Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 7 March 2016

Due to an overturned semi loaded with 420 beehives, Carey Mitchell along with several other members was not available to preside over the March 7, 2016 meeting. Our Vice President, Fred Dawson was in Macon County. That left Secretary Petra Mitchell to preside over the meeting. One hundred members, visitors and guests were in attendance.

Members approved the minutes of the February meeting as reported in the last newsletter.

Old Business Discussed:

• Newbees were reminded to be sure they had their bees ordered if they were planning on starting this Spring. Also they need to make contact with a mentor to be sure their site for the bees is set. This needs to be done BEFORE your bees arrive. Also be sure to use NEW woodenware. You have too much invested in the bees to lose them to disease from used equipment. Also practice lighting your smoker before bees come…it will save you and your bees.
• If you haven’t paid your dues, please do so. If you haven’t picked up your new membership books, do so at the end of the meeting. That includes anyone that attended the Short Course in October
• We had 19 attend the Refresher Course on the 20th…great turnout and lots was learned
• A big thank-you to those that provided cookies, fudge, and brownies for the TBA Board Meeting
• Video Projector update…Dale McCleskey (who was at the semi scene) has donated one to the club with not many hours on the bulb. In exchange, WCBA will give him a lifetime membership…not a bad deal. Now we need another idea to spend the $200 Education Grant from TBA. If you have suggestions, please let it be know.
• We have UltraBee pollen substitute for sale…$1.75 per pound (the $1.50/pound has been sold, but $1.75/pound is a great deal, as Mann Lake sells it for $9.95 for the 1 pound container, plus shipping). Also have beetle jails for $1.50 and beetle blasters for $1.00

New Business Discussed:

• After several years of begging, we finally got the piano moved out of the closet, new shelving installed and catalogs stored on the bottom three shelves. So in the future, you just need to go to the closet to pick up catalogs.
• WCBA has presented a check to Wilson ounty Promotions to cover the full amount of premiums available at the Honey Show. So once again, we will fully fund our venue
• We have received the $200.00 Short Course Grant from TBA
• T-shirt sign-up is at the back table…we have black with gold lettering, gold with black lettering, khaki with black lettering, and pink with black lettering. Coast is $10.00 per shirt, no matter the size. We do need to get lots of 12 per color before thy will print.
• Farm Days are scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13. Margaret Cantrell is chairing this, so please sign up for one day, or both if you can help.
• Swarm lists were circulated and members were asked to check that their information is current. Also, if you want to add yourself to a list, make it in an area you are willing to go and get the bees.
• Master Gardeners are hosting Spring Festival in the Grove on Saturday, April 30. Paula Rogers said she would set up and represent the beekeepers.
• Gently used footwear was collected for New Leash on Life. We will collect again in April for those that left their shoes at home. This is a great way to support that group by cleaning out your closet.
• Candice Thompson recapped the TBA Board Meeting: *Reports from all regions showed that there has been a significant loss in bees *the proposed budget was approved with the slight change of the State changing their Hive Grant reimbursement from $5,000 in years past to $3,000 this year *This does not affect the $200 Short Course Grant or the $200 Education Grant that is available to each local association (only one of each grant per club) *Next board meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 pm at the Hyder-Burke Pavilion in Cookeville. The two-day Conference is scheduled for October 7 & 8. Candice encouraged members to attend at least one day as there is a wealth amount of information available for a nominal cost. Vendors will be on hand to purchase equipment, or you can pre-order and have the brought to Cookeville without a shipping charge. Brushy Mountain will be there this year with a 10% discount. Kelley’s, Mann Lake, Bon Aqua Springs and Dadant will also be there, along with some individual vendors

With Fred not in attendance, Karen did the To Do List:

• Have you ordered bee packages or nucs
• Equipment inspection inside hives—replace bad frames
• Look for your queen or brood
• Look at the honey reserves and plan to feed the hive (syrup or drive)
• Listen to Kent’s program
• Read—-Read—–Read

Kent Williams, from Wingo, Kentucky, was on hand to do an educational program on the importance of a good queen. Members were encouraged to ask questions.

Announcements: WEMA sent out an additional call for help with the overturned trailer. If you are able, grab your smoker, jacket or suit and veil and head out to Posey Hill Road. Our next meeting will be Monday, April 11 (2nd Monday) with Clarence Collison presenting Honeybee Biology. It should be a good program.

Karen and Petra handed out door prizes at the end of the evening to these lucky winners: Kay Storey, Charles Hamilton, Sharon Nuss, Ernie Calabria, Margaret Cantrell, and Wayne Storey.

Meeting adjourned around 8:35 for refreshments and fellowship.

—
Respectfully submitted: Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
March 8, 2016

.
wcba