All of your questions are valid. However you will have many more. You are on
the right track by seeking a local beekeepers club. A couple of suggestions,
Make afriendship with a experienced beekeeper. Subscribe to a beekeepers
publication AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, Hamilton ILL. 62341 217-847-3324 or BEE
CULTURE 216-725-6677. Also, Wicwas press has a large selection of books
devoted to the subject, P.O.Box 817, Cheshire CT 06410-0817 203-250-7575.
Your biggest chalenge will staying with just one colony
 
DaleG