Thumb Laborers 2020

September 5, 2020

Thumb Laborers A Look at Local Workers in the Thumb

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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

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The Kings of Queens: McCoy Apiaries dominates honey industry SCOTT NUNN scott.nunn@hearstnp.com MINDEN CITY — The McCoy brothers in Minden City take a literal approach to sweet success, while they share roles in a honey bee business that once belonged to their grandfather.

Honey runs deep in the McCoy blood, starting back in 1946 when Garnett Puett sold his Minden City business to Joseph L. McCoy, which has passed down two generations to Brett, Shawn and Ryan McCoy. In the early days of the business, Brett said his grandfather managed between 600-800 hives and covering only a small portion of the Upper Thumb, operating a local honey company. Brett’s father increased the production from 800 hives to eventually managing 3,500 hives.

“I got to around 3,500, but it took me years,” Joe W. McCoy said. “I went from 800 and I would think I want to get to 1,000, then I wanted 1,200 and 1,500.

It just went from there.”

“Over the course of the years, we kept building it up,” Brett added.

As farming evolved so did the need for beekeepers to also evolve their businesses.

“When they used to do it, you would look around and you didn’t see sugar beet fields and corn fields,” Brett said.

“People had hay growing and they had cows. You make a really good honey crop on alfalfa.”

Heritage farm with an abundance of crop diversity gave way to larger and often more efficient operations.

However, that lack of diversity caused stress on honey bees, which Brett said will travel only a few miles for pollen.

McCoy Apiaries in Minden City employs 12 to assist brothers and co-owners Shawn, Brett and Ryan in tending to the 11,000 hives the company maintains. (Scott Nunn/Huron Daily Tribune)

McCoy utilizes about 26 semi trucks to transport their hives to California during the winter.

Brett said the pollination business is mutually beneficial, because the bees help the farmers with the important task of pollinating their crops and in turn relocating the hives helps with brood health by keeping the hives active and fed.

“With bees, it is almost like you are married to them,” Brett said. “Its livestock. You constantly have to be monitoring them and checking on them.”

Brett said the one of the biggest challenges everyone at McCoy faces is the large amount of travel that is needed and the short timeframe to turn around work.

“The whole landscape of this area “I don’t like being away from my was completely different,” Brett said. family, but we do travel a lot,” he said.

“It put stress on the bees and it made “The travel can also be fun because more work for us to find spots that are while it is cold here, the bees aren’t better.” doing anything. You get to take them Now a large portion of the apiary somewhere and see them start coming industry is essentially serving as a ahead.” logistical arm for honey bees, reloDespite the ease you might see on cating hives into areas with more television when beekeepers handle abundant pollen collection opportunihives and collect honey, Brett said there ties. is a lot of work involved.

Under the leadership of the brothers “You can get a pretty sore back,” he the business has expanded to managing said. “It’s physical labor.”

11,000 hives. McCoy Apiaries send The average box has eight combs, their thousands of hives around the each weighing seven pounds when country by offering pollination services loaded with honey. Brett said on the stretching from the California almond average day processing honey workers farmers to the Maine blueberry farmers might handle 1,200 combs. and everywhere in between.

“The beauty about the honey part is

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you are only doing that for about two months out of the year,” Brett said.

“Pulling honey is fun but after a while you start questioning how much time you have left.”

Brett said in recent years movies, documentaries and social media has helped beekeepers by educating the public to the importance of bees.

“There are so many people that complain about bees, even when we are totally compliant with agriculture,” he said. “I had someone complain about bees by their flowers. But I think it is getting better.”

Despite the challenges, Brett said he loves his job.

“I get to be outdoors everyday working in nature,” he said. “I get to work with my family and my friends.

If you haven’t done it, it is hard to explain, but it is a great atmosphere.”

McCoy Apiaries maintains 12 workers on the payroll, and Brett said he and his brothers are elbows deep in the honey along side their staff.

“When people enjoy their job, there is nothing better than working with them,” he said.

