Local beekeeper holding presentation Wednesday at Bartlett library

Konni Vukelic’s interactive presentation on bees is being held at the Bartlett Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The local beekeeper is the owner of Three Bees honey farm in Marengo, where she produces local honey and wellness goods. Although she is currently located in Marengo, her story with bees started in Bartlett.

In 2010, Vukelic was at a crossroads in her life. Recently divorced and dealing with a slew of health problems, she found herself looking for locally made honey in an effort to feel better.

Vukelic’s mother connected her with a local beekeeper, just five minutes from her home on the outskirts of Bartlett, and she was immediately hooked on the health benefits.

Around the same time, Vukelic’s retail job reduced her hours. When the beekeeper she had met needed help with his apiary, she decided to lend a hand, sure it would be temporary.

“At the same time, my beekeeper’s helper found work elsewhere,” she recalled. “He asked if I wanted to come help him out on the apiary. I thought to myself, ‘Yeah, I can do that in the meantime.’ But in the meantime, I fell in love with beekeeping.”

Although she loved beekeeping, Vukelic was working 60 hours a week to make ends meet as a single mother. Burning the candle at both ends she was exhausted and searching for a sign. Two weeks late she was let go from her retail job after 17 years.

“At that point I knew I wasn’t starting all over … I jumped in and decided I’m doing this,” Vukelic said.

Today, Vukelic runs her small business, producing honey and wellness goods, while also educating others about bees and sustainability.

Her upcoming library presentation will give attendees a chance to learn more about the health benefits of bees, their impact on the environment and the inspiring journey that brought her back to where it all started.