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Volume 13, Issue 4
norfolkbees.org
April 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
On April 10, the beekeeping world suffered a great loss. Howard Crawford passed away, at the age of 91,
after an illness. I referred to Howard as “The Mayor of Beekeeping”. Whenever someone in Franklin found
blhthat I’m a beekeeper, they asked if I knew Howard. “Of course I know Howard” was the answer. He
out
was the beekeeper’s beekeeper - always there with some helpful hints, a story (or two), or just some
encouraging words. Howard taught at bee school, sat on many a Q&A panel, and taught many of us oneon-one. He hosted hive dives at his farm, took care of the bee school hives, and was always there to help
someone.
For those reasons Howard was named Beekeeper of the Year by Worcester County Beekeepers Association
and Massachusetts Beekeeper of the Year in 2009 my MassBee. He is a member of the NCBA Beekeeping
Hall of Fame and has a Norfolk Aggie scholarship, donated by NCBA, in his name (and Sandy). He also won
numerous prizes around the state for his honey.
He was more than a beekeeper – Howard was a farmer, too. At one time he grew a number of rare
varieties of apples he got from Cornell University. He was a regular vendor at the Franklin Farmers Market
on Friday afternoons, where he could be seen handing out flags and telling stories to children, selling
honey and wax products.
But foremost, Howard was a decorated veteran and a patriot. He was very proud of his service to his
country in World War II and Korea. His flags were out for the national holidays, and he always had a supply
of small flags at the market. His years in the service provided for many of the stories he loved to tell.
On the day of the wake, Marian and I were scheduled to teach at the final bee school class that night. I
found a photo from 2010, my first year as a beekeeper, that was taken at a hive dive Howard hosted. I was
opening one of the hives under Howard’s watchful eye. I made that photo the first slide in our
presentation. Tony spoke about Howard, and I showed the photo, to the new bee students. Howard’s
legacy will continue to live at NCBA.
As a beekeeper and resident of Franklin, my world is forever changed with Howard’s absence.
Ed
Next Club Meeting
May 4, 2015
400 Main Street
Walpole, MA
7:30
Club Meetings:
Board Members:
President
May 4, 2014
Ed & Marian Szymanski – Planting for the Bees
George Johnson – Mead Making
Ed Syzmanski
June 2014
Club Picnic
Treasurer
Board Meeting:
Recording Secretary
The board of directors meets the 3rd Monday of
each month (except July & August). Held 7:00
pm at the Woodside Montessori, 350 Village St.
in Millis. All members are welcome and
encouraged to attend. This is where decisions
that guide how the club is run are made. Your
input is invaluable.
Vice President
Dave Shaner
I am not sure if its too late to submit a post but I
have tabled two bee keeping events for the
Boston Area Beekeeping Association. On April
26 I provided information and talked about
beekeeping at the Friends of Halls
Pond(Brookline) Event from 11-1. On April 18
I did the same at the Whole Foods Store in JP.
On may 16 from 9-12, Grow Natives
Massachusetts will be have a sale of Native
Plants at the Agricultural Extension Station, 240
Beaver St Waltham Ma
David Kelman
Keller Williams Realty
dgkalman4@cs.com
617 388 0793
dashaner123@aol.com
Eileen Walther
gewalther@verizon.net
Julie Norian
jnorian@partners.org
Corresponding Secretary
Dana Wilson
dwilson831@gmail.com
Editor Monthly Newsletter
Anne Kittredge
anne.kittredge@wholefoods.com
Bee School Director
Tony Lulek
Events
edszymanski@verizon.net
tony@littlebeehivefarm.com
Members at Large
Judy Cox
Bob Johnson
Jessica Chen
Committees:
Extractor
Debbie LaPlante
weaver78@aol.com
Librarian
Eric Studer
Door Prize/Raffle
Kathy Varney
IT/Web/Facebook
Ed Szymanski
Apparel
Susan Robinson
Historian
The board of directors is looking for someone in
helping to preserve the club’s history. If interested
contact Ed Szymanski or any other board member.
