Hey everyone! Kathleen here—and wow, I still can't quite believe I'm writing this as your newly elected president of the Pierce County Beekeepers Association! (Don't worry, I promise not to let the power go to my head... much.)

But before I say anything else, I need to talk about someone who truly deserves a standing ovation, a parade, and probably her own statue made entirely of honeycomb: Mary Dempsey.

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A Heartfelt Thank You to Mary Dempsey
Mary, where do I even start? You stepped up to lead this club four years ago when things were, let's be honest, pretty dire. COVID had scattered us to the winds, our beloved in-person gatherings were gone, and the club that so many had poured their hearts into was gasping for air. Members were drifting away, and it felt like we might not make it.

And then you swooped in like a superhero with a bee suit and said, "Not on my watch."

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You didn't just keep the lights on—you completely rewired the place! You cleaned up the books (no small feat, trust me), restarted our meetings and programs, pulled our community back together, and built the kind of structure that means this club can actually sustain itself as new folks step up. You gave us something we can pass forward, stronger than ever.

And you did all this while managing your own hives, running your business, handling family responsibilities, organizing fair events, coordinating fundraisers, and educating anyone who would stand still long enough to learn about bees. I'm exhausted just typing that sentence!

Mary, you are a force of nature, and this club is healthy and thriving today because of your tireless dedication. Thank you doesn't feel like enough, but thank you, thank you, thank you! It was an honor to work beside you and support you.

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More Thank Yous!

While I'm at it, a huge shout-out to our incredible Apiary Team! Special recognition goes to Arnold Cox, Kevin Freeman, and Lisa Lee—you three have been absolutely stellar, and we couldn't do what we do without you. Thank you for all your hard work!

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Looking Ahead with an Amazing Team

I am so excited to serve alongside our fantastic new Board: Michelle Cyree as Vice President, Nate Chambers as Secretary, and Fawn Casey as Treasurer. We've got a great mix of energy, ideas, and commitment, and I can't wait to see what we accomplish together!

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This Is YOUR Club—Yes, You!

Now here's the thing: Mary had this vision that I absolutely love and want to carry forward—this club belongs to all of you. Every single one of you has something to contribute, whether it's big or small, whether you've been keeping bees for decades or you're still trying to figure out which end of the smoker to light (been there!).

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I want to hear from you! What's working? What's not? What are our strengths, and where can we improve? What speakers would you love to hear from? What programs would make your beekeeping journey better?

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You have agency here. You have a voice. This club exists to support YOU—whether you're just starting out, you're mid-journey, or you're a seasoned pro with stories that would make the rest of us simultaneously inspired and terrified. We want your input on where this club should go because it's not about what I think or what the Board thinks—it's about what serves all of us best.

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Building on 75+ Years of History

Speaking of vision, did you know Mary recently dug up documents showing our club started at least as early as 1948? We always thought it was the 1970s, but nope—we've got nearly 80 years of beekeeping history in Pierce County! How incredible is that?

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As we move into 2026, I want us to honor that legacy. Let's learn from those original members who started this thing way back when, and let's revive their intentions to build something lasting. My goal is to continue strengthening our processes and structures so this club doesn't depend on any one person (not even someone as amazing as Mary!), but instead thrives for generations to come.

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Let's Do This Together!

So buckle up, beekeepers—2026 is going to be a great year! Let's work together, support each other, share our knowledge, and keep this community buzzing. Reach out with your ideas, volunteer where you can, and let's make our founders proud.

Here's to the bees, to this incredible community, and to whatever adventures lie ahead!

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With gratitude and excitement,

Kathleen
President, Pierce County Beekeepers Association

P.S. - Seriously though, if you have ideas or feedback, don't be shy! You can catch me at meetings, send me a message, or flag me down at any event. I talk fast, but I promise I listen even faster!