Spend time with other beekeepers. Treat yourself to a great beekeeping meeting on a State, National, or East Coast scale - all within easy DRIVING DISTANCE.
Virginia State Beekeeping Association (VSBA)- less than 2 hours away in Weyers Cave, VA. Nov. 2-3, 2012. See: http://www.virginiabeekeepers.org/content/meetings-events
American Bee Federation- Hershey, PA. January 8-12, 2013. See: http://www.abfnet.org/
Eastern Apicultural Society - Westchester, PA (right near Philadelphia)- Short Course is August 5-6, 2013 and the conference is August 7-9, 2012. See: http://www.easternapiculture.org/conferences/eas-2013.html