Howard Crawford
July 17, 1923 –April 10, 2015
“Howard Crawford made an impact on many people’s lives. That was very evident at the wake
and funeral this past week. I have two stories that I'd like to share with you.
I was teaching bee school, I think it was my second or third year, and these two people signed
up for bee school from Franklin. At some point during the second or third class I finally figured
out who they were. It was Betty and her son Seth, daughter and grandson of Howard Crawford.
Boy did I get nervous. I had the daughter and the grandson of Howard Crawford in my class.
What could I possibly teach them? Howard knew it all. And he shared all his knowledge with
everyone. It took me a couple of classes to think about this but I realized the most important
thing that Howard imparted on me was his passion for beekeeping. I just hoped that I was able
to share a little bit of that with Betty and Seth. To me it was an honor and a privilege to be able
to have them in our class. I hope that they learned something. I know I did from Howard.
My second story is about my first year as president of the club. I was approached by Paul
Desilets of Mass Bee to nominate someone from our club for Massachusetts Beekeeper of the
Year award. I said okay this is easy; We are going to nominate Howard Crawford. I ran this by
our board and they agreed. So I sent Paul an email saying the NCBA proudly nominates
Howard Crawford. Well Paul wrote back and he said: no Tony I need a little bit more than that.
So I thought about it and I wrote a couple of sentences. I emailed Paul and he said Tony you
got to do a little better than that if you want Howard to get this award. So I thought about it for a
while. I decided to give him a call and interview him. So on Sunday afternoon in the middle of
winter, Diane I went over to Aiken Bak Farm and sat down with Howard, Sandy in the kitchen,
and the woodstove burning. I interviewed Howard for a couple of hours. It was then that I really
learned something about him. I got to hear the stories from World War II, all of the service in the
military in Korea, the things he had done with Little League baseball in Franklin; about the kids
he raised on the farm, the crops, and the apple trees (ask me sometime and I will tell you that
story). And the bees, can’t forget about the bees. All the stories about swarms and trips to get
bees, and angry hives over the years. I think he was most proud of his military medals and his
blue ribbons for honey prizes. Diane took notes while I asked him questions. When the day was
done I learned a lot about Howard and Sandy and their life on Akin Bak Farm. I went home, I sat
down at the computer with the notes, and I wrote Howard's nomination for Massachusetts
Beekeeper the Year. I emailed Paul and he said job well done. A few weeks went by and then I
was notified that Howard had won the Massachusetts Beekeeper of the Year award. That was
in 2009. I have attached the nomination letter that I wrote.”
Tony Lulek
“As I remember Howard, I smile to think about how quiet it would get at bee school and in
meetings when he would speak up. There was such respect for his experience and insight that
nobody wanted to miss a word.”
Josh Philibert
“Howard was a part of the NCBA furniture. He will be missed.
We have an empty jar of Akin Bak Farm honey that we will save in remembrance.”
-Scott and Kari Mofford
“Going to his house to get honey brought my husband and myself to the bee school. Every time
I went, sometimes with my mother from Japan, I would look forward to hearing more about their
life stories; his service in WWII, how they moved from Maine to Franklin, how he was sent to
Korea when they were expecting their 2nd child, his numerous medals from his service to the
country. Those stories stay in my heard for the rest of my life.”
Chiharu Kobayashi
“Howard was my mentor when I first started keeping bees almost a quarter century ago. The
practical knowledge that he passed along can’t be found in any book and the little tidbits of
interest that he pointed out in each hive have taught me to see and understand not just look and
move along. He was a good man and totally selfless.”
Irene Gorczyca
“Howard was always there at Club meetings when I joined, close to a dozen years ago. He was
co-leader of the bee school and always available to all. Howard was ready to help anyone who
had a question, with remarks that would not be found in beekeeping books. His many many
years working with bees had made him an encyclopedia on practical beekeeping. He and his
wife were happy to have us all at his Akin Bak Farm, opening hives and exploring. And there
was no time we did not leave with apples or other produce.
