Spring always has been favorite season. Birds sing new tunes, dormant bulbs pop, grass turns green and now – the biggest reason to rejoice – bees take to flight!

This past week the weather has warmed enough to melt most of the snow. Temperatures are high enough to allow bees to fly. I know mine have been busy (those few that managed to live through the Polar Vortex). I am ready to get busy in the garden and tend to my hives.

That’s why this week is perfect timing for Ames Bee Week. Mindy Bergstrom, new owner of Cook’s Emporium, has organized this celebration in her downtown Ames store. Yours truly, the Bee Lady, will be there on Tuesday morning and Thursday evening to offer educational programs.  Also on the schedule is Iowa Honey Queen Carly Raye and Nevada beekeeper and Master Gardener Ann Wilbur.

Other downtown businesses are celebrating bees, too. Little Woods Herb & Tea is making Elderberry Honey Lattes and London Underground is serving up Bee’s Knees and Bee Sting cocktails. Both stores will earmark a portion of the proceeds for bee conservation. Bravo!

Joining the party are the Quilting Connection with a great collection of bee fabrics, and Della Viti with Bee Trivia and mead samples from the local Buzzed Bee Meadery.

Check out the windows at Cook’s Emporium, too. It’s all about bees. If you’re a bee geek like I am, you’ll never find a better assortment of bee-related merchandise than inside the store. From honeycomb-and-bee cookie stamps and cookie cutters to bee-themed dishes, utensils and linen, you’re sure to find something to enjoy – I did!

Cook’s will be serving honey tea all week and host special activities every day. Drop by and visit Mindy and her staff — they love bees as much as I do!

My talk will be at 6 pm on Thursday, March 28.

More information about Bee Week

The photos and clip art below are from Cook’s Emporium – many thanks for your great support of bees (and beekeepers!).