You may have seen a bright yellow trailer at local events that advertises the “Crazy BeeMan” and “The Bee Whisperer” and wondered what it is all about. The couple behind the buzz is Ben VanDortrecht and Stacy VanDortrecht, who wear many hats when it comes to bees.
The VanDortrechts are the owners of Elmore-based S & B Apiaries. What started out as a retirement hobby ten years ago for Stacy has turned into a rapidly-growing small business. They are both Alabama Certified Master Beekeepers who have five apiaries located in Coosada, Millbrook, Deatsville, and Lake Jordan.
They sell a line of award-winning honeys in a variety of sizes, colors and flavors. All of their products contain all-natural ingredients. Some of them include hand creams, lip balms, muscle rubs, cuticle creams, eye wrinkle creams and honey sticks.
“If you see Bennie the Bee on the package you know that means quality,” Stacy said.
The VanDortrechts have a shop on their property, but customers are seen by appointment only. You can catch them at a variety of shows across the River Region, including Spinners, Santuck, the Pike Road Arts and Crafts Festival, Art, Beats & Eat in Millbrook, the Spirit of Christmas in Millbrook and Christmas on the Coosa in Wetumpka. They were at Angel Fest this year.
Stacy is especially proud of a specialized honey they sell called creamed honey. “You break down the crystalized honey and make it smooth as peanut butter,” she said. “We sell it in pumpkin spice, apple pie and key lime pie flavors.”
In the spring, the company will sell NUCS-basically a five-frame starter box of bees. The NUCS will include a laying Queen, eggs and brood of all stages, workers and drones, honey and nectar.
Stacy offers individualized beekeeping lessons for $25. A bee suit and all tools are provided. For reservations or any special requests, call 334-224-8355.
“I also do a lot of mentoring,” she said. “I help new beekeepers treat their hives for a certain species of mites.” In the summer, she partners with the county’s 4H program to provide a 2-day Junior Bee Camp at Wetumpka Elementary School for children ages nine all the way to 18. There will be information about the camp on Facebook in the first part of June and flyers will be sent out to the schools.
The couple also specializes in bee removal. They have removed bees from everything including a F-16 on the flight line to a historic church built in 1832. Stacy said she gets stung quite often, particularly when she does a bee removal because the bees have usually been stirred up and are angry. She was stung 45 times once, but only required an emergency room visit when she removed a hive hanging from a tree.
“Even then I only required a half dose of epi,” she said. “I have now learned that once you start showing off, that’s when you will get stung. Something in the back of my head know always tells me when it is time to stop.” She said she is allergic to wasps, but luckily not to bees.
The couple is also known for their dedication to the rescue of honeybees and have been the subject of numerous newspaper articles and television reports.
“It all breaks down to sustainable living with bees and how they help us,” Stacy said. “We move bees from their invasive hives to new homes, helping pollinate the flora of the local environment.”
“We also provide bee education, enlightening local schools and organizations on the importance of the honeybee in our environment,” Stacy said.
For more information on the company, email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page at S and B Apiaries | Facebook. The company also has a YouTube channel and the web address is S & B Apiaries – Honey – Elmore, Alabama (beeremovalbysandb.com).
The company is Veteran-owned. Both Ben and Stacy proudly served in the United States Air Force. She is a four-year veteran and he served for 23 years until his retirement.
If you would like your business featured please contact Brenda Dennis with the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce at 334-285-0085.
