Dear Fellow Beekeepers,

 

What an incredible spring it has been! As the days grow longer and the flowers come alive across Pierce County, I find myself overflowing with gratitude for this remarkable community we have built together. Whether you are a first-year beekeeper still learning the dance of the hive, or a seasoned hand who has seen decades of honey flows, you are part of something truly special here at PCBA — and it shows in everything we do.

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🐝  A Phenomenal Puyallup Spring Fair  🐝

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Our booth at the 2026 Puyallup Spring Fair was nothing short of spectacular — and the numbers prove it. Over six days and 340 transactions, we sold 665 of our 821 bottles of honey, including 274 sixteen-ounce jars and 376 five-ounce jars, for a total gross of $8,209.23. Our best single day was Friday's Opening Day, bringing in $2,240, with our strongest shift running mid-day from 2–6 PM. Special congratulations go to our Best Selling Team of the entire fair: Lisa Lee, Ricky Lowe, and Debra Langley-Boyer, who together rang up $1,140 on Friday morning!

 

Results like these do not happen by accident. They happen because of extraordinary people who put in extraordinary effort — and this year, that effort was embodied above all by our own Vice President:

 

A Heartfelt Thank You to Michelle Cyree

Michelle, your tireless and dedicated work to organize our booth at the Puyallup Spring Fair deserves more applause than words can give. From coordinating logistics and volunteers to keeping everything running smoothly across six full days of the fair, you gave this effort everything you had — and it showed in every sale, every smile, and every jar of honey that went home with a happy customer. PCBA is so fortunate to have you at the helm of so much of what we do. Thank you, from the bottom of our hive.

 

Thank You to Eileen Moebius

Eileen, your steady support alongside Michelle made a tremendous difference. From the bottling party to loading and setup to teardown at the end of the fair, you and Jim were there every step of the way — giving your time and energy with characteristic warmth and generosity. We are so grateful for you.

 

🌻  Thank You to ALL of Our Incredible Volunteers  🌻

Our fair booth is a community effort in the truest sense, and this year's volunteers were remarkable. Enormous thanks go to everyone who gave their time:

 

Bottling Party: Diana & Stephen Poore, Eileen & Jim Moebius, Katie Marler, Dean Severson

Fair Loading & Setup: Katie Marler, Eileen & Jim Moebius, Jim Walthrop

Fair Teardown: Bryce Landrud, Kathleen Clerc, Eileen & Jim Moebius

Honey Donations: Bryce Landrud and the PCBA Production Apiary

 

And of course, a standing ovation to every single Booth Volunteer who gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm to represent PCBA to thousands of fair guests. You are the face of our association, and you wore that badge beautifully. Thank you.

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A Recognition of Bob Bennett

​It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our friend and fellow beekeeper, Bob Bennett, a valued member of the Pierce County Beekeepers Association.
Bob was a dedicated and active supporter of our club for many years. He regularly attended board meetings, generously gave his time, and was always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. His commitment to the association and to the beekeeping community made a lasting and meaningful difference.
Bob faced many health challenges over the years with courage, resilience, and determination. Through it all, he remained involved, kindhearted, and interested in the people and activities he cared about.
He will be remembered for his steady presence, helpful spirit, and love of beekeeping. Bob leaves behind many friends in the Pierce County Beekeepers Association who were better for knowing him.
He will be deeply missed.

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🐝  Apiary Days Are Here!  🐝
One of the most beloved programs in PCBA is officially up and running for the season: Apiary Days are here! Whether you are a new beekeeper learning hands-on for the first time or an experienced keeper looking to connect and compare notes, Apiary Days offer something for everyone.

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A Huge Thank You to Katie Marler, Our Apiary Manager

Katie, your dedication to this program is extraordinary. The time, care, and expertise you bring to the apiary — and to every beekeeper who comes through — is a gift to our entire association. You create an environment where learning feels safe, hands-on, and genuinely joyful. Thank you for everything you do, and for showing up, season after season, with such grace and generosity.

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🐝  Join the Board — We Need You!  🐝

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Our association is growing, and with that growth comes opportunity — the opportunity for someone like you to step up, make a difference, and have a lot of fun along the way. We currently have two exciting volunteer roles open on our board, and we are hoping the perfect person (or people!) might be reading this right now.

 

🐝  Membership Chair

Do you love meeting people and making them feel welcome? The Membership Chair is the friendly face that greets new beekeepers, keeps our membership records current, and helps ensure every member feels connected to the PCBA community. This role is about people as much as it is about bees — if you are organized, approachable, and enjoy helping others find their footing, this one is for you.

Time commitment: just 3–6 hours per month, with attendance at monthly meetings when possible. Training is provided — no prior board experience required!

 

🐝  Events & Fundraising Chair

Love planning events? Excited about connecting our community with the wider public? The Events & Fundraising Chair sits at the heart of PCBA's outreach — coordinating fairs, workshops, community appearances, and small fundraisers that keep our programs growing. This role is creative, community-centered, and incredibly rewarding. You will work closely with the whole board and never do it alone — templates, past event plans, supplies, and plenty of support are all waiting for you.

With events like the State Fair, our Summer Picnic, and the Holiday Party on the calendar, this role is full of moments to shine.

 

Both roles come with the full support of your fellow board members, a welcoming community, and the deep satisfaction of helping PCBA thrive. If you are curious — even a little — please reach out. There is no pressure, no prior experience required, and no test to pass. Just a genuine love for bees and community.

 

Interested? Email us or chat with a board member at the next meeting. We would love to talk with you.

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What a season it has been, and we are only just getting started. The blackberries are blooming, the hives are humming, the fair is behind us with a record to celebrate, and the best of summer still lies ahead. I am so proud to be part of this community with each and every one of you.

 

Keep those supers on, keep learning, and keep being the incredible beekeepers — and neighbors — that you are.

 

With gratitude,

Kathleen Clerc