York County Beekeepers held its first annual Smoker Contest at the August Open Hive at Sandie Hamel’s apiary. Six members participated in the contest using a variety of fuels from traditional pine sprills and newspaper, to custom mixes. Everyone was a winner, especially Valerie Cole whose smoker using traditional materials lasted through the open hive and potluck lunch (about 3 1/2 hours), and Joe Barberi whose ‘Marly Bomb’ lasted a total of 9 hours and 10 minutes.
About 20 YCBA members attended the Open Hive. State Apiarist Jen Lund was on hand to inspect the hives which had been having trouble re-Queening. A yummy potluck lunch and post inspection discussion with Jen followed.