Meagan Rose, executive assistant to the Office of the Executive Council and a key organizer of the recent District Five Governor & Council Roadshow, congratulates Dan Wilson, vice president of the Merrimack Beekeepers Association, for his acceptance of a commendation on behalf of the MVBA, a group whose 400 members are dedicated to the preservation of all pollinators and to beekeeping at its highest level. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

HOLLIS – The State of New Hampshire “through Her Excellency Kelly A. Ayotte, Governor,” did bestow on Oct.1 during an assembly at Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis, a Commendation that officially honored the Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association (MVBA), a local organization of 400 professional and amateur beekeeping enthusiasts, for its dedication to the science, enjoyment and promotion of apiculture — beekeeping.

“On behalf of the MVBA and myself, we were humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Dan Wilson, vice president of MVBA and recipient of the finely scripted document. “My goal is to spread my knowledge and mentorship to beekeepers, old and new.”

Wilson is a mail route driver of more than 27 years for the U.S. Postal Service. He and his wife, Angela, maintain four hives at their home in Billerica, Mass.

He was accompanied at the ceremony by fellow MVBA members John and Claudia Dufresne, longtime beekeepers from Hollis, and Mike Mattock who with his wife, Diane, are proprietors of Mattock Family Apiary in Hollis.

Several clauses within the Commendation cited the MVBA for apiculture conservation efforts. It was credited with support for both newcomers and seasoned apiarists who are caring for the pollinators that sustain crops, fruits, vegetables, trees and other agriculture.

Fulchino Vineyard co-owner Al Fulchino, left, congratulates Dan Wilson, vice president of the Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association, who on behalf of the membership accepted an official commendation from Governor Kelly A. Ayotte for the club's wide variety of conservation efforts on behalf of the pollinators that sustain the world's food sources and landscapes and agriculture. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

There were kudos for the preservation of natural resources, the state’s vast landscapes and “the Granite State tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis was the scenic venue for the District Five Governor & Council Roadshow, hosted by David K. Wheeler, State of New Hampshire executive councilor for more than 30 towns in the region.

Wheeler, a Republican executive councilor serving his eighth term since 2020, is a longtime advocate of bringing government to the people to ensure closer interaction with the citizenry of towns the Roadshow visits. Hollis was the last stop among several roadshows in various towns in 2025.

“I wanted to highlight how important pollinators are to our food supply, “ said Wheeler, whose wife, Joy, is an alumna of beekeeping classes offered in the spring by MVBA.

Around 100 people joined Governor Kelly Ayotte and a panel of council members who occupied for a few hours a spacious veranda at Fulchino Vineyard, established on three acres in 2007 upon land purchased in the 1990s. It is now home to 14 varieties of grapes that cling to 1,400 vines. Hundreds of bottles of fine wine are for sale there.

New Hampshire Executive Councilor Dave K. Wheeler shows some affection for the science and art of beekeeping at a recent District Five Governor & Council Roadshow he hosted at Fulchino Vineyard on Pine Hill Road in Hollis. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Vineyard owners Susan Fulchino and Al Fulchino, whose grandfather made wine in Italy, arranged outdoor veranda seating at the Roadshow.

Presentations by David Rousseau, director of the Pesticide Control Division of Integrated Pest Management and David Priebe, State Apiary Inspector, along with Al Fulchino added perspectives about cultivation, integration of sustainable growing practices, apiculture and viticulture — grape growing.

The public is invited to return to Fulchino Vineyard for events that include wine tastings, live music nights, vineyard tours, and gatherings for special events including weddings and family parties. More information is available online at fulchinovineyard.com.

Information on activities in the New Hampshire Executive Council or the office of Governor Kelly Ayotte can be accessed on the Web at Council.nh.gov.

Contact the Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association online at merrimackvalleybeekeepers.com.

Members of the Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association, honored for a wide range of bee-related activities by Gov. Kelly A. Ayotte, center, at a recent District Five Governor & Council Roadshow, include club representatives, from left, Claudia Dufresne of Hollis, Dan Wilson, MBVA vice president and a resident of Billerica, Mass., Claudia's husband, John Dufresne, and Mike Mattock of the Mattock Family Apiary in Hollis. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Dan Wilson, left, vice president of the Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association, is greeted at the recent Roadshow event by Dave Priebe, NH State Apiary Inspector, and his wife, Dorinda Priebe, apiary consultant, both members of Pawtuckaway Beekeepers Association, Concord Area Bee Association and other groups in addition to being Certified Master Beekeepers since 2011 for the Eastern Apiculture Society (EAS), where Dave serves as Master Beekeeper Director sitting on the EAS Board of Directors. The Concord Area club maintains a teaching apiary at the Governor's mansion. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON