Beekeepers rally to friend’s aid
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/09/2010 (5759 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
They stepped in when misfortune befell one of their own.
When second-generation Oak Lake beekeeper Earl Dueck, 50, suffered a stroke right when he needed to be harvesting his crop, he was at risk of losing his entire year’s income.
"I didn’t think about what could’ve been (of the crop)," Earl told the Sun. "I guess I was just overwhelmed, but I knew someone would be out there to help us get the honey."
As it turned out, 27 Manitoba beekeepers were eager to help.
Bill Bygarski, a beekeeper who lives southwest of Brandon and a friend of Dueck, said word of Dueck’s plight spread quickly among members of the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association, and soon he was organizing a volunteer effort to take off Dueck’s 650-hive crop.
Over the course of four or five days, they had harvested three-quarters of Dueck’s honey.
"It was very heartwarming to see the industry come out and support him like that. We had guys come from Gilbert Plains, Steinbach, Elgin, Sinclair — people from all over the province who drove as much as four hours to come and help. It was great to be a part of such an event."
So many people showed up eager to work that some were even asked if they’d mind coming back another day.
Dueck’s brother, Wes Dueck, says the whole family is touched by the effort the volunteers put in while harvesting their own crops.
"It’s not just the time and resources they put in, it’s the energy. It’s something these guys do all week and on the weekend, but they were out doing it for him. That’s pretty overwhelming," Wes said.
Bygarski says his colleagues knew the financial strain Dueck’s family would suffer if the crop, which has a small window of time to be harvested, wasn’t taken off.
"It just had to be done. I don’t think anybody really thought they wouldn’t do it. We’re a small industry, so there aren’t many beekeepers who don’t know each other and wouldn’t want to help out a friend when the consequences are that big," Bygarski said.
Earl says his faith and that strong network of friends and supporters has allowed him to gradually return to the job that he loves.
"I was overwhelmed but not surprised (that so many people showed up to help me)," Earl said. "I can’t say enough good things about those people and about the health care I received in both Virden and Brandon … I’m a lucky guy."