Patch Editor Ron Kremer Suits Up, Enters Bee Hive

To gain a better appreciation for the art of beekeeping, Patch Editor Ron Kremer suited up and entered the bee hive world. Though nervous, he was guided through a unique journey by Frankfort's Jeff Bulthuis and came away unscathed.

By Ron Kremer
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October 7, 2012

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Patch editor Ron Kremer uses a tool to separate the frames in one of the bee hive boxes on the Bulthuis farm in Frankfort.

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Frankfort's Jeff Bulthuis has harvested 12 gallons—almost 150 pounds—of honey this season.

Credit Ron Kremer

Patch editor Ron Kremer suits up and embarks on a trip into the bee hives at Bulthuis farm in Frankfort.

Credit Ron Kremer

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Patch editor Ron Kremer uses a tool to separate the frames in one of the bee hive boxes on the Bulthuis farm in Frankfort.

Credit Ron Kremer http://o4.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/deb5ec15aa9308913faefbb2b7f89655

Jeff Bulthuis collected a stray swarm of bees to launch a third hive on his farm in Frankfort.

Credit Ron Kremer http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/b740f6adf41133fda36db26affde7508

Frankfort's Jeff Bulthuis digs deep into a new hive and discovers a new brood.

Credit Ron Kremer http://o5.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/fb266f3eae5e705921ea1680ab8dd19e

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Since taking over as Patch's Home & Garden editor, I've met many wonderful people and have had the good fortune of sharing their stories on our Patch sites in the Southland.

I'd put Butterfly Guy Bob Erlich and Homes4Heroes founder Bill Johnson near the top of my personal favorite list. I've also chronicled the construction of an in-ground pool in a start-to-finish project in New Lenox.

Never have I dared to suit up and enter a bee hive—until I met Frankfort's Jeff Bulthuis.

With him leading me every step of the way, I lifted frames from the boxes in one of his bee hives recently. And I gained a first-hand education on his hobby—beekeeping.

Check out these videos. Poke fun at me if you like in the comments thread. But know this: I avoided a stinger.

Related Topics: Beekeeping, Butterfly Guy Bob Erlich, Homes4Heroes, and Jeff Bulthuis

Would you venture into a bee hive? What crazy things have you attempted in your life? Tell us in the comments.