While honey isn’t a publicly traded commodity, Brett said the market goes up and down, which presents challenges for wholesalers such as McCoys.

Traveling from California to Mississippi, then returning to Michigan, Wisconsin and Maine, capitalizing on the growing season of each state, the McCoys have been able to maintain the health of their hives and produce a quality honey that is sought after in other regions where the honey doesn’t achieve the desired golden amber color.

“Most of the bees come back here around May,” he said. “We leave about 1,500 hives down in Mississippi to help with the cucumber season. They will come home around July. We also send 3,000 to Cherryfield, Maine for blueberry pollination.”

Brett said by mid-May McCoy Apiaries has the majority of their hives scattered throughout the region. He said at that time the company will have hives at approximately 150 locations to start honey production. Then as June and July sets in, Brett said the other bees return, some get shipped out and the quick turnaround can be tiring.

“I tell my wife not to plan anything

in June,” Brett said. “It is insane. In November you can move bees all day because it is 40 degrees, but (in the summer) you can’t start moving bees until 8:30 p.m. so it makes some long days.”

Brett said regardless of the efforts put in, getting stung is unavoidable. He said during some times of the year he is getting stung dozens of times a day.

“You can look at my fingers in the spring and there are purple dots all over,” he said. “Sometimes your fingers get so sensitive.”

However, that temporary pain is a small price to pay. McCoy Apiaries contributes more than 880 million bees to aid in growing the very food people and animals need to survive.

Honey bees will typically travel approximately two miles for pollen, so Brett said they have to examine the area to determine where it is best to place the hives.

“Sometimes we have to look at it and think “Okay, if we set the bees here they have to fly one mile over sugar beets and corn fields to get their nectar source,”” Brett said. “The thing is, it takes a lot of energy to eat and fly back.

So what they have when they return is less than what they start with.”

Sometimes because of the size of the operation and where it is located, Brett said they will set hives in non-ideal spots where the bees will collect enough pollen and nectar to survive, but not necessarily produce enough honey to harvest.

“We have to break them up some, and they may make honey but they won’t make a living,” he said. “They will make enough honey and collect enough pollen to sustain themselves.”

This McCoy estimates the bees will make probably 500 barrels of honey, or 330,000 pounds this year, most of which will be sold at wholesale to distributors.

“That is a really good crop,” Brett said. “That is what we are shooting for this year. We might fall short, but it is tough to tell. You don’t really know what you have sometimes until the smoke clears.”

If someone is interested in learning how to host hives on their property, they can reach Brett at McCoy Apiaries LLC at 810-705-0037.

Thank you to our employees for their dedication and loyalty.

Have a safe and welldeserved Labor Day!

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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

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Angelina’s Eatery and Huco Brew Co. in Ubly. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)

Growing up in the restaurant game Greg Selleke added microbrewery to family’s Ubly eatery ROBERT CREENAN robert.creenan@hearst.com

grown hops,” Selleke said. “We use a lot of fruit from the county. It’s all local ingredients.”

UBLY – George Selleke has been Huco Brew Co. currently has 11 beers involved with preparing food at Angelion tap, with plans for up to 17 different na’s Eatery since he was a kid and now varieties available and 10 different he is adding his own mark on the Ubly kinds of wine, which Susan makes. establishment.

Selleke said the Honey Kolsch is the The third child of Susan Selleke is most popular variety they sell, with the brains behind Huco Brew Co., the the beer mostly sold in growlers and micobrewery add-on to Angelina’s in howlers.

Ubly that is coming close to celebrating The building Huco occupies is its one-year anniversary. over 100 years old and used to be a Susan has operated Angelina’s since warehouse, with the interior made up it opened in 2000, having her four of taxidermized animals donated from children Joey, Tommy, George, and hunting clubs and the wood inside from Angelica work in the restaurant helping Amish workers. The beer is made in the make pizzas. Angelica and Tommy still back of the building, with each batch of work in the place as a waitress and beer taking between one and two weeks chef, respectively, while Joey works as to make. a chef outside of the area.

