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16 cooking it until the syrup is ready to bole. Dickerson usually sells several boles, giing some to friends. Since about 1993, Dickerson has enjoyed having a small honey business and keeping bees on his farm. "Lots of people like to buy local honey," he said. "They either call me or knock on the door. I have neighbors who buy year-round." Dickerson has found swarms of bees and brought them home. A few years ago, he found a swarm hanging above a vine, captured them and shook them into a bag. The only problem was, the bees wouldn't come out of the bag. That experience motivated Dickerson to learn more about beekeeping. "When bees swarm, you can put them in a new beehive," he said. Bees begin swarming in March and April as temperatures rise. Dickerson always watches for the queen – she's easy to spot because her body is darker in color and larger. "Catching a swarm is one of the most interesting things you can do," Dickerson said. "You make sure to catch the queen. Aer you catch the bees, put them outside the hive and they'll just go in." Dickerson and his wife, Mamie, recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. They are active in their church and enjoy helping others. Six years ago, Dickerson was certified by the IRS as a tax preparer through the Columbia Baptist Ministry Center. From January to April, he provides free income-tax assistance to retired citizens. "It's a real blessing to help people out," Dickerson said. "If it's a tax return we can do in a couple of hours, we'll do it." The couple has taken many mission trips with the Alabama Baptist Mission Board, paying their own expenses. The Dickersons assisted in Thailand aer the 2005 tsunami, and worked in Lebanon the following year. They've volunteered in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and did mission work twice in Haiti. They worked in New York City aer 9/11, and in New Orleans and Biloxi aer Hurricane Katrina. They aend Southeast Energizers meetings together. "I have so much going on, I don't know how I ever had time to work," Dickerson said, with a chuckle. "My life just gets more interesting." The Dickersons show off wares.