The Honeybees Making a Buzz in Nursing Homes

           Once a month, the Honeybees, a quartet based in the Lettered Streets Neighborhood, performs music at three different nursing and assisted living centers in Bellingham: Highgate House, the Courtyard, and Orchard Park, where residents say the group lifts spirits.

            The Honeybees are made up of four women who greet strangers with smiles and intermittently break into four-part harmony during conversation.  Kathy Murray, 58, formed the group, who performs music from the 1920s to the 1960s, eight years ago when she recruited Barb Fuller, 54, Marcia Reimers, 56, and Iris Likkel, 61, from the Bellingham Theatre Guild.    Murray and Likkel said it is because of the group’s connection to the Bellingham Theatre Guild that they incorporate theatrics into their show through choreography and costumes.

“If we laugh, have fun, well, then, hopefully the audience will, too,” Likkel, who is in charge of the choreography and costumes, said.

It is the Honeybees’ choreography and energetic stage presence that have made them something of celebrities at Orchard Park, an assisted living center on West Orchard Street.  Several Orchard Park residents said they look forward to watching the Honeybees’ performance each month because of the group’s enthusiasm and vitality. 

Alice Muzzy-Gerblick, 85, who has lived at Orchard Park for three years and has never missed a performance, said the group’s music is important to boosting morale.

“Sometimes you get very despondent here—when it’s raining and you can’t leave,” Muzzy-Gerblick said.  “And they come, and it’s like a bit of sunshine.”

            Ashley Moore, 24, became the Activities Director at Orchard Park in July of 2009. 

Moore said when she came to Orchard Park there was only enough money in the activities budget to schedule entertainment every other month.  But The Honeybees were so popular with residents that they are now one of two groups who perform every month. 

            According to Moore, The Honeybees bring more than music when they visit Orchard Park.

            “As soon as they walk in everyone is instantly happy and smiling, and there’s a lot of hugs going on,” Moore said.  “There’s a lot of love going on when they come.”

            The Honeybees said they enjoy performing for an audience familiar with their music, and are aware of the role they play in lifting spirits.  While most of their gigs take place in the Western Washington area, the group has performed in Chicago, and is going on a tour of nursing homes from Bellingham to Los Angeles in July. 

            In addition to brightening nursing homes, the Honeybees said one of their goals is to release a children’s album.  If the group creates a children’s CD, it will be their third album.  The Honeybees released their first CD, “First Buzz,” in 2009, followed by a Christmas album the same year.  The children’s album is in the idea stage right now, but the group said they hope it will be a reality someday. 

Reimers, who usually sings soprano and handles The Honeybees’ booking, said their classic tunes are great for children as well as adults.

“They’re old, but they’re timeless,” Reimers said.

Orchard Park resident Malcolm Hewlett, 76, said it is easy to relate to the fun The Honeybees have.

“They’ve got the enthusiasm,” Hewlett said.  “Brightens your day, really.”

            The Honeybees said they are constantly adding to their set list that currently consists of 136 songs.  They just added three new songs to their repertoire, “That’s My Baby,” “Button Up Your Overcoat,” and “Lazy River,” which they will perform along the way to Los Angeles.  The group also plans to create fresh choreography for some of their older songs, according to Murray.

            In addition to their CDs and nursing home performances, the Honeybees have sung on 102.3-FM and appeared on a local TV station.  They perform live at many Northwest festivals, car shows, and class reunions.  On Jan. 11, they provided the entertainment at the Lettered Streets annual neighborhood potluck.  Their next performance is a private event on Feb. 8 at the Whatcom County Medical Society Annual Meeting.