Date Night Leads to Beekeeping Hobby
What started as a fun date night idea six years ago for Paul and Kelli Biles of Warda has turned into a hobby of beekeeping. The Biles thought they would have a fun date night by attending Round Rock Honey, a company that introduces people to beekeeping. Speaking with Kelli Biles, she said, “It was fascinating. You get to suit up and it’s very much a hands-on class.”
They waited another three years before purchasing their own hives by buying nucs, which are mini hives that have an established queen. Biles said her first two hives contained several thousand bees. Australia came out with a flow hive, which makes it easier to extract the honey. Biles says she is still working on this process, but has been harvesting honey the oldfashioned way.
While every beekeeper has their own opinion and way of doing things, Biles prefers not to use any chemicals and has really become much more aware of when flowers are blooming and which kinds are blooming. They have let the wildflowers grow more freely on their land on Owl Creek Road. Biles got down to one hive last year, but is now back up to four. “The tricky part is knowing what environment to have so that they have enough honey to get them through winter. Bees live six weeks and each bee only makes 1/8 tsp. of honey,” Biles said. In the spring and summer,
In the spring and summer, Biles suits up each week to tend to her hives. In the fall and winter, she can leave them alone. The last time Biles harvested honey from her single most established hive was one and a half weeks ago, getting five 16 oz. jars.
When asked what was the most interesting things she has learned about bees, Biles said, “A queen can decide if she’s going to lay a male or a female egg, and in the fall, the females kill the males because the only purpose of the drones (male bees) is to eat honey and mate; since they are not worker bees, they are not needed in the winter.” Biles says beekeeping is such a fun hobby and loves the learning aspect and time alone when she’s out with her bees. “I do get some funny looks when I’m out mowing on the side of our property that has the bees, as I have my full bee suit on.”
Biles doesn’t plan to expand past four hives right now; she likes to keep it as a hobby and doesn’t want more than she can manage.
Bible Study
The Bible study group that meets at Holy Cross Lutheran Church will be starting back up on Wednesday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. This will be an eight-week course looking back on the last 14 chapters of Genesis. They plan to begin a new study of Exodus after Labor Day. Everyone is welcome to join them in the family room or via Zoom. For more information, contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com or (979) 966-3166.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
Camp Lone Star has cancelled their annual BBQ fundraiser at the end of July. Watch for more information on their “By Faith” fundraising campaign, coming soon.
The Wendish Fest at Serbin in September has been cancelled. More information is coming soon regarding the church service that day and a possible (to go) plated meal.
Events Still On
Bluff Creek Ranch’s USA Cycling Time Trail Race is set for June 28.
The sewing circle is planning on resuming on Thursday, July 9.
Holy Cross Services Services at Holy Cross Lu
Services at Holy Cross Lutheran offer two options: Sunday at 9 a.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Bible class follows the Sunday morning service.
Sermon links/streaming videos and additional information is on the website at www.holycrosswarda.com.
Sunday School Zoom
Sunday school for kids is now being conducted via Zoom every Sunday at 1 p.m. If you’d like to join in on their afternoon Zoom class, please contact Patty Schulze at (512) 914-5748.
Faith Lutheran High School Faith Lutheran High’s new
Faith Lutheran High’s new summer office hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The school has created a wish list on Amazon for needed materials for the upcoming school year. If you go to the FLHS Facebook page or website, there is a clickable link. They appreciate the community’s support.
Prayer Requests
J.C. Kaiser, William Jurk, Tommy Swearingen, Lorie Lehmann, Amy Wagner, Reba Sadler, Eugene Zoch, Wesley Cervenka, Frank and Reedy Schwartz and Annie Mae Fick.
Sympathy
Condolences to Zane and Frances Gray on the death of her mother, Mildred Buscha, who passed away on June 17.
Birthday
Birthday wishes are extended to Annie Mae Kappler, who celebrates turning 84 on June 29.
Anniversary
Anniversary wishes are extended to Pastor Dustin and Chelsea Beck, who celebrated 11 years of marriage on June 20.
Have News?
If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.