Senior Stories: A Honey of a Hobby

By Doug Beyer, Atherton Resident since 2011

Almost 40 years ago Martha and I bought 7 1/2 acres of land north of Topeka, Kansas. No buildings, just a shaded rural area with a creek running diagonally through it. I wanted to know the names of all the trees on this property and so I asked a member of my church who had a Ph.D. in agriculture to help me identify each. He said I had the biggest Lindenwood tree he had ever seen and that it produced flowers that honey bees love. I thought that would be a great place to put some bee hives. Bees are livestock that don’t need fences.

Since I knew nothing about beekeeping my friend introduced me to the state beekeeper (yes, there is one in Kansas). The state beekeeper sold me my first hive and welcomed me to the Kansas State Beekeepers Association. I went to monthly meetings, read library books about the science of beekeeping, subscribed to a beekeeping journal and asked lots of questions to my new friends.

I acquired 20 hives in Kansas, but discovered that it was too many, a neophyte’s enthusiasm. When First Baptist Church Temple City called me to move to California I harvested all my honey and sold 400 pounds in a big yard sale. I resisted the temptation to collect beehives like baseball cards and limited myself to one hive in my backyard.

When we moved to Atherton, I had the good sense to know that if any resident got stung, they would blame my bees. So I resisted that temptation and convenience. Fortunately a friend in San Marino wanted a hive in his backyard so I commute a few miles to visit my bees.

The infamous Colony Collapse Disorder decimated my hive for several years, but this year they are thriving…so far. When I have excess honey I like to share it with my many friends. Although I periodically rob my bees, I explain to them that it is not stolen goods, but rather rent on the nice home I have given them. 

Honey is a sweet way I have to say thank you for the many deeds of kindness Martha and I have received from our wonderful neighbors at Atherton. We only wish we had more to give.