Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 11 September 2017

Wilson County Beekeepers met for their monthly meeting at the Ward Ag Center on Monday, September 11.  Carey Mitchell, President welcomed 54 members and guests.  The group approved the minutes from the July 31st meeting and it was reported that our current checkbook balance is $xxx after depositing proceeds from the Fair.

Old Business Discussed:

• Carey congratulated all the winners of the Honey Show and sent out a big thank you to those that worked the Honey Booth, hose that donated honey and wax, those that brought frames for extracting, and our program presenters.  It was a huge success.  With the new location we had plenty of room for folks to circulate and see what we had to offer.  Fair attendance this year was 488,299 which was up 21,063 from last year.  There were 39 volunteers that helped with the Honey Show for a total of 374 hours.  We sold 75 wax blocks and 405 basket tickets.  The basket was won by Sherri Shedd from Mt. Juliet.  We collected a total of $1,765 at the booth (but we did pay $480 for purchased honey, to be sure we had enough to sell.)
• There are some empty bears left over we are selling for $6.00 per dozen.  See Petra
• Last meeting it was voted that we offer a total of 12 scholarships (including the three from TBA) for Conference for first-time attendees.  This pays for one day admission ($25).  You would be responsible for your meals (can purchase box lunch ticket for $7.00 and the Friday Dinner Buffet for $16.50) and the second day can be purchased for $10.  Well worth your time.  Anyone interested, let Petra know.
• Short course is scheduled for October 31 to November 2.  We had 64 people sign up at the Fair.  They will be contacted the end of September.  Class size will be limited to 50 people, so if you are interested in attending, put your name on the list.
• Honeybee Tennessee’s website is up and running, and Jessica Dodds explained what she is doing with the non-profit.

New Business Discussed:

• While at the Honey Booth, Petra had a conversation with Melissa Ross, our judge, and she suggested that we go to a score sheet next year.  This would require honey moisture be tested and a digital refractometer would aid in the process.  Candice Thompson made a motion that the club purchase a digital refractometer to be sued by the membership and stored in the closet.  Members can come before meetings to check moisture any time, not just for Fair entries.  Vote was taken and motion passed.
• Mark Anderson proposed that we name the New Beekeeper Scholarship in honor of Mr. WT Nolen who we lost this past July.  WT was a wonderful friend to many new beekeepers offering equipment and advice.  Vote passed unanimously and the addition of WT’s name goes into effect immediately.
• Carey reminded everyone that November is Election Month.  If anyone is interested in holding a position, please let it be known so your name can be added to the ballot.  Also, think about what charity you may want to donate to in December.
• We have books to go to the public libraries.   Karen Dawson volunteered to take the two books (The Beekeeper’s Bible in WT Nolen’s Honor plus our annual gift The Flower and the Bee) to the Lebanon Library and Peggy Scholes offered to take The Flower and the Bee to the Mt. Juliet Library.  Petra delivered the copy for Watertown.
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• Rock Bridge Trees of Bethpage is having a Tree Sale until November 1.  A complete list of trees available and pricing was at the back table.  Members can request a copy via email.

Margaret’s Monthly To Do List:

1. ·Check stores—need to make sure you have stores for winter—60 pounds
2. Check to make sure your colonies are queenright
3. Evaluate your colonies…it’s better to have one strong hive than 2 weak hives
4. Read and plan for Spring

The evening’s program had Trevor Qualls from Bon Aqua Springs doing a power point discussing alternatives to chemicals and going over pests and diseases.

Announcements:

• October 2—Combing Hives with Carey Mitchell
• October 31–November 2—Short Course

Carey gave out the evening’s door prizes:  Doug Bowes, Ben Brown, Jessica Dodds, Becky Owens and Preston Poteete.  Trevor Qualls gave away a full hive (Screened bottom board, three medium 8-frame boxes, feeder box, screened inner cover, and solid outer cover) that was won by Sterling Earhart.  As Sterling didn’t need the equipment, we will raffle it off at the next meeting ($1.00 per ticket) to help pay for the refractomer.  Thanks Sterling!!!

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 for refreshments and fellowship.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
September 11, 2017

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