NOBLE -- George Richtmeyer started keeping bees about 28 years ago.
"We bought a house in Noble that had a bee tree which fell on my truck two days later," he said. So he called the extension office to find out how to care for the bees because he didn't want them to die.
A beekeeper came out and taught him the basics of beekeeping. And Richtmeyer's been keeping bees ever since.
His business, George's Apiary, expanded over the years to include as many as 600 bee hives from that first batch of bees.
He's cut back in recent years to about 27 hives. He cares for the bees, extracts the honey, packages it and sells it. He even extracts and packages the honey for other beekeepers.
Richtmeyer is a longtime member of the Noble Beekeepers Association, which meets 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Noble Public Library, 204 N. 5th St. in Noble. Beekeepers from the area are members, including ones from Noble, Wayne, Payne, Purcell, Slaughterville, Newcastle and Harrah.
"We have hobbyists as well as commercial (beekeepers) in our club," Richtmeyer said.
Members of the association were at the Noble Farmers Market in front of City Hall Aug. 2 to demonstrate beekeeping and sell their honey products.
Noble Beekeepers Association President Jerry Morris explained the honey-making process to curious visitors in the August heat.
A hive was in a clear glass display case so people could view the bees making honey in the honeycomb. The display case could swivel to display both sides of the honeycomb.
Carolyn McCabe, an association member who describes herself as a "hobbyist," also was at the Farmers Market to answer questions about bees. She said she got into beekeeping because her garden wasn't being pollinated. So last summer she started keeping bees, and her garden is doing much better.
This was the first summer that she pulled honey from her bees.
"It was exciting," she said of the experience. "It was really wonderful."
George's Apiary honey can be purchased from Richtmeyer himself, or at the Noble and Norman Farmers Markets, The Earth Natural Foods in Norman or The Health Food Center in Oklahoma City.
Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
Noble
August 8, 2008
Noble: the place to bee
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Fairy Tale Princess Project accepting donations
NOBLE -- The Fairy Tale Princess Project is accepting donations of gently used formal dresses, shoes and accessories to give, free of charge, to high school girls who wish to attend their school prom.
Donations of the above items can be dropped off today from 8 a. -
Robber hits Noble bank
NOBLE -- A man carrying a pistol and a device he claimed was a bomb robbed the First Fidelity Bank at 900 N. Main at about 12:30 p.m. Friday.
A spokesman for the FBI said the device was not a bomb and there were no injuries reported. - NOC Roustabouts concert Feb. 13 in Blackwell Featuring Noble's own Tiffany Guthrie, the world-traveling Northern Oklahoma College Roustabouts will join with the Blackwell High School Vocal Music Department for one performance 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Blackwell High School Auditorium.
- Parking in Noble discussed by City Council The issue of parking in front of businesses along Main Street in Noble was discussed at a recent city council meeting. A merchant who has property along Main Street was concerned about the use of the angled parking frontage between Chestnut and Cherry streets, fearing area employees who parked there were taking up parking opportunities for customers.
- Candidates vie for Noble school board seat No. 5 Polls will be open Tuesday to select the next Noble school board member for Seat No. 5. The incumbent is Kim Adams who is opposed by Ryan "Leroy" Lukinbill. Cindy Malone is running unopposed for Seat No.
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Historical society to meet
The Southern Cleveland County Historical Society will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Noble library.
Discussion will be on the progress of the restoration of the old Noble jail and the way to best display and collect historical items. -
Noble's sales tax revenues down
NOBLE -- The City of Noble is running about $95,000 under budget. Sales tax revenues are down, and there's cause for concern.
"We've been concerned for two to three months," said Bob Wade, Noble City Manager. - More Noble Headlines
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Fairy Tale Princess Project accepting donations
NOBLE -- The Fairy Tale Princess Project is accepting donations of gently used formal dresses, shoes and accessories to give, free of charge, to high school girls who wish to attend their school prom.
