By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Master Beekeeper Margie Robertson of Vincent will speak at the Columbiana Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 5-7 p.m. about “The Importance of the Honeybee.”

Sponsored by the Friends of the Columbiana Public Library, the program will be the first adult program for the 2016 season.

It is free, open to the public, and refreshments will be served in the library’s meeting room located at 50 Lester Street in Columbiana.

Robertson was one of four Shelby County residents who were named Master Beekeepers in 2013 after completing a two-year long certification program.

Receiving their master beekeeper certification along with Robertson were: George Baldwin of Sterrett; Loyd Mehaffey of Chelsea and Robert Shoemaker of Wilsonville.

The four Shelby County residents were among the first group of Alabama residents named Master Beekeepers at the Alabama Beekeepers Association annual meeting on Sept. 27, 2013.

Others were Keith Fletcher, Roslyn Horton and Richard Knighton.

They were required to score a certain percentage on written exam, register their hives with the Alabama Department of Agriculture, complete beekeeping related service hours, attend honeybee programs and practice beekeeping for at least two years.

The Shelby County Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization which meets the first Monday of each month from 7-9 p.m., at 398 Hargis Drive (Old U.S. 280) in Chelsea. There are over 150 members since its inception in March 2011.

The focus for SCBA is BEES: Bee, Environment, Education, and Service.

“The Bee is the focus; the Bee completes the cycle of life in the Environment; To know the life cycle of a bee through Education, enhances everyone’s appreciation of the insect; Through Service projects with fellow beekeepers in the community and abroad extends the life of the hive.” For information, see Shelbybees.org.

Robertson will speak on the importance of the honey bee, a hands-on event and information session as to the importance of the honey bee to agriculture and personal health.

Additional information will be available for anyone who is interested in becoming a beekeeper.