I'm Mark, I'm a second grade teacher from near Charlottesville VA. Just ordered my first package and am getting the hive painted, and the, ahem, bear/skunk barrier constructed (please don't say fence where my wife can hear :-X ). Quite exciting. I've been fascinated for years and just decided to go for it.
Well let's see, I also grow most of our own veggies, raise chickens, a dog, a small herd of cats, and one late teenage child. The veggies and the animals are turning out great. I'm hoping bees are easier than teenagers.
This looks like a great place to learn.
Mark