Beekeepers Corner Guestbook – The Beekeeper's Corner

Karla E from Virginia wrote on February 9, 2019 at 10:51 am:

Kevin I finally listened in to your pod cast-after my friend told me about your review of the EAS class on wax. First off, thanks so much for your efforts with this podcast and all the organization around it! I was so happy to hear how much you enjoyed the wax class. It was part of a special day I organized on Excellence in Honey and Hive Products and in fact, Bob will be teaching a workshop in a few weeks up here with live demonstrations and actual candle making. I did want to share that he does in fact use metal molds too- the taper metal molds and he uses a special tool to carve out the bottom. Take care and best of luck in beekeeping.

Tom Lewis from Wichita wrote on April 11, 2018 at 9:30 pm:

Kevin, Finished listening to episode 129 for the third time , getting ready for # 4 . Thank you for your time and talent. Sincerely , Tom

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Thanks for stopping by... glad you are appreciating the effort. Kevin

julie price from bala, ontario, canada wrote on April 11, 2018 at 6:10 pm:

Hi Kevin! I've been listening for quite some time and I enjoy having you as my 'mentor' of sorts. Your knowledge doesn't go to waste! I am located in central ontario where the weather is still below freezing. The bees fly on the rare warmer day but they should be coming out more soon. You asked about how we keep our bees warm in the winter and I use a product called a Hive Cozy. Its basically fibreglass insulation wrapped in uv treated thick black plastic. It works great to keep the heat inside. Keep up the amazing work! Julie

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

H Julie. Thanks for checking in. I think my neighbor down the road uses Hive Cozy wraps or something like them. Hope warmer weather is around the corner for you. Nothing like spring 😉

Russell Sprangel from Westminster wrote on January 29, 2018 at 1:09 pm:

Kevin, It was good to meet you at EAS last year. If you need I have the MB tests back to 2014. You most likely have them back farther than that as this is my first year beekeeping. Also, was told by a MB that the book "The Classroom" by Jerry Hayes is one that folks use to study for the MB exam. Best of luck.

Fabian Weber from Boulder, Co wrote on January 28, 2018 at 3:41 pm:

Hello Kevin, Thank you for your videos and podcasts, I enjoy them very much. I'm also impressed with your organizational involvement within your region. Very inspiring! After listening to #123(?) in particular comments about Mr. Parker presentation density of keepers in your/and his area and about your schedule to super in April intrigued me. I would never think to super in April, it can be our snowiest month. My bumper flow is always (and only) linden in late June and early July from nearby 70's suburban neighborhoods. Although a few miles away beekeepers have totally different flows. I was hoping you could go into your local bloom cycle/nectar periods. With so many(?) area beekeepers you must have a long nectar season? Or great flows? Thanks it will be interesting to learn of your local.

Chuck Edmiston from Rushville, IL wrote on January 23, 2018 at 11:40 pm:

Kevin, I can't express how much I appreciate the time and effort that you put into your podcasts. I started beekeeping in 2012, which I think is about when you started your podcasts, and I have listened to all of them over the years. It's always a treat when I see a new podcast on my I-phone and I will listen to it at the next opportunity while traveling in my car with my work. Listening today I enjoyed hearing about your discovery of a surviving cluster in a hive that was not flying like the others on a recent warm day. I have six hives that I am trying to get through the winter, but only five of them were flying during the few 50 degree days we have had since the hard freeze over the holidays. We had a couple of 60 degree days last week and on the second 60 degree day the sixth hive was flying like the rest of them. I was assuming that that hive was killed by the cold and thought this activity was probably just the other hives robbing it out, but your story has given me some hope that that hive was just on a different schedule for breaking cluster for some reason. We'll see come Spring when I can do an inspection. Keep up the good work.

Nick Farrow from Caernarfon, North Wales, UK wrote on January 21, 2018 at 6:51 pm:

Hi from North Wales. I’ve just found these podcasts after seeing the video editions you did on the NWNJBA YouTube site and am finding them very interesting and they provide great listening. I’m only up to the podcast number 10 now so I’ve got plenty to get on with. I’m a beekeeper in North Wales and have between 8 to 14 hives at my home apiary which is high on the side of a valley. I keep local Welsh bees which are a very old breed of black bees which was thought to have died out here in the UK back in the 50’s but being secluded, and with much work by local beekeepers who only promote local stock and not imported Bees, we have now managed to get a good bloodline going and the numbers of Welsh Black bees are growing in this area. They are unique in that they regularly fly in cold ( down to 3 degrees celcious ) and damp weather and even if it’s raining very hard they still go out to fly. They require and use very little stores when over wintering, they produce a lovely traditional/ classic brood frame in the shape of a rainbow with a arch shaped layer of pollen above the brood and then a arch shaped layer of honey above the pollen. They are skitty on the frame and very quick movers compared to Italian types and can be a little aggressive at times but we get very few issues when over wintering as they are very local bees and well acclimatized. Perhaps I’ll email you pictures of them sometime. Keep up the great work Kevin Nick.

