SALISBURY – Local children buzzed with excitement Wednesday as they interacted with Nora Neale, a beekeeper at the Salisbury Public Library.
The event held in honor of National Pollinator’s Month allowed approximately 30 children the chance to try on a beekeeper suit, make beeswax candles, sample honey and more.
Neale has been a beekeeper for 27 years and works at Lupine Lane Apiary in Topsfield. For her, beekeeping runs in the family.
“My husband and I have been keeping bees in Massachusetts. I grew up in upstate New York, my father was a beekeeper. So, when I got married and moved here, my husband and I decided we wanted bees, so my father mentored us a little bit,” she said.
Wednesday’s event was Neale’s second visit to the library and she said enjoyed speaking with the children about the importance of bees.
“I really enjoy being out in my bee yard and in my garden, but truly my passion is education for the next generation,” she said.
Nicole Chouinard, children’s librarian at the Salisbury Public Library, said she invited Neale to return because she wanted to recognize value of bees and the challenges they face.
“I wanted to help raise awareness around the importance of our pollinators and the decline in the bee population and the decline in the bee populations and other pollinators,” she said.
The attendees were inquisitive, circling the room and engaging in a discussion about bees and sharing their prior knowledge on the insects.
Eleven-year-old Elva Loonie from Rowley said she admires bees which led her to participate in the event.
“Bees are very interesting. I love the little creatures that don’t really get much recognition. Bees are super important to society, so if they were a person, they would be my idol,” she said.
Jennifer Figueredo, owner of Little Inspirations Family Childcare in Salisbury, brought a number of children for the second year in a row. Figueredo said Neale was skilled at explaining concepts to children in a simple manner.
“She brings it down to their level and they take away from this,” she said.
Neale said she was impressed by the children’s knowledge of the insects.
“I’m always amazed at how much kids know and their attention spans,” she said.
Now, with a second successful year under her belt, Neale said she hopes to return for a third.
“If they ask me, I will certainly be here,” she said.