Child’s interest in bugs becomes adult’s hobby
Lisa Miotke, a member of the Waupaca County Beekeepers, received the 2013 New Beekeeper of the Year Award.
The gathering of beekeepers was held at Julie’s Crystal Lounge in Waupaca.
Club president Jake Jakubek of Iola said that Miotke was the most deserving of the award.
Miotke said her interest in beekeeping started as a child when she was attracted to local and rare species of bugs, bees and butterflies. She liked to discover new bugs in plants and soils.
As an adult, this interest led Miotke to receive her bachelor’s degree in natural resources management from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
A resident of Oneida, Miotke currently works as a WPPI Energy services representative in New London, Menasha and Oconto Falls.
Miotke’s favorite part of beekeeping is learning about the unique life of bees.
“There is a kind of adventure about it all. I wondered what was really going on inside those white boxes,” she said.
Her biggest challenge was the fear of getting stung by bees, but slowly she moved past the fear. She had learned to work with the insect instead of fighting it.
Miotke found that lifting the heavy honey-loaded boxes was difficult, but she remembered that there was “liquid gold” inside.
In response to someone who may be interested in pursuing the art of beekeeping, Miotke said, “Go for it! Read bee books. Take a beekeeping class, join a bee club, attend a conference.”
She highly recommends finding a mentor who can help one get started.
A basic beekeeping class will be held from 8 a.m. – noon Saturday, March 15, at the Comfort Suites Foxfire on State Highway 54 West, Waupaca. It will be taught by two professional county beekeepers. To register, call Keith Penny at 715-570-5089.