His positive, can-do attitude was an inspiration to all, and we celebrated his honey and wax
championships winnings at agricultural fairs as they were our own.
Howard will be sorely missed.”
Miguel Lessing
“Howard is the reason I became a bee keeper. He has kept bees at my family's blueberry farm
for as long as I can remember. About 9 years ago, while I was out pruning the bushes in the
spring, Howard came up to me and said, "you better learn how to keep bees, I'm 83 and I won't
be around forever." That following January he called me up and told me he signed me up for
bee school. I'm thankful every day for his insight and for opening the door to the wonderful world
if beekeeping. He will be around forever because of the indispensable knowledge he has
imparted on hundreds of beekeepers over the years. Those who were fortunate enough to have
known Howard and who really listened to his wisdom, advice, tricks of the trade, and antidotes,
will be able pass on some of his beekeeping gems to the next generation of beekeepers to
come.”
-Pam Gianetti
Nomination for Massachusetts Beekeeper of the Year
(This is the nomination paper that Tony Lulek wrote in 2009)
This year the Norfolk County Beekeepers Association (NCBA) would like to nominate Howard Crawford
for the Massachusetts Beekeeper of the Year. I have known Howard as long as I have been a beekeeper
(6 years) and my wife and I got together with him one Sunday afternoon to chat about being a
beekeeper. I thought I knew Howard, but let me tell you, after talking to him for 2 hours, we learned
much more about this remarkable man.
Howard is 86 years old and lives with his wife, Sandy, on Akin-Bak Farm in Franklin,
Massachusetts. He has been a farmer since 1950, when he moved to his wife’s family farm. They raised
their 3 children on the farm, teaching them the value of hard work. On seven acres, they specialized in
apple trees. With over 250 apple trees and 42 varieties, they harvested over 400 bushels of apples at
their peak. In 1970, Howard developed “Crawford Delite” from a wild apple strain. They only have about
40 apples trees left among the blueberries, grape vines and vegetable gardens. It has become more
difficult for Howard to care for the farm over the past few years and Sandy told him” Either the bees or
the trees.” Guess what Howard chose?
Forty-five years ago, Howard had his first hive, which he ordered from the Montgomery Ward
catalog, but it died over the winter because nobody told him to feed the bees. The next year, he had two
hives, but they both died when the covers blew off in a storm, because nobody told him to weigh them
down. It was then that John Jennings of Curtis Road in Hopkinton invited Howard to bee school at the
Worcester County Beekeepers Associations (WCBA). At that time, the WCBA met in the Horticultural
Society Hall in the center of the city. Howard attended bee school very year with 10-15 other men, and
was very vocal in class, learning as much as he could about beekeeping. He then started teaching bee
school, one class per session, with help.
In 1972 Milo Bacon taught bee school at the Norfolk Aggie for the NCBA. Howard was one of
eight in the class that year, along with Bruce Barrett, Norm Shaw, and Pete Hayden. All of them are or
were NCBA club members and have served in various positions in the club. Howard went on to help
teach bee school with Milo and Pete. Milo passed away and Pete didn’t want to teach anymore, so
Howard took over as Director of the bee school along with Norm Shaw. As well, he has taught bee
school with Ray Hennessy (past president, twice) and John Eric Flem for about 3-4 years. His favorite
partnership for teaching bee school was with Tim Sullivan (past president and bee school director). They
taught bee school together for years, until Tim stepped down this past year. Howard continues to help
teach bee school with a new group of beekeepers.
Howard’s 45 years of experience has given him a wealth of knowledge. His understanding of the
bees goes beyond any textbook out there. He understands the inner workings of the queen and the
hive. He had also developed many useful tools over the years. He is able to discern what is going on in a
hive- why this happened, why that happened. He understands the impact the bees have on the world
and the impact the world has had on the bees.
