ABOUT US

JOHN LEWIS
started beekeeping in 2002 after reading Richard Taylor’s wonderful book, “The Joy of Beekeeping.” Alone with Mike & Donielle Rininger and a few others, he helped start BONS. He’s served as the Education Coordinator for BONS’s Beginning Beekeeping Class for about 15 years. He’s also served two terms as president, and one team as state VP. He keeps about 30 hives these days. John is married to Nancy, now for well over 30 years. Together, they have three adult children.

DOUG KOCH has been beekeeping since 2008 with 2-7 hives depending on the year. Retired from the food industry have lived in NJ, NY, SD, MN, AL, and now Winchester VA for 30 years, still not a local though. Married 46 years two children, 5 grandkids including twin girls. Reason for beekeeping is we lost our standard poodle of 16 years and wanted a pet…..or 40,000+. Originated woodenware purchase/weekend; Assisted with website beginning; Mentor to many; believer in TEAMWORK. Other Activities: Volunteers at WMC; Enjoy baking bread from scratch with yeast or sourdough; Gardening and sharing plants with others.

RICK GARFOLA is the club librarian.  “You need a hobby”. That is what I heard when I announced my retirement after 35 years of government service. So I heeded their advice and did some research. I landed on beekeeping. I took the beginners course from John Lewis in 2018 and was hooked. I have three hives which I name them after each university that my children attended. My wife, Dana, my daughter, Elizabeth, and twin boys, Adam and Evan have become enthusiasts and help me. I’m originally from the Pittsburgh area, but the beautiful Shenandoah Valley has been my home for 20+ years. However, all my sports teams are still in Pittsburgh. Just one final thought, raising honey bees is like a mystery novel. You get all the clues and you won’t always figure them out. Keep at it because it is very rewarding.

DENISE VOWELL is a 4th year beekeeper with 9 hives at present, and spends her springs catching swarms. She’s a retired Army officer and judge who settled in Virginia in 1990. Before beekeeping, her passions were her grandsons, hiking, advising teen scout units (troops and crews) and gardening. She finished the entire Appalachian Trail in 2018., fulfilling a dream she’d had since 1974. Now, she loves teaching people about honey bees, and has recruited both grandsons (ages 7 & 4) into helping. Each has his own hive. She still spends a lot of time hiking, running a food pantry, slowly turning her two acres into a pollinator heaven.