When restaurants like Angelina’s had “She was a stay at home mom and to close during the pandemic, Selleke wanted her children to work with her,” said that the community supported George Selleke with his mother Susan, the owner of Angelina’s Eatery in Ubly. (Robert Selleke said. them thanks to carry out sales from Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune) Selleke was always interested in pizzas, beer, and wine. They have turning the space next to Angeliexpanded their options to include ribs, na’s into either a club or brewery, Company and Winery for the past two state representative Doug Wozniak’s pasta, lasagna, and wings. something more unique than normal years. office, but since he has been home since “I love the community,” Selleke said. for the area. He followed that path by After graduating, Selleke enrolled in March while taking online classes, he “It’s fantastic and you get to know graduating from Ferris State University Michigan State’s law school, going for has had more time to create new kinds everyone in the area.” in 2018 with a degree in professional pre-law and political science and it set of beer to brew.

Angelina’s Eatery and the Huco Brew brew management and serving as the to start taking law classes in the spring “We use locally sourced honey from Co. are located at 2212 E. Main St. in head brewer for Lexington Brewing of 2021. At school, Selleke worked in McCoy’s (Sweet Bee Honey) and locally Ubly.

Harbor beach manufacturer rises to need during pandemic SARA EISINGER sara.eisinger@hearstnp.com HARBOR BEACH – When recognizing social and economic achievements made by the blue collar workforce this year, National Filters, Inc. of Harbor Beach rose to the spotlight.

The industrial filter manufacturer wasted no time aiding in coronavirus relief efforts, according to a press release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

By mid-March face masks were already in production, an accomplishment General Manager Beth Gornowich was most definitely proud of.

“National Filters launched NFI Masks, which produces face masks in KN95 style,” Gornowich said. “We have customers and distributers all over the United States, primarily in Michigan and Louisiana. It’s a growing industry.”

The manufacturer started off with a record year in 2020, including a great demand for orders. NFI was even able to donate face masks to local schools, businesses, medical care facilities, law enforcement and government agencies.

“We were eager to take on the challenge of procuring equipment, raw materials and labor to manufacture masks to help our community,” said Gornowich.

Behind the scenes, the factory’s 45 employees labored to make it all possible. Many of which, felt relieved to know they would not face threat of lay off.

Holly Hale works as a production supervisor and has been with the factory for seven years, in a position she has no desire to leave. Thanks to the company’s overwhelming success, she continues to work 40 hours per week.

“It is easy going but driven,” Hale said. “We all have the same mindset. I

am speaking from the heart. Honestly, they make you feel like you are part of a team. For example, yesterday we were short staff and Jessica offered her assistance.”

Jessica Hill works has been with the company for five years. She works as a production manager.

“It is like a big family,” Hill said. “We all have the same end game. We try to look out for one another.”

At NFI, employees work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This gives them time away from their work families to be with their actual families, creating a more positive workplace environment.

Overseeing the company’s dedicated team of general laborers, Gornowich was pleased to speak on how it thrived in an otherwise uncertain production market.

“National Filters has always sought to look forward and create new opportunities,” she said. “It is a sense of job security.”

In the press release, Senior Communications Strategist Kathleen Achtenberg stated that the Huron County Economic Development Corporation worked alongside National Filters to find viable options aimed at fighting the pandemic. The outcome was monetary support from the Michigan Strategic Fund in the amount of $196,625.

This made way for the manufacturer to increase surgical mask production.

According to the release, production numbers jumped to over 7,200 masks in a single hour and allowed for the increased production of more than 2,000 N95 respirators per hour.

“We are happy that we were able to match available state resources with one of our local manufacturers during this challenging time,” said Huron County EDC Director Carl Osentoski.

