Installing A New Bee Package

As a new beekeeper here are the steps that were taken to install a new bee package in a hive. Some of these pictures were taken at a session demonstrating how to install a bee package at Beech Mountain Beekeeping where I picked up my  bee package on Saturday May 18th and some photos were taken in my bee yard that same day:

1.  Spray a generous amount of sugar syrup on the bees.

2.  Remove three to four frames from the center of the hive.

3.  Pick up  the package and sharply knock it on the ground to remove the bees from the sides and top. 

4.  Using a hive tool, pry up and remove the can of sugar syrup from the package

5.  Turn the package over with the opening directly over the top of the hive and shake the bees out of the shipping package directly into the frames.  I didn't shake enough bees out of the cage but they eventually left the cage and went into the hive.

6.  Remove the cork from the candy end of the Queen Cage for workers to eat through the candy to release the Queen.

7.  Using two rubber bands securely attach the Queen Cage to the frame which was previously removed with the mesh screen facing outwards between frames.

8.  Replace the frames that were removed in Step 2 and replace inner and top covers.

9.  Pour any remaining contents of the syrup that shipped with the Bees into the feeder jar and top off with sugar syrup.

10. If any bees are still remaining in the cage package, place in front of the hive and they will join the other bees.

Steel Magnolias - Sauratown Summer Theater

How exciting for the first summer of the Sauratown Summer Theater Series in King to begin the series with "Steel Magnolias".  This is a comedy–drama about the bond among a group of Southern women and I felt that as a cast we did bond together as well during our weeks of rehearsal. Robert Harling wrote the play, based on his experience with the death of his sister. The title suggests the "female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel". 

This is my second production of  Steel Magnolias. The first time I played Quiser but I enjoyed portraying Clariee in this production.  I had fun with my first experience performing in an outdoor play and being a part of the debut of the Sauratown Summer Theater. This was a great group of ladies to work with and the director, stage manager, and props manager all exhibited professionalism from the beginning of the rehearsal schedule to every aspect of the process. It was a great theatre experience!

Cast of Steel Magnolias with Director

"Arts Council presents ‘Steel Magnolias’ this week" Stokes County News

by  Meghann Evans and Erik Spencer Hill 
Stokes County News

Submitted photo

Steel Magnolias will be performed this week at King Central Park.

Erik Spencer Hill | The Stokes News

Justin Bulla, center, gives last-minute instructions to cast and crew before dress rehearsal for Steel Magnolias.

     The Stokes County Arts Council will host a theatrical production of “Steel Magnolias” on May 24, 25 and 26 at King Central Park.

     The Stokes County production is directed by Justin Bulla. He said of the play, “It’s something everyone can relate to. Everyone knows the movie and can identify with it.”

     A movie with the same title starred Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Field, and a host of other popular actresses and actors. This movie version stemmed from the play that was written by Robert Harling.

     Bulla’s cast and crew have been rehearsing three to four times a week since late February in preparation for the production. The set at the King Central Park amphitheatre took 22 hours to build one weekend with the help of volunteers.

     A production like this takes a lot of work. Bulla said, “People don’t realize that unless they are part of it.”

     Bulla continued, “Everyone has to pull their own weight … At the end of the day, we have this fabulous show. It can only come off if everyone is working together.”

     Harling wrote the play in the mid-1980s as a memorial to his sister, who is represented in the play by the character Shelby. It was written after his sister died from complications with a kidney transplant. But Bulla says the play is not just a memorial to Harling’s sister. It is a story about every woman.

     Bulla said, “These characters are lovable … We’re emotionally invested in these characters.”

As the director said, the women are actually as tough as steel and as delicate as Magnolias.

      All of the actors in the Stokes County production are really great, Bulla said.

“These ladies bring their own traits to make these characters work for them,” he remarked. “They do an absolutely amazing job.”

     Steel Magnolias will be the 20th play Bulla has directed and the 40th he has participated in. Last year, Bulla put on “Beauty and the Beast” at South Stokes.

     Bulla said of Steel Magnolias, “This show is going to be the precipice of community theater in Stokes County and where we want to go. From here on out, it’s only going to get better.”

      King Central Park is located at 302 Kirby Road in King. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on May 24 and 25 and 3 p.m. on May 26. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 6-18. Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Concessions will be available for purchase.

     The performance is sponsored by the Stokes County Arts Council, Flow Chevrolet, Mayor Jack Warren, Dr. Mark Johnson, Ty and Arden Browder, Kenny and Linda Lane, Richard and Nancy Markle, Stokes County Economic Development, Town & Country Grille’ and 93.1 The Wolf.

     For additional information or advance tickets, contact the Stokes County Arts Council at 336-593-8159 or visit www.StokesArts.org.

Snappy Tappers Perform at Centennial Luncheon!

The Snappy Tappers performed "By Heck", "Ain't She Sweet", and "Chattanooga" as the entertainment for the Centenarian Luncheon Friday, May 10, at the Benton Convention Center as part of the Winston-Salem Centennial Celebration. It was an honor to be a part of the program for Winston-Salem residents who are or will be 100 years old in 2013.  

I had fun dancing at my first official performance with this dance group and look forward to dancing at the Second Spring Arts Festival at the Hanesbrand Theatre in downtown Winston-Salem next week.

Snappy Tappers with Fox 8 newscaster at Centenarian Luncheon

SOS Spring Safari Parade 2013 - "Shaggin' in the Rain"

This was my second time participating in the ACSC/SOS Spring Safari Parade at Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach on April 20th!  The theme for the Winston-Salem Shag Club float was "Shagging in the Rain". 

The Winston-Salem Shag Club proudly presents “Shaggin’ in the Rain”

I’m shaggin in the rain
Just shaggin in the rain

 I’m laughing at the clouds
So dark up above

 Beach music’s in my heart

And I’m ready for fun

Let the stormy clouds chase

Everyone from the place

 Come on with the rain

I’ve a smile on my face

 I walk down Ocean Drive

Thanking God I’m alive

 Just singin’, and

Shaggin’ the rain