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Nick - thanks for the entry. The bees you are working with sound really interesting. Glad you took the time to touch base and keep us posted. If you want to send something along, send it to kevin@bkcorner.org.

James Novotney from Poulsbo wrote on January 16, 2018 at 1:07 am:

Kevin: I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your podcast and complement you on the professional quality of your podcast and show notes. Very impressive. I am new to beekeeping and scoured the internet and you tube for information as well as joining the local beekeeping club. On day I thought, I wonder if there are any beekeeping podcast and found the Beekeeper’s Corner podcast. Episode 112 was the first one I listened to and immediate recognized your voice as that beekeeper that stays so calm even when he got stung (I guess that really impressed me on one of the videos). Anyway, early in episode 112 you mentioned that you were not going to worry so much about what people say (negative comments) but do things with a smile. That really impressed me, and I subscribed to your podcast. Recently, in Episode 122, you discussed the NJ DOA Regulations and how you have held off on commenting on the regulations as your comments were a bit on the negative side. I know in my own case whenever I am a bit mad and send out an email or call someone – the results never work out as I expected. So, I complement you on pulling back and reconsidering. As you said in episode 112, find a way to say it with a smile. Keep gathering your comments with other beekeepers and regular folks and pushing back- at least in the US we still have a voice and can provide input into government regulations. Now I thought I would continue to attempt to get a chuckle from you. It relates to a bit of trivia about your podcast. Specifically, which channel did you initially record your podcast in. So my story goes: I liked you podcast so much, I decided to listen to them all starting at episode 1. I often wake up around 2-3 am and I sometimes listen to podcast while I try to fall back asleep. So, I decided I would start listening to your early podcast at that time. Two more details- I sleep on my side so I have only one ear plug in (the upper ear) depending on which side I am lying on and secondly the wireless receptions in the bedroom is slow. So, the first night all went well and I listened to episode 1 (lots more music than recent episodes). The next night I tried to listen to episode 2 but kept waiting for the episode to load. I never heard anything before I finally fell asleep. But in the morning, I noticed the IPOD said episode 2 would be deleted (as it had played). That’s strange I thought, but I listened to it the subsequent night. And so, it went- sometimes I heard the podcast, sometimes I didn’t and would retry. It wasn’t until episode 14 at the end you mentioned the earlier podcast were only recorded on one channel. The LEFT channel! So, I only heard it if I was laying on my right side with my left ear up. If I slept on my left side with the right channel earplug in, I never heard it. Well I thought that was funny and I hope you do too. Thanks for now using both the right and left channels! In closing, thanks for the podcast I really enjoy them and look forward to each new one. It is truly impressive that you have continued so long. Looking forward to episode 123!

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Love the message. That's a great story - the single channel discovery. THanks for taking the time to check in and yes, even with the latest episode you will find that I am still trying to keep bees with a smile. Listening at 2am in the morning, I think that is a first.... 🙂

Dan Demers from Bethlehem, CT wrote on November 30, 2017 at 3:13 pm:

Kevin- I really enjoy listening to your podcast. This year was my first year keeping bees. I wasn't too successful. My bees absconded a couple weeks ago but I learned a ton and look forward to giving it another try next season. I look forward to what you are doing and pull tons of good information out of your podcasts. Thank you for everything you do.

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Bummer Dan that the bees absconded. Sorry to hear of your luck. Glad you are looking to try again and wish you the best. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note.

Justin Shiffler from Pottstown wrote on November 13, 2017 at 8:56 am:

Itunes on my 4g ipod goes from episode 97 to 113 ? Though you should know. v6.1.6 Not sure if it's just due to an older ipod and iOS or what. Thank you for this podcast. It's my favorite beekeeping podcast I've found.

Patrick Maloney from Shrewsbury wrote on November 9, 2017 at 8:42 am:

Hi Kevin, Regarding the Homasote fibre board that you talk about in episode 119 for the moisture board, this is a US brand which doesn't seem to be available here, but in the UK we have something similar made from recycled newspapers made by a firm called Sundeala. Its commonly used for noticeboards in schools, etc. and is available untreated (which I guess would be good for the bees) or fire-retardant (probably not so good for the bees)... The website for the UK listeners is: www.sundeala.co.uk Bee good! Patrick.

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Thanks Patrick for the information. I've made a note of what you shared. While winter is almost over, It think it is still a good snippet of information to pass along.

Patrick Maloney from Shrewsbury, England. wrote on November 9, 2017 at 7:52 am:

Hi Kevin, Greetings from across the water! Thanks for the Podcast... I came across it after recommendation form the guys at Beehive Jive, and it keeps me entertained on the long commute to and from work. I'm slowly working my way through them after listening to the last few since September and now going back further in time... I'm new to the beekeeping game and am doing as much research and reading as possible through the winter in anticipation of a beginners course in the spring, with my local group (shout out to the Shropshire BKA!!). My plan is to start with a nuc that I'll re-home into a British Standard National hive on shallow frames as these are the most commonly used here. I have a big garden (yard?) that I think will comfortably hold a couple of colonies without causing too many issues, so, if I can expand to two or three that will be ideal I think. Any time you're in the UK, feel free to pop in for a cup of tea! Regards, Patrick Maloney.

