by Sylene Argent
On Saturday, around 15 youth participated in a very exciting Bee Day at the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum.
“We talked about bees; why they are important and what we can do to help them,” Victoria Beaulieu, Curator of the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, said of the event that is held annually at the local Museum.
Beaulieu also noted the youth learned that native bee numbers are in trouble and that dandelions, though a weed, are good for bees.
All of the young participants enjoyed learning about bees and what goes into caring for a hive from Doug Patillo, who is a member of the Museum and a bee keeper. They also go to roll a wax candle, with help from Museum member Dale Bombardier, who also explained the history of candle-making. During the event, the curious participants were also able to learn about the medicinal qualities of honey, royal jelly, and bee pollen.
After enjoying cupcakes and story time, all of the youths also went home with two pots of native plants that they will be able to care for and bees will be able to pollinate.
“We had a good day,” Beaulieu said.