ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
The Real ‘BUZZ’ In Lee County Story By Lofton Wheeles
T
here’s something truly “buzzworthy” going on in Lee County, and it’s not the type of “buzz” you’re thinking about! Damon Wallace is a local beekeeper in the area who has been doing this for nearly 20 years. Wallace is originally from Jonesboro, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia. He and his family moved to the Lee County area in the mid1980s. Beekeeping is the maintenance of bee colonies by humans, typically through the use of hives — this is something that Wallace calls “a fascinating hobby.”
“When you study the honeybees, you will find that God made a fascinating little creature in that thing — they are absolutely fascinating,” Wallace said. “And as you learn a little bit more and it just goes on and on and it gets out of hand pretty quickly. They’re fascinating little creatures.” While working with Michelin at the time, Wallace became a certified beekeeper through Young Harris College in the University of Georgia Bee Institute. When Wallace turned 50 years old, he was naturally seeking something new to do. He then saw a listing in the local newspaper for an annual bee symposium held
—33—
Summer Living