Bedrock Bees and…License Plates?

A Hands-off Way to Support Bees

Source: Library of Congress, 1940. “Donald Gill, Utah beekeeper, needed bees, sugar and equipment to weather a series of bad seasons caused by weather conditions. A Farm Security Administration rehabilitation loan put him on his feet again.” https://lccn.loc.gov/2017765248

There was Papoo, shirtless and surrounded by bees.

My late grandfather was a furniture maker, and he had what I considered to be way-cool hobbies that were even cooler than his profession: stock car racing and beekeeping. I thought he was fearless, driving weekend laps at 411 Raceway – us locals just called it 411 – and calmly tending the bees up on the hill behind his and Gran’s home. No shirt on hot days, no beekeeper’s mask…ever.

I credit Papoo for my appreciation of bees.

Recent news about honey bees is – not to be an alarmist – alarming. NBC Nightly News aired a story on April 1 by Dana Griffin, who reported on an increase in beehive thefts (https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/bee-thefts-on-the-rise-amid-surge-in-honeybee-deaths-236068421821).

This comes amid reports of the loss of more than one million bee colonies in a nine-month period (June 2024-Feb. 2025). The “loss” refers to the death of a worrisome number of bees, not “just” the theft of hives. Honeybees give us about 75% of our food, and this represents a critical loss. They are, quite literally, the bedrock of our food system.

If you’re so inclined, please spread the word about bees and support bee “stuff” – beekeepers, artists who incorporate bees in their work, folks at your local farmers market who sell their own honey, etc. Check to see if there’s a beekeepers’ association near you and ask if they need help, or consider signing up for a beginning beekeeper class if that’s a good fit.

Prefer to stay hands-off when it comes to supporting bees? In some states, you can pay extra for a bee-themed license plate. A portion of the higher fee goes to the beneficiary organization that works to save bees. Some states with bee license plates include Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky (available by July 2025), Maryland, Oregon and Texas.

One Etsy artist I found is not only incorporating bees in art, they’re repurposing vintage dictionary pages. Sweet – on more than one level!

PrettyPaperOfBlue on Etsy has “dictionary bees” available unframed for $10.99, with free shipping from Yorkville, IL.

Source: Etsy/ PrettyPaperOfBlue

On the upcoming auctions front, I found a surprising number of beekeeping supplies on HiBid. Sure, if you type “bee” in the search bar, you’ll find a slew of stuff, and that’s how I also stumbled on the two cool items below.

Source: HiBid/ Central Sales and Auction Co. (Dexter, IA)

This vintage bee smoker comes with the original box. Very neat. It’s offered by Central Sales and Auction Co. in Dexter, IA. The closing date is April 15 at 10:00 a.m., and the broker’s fee is 15%. Look for Lot# 1156.

Source: HiBid/ Live Oak Auctions (Hudson Oaks, TX)

What’s more charming than a bee brooch? This little beauty will be sold on April 9, with the auction beginning to close at 7:00 p.m. CST. Look on HiBid for Live Oak Auctions (Lot# 85X) in Hudson Oaks, TX. Auctioneer’s fee is 18%.

Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue

And, yes, there has been a license plate like this on my car for the past few years. Available in Tennessee since 2019, the “Save the Honey Bee” plate costs $61.50 annually, with $35 going to nonprofit Honeybee Tennessee.

I hope Papoo would be pleased.

’76 Partyware, Please

Prepping for America’s 2026 Semiquincentennial

Source: HiBid/ Aurora Country Auction (Rhome, TX)

“Silly Love Songs,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.”

Yep, the year was 1976. In addition to the eclectic Billboard Top Hot 100 tunes – Aerosmith’s “Dream On” was only #51, if you can imagine – there was a little something else going on: America’s bicentennial.

I’ve been thinking of ’76 a lot since I recently realized that next year is, wait for this mouthful, our semiquincentennial. Easier said: our 250th birthday.

There’s already tons planned by folks in charge of federal, state and local celebrations. The site I found that seems to give the most broad overview is https://www.America250.org.

For resellers, crafters and makers, I’d say it’s not too early to consider whether you’d like to ramp up for 2026’s 250th.

Perhaps start acquiring 1976 bicentennial items. Or maybe plan on doing more red/white/blue in your craft or art. Resellers could carve out an “America 250” theme that aligns with their interests: stamps, American authors, yada yada yada…you get the idea.

Here are some things that make me feel semiquincentennial-y:

1976 Bicentennial Partyware

Unopened? Even better.

I’m intrigued by these 1976 party goods. Did the party not happen? Get moved indoors? Or not as many folks as expected showed up? And, above all, how did their owner manage to keep up with them all these years?

Whether you’d like them for your own retro touches to a 2026 semiquincentennial party or have an eye on resale, I think these are – as some of us said in ’76 – groovy.

As of April 1, the high bid was $5. The set is offered on HiBid by Aurora Country Auction in Rhome, TX. Sale closes today at 6:00 p.m., and the auctioneer’s fee is 18.5%.

Bicentennial Jelly Drinking Glasses

Source: Etsy/ ReVibeVintageNVinyl

This lovely set of four drinking glasses is the perfect balance between 1976 bicentennial and I’d-use-these-each-day glassware. The rare Libby set on Etsy from ReVibeVintageNVinyl (two pictured) is $30 plus shipping from Fairview, TN.

Hollie Hobby Limited Edition Doll

Source: HiBid/ Titletown Auction Company (Green Bay, WI)

When I searched “bicentennial” on HiBid on March 31, most of the 231 lots were coins. Things like party goods and this Holly Hobbie stood out; her high bid went from $3 to $12.50 in one day. She’s offered by Titletown Auction Company in Green Bay, WI. (Terrific business name and way to pay homage to the Packers!) Closing day/time is April 1 at 6:00 p.m. CST, and broker’s premium is 15%. Simply head to https://www.HiBid.com and search for Titletown in Wisconsin.

Source: http://www.HistoryCollection.com

Flags, elephants, dogs, hats, mugs, plates, mini Liberty Bells…. Yep, the year was 1976.