What I am obsessed with is community and supporting local.

I wouldn't say obsessed. It is my business though, how I make a living. I run 150 hives for honey and beeswax production. I also run Tri-City Bee Rescue and have been rescuing and relocating bees and wasps for 12+ years. Oh and I mentor new beekeepers, I am a board member for the Ontario Beekeepers' Association and the Co-Vice President of the Wellington County Beekeepers Club. (The last two I have given my notice to have more time for Council.)

Then there is The Hive, also my business. Second one. Which is home to a bunch of busy bees, but these ones are local artists in Guelph. Over 50 local artists who use The Hive to sell their art. It is a zero profit model, meaning I do not profit from their sales, they keep all their money, just in case you are interested.

Oh and The Hive market, other busy bees, but this one is the affordable market I built to support local artists, musicians and to give space to families to enjoy with special guests like a red-tailed hawk, Santa, the Easter Bunny (pay-what-you-can photos with both, by the way) and the most recent was the free petting zoo I put on for Wellington County's Rural Romp.

What other bees... ohhh yes, the busy-ness of my bee brain forgot! The GNSC and the Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group, where I help with organizing their bigger events to raise funds for their free programming.

So yes, even though I can turn every single sentence of my day into a bee pun, what I am obsessed with is community and supporting local.

I have been building Ward 2 up since I moved here 16 years ago. I know many people in Guelph from all the food security work I did when my kids were younger (I started the GROW garden and the Backyard Sharing Program and worked with the Appleseed Collective).

I could keep going with the lists of neighbours I have helped with their homes and repairs I have done to help keep their homes safe for them (ohhh another business, yes, I was a trades worker since around 18. I ran a drywall company for many years and was a site supervisor for one of the bigger builders in Guelph doing estimates and scheduling), so I help people when I can.

Thanks for noticing my bees! In a not so short reply, I live and breathe Ward 2. It is home for my family and I have been making it a better place for many years, for people and bees.

Mike