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What’s all the buzz about? 'Thursdays at the U' to focus on honeybees

| Linda Tollefsrud and Diane Walkoff

Blue Hills Bee Co. sign

Blue Hills Bee Co. sign

How are bees an essential part of our food system? Why are honeybees dying off in large numbers? What does it take to become a beekeeper? 

Dave Smetak, owner of the Blue Hills Bee Co. in Birchwood, will answer those questions and others during his Dec. 12 presentation, "Should I Be a Beekeeper?" for UW-Eau Claire – Barron County's "Thursdays at the U" event. Smetak’s presentation, the final event of the fall series, will be from noon-1 p.m. in the Blue Hills Lecture Hall (Room 234, Ritzinger Hall) on the Rice Lake campus.

Smetak recently opened the Blue Hills Bee Co. — at the site of the former Blue Hills Inn supper club. He also operates That Tree Guy tree service. In addition to tree removal, his company is in the business of relocating honeybee swarms. Smetak is sure to have interesting stories to share with those in attendance.

Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy as you listen to our speaker. The Riverside Café, located in the UW-Eau Claire – Barron County Student Center, is open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the academic year.

The series is free and open to the public, thanks to support from the UW-Eau Claire – Barron County Foundation.

For more information about "Thursdays at the U," contact Dr. Linda Tollefsrud, professor emeritus of psychology, UW Colleges, at tollefla@uwec.edu or 715-788-6216.