Howard currently is a lifetime member of the NCBA as well as the WCBA. He is also a member of
the Essex County Beekeepers Association and the Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers Association in Maine.
As president of the NCBA, Howard organized the board of directors. He initiated the diploma
ceremony in 1976 for the bee school. Howard says the biggest change he made within the club was to
include women. In his first term as NCBA president (in the early 80’s), the club was 6-8 guys sitting
around socializing. Howard claimed that it would not be a club without women. He said that he would
bring his wife, Sandy, to the meetings and asked that others would bring their wives as well.
Besides teaching the NCBA bee school, Howard mentors new and old beekeepers. Over the 30
plus years that he has taught bee school, he has mentored hundreds and hundreds of beekeepers. He
also hosts the bee school’s hives on his property, using them as teaching tools for the club members. He
hosts the annual installation demonstration at his farm in April, and a hive dive in August.
Howard has hosted tours on his farm and given talks on bees to the second graders in Franklin
every year for the last 20 years. He also works with many other groups, helping educate kids and adults
about the art of beekeeping.
Howard has won many awards for his honey and hive products. One year he won nine first-place
blue ribbons from the Massachusetts Bee Federation – the best in the state for four grades of honey and
wax. He has an impressive collection of blue ribbons from years of exhibiting at the Spencer Fair, and
has won the Outstanding Exhibitor Award as well. There have been many articles written about Howard,
in local papers including the Metrowest Daily News, the Grafton News, The Norfolk Boomerang, the
Milford Daily News, and the Country Gazette, and he has been featured in the Boston Globe and
boston.com.
Besides beekeeping, Howard has many interests. He was in the US Army in WWII and in Korea.
He is very active in the VFW, the American Legion as well as a member of the Improved Order of the
Redmen (formerly The Sons of Liberty, the first fraternal organization chartered by the US Congress and
George Washington). In the year 1939-1940, Howard played right field for the Hollowell Cyclones, a
semi-pro baseball team from Maine. He also started the Little League in Franklin and was honored in
2000 for this achievement.
One of the most amazing things about Howard, which isn’t about awards or achievements, is his
untiring dedication to beekeeping. I do not know another beekeeper that works as hard as Howard, has
such a wealth of knowledge, and such amazing stories to tell. There is not a single member of the
Norfolk County Beekeepers Association whose life has not been impacted by one of the most giving and
gracious people in the history of our club. His life, as a husband, father, friend, farmer, and beekeeper
has touched so many lives and continues to do so. Though he has slowed down a bit in the past few
years, he continues to help fellow beekeepers. Call him up some day. Ask him a question. Go visit him.
He is a jewel in our crown and we value the time we have with him.
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Lulek
President, Norfolk County Beekeepers Association
Highlights:
Member of Norfolk County beekeepers Association, Worcester County Beekeepers Association, Essex
County Beekeepers Association, and Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers Association
Member of the Veterans of the Foreign Wars
Member of The Redman
Past President of Norfolk County Beekeepers Association
Bee School Director (NCBA)
Bee School Teacher (NCBA, WCBA)
Won numerous awards for honey and wax
Beekeeper of the year 2009 for NCBA
Ed Karle shared his photos from Howard’s services, you can see them here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AYt3LZi5cuWiiiK&emid=shareprintviewer&linkid=link
5&cid=EM_sharview
A beautiful photo of Howard with the Scholarship to the Aggie named in his honor.
Photo by Ed Szymanski
Notes from Monthly Club meeting Monday (4/6)
Ed Szymanski, President, brought the meeting to order at 7:35 pm. Ed updated the club on up coming
meetings. The next club meeting, May4th will have two topics. “Bee friendly plants” and “mead
making”. For the first half of the meeting Marion Szymanski, with the assistance of Ed Szymanski, will be
speaking on bee friendly plants and the plants they have in their gardens. The last half of the meeting
will be Bob Johnson talking about making mead.
