POTSDAM -- The WISER Center at SUNY Potsdam and Local Living Venture are partnering to present a workshop for novice beekeepers, called "Hive Dive! How to 'Read' Your Honeybee Frames" from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 29.

Presenter Arden Haynes, owner of BM Dooney Farms in Colton will share how to deal with common issues that may come up for novice beekeepers.

The workshop will feature working hands-on in three hives that have experienced some neglect but are rebounding with care. Haynes notes that this creates an excellent teaching environment for how to manage poorly performing hives.

There will be a special emphasis on how to "read" the bee frames, what a beekeeper should expect to see and possibly how to find the queen bee, with lots of time for questions.

The rain date is Aug 12; all registered attendees will be informed that morning of any changes.

Several long-time beekeepers from the local Bees & Beekeeping Group will assist Haynes, who has 10 years of beekeeping experience and is a former National Park Service Certified Interpretive Guide.

Walk-ins are welcome, but it is advisable to register for notice of changes and helpful details.

Text 315-347-4223 or send an email to LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com with name, email, phone and the number in your party.

Attendees are advised to bring a folding chair and that there is no restroom available, so to plan accordingly. For the hands-on portion, it is advisable to bring beekeeper's apparel: wear at least a veil, though gloves and a jacket are also recommended.

Anyone sensitive to stings is encouraged to take responsibility for their well-being by bringing a full suit and an epi-pen. Full suits are available on a first-come basis for those who need one; this should be noted when registering.

The event will be held at the Lehman Park Community Garden site, on the river near Akwesasne Drive at Pierrepont Avenue (Rt. 56) in Potsdam. There will be directional lawn signs leading from the parking lot.

For any participants who have difficulty walking 2/10 of a mile on uneven surfaces, contact organizers for alternative on-site parking arrangements.

For this unique learning experience, a free-will donation of any amount is appreciated, but not required, by the Local Living Venture to benefit their programming.

More detailed information is also available on their Facebook page.

This event is presented by SUNY Potsdam's WISER Center, supporting creative, science-based research into issues of sustainability and ecology, and coordinated by the Bees & Beekeeping Group of Local Living Venture, a resource for rural skills and simple living in the North Country. Both can be found on Facebook.