I am a beginner with bee baggage. I bought 2 packages of bees last year, one survived and one did not. We had record heat and drought last summer, but one hive did survive and is thriving. I do not have a local association and am very happy to have this forum to discuss issues. It seemed to me that last year was the Murphy's Law of beekeeping for me. I thought I would give it one more try this year and bought 2 nucs. We have now had an incredible Spring and nectar is flowing like a river - I have honey to harvest in my original hive, and the 2 new ones are doing great.