The club picnic is set for June 6th at Stoney Brook. It will not be catered as it was last year. Club members
will be doing the cooking.
There are seven seats left for the Queen Rearing class that is happening on June 15th. If you are
interested in attending contact Ed Szymanski via email edszymanski@verizon.net. The cost is $25.00.
Mass Bee Annual Field Day is scheduled for Saturday June 20th. For details go to www.massbee.org. The
sessions are free with lunch costing $10.00 if you do not want to bring your own.
Ed Szymanski has extra copies of the book “Honey Bee Biology” which can be bought for $55.00. The
regular book store cost is $60.00
Bee packages have been sold out and now are arriving on Saturday April 25th. Stayed tuned for any
possible changes.
Aggie Day was a very successful event. Sue Robinson was the organizer and everything went well.
Ed Karl was the featured speaker this evening. Ed has been a bee keeper for eleven years having taken
bee school with Norfolk county beekeepers Association in 2005. His teachers at that time were Harold
Crawford and Tim Sullivan. Karl told a very funny story of getting his first package of bees. His first
package made it through the winter into the second year.
Ed has a site www.beeviews.shutterfly.com where there are photos and monthly highlights and
suggestions. You might want to check it out.
Ed then talked about “Spring Hive Check” and things do during the spring season. Ed is very big on being
a mentor. He stressed a number of times the being a mentor will not only help the mentee but will make
the mentor stretch to learn more and become a better beekeeper themselves. Some of the things Ed
mentioned were
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
He makes sure his hives are 12-18 inches off the ground.
Make sure your tools are cleaned at the beginning of the year using rubbing alcohol
Ed actually stores his tools in rubbing alcohol during the season
Make sure you clean your gloves every time you go into the hive. Ed gets new gloves every year.
Protect your ankles and other sensitive parts of your body. Bees love to find these areas.
6. Always use a veil
7. Attend Mass Field day in June
Spring Management and strength of hives
Dead outs (why)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starvation
Hive loses Queen
Mites
Moisture
a. Dead bees will be black
5. Mice
Weak Hive (3 frames of bees or less)
1. If Queen is doing well and bees ae in 2 hive boxes consider moving to 1 hive box
Medium Hive (3-5 frames of bees)
1.
2.
3.
4.
If you find bees off to side of hive box move good frames towards the center
Ed doesn’t feed 1:1 syrup until later in the season. (May)
Ed suggest still using fondant for feed in March & April
Leave bottom board insert in from Labor day to Memorial Day
Strong Hives (5+ frames of bees)
1. Hive runs the risk of starvation. Make sure they ae fed fondant and pollen substitute.
The meeting ended with a raffle and giveaways.
Lovely photo submitted by Deborah Trickett!
Club Membership: "Go to
www.norfolkbees.org to download
renewal/enrollment form.
Raffle Table
A reminder that that the club is in need
of, and appreciates, all items brought to
the raffle table. Bear in mind to keep the
items of good quality and as bee related
as possible. Membership dues offset less
than half of the club’s yearly budget.
This fund raising effort helps to close
that gap. Besides there are some very
nice items and we have fun!
I believe the plant raffle is in May! Bring
your plants to raffle off and maybe you’ll
go home with something new for your
Bee Garden!
Farmer’s Markets
Do you participate in Farmer’s Markets?
Let us know where and what day and time of
the week and we will publish where we can
find you!
Tell us all about it!
Perhaps you are an artist?
A photographer?
Draw us a bee! Send your best
photo! Words of wisdom!
Here is a gorgeous picture submitted by
Ed Syzmanski
Please send submissions to
One_likethewind@yahoo.com
Just wait until next month, I have
some beautiful water color
submissions for the May edition. I’d
love to have some more of your
artwork to publish!
Honey Extractors
The club has 6 extractors for club use. Contact Debbie LaPlante weaver78@aol.com if you would like to
use one.
