The Buzz Newsletter

August 2004

 

 

Page 6

Featured Beekeeper of the Month

Mary Stattelman is our featured beekeeper of the month. This is the interesting story she wrote about her beekeeping career with her husband Leo.

My association with bees began when I came to know Leo Stattelman. We had met the winter before ice skating on the pond at the West Bend Grotto. It wasn’t long before I learned that beekeeping was a favorite interest of his. We spent many summer afternoon’s either in his honey house, bee yard, or at the Grotto where he had an observation hive and sold comb honey. He was then in the process of producing royal jelly and had several customers as far away as Chicago. So I observed the grafting process for that and learned how to wrap comb honey and listen to the many explanations about bees and how to find the queen.

When we decided to marry, we both taught in a mission school near Montgomery, Alabama. The school was for homeless black boys. It was not long before, with the help of the boys, that there were 2 new colonies of bees in a little bee yard at the school. The boys were fascinated and Leo loved seeing their pleasure at the taste of honey their bees had made. Leo also enjoyed observing the different kinds of honey producing plants in that area.

After returning to Iowa, we were fortunate to find a home near the high school where he taught that also had a big open area around an old barn. It was a perfect place for beehives and the kind gentleman that owned the property enjoyed watching all the activity. When the property was sold, the bees were brought closer to our home in our backyard. A privacy fence was built and neighbors where remembered with honey!! During this time, Leo taught many bee classes starting many beekeepers on their way. Our summer days were often spent with beekeepers stopping by to talk, to buy bee equipment, or to see the inside observation hive in our home. 4-H groups, scout groups, women’s clubs, garden clubs, all of Leo’s classes at school have been in our home seeing the bees. His classes were treated to honey butter and graham crackers and a drink. Students still talk about this. When ever students wanted to change a subject in class, they would ask a question about bees. Leo knew this but did not mind!!! He also tried to organize beekeepers in the area. This group did have several get-togethers and had meetings with speakers, socials and picnics.

We (family) all helped with the honey production. We had customers come to the home for liquid honey, comb honey in the Ross Rounds, beeswax candles and sometimes, a glass of mead (honey wine). Leo and I gave many presentations where he would deal with a bit of the story of the bees and I would deal with the use of honey. He also gave demonstrations on making beeswax candles at many places and devised a method for hand-dipping regular tapers, as well as larger candles for use of wedding unity candles and even the very large Easter candles. Our family has continued the candle dipping tradition and this year came together to make 10 large Easter candles for Church’s who had placed an order. Leo taught them well.

Probably the most exciting event in Leo’s beekeeping came when we went to Rome with Leo’s Latin students. On a free afternoon, he sought out an Italian beekeeper and we went on a journey to a little town near Rome. Leo had done his Latin Thesis on Vergil (Virgil) and his 4th Georgics- relating to early comments on bees. It is found in the Loras Library. Visiting an Italian beekeeper took us back to that time and Leo was overjoyed. As a companion on that journey, one cannot help but share the excitement.

As Leo’s health was failing and his strength diminished, he found more ways to have me help in the bee yard. A farmer friend, also a beekeeper, had offered Leo to have his bees on a lovely piece of land on his farm. The last years of his beekeeping were spent there, but still having at least three colonies in the backyard. During his last Spring Leo sat on a chair in our backyard and took me step by step through the process of installing bees. I had assisted and helped many times but this was a first for me. After his death in August, family members assisted in the extracting process and even in mead making. Some of the bees and equipment were used by the family but the thought was that there still should be bees in our backyard --- so there are now three colonies. Michael and John installed the bees this year. I am doing the day by day things and just lit the smoker and added two supers to two of the hives.

We still have people asking for our honey and we have been having about enough for our families. We do try to furnish honey bears for fund raising projects, especially for our parish church and Newman School’s fall event. I still have telephone bee questions but direct them elsewhere. I am learning also. Perhaps the part I have enjoyed during this beekeeping experience has been not only meeting interesting people but developing a greater awareness and appreciation for all of nature and goodness around us.

We have been appreciative of our association with the IHPA. Leo always felt he learned something new at the conferences and encouraged others to join the organization. The many kind comments we received after his death, and the award given at the last convention were most inspiring.

My beekeeping experience has grown from an observer, to a helper, to a hands-on person. I think this happens to many!!!

Thanks for your story Mary.

Submitted by Ron Wehr