Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Julia, the last we heard, you had decided to marry Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, but you hadn’t told him yet. Can you fill us in?

Julia: Let’s see, that must have been right after my father’s operation. Those few weeks were pretty intense, as you can imagine. Rome was a rock during that time.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: So did you marry soon after that?

Julia: We did. Rome felt a longing to get back to his childhood home in Ohio. It felt like a miracle to have the farm. It was a miracle. He wanted to get back to Ohio as soon as possible and see what condition the house was in, but I didn’t want him to have to do that alone. I know he felt healed from his family’s tragedy, but that would have been a lonely task. So we decided to have the wedding at Christmas.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: How did Fern react to that news?

Julia: Fern? She did what she usually did-she complained and said it was an impossible task. Then she sat right down and started planning it. With such short notice, only about four hundred people could attend. A little on the small side. But it was a beautiful day.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: So then you and Rome moved to Ohio?

Julia: Sadie, my sister, wanted to come along with us for a few months to help us set up house. That ended up being a timely decision, for so many reasons.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Oh? Such as…

Julia: [Hesitates.] Well, that’s really Sadie’s story to tell. Let’s just say…coming to Ohio was a…significant turning point in her life.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Did the bees go with you?

Julia: Oh, my, yes! Rome could never be separated from his brown bees. He did leave M.K. with a new queen and a hive. He would have preferred waiting a few more years. Well, you know my little sister. She doesn’t really have the temperament for beekeeping. It requires…patience.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: She told me she’s become a crackerjack beekeeper.

Julia: Mary Kate said that? [Rolls her eyes.] Fern might have an opinion about that. She’s had to take on some new chores since we left. Bee-related. (Glances toward the house.) Speaking of chores, is this going to last much longer?

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Oh. Oh! I guess not. [Watches Julia hurry off to the house.] Well, thanks for taking a few minutes to update everyone today. [The rusty hinge of the kitchen door squeaks as Julia disappears into the house.]

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Mary Kate, I was hoping to have a chance to speak with your sister, Sadie.

M.K.: Sorry. Sadie doesn’t like to talk to strangers. She’s shy like that.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: Well, maybe you could answer a few questions for the local newspaper.

M.K.: No, I shouldn’t. [Looks intrigued.] What sort of questions?

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: I was speaking to someone who mentioned there was a scandal at Windmill Farm. Something involving Sadie.

M.K.: [Stamps her foot in anger] Who said that? Was it Jimmy Fisher? I’m sure it was! Everything that comes out of his mouth is a gullywasher of lies.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: I can’t reveal my sources.

M.K.: And that’s how you track down your news stories? From a low down chicken farmer with a very poor character? That’s outrageous. [Narrows her eyes.] What did he tell you?

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: My source mentioned that your sister might have brought disgrace to Windmill Farm. Shame and dishonor, my source said. He said that your family will never be able to show your faces in Stoney Ridge again. He thought you would be moving away soon to start a new life. To restore your reputations.

M.K.: That Jimmy Fisher is nothing but a smart aleck. No doubt he’s telling tales all over town! I’ll have you know that my sister Sadie is the finest person on earth, next to my father. Fern is a fine person though she can be as prickly as a jar of toothpicks. And Julia and Rome are fine people, too, though I try not to get Julia mad. Uncle Hank might not be quite so fine, but he has a good character. Unlike Jimmy Fisher, who does not.

Stoney Ridge Times Roving Reporter: So, you’re saying that there’s nothing unusual going on at Windmill Farm. Nothing curious about your sister’s recent return? You’re not moving far, far away?

M.K.: [Seems a little uncomfortable.] I’m not going anywhere. Everything’s just as right as rain at Windmill Farm. And if I’m lying, I’m flying. [Leans in to whisper something.] Your real news story is over at Fisher Hatchery. Look inside the woodshed–left hand side, under two big logs–and you’ll find a green box filled with firecrackers. That’s Jimmy Fisher’s secret stash. He’s crazy about firecrackers. He’s just crazy. Period.

Well, that’s it for this month’s edition of Stoney Ridge Times. If you have an idea for a story or interview, please email the Roving Reporter’s assistant, Amy.