnic
One armed cook, Jim Arvey
Demonstrating a prize just won!
July 2021 – The club partnered with the Green Bay Botanical Gardens to conduct two Children’s Pollinator Program summer camp classes where we discussed bees, pollinators, and honey. Special thanks to club members Julie, Dave, Emily H., Carl, tom, and Emily S. for preparing the materials and presenting an exciting and interesting four hour, hands-on class.
Emily explaining honey comb
Learning about bees
Making wild flower seed bombs.
Watching hive inspection
Up close with bees, safely.
June 2021 – Club members were treated to a honey themed dinner prepared by Chef Ace Champion and hosted at Ledgestone Vineyards in Greenleaf, WI. The evening started with an outside cooking demo and quickly, due to thunderstorms, moved inside into the wineries aging room. It was a night of fun, fellowship, good food, and wine.
All set up and cooking outside before the thunderstorm
Inside, out of the rain, learning appetizers
Up close getting cooking tips
Emily learning how to flambe
May 2021 – The club partnered with NWTC and Green Bay Botanical Gardens to establish and improve the bee yard in the work area of the Gardens. The club authorized spending up to $200 on the bee yard which ultimately only cost $60 because of the donation of crushed limestone (NWTC) and mulch (Gardens). Special thanks to Dave and Diane Elsen, Carl Fisher and Julie Mazolleni for all the work they put into the new and improved bee yard.
A bee yard in need of work
Blocks ready to be laid
Laying and leveling blocks.
After 15 wheel barrow loads of crushed limestone.
Almost complete
Bee yard at Green Bay Botanical Garden
March 2021 – NBC Channel 26 in Green Bay featured beekeeping with interviews of two club members. Watch it here on Facebook.
August 2019 – The state apiary inspectors visited the hives of number club members. Read more here.
Inspecting hive
July 2019 -As is typical in July for the club instead of a meeting we held a picnic. Special thanks to Dick and Carol Sturm for coordinating the picnic and to James Arvey for being the grill master and providing samples of his homemade wine.
Annual club picnic – 2019
Annual club picnic – 2019
Annual club picnic – 2019
Annual club picnic – 2019
Annual club picnic – 2019
Annual club picnic – 2019
June 2019 – Members of BCBA were treated to a honey and cheese tasting event. Kent Pegorsch, president of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association (WHPA), presented information on the different Wisconsin flowers and nectar sources. Every participant received a flavor wheel and color chart from the American Honey Tasting society (AHTS) as they tasted various honey samples side by side. These were paired with different types of artisan cheeses supplied by Nala’s Fromagerie in De Pere.
Honey and Cheese Tasting
Several types of honey ready for tasting
Honey and Cheese Tasting
Honey and Cheese Tasting
June 2019 – BCBA partnered with Girl Scout Troop 4679 to assist the young ladies in their Girl Scout journey. You can read more here.
Girl Scouts helping install bees into boxes they painted.
February 2019 – The “Meeting Before the Meeting” in February was a hive inspection of a hive that died over the winter. A search was made for the queen but she was not found. The bees either starved, although there were some frames with honey, OR the hive didn’t have enough ventilation so the bees were damp. The group was split 50/50 on the cause.
Evaluating a dead out.
Evaluating a dead out.
Evaluating a dead out.
Evaluating a dead out.
February 2019 – The Club was well represented at the Einstein Expo where over 3000 students passed by our booth. The Club’s mission to “…. create an environment where learning opportunities exist for association members and the general public.” was accomplished. The questions were endless and enthusiasm for bees infectious.
Einstein Expo 2019
Einstein Expo 2019
Einstein Expo 2019
Einstein Expo 2019
Einstein Expo 2019
February 2019 – On a cold Saturday 28 brand new beekeepers gathered at NWTC to attend BCBA’s 7 hour Introduction to Beekeeping Class. Experienced members of BCBA presented numerous topics required to bring new beekeepers up to speed. Talk about drinking from a fire hose!
Here is the link for the UPDATEDBCBA 2020 GUIDE TO PURCHASING BEES 2020. We are not endorsing any specific supplier, but giving members the option to see what’s available, do personal research and make educated decisions. This is the start to a GREAT year, please remember to come to club meetings for additional support and valuable information.
The Marathon County Beekeepers Association is presenting a full day of speakers in Wausau WI on the campus of North Central Technical College. Registration is now open. Cost is $49 until February 29, 2020 and then it is $59. NOTE: If you are over 62 years of age the cost is only $21.90. The discount is given at checkout. For more information or to register.
Last year 6 BCBA club members carpooled to Wausau. There are already 3 folks from BCBA have signed up and are planning to carpool again. If you would like to carpool contact the club president, Dave Elsen.
Here is a link to Wisconsin Honey Bee QUEEN BREEDERS for those who want to purchase QUEENS from specific and local Queen Breeders. 2020 will be a GREAT year for BCBA with focused EDUCATION to help keep our bees alive and well.