Troy Garner from St Louis, MO wrote on October 30, 2017 at 8:58 am:

Kevin - I listen to your podcast regularly. I saw this article and thought I would pass it along. I thought you might have interest in it. https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46188647&nid=1012&title=usu-professor-hopes-robotic-hives-will-help-honeybees

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Thanks for the article share. I'm going to check it out and add it for a future call out.

Jennifer G from Cape Elizabeth, ME wrote on October 3, 2017 at 8:59 am:

Hi Kevin! Love your podcast! Going to follow your lead and try treating my son's warts with propolis. (warty)Fingers crossed! This week, I've started stinging my left knee for arthritis - hurts at first, but 1/2 hour later my knee feels great. Time will tell. Thanks for all the work you do -

Danielle from Adelaide, Australia wrote on September 8, 2017 at 7:30 am:

Hi from Australia! With my first nucleus arriving next month (October, which is spring in Australia) I'd been trying out lots of beekeeping podcasts to brush up on what I'd learned this past winter in a weekend-long beekeeping course. I am also from NJ (Chester) although my family and I now live in the hills outside Adelaide, South Australia. I'm really enjoying your podcast, the music, and your style of presenting. Many thanks for all the excellent information. I have two bits of feedback, if you're interested: I listen to a lot of podcasts, getting ready for work in the morning and on my long commute to work and home. I really appreciate when podcasts alot their music segments or ads either 15 or 30 second time slots, so that one can skip over them if they want to, without missing any of the podcast itself. Not sure if this makes sense. Also, I find that while your music plays in stereo, things go mono when you speak. You may have fixed this in your later episodes which I haven't gotten to. Anyway, just friendly feedback. Keep up the great work and I look forward to following you as I catch up to your most recent episodes. Kind regards from the land down under, Danielle Duvoisin

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. As you move along in the episodes you will notice that I evolved the podcast and moved away from the music and corrected the mono problem. Someday I may go back and remix the older episodes if I can find the time but know that as you move along in the catalog you'll find that I became more savvy about producing a podcast and corrected/updated a few things. Again, thanks for taking the time to check in and good luck!

David G from Wake Forest wrote on July 28, 2017 at 9:01 am:

Hello Kevin, I've been downloading your podcasts for about 9 months now and listening to them on the way to work. I thought I should offer my gratitude for your efforts. I downloaded quite a few back episodes and have been working my way up. I'm about 6 episodes from being up to speed. I currently have 11 hives in Wake Forest, NC and a 3rd yr. beekeeper, NC certified about a year ago. I sell honey and make about 8 varieties of mead as well. Anyway, thanks for keeping me company on the way to work! I am always reading books, publications and perusing podcasts to become a better beekeeper.

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Hi David. Thanks for checking in. Glad you have found the effort worthwhile and I appreciate you taking the time to check in and share.

Dave Ginocchio from Clark wrote on July 17, 2017 at 10:06 am:

Hello Kevin, Just found your site! Tremendous amount of work you have put in, really nice site. I am just going through and exploring it now. Thanks for all the info, was especially interested in making a log hive. Also was wondering if other bee keepers in my area are making trips to Mann Lake bee supply? Thanks for a great informative site! Dave + Ann

William McNett from Adrian wrote on May 16, 2017 at 2:34 pm:

Build a pvc hive stand. With 12" cross pieces. There's more like 16 - 2" pieces, vers 12 of them. Although 1-3/4" would have worked because the sockets are about 7/8" deep. According to the drawing, the front and rear cross pieces are different lengths. 11" and 12"

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Hmm, so sorry that was wrong. I'll correct the information. You are of course right and I'm not clear how that was posted incorrectly for all this time without someone taking the time like you did to jot me off a note. I mostly cut the shims ad-hoc while I do it and don't use instructions any more so without some guidance I would not have known.

Brian Nilson from Marquette, NE wrote on April 29, 2017 at 5:51 pm:

Hi Kevin, Love the podcast. Thank you for all the work you do to put the podcast out.

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Thanks Brian taking the time to stop by and leave a note. Much appreciated.

Jamie Privette from Zebulon ,N.C. wrote on April 21, 2017 at 3:15 am:

My daughter Lilly and I are still enjoying your podcast. We have three hives now and I just noticed on your "about" page that you are a sim racer. That was funny because I have raced online with the old papyrus games since the days of 56k in the late 1990s. I am on iracing now and see that you are too! Small world! Thanks again for the podcast. Jamie Privette

Admin Reply by: bkcorner

Cool cool cool. I go back to the original 'offline' racing days with NASSCAR.com (still there). Did we ever race together? It is an interesting question to ponder. I was the 39 AMSOIL sponsored car throughout my tenure. I used to have a sponsorship from the AMSOIL company after I wrote a proposal. Did some trade shows and everything for them. Ever race on RLMtv?

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