Snack Table
Snacks are provided for free at the monthly club meeting. Thanks to all of you who bring in sweets.
Contact Julie Norian at jnorian@partners.org or Susan Packenham - packy5@aol.com Susan would like it
if you could bake something for May!
Club Membership
Club membership runs form the calendar year. From January 1st through December 31st. Dues of $15.00
are collected at with the September’s club meeting for the up coming year or they can be mailed to:
Eileen Walther
23 A Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
The dues of $15.00 are for both the individual and family. If you attend Bee School the $50.00 fee include a
year’s membership in the club.
Howard with Ed doing a Hive Dive at Akin Bak Farm 2010
NEW! Members in good standing may now insert a small classified ad in our newsletter for FREE!
Please keep it simple and relevant to Bee Keeping, Bee Products, Home/Cottage Industries that you think
would interest other members. Please email to one_likethewind@yahoo.com
Woods Beekeeping Supplies
Custom Hive stand and Screened Bottom Board
Built as one piece instead of two separate pieces
for stability. They are made with galvanized 1/8”
screen and white plastic slide-in tray to count
mites. Glued and screwed together for long lasting
durability.
Slatted Racks
Completely assembled, glued and nailed. This gives
the bees more room in the hive on rainy days and
when they are all in for the night making them less
likely to think about swarming due to crowding.
Supers
Made out of pine; with pre-drilled finger joints,
and handles cut into boards, comes unassembled.
Deep, Medium and Shallow available.
Inner Cover
Ventilated, wooden inner cover.
Outer Cover covered with Tin
Made from ¾ exterior plywood, completely
assembled, glued and screwed. Cover comes with
tin cover to protect from outdoor elements.
Complete Hive Setup
Includes screened bottom board, two deep supers,
20 frames with wax foundation, inner cover and
outer cover.
Hive Frames–Deep, Medium, and Shallow
Wooden frame, made out of pine, held together
with 10 nails. (Does not include wire or
foundation).
Browse or shop our online store
www.woodsbees.com
401-305-2355
FULLY STOCKED RETAIL STORE
POLLEN PATTIES
WITH 15% REAL POLLEN
SINGLE DOSE FUMAGILIN-B
HONEY B HEALTHY
HIVE TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES
FEEDING SUPPLIES & FEEDERS
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
HIVE COMPONENTS
FOUNDATION
WOODENWARE
EXTRACTING EQUIPMENT
JARS AND CONTAINERS
BULK HONEY
GIFT CERTIFICATES
BOOKS
The Best Bees Company still has a few packages of bees left for sale for
beekeepers. Pickup, delivery, or delivery and installation options are available.
Contact (617) 445-2322 or info@bestbees.com to order.
Please feel welcome to contact us if you would like to order bees for this spring.
We will continue to have packages coming in at multiple times in April.
Italian honey bee packages are available for pickup for $150, delivery for $200, or
delivery and installation for $250 each. Our proceeds fund our research to
improve bee health.
In addition to our full beekeeping services, which include monthly visits to
beehives throughout southern New England, we also now offer beekeeping
mentoring services for beekeepers who would like to go through their beehive(s)
beside expert beekeepers, at a cost of $150/hour, also going toward our research
to improve bee health.
Noah Wilson-Rich, Ph.D.
Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
The Best Bees Company
839 Albany Street (rear)
Boston, MA 02119
noah@bestbees.com
(office/lab) 617.445.2322
http://www.bestbees.com
Twitter: @bestbees
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bestbees
THE BEE
A Natural History
Noah Wilson-Rich
With contributions from Kelly Allin, Norman Carreck & Andrea Quigley
Hardcover | $27.95 | ISBN: 9780691161358
224 pp. | 8 x 9
Noah Wilson-Rich, Ph.D.
Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
The Best Bees Company
839 Albany Street (rear)
Boston, MA 02119
noah@bestbees.com
(office/lab) 617.445.2322
http://www.bestbees.com
Twitter: @bestbees
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bestbees