Well, it was one honey of a presentation! Bad, I know. But seriously, Hollie Hillard was our speaker today with a presentation that totally enlightened everyone in attendance to what she does as a profession and one we never hear much about - Bee Keeping!
Hollie and her husband, Matt, both farmers by trade, own and operate Old Orchard Point LLC south of Adrian at 7062 S. M52. This was the former Mowat Orchard property. This is their 5th year in the bee business, she said. Their store sells honey, of course, and maple syrup as well as other items.
This is the basic process: Beekeepers maintain and manage beehives, ensuring the bees have a healthy environment and sufficient space to store honey. Bees collect nectar from flowers using their long, tube-like tongues. They store the nectar in their "honey stomachs" and transport it back to the hive. (Hollie passed around some large colorful pictures showing the queen bee laying her eggs and of drone bees working in their hives during her presentation).
In the hive, worker bees pass the nectar to other bees, reducing its water content by chewing and regurgitating it. This process turns the nectar into a thicker substance. The processed nectar is stored in hexagonal wax cells called honeycombs. Bees then fan their wings to evaporate more water from the nectar, further thickening it.
Once the nectar has transformed into honey, bees seal the honeycomb cells with beeswax to preserve it. Beekeepers carefully remove the honeycombs from the hive. They use a smoker to calm the bees and minimize stress.
Honeycombs are uncapped, and the honey is extracted using a centrifuge called an extractor, which spins the frames to release the honey. The extracted honey is filtered to remove any impurities, such as wax and bee parts. Finally, the honey is bottled and ready for consumption.
Thanks you, Hollie, for a very informative presentation. For more info, Hollie would like you to contact her at: (517)-442-5682 or on Facebook at Old Orchard Point LLC.
Next Regular Club Meeting - Thursday, March 20th at The Centre'
Next Noon Rotary Fellowship Meeting at The Centre' Cafe - Thursday, March 13th at The Centre'
ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR ARARD NOMINATIONS
It's that time again where you have the opportunity to nominate a deserving member to be ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR who will be presented this coveted award at our Changeover Banquet in June! President Carrie handed out written copies of the nomination form with criteria (See below)
Selection Criteria
The following provides the selection criteria for the Rotarian of the Year Award. Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of these criteria.
The Rotarian of the Year shall be in good standing with the Adrian Rotary Club. Membership and meal dues must be paid up to date. Level of attendance will be considered also.
The Rotarian of the Year shall have a minimum of 2 years membership in the Adrian Rotary Club.
The Rotarian of the Year shall be or have been in a leadership role in the Adrian Rotary Club, i.e. committee chairperson, Board of Director, Officer in the Club, etc.
The Rotarian of the Year shall demonstrate the Rotary objective - Service Above Self and to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.
Meet professional standards and those of The 4-Way Test.
The Rotarian of the Year shall be active in the community and be an example to all of what it is to be a Rotarian.
The Rotarian of the Year shall be an example of volunteerism inside, as well as, outside the Rotary Club.
Please submit these forms to: Chuck Chase, Secretary at chaslin1@comcast.net Shown here at the upper right are Mary Murray, last year's recipient, along with DG Nick Krayacich and President Carrie.
NEXT BOARD MEETING
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 5pm at the Comfort Inn in Adrian board room at 5pm. The minutes of the January 2025 meeting are now posted on our club's home page at: adrianrotary.org
CLUB DIRECTORY 2025-26
Yours Truly will be prepared to pass around a spreadsheet at our next meeting on which to record any revisions members might have for our new Club Directory. It will be ready to go for the new Rotary Year as Bob Gardner becomes President.
CLUB SOCIAL
Michele announced that it's likely plans are being made to have a March Madness gathering.More info coming.
SERVICE PROJECT COMMITTEE
Chairperson Chip announced that the proposed pavilion at the City of Adrian's Heritage Park's Pickleball courts we are looking to build is in its planning stages. Chip said he would be contacting a number of contractors who could help out. More info coming. Chip is open to ideas about any other projects we might want to consider. PE Bob said he would be speaking with folks about the Lenawee Bike Tour this fall in preparation for this event. Chip the suggested a fundraiser around this year's NCAA Basketball Championship.
LENAWEE VOICE PUBLICATION
Our club has an opportunity to promote itself within the greater Lenawee County community having been offered space in an upcoming issue in The Lenawee Voice. Yours Truly is preparing information we can send them. The Lenawee Voice is a locally owned news source for Adrian, Michigan, and the surrounding area. Their first print edition was published in November 2023. It is distributed by mail to all households and businesses in the 49221 zip code.
STROKES FOR STUDENTS
Rod announced t5hat this event was planned for May 19th. Looking to form 2 foursomes comprised of Rotary members. If intrested please contact Rod. Thanks.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 11: ANR Board meeting at 5pm- Place: The Comfort Inn-Adrian
March 12: Grant Management Seminar 7pm ZOOM
March 13: Rotary Fellowship at the Centre 12 noon, no meeting.
March 18: Grant Management Seminar 7pm ZOOM
March 20:Regular Meeting: We are honored to have Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Bevier as our guest speaker. Sheriff Bevier will share his insights and experiences in law enforcement and community safety.
April 3: Regular Meeting at The Centre Noon Program is Jay Marks, Economic Director, City of Adrian
April 8: Board Meeting at The Comfort Inn
April 10: Rotary Fellowship Meeting at The Centre 12 Noon No Program
April 17:Regular meeting at The Centre, Noon Program is Lenawee County Solid Waste Julie Maurer
May 1: Lynsey Rye HER Refuge
May 8: Rotary Fellowship Meeting, The Center 12 Noon-No Program
May 13: Rotary Board Meeting
May 15: Jeremiah Davies City of Adrian Parks System
June: Changeover Dinner
MORNING CLUB FUNDRAISER
SPECIAL EVENT
FINES
Judge Mike Olsaver along with Gerry Burg fined: Too many to mention! They took in a lot, and I mean a lot of money!!
HAPPY BUCKS
Chip
50-50 RAFFLE
$16 was in the small pot and won by Michele. There was $581 in the big one and Chip's ticket was drawn but failed to pick the winning card!!
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Please consider attending next year's conference as the cost has never been lower. $300 per person. Hotels are about $160 Canadian! Go to rotary.org to sign up! There are already 189 people signed up to attend!
Well, it was one honey of a presentation! Bad, I know. But seriously, Hollie Hillard was our speaker today with a presentation that totally enlightened everyone in attendance to what she does as a profession and one we never hear much about - Bee Keeping!
It's that time again where you have the opportunity to nominate a deserving member to be ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR who will be presented this coveted award at our Changeover Banquet in June! President Carrie handed out written copies of the nomination form with criteria (See below)
Our club has an opportunity to promote itself within the greater Lenawee County community having been offered space in an upcoming issue in The Lenawee Voice. Yours Truly is preparing information we can send them. The Lenawee Voice is a locally owned news source for Adrian, Michigan, and the surrounding area. Their first print edition was published in November 2023. It is distributed by mail to all households and businesses in the 49221 zip code.
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