Busy beekeepers learn the ways of the hive
April 10, 2021 12:00 am
• Last Updated: April 11, 2021 9:05 pm
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary examines a frame from one of his hives as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during Stonewall's first field day since 2019, in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary was offering hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday during the first beekeeping field day since 2019 at the apiary in Versailles.
Woronecki keeps hundreds of hives throughout the region and state, and teaches beekeeping to those interested year-round. The field day events are held the second Saturday of each warm-weather month, usually through October, but were not held in 2020.
About 40 new beekeepers attended the two sessions Saturday, learning how to light and maintain a smoker, proper fit of protective clothing, approaching a hive and exterior inspection, opening a hive and interior inspection, as well as identifying bee types and other skills.
Ian Stone, 14, of Sterling, pumps the bellows of his smoker Saturday, April 10, 2021, during Stonewall Apiary's first beekeeping field day since 2019, at Stonewall's headquarters in the Versailles section of Lisbon. Stone, a freshman at the Killingly Agricultural High School, chose beekeeping for his Supervised Agricultural Experience project. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary demonstrates lighting his smoker as he gives hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first beekeeping field day since 2019, at Stonewall's location in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary explains the construction of a beekeeping veil as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019, at Stonewall's headquarters in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Paul Weymouth of Coventry helps his son Nolan, 9, don a beekeeping veil as part of the hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019, at Stonewall Apiary in Versailles. Weymouth took Stonewall's beekeeping lesson online this winter and plans to work the hive with his sons, Nolan and George. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Eugene Celico, left, takes a photo of his wife, Cynthia, in her beekeeping outfit Saturday, April 10, 2021, during Stonewall Apiary's first field day since 2019, in Versailles. The Celicos expect their first package of bees next month. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary helps Sharon Shevchenko of Andover don her protective gear as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary explains what he's seeing on an internal inspection of a bee hive as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Sharon Shevchenko of Andover takes a selfie after donning her protective gear as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019, at Stonewall Apiary in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary shows beekeeping students what he's seeing on an internal inspection of a bee hive as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary shows a honeybee queen to participants in hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Honeybees fly in and out of a hive at Stonewall Apiary as Stuart Woronecki gives hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019, at Stonewall's headquarters in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Carol Kiefer-Wilson, front, and Sharon Shevchenko listen as Stuart Woronecki gives hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during the first field day since 2019, at Stonewall Apiary in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Stuart Woronecki of Stonewall Apiary blows smoke into a hive before opening it as part of hands-on beekeeping instructions Saturday, April 10, 2021, during Stonewall's first field day since 2019, in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Participants in Stonewall Apiary's first beekeeping field day since 2019, watch as owner Stuart Woronecki opens a hive for inspection Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Versailles. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
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