Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – 13 January 2014

On January 13, 2014 President Carey Mitchell welcomed 111 signed in members and guests to the monthly meeting of the Wilson County Beekeepers Association.

An approval was asked for the December minutes that were posted in the last newsletter.  Again, thanks for the club’s generosity for the funds that were collected for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The question of the evening:  What is the queen color for this year?  Answer:  Green… check the cover of your membership book.

Beetle blasters ($1.00 each), Beetle Jails ($1.50 each) and pollen ($1.75/pound) were available.

Newbees were reminded to contact a mentor to work out a plan for the upcoming season…type of equipment using, source for bees, location of site, etc.

New Business:

• Dues are due…if you attended the short course in OCTOBER, your WCBA dues for 2014 were included, as were TBA dues through next October.  For those that paid dues and received new membership books, one change needs to be made…the May meeting has to be rescheduled to the 19^th, as we do not pay for the building use and they have camping groups in the first two weeks of May.
• Peter Klaes said he didn’t have any information yet on the new t-shirts for this year
• NABA Workshop this Saturday…not sure if seats are available…contact Joel White  308-3776 if interested
• February 8 (Saturday)…there will be a Beginning Beekeeper Refresher class to go over points covered at the short course…along with smoker lighting.  From 9:00 am to around noon.  Following that at 1:00 pm, WCBA will be hosting the TBA Board Meeting.  If anyone would like to volunteer to bring a plate of cookies for the board meeting, Petra would appreciate it.  (Can be brought to the Monday, February 3 meeting)
• Bees for Sale:
  – Wilbanks Bees—Hayes Wilson 931-445-3730 and Bobby Carter 931-239-4000 will be bringing back 3 pound packages the end of March/early April.  $85.00 per package.
  – Jim Murff is taking orders for 5-frame nucs from Dudars…cost will be $125
• New table full of FREE magazines…no check out…take what you want, but consider returning them when read so others can enjoy.  If you want to bring your old magazines (any subject) that would be great to add to the mix.
• The Land Trust of Tennessee’s Glen Leven Farm is having a beginning class on February 1.
• Anyone placing an order with Brushy Mountain by March 31 will receive a free hive tool if you use Code:  FHT
• Walter T. Kelley Company is celebrating their 90^th anniversary this year.  They are offering FREE shipping on all orders over $200…with some restrictions.  (assume glass is NOT included)

Fred’s To-Do List:

• Apiary Check:  ***Honey Stores—next couple months most crucial  ***make sure your outer cover is secure (wind)
• Make plans for 2014
• Order equipment
• Order Packages/Nucs
• Read—Read—Read

Trevor Qualls from Bon Aqua Springs Woodenware (and the Vice President of Three Rivers Beekeepers) had a wonderful presentation on natural beekeeping

Next meeting is scheduled for February 3—Mike Haney will be doing a presentation on Raising Queens.

Door Prizes for the Evening:

2014 Calendars — Joe Riddle, James Robinson, Kim Walter, Margaret Cantrell, and Ricky Underhill
Honey Candy from Glory Bee — Sally Syes (great catch Sally!!)
$10.00 Gift Certificate from Miller Bee Equipment — Timmie Scott, and a
Hive Tool—was awarded to David Elliott.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 for refreshments and fellowship.

Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer—Wilson County Beekeepers Association, January 14, 2014

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