NFI delivers original equipment

National Filters in Harbor Beach launched a mask manufacturing division to meet personal protection equipment needs during the coronavirus pandemic. (Courtesy Photo) manufacturer replacement hydraulic filters and strainers. Its website reads that the company offers one of the largest hydraulic filter element product

lines on the market, adding more products during the last 8 months than majority of competitors introduce in a three-year period.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

michigansthumb.com

HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

Caseville business enjoys the freedom to serve the community

BY MARY DRIER For the Tribune CASEVILLE - Because the True Value Hardware store in Caseville is a co-op rather than a franchise, Cheryl Windy is able to operate her business how she wants to so it includes a woman’s touch.

“As a co-op there are no set rules and regulations that you have to follow like when you are a franchise business,” Windy said. “With a franchise, you have to run it the way they want it. I wasn’t big on that.”

That is one of the reasons she sold her Subway store along with the Video Venture store, which included an ice cream shop, which were all located in the village of Reese in Tuscola County.

“When we got this hardware store six years ago, operating four businesses, with the one in Caseville so far away, was just too much,” she explained. “I still live in Reese and drive an hour each way. I will move here eventually.

I like it here. I like the community, and the people. My sons live here.”

Because Windy can operate her hardware business the way she wants, she included a selection of items geared towards female shoppers.

“Normally, women don’t care much to go to hardware stores, but here they do,” she said. “I have a woman’s section with household and decorative items. I have small decorative tables, stone planters, bird feeders, canning supplies, holiday decorations, and such.”

“And, being in Caseville, everything is beach related,” she added. “I sell a lot of pink flamingos. They are a hot item as well as beach toys.”

Windy’s two sons, Matthew, 33, and Steven, 31, run the business with her.

“The boys wanted to operate a hardware business,” she said. “So when this store became available, we went for it.”

The Windy family have owned the Caseville True Value store at 6967 Main St., Caseville, for six years.

Mother and sons each brought their own set of skills to running the business.

“I know how to operate the cash register, ordering, and how to run a business. And, I know some things about hardware,” she explained.

“The boys are knowledgeable in other aspects of the business.”

Both sons went to college. Steven went for construction. He worked as a builder, and gained experience and knowledge from that which helps him in the hardware store.

Matthew’s background is in science and chemistry, but jobs for that field were hard to come by.

“So Matt’s knowledge in that also helps. This has worked out great. Especially getting to work everyday with both my sons. I like seeing and working with them. I enjoy that,” she said. “The food industry wasn’t my thing. I would not have minded having a restaurant, but I would want to do it my way. I couldn’t do that with Subway franchises have a lot of rules.”

Caseville’s True Value Hardware is a locally owned family business so providing the best customer service is key.

“People here are awesome and welcoming,” she said. “We vacationed here each year at Oak Point. We knew the town but none of the people. Since we bought the business we have gotten to know a lot of them, and that is important. It’s the customers who make a business. The customers we have are a Godsend. They have been welcoming and supportive.”

“Getting to know the customers is the best part of this business,” Windy added. “They are what keeps us open.

We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”

The Windys also go above and beyond to offer the best customer

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Because True Value Hardware stores like the one at 6967 Main St., Caseville, are cooperatives instead of a franchise, Cheryl Windy can operate the store how she wants.

Her sons, Steven, left, and Matthew, right, work at the store also. (Courtesy Photo)

Cool Off

service they can. A few of the items True Value carries include: paint, plumbing, power tools, electrical, sporting goods, hand tools, cleaning supplies, hardware, and lumber.

“My sons can tread pipe and cut lumber,” she said, noting the store is open seven days a week. “They will do deliveries when they can. Those are some of the extra things we will do to help our customers out.”

And, her husband, Mark, helps out in the business on the weekends as well when he isn’t working as a mill operator at Star of the West Grain Elevator in

at the Franklin Inn

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The hardware store is about to changeMover to its winter hours of 8 onp.m., daMonday-Sunday a.m. to 5:30 y-Fr from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. i day 3 :00 -7Day to the From Memorial day after Labor Day the store:0 is 0 open until 7 p.m. pm but then changes over to closing at 5:30 p.m.

To keep everyone safe, the Windys use masks, hand sanitizers, clean the store during the day between customers, and after hours also.

For more information, about the store call (989) 856-4750.

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