Dear Sun Spots: I am currently participating in a club-sponsored beekeeping course. I am hoping that you or your readers will know where to purchase, at a reasonable price, secondhand books about bees or beekeeping. Or might readers be willing to sell theirs at a reasonable price? I would be willing to pick up the books or pay for shipping if necessary. I can be reached at (207) 897-6128 or via e-mail at [email protected]. – No Name, Livermore.

Answer: Try contacting the following to see if they can special order any of these for you:

Pepperall Books in Lewiston, (207) 344-6900.

Artios Books at 180 Turner St., Auburn, (207) 786-4007. They are open six days a week.

The Page Turner and Pages Already Turned, 247 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 753-1112. They are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In addition, you may want to contact state apiarist Tony Jadczak via e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at (207) 287-7562. The Maine State Beekeepers Association also has a lending library, and Jadczak may be able to provide you with a contact for the librarian.

Also, you may be interested in contacting The Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Office, which offers courses on beekeeping usually in the spring. They can be reached at (800) 287-1471. In addition, The Western Maine Beekeeping Association often sponsors classes for those interested in starting their own hives. For more information on the club or Bee School, contact club member Nick Kelley 364-4121, who says he’d be happy to discuss bees with you. Kelley says there are about 15 members in the association and each winter they hold a 14-week course at the Mountain Valley High School in Rumford. The group will meet around 6:30 or 7 p.m. every Wednesday for about the next two weeks at the school and you might like to check in with them during this time.

In the meantime, perhaps you and your family will enjoy the following recipe for Honey Granola Squares. Ingredients: 3/4 cup dried fruit (apples, apricots, cherries, cranberries or pears), finely chopped; 3 egg whites, lightly beaten; ½ cup honey; 3 cups low-fat granola; ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup vegetable oil. Method: In a large bowl, mix together granola and dried fruit. In a small saucepan, heat honey, oil and vanilla over medium heat, stirring until honey is dissolved. Pour honey mixture over granola and mix until thoroughly coated. Pour egg whites over granola mixture; mix well. Pack mixture firmly into an 8-inch square nonstick baking pan. Bake at 325°F for 40 minutes or until deep golden brown. Place pan on a cooling rack; cool completely before cutting into squares, approximately 2½-inches each.

You may also be interested in the following Exfoliating Honey Facial Cleanser:

This gentle, exfoliating cleanser will leave your skin feeling moist and revitalized. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Golden Blossom Honey, 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds, ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Directions: Mix ingredients together. Gently rub onto face. Rinse with warm water (from “Bright and Beautiful” by the National Honey Board).

Here’s some fun, bee trivia for your reading pleasure:

How do honey bees “communicate” with one another? “Dancing.” Honey bees do a dance that alerts other bees where nectar and pollen is located. The dance explains direction and distance. Bees also communicate with pheromones.

How fast does a honey bee fly? About 15 miles per hour.

How much honey does the average worker honey bee make in her lifetime? 1/12 teaspoon.

How far does a hive of bees fly to bring you one pound of honey? Over 55,000 miles.

How many flowers must honey bees tap to make one pound of honey? Two million.

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