Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 4 November 2019

Wilson County Beekeepers’ President Carey Mitchell called the November 4, 2019 meeting to order at the Ward Ag Center.  It was a small group of 43 members and guests.   Minutes from the October meeting were approved as posted in the past newsletter.  The reported checkbook balance is $________

Old Business Discussed:

• The WCBA Short Course was October 22-24. It was a well-attended event with 38 registered.  The end-of-class comments indicated a good class.  Thanks to the mentors that attended:  Philip Chapman and Allen and Jennifer Ferguson were there all three days, Tinker Vinson was there for two days, and Dale McCleskey, Leonard Walker, Sterling Earhart, and David Thompson were there for the Thursday construction.
• TBA Conference was October 11 & 12 and WCBA awarded six one-day scholarships to Chuck Benson, Jim & Joyce Gagnon, Jack & Jessie Pratt, and Ron Yearwood. Chuck said it was a great learning experience and plans on attending next year.
• For those that attended the Fair Appreciation Dinner, hope it was enjoyable.
• Jessica Dodds recapped the TBA Board Meeting. 2020 Executive Committee consists of Howard Kerr–President; Carey Mitchell—Executive Vice President; Regional VP’s—Wendy Brown (Upper East), Coley O’Dell (East), Jessica Dodds (Middle) and David Hale (West), Lynda Rizzardi—Secretary, and Petra Mitchell—Treasurer.  The Beekeeper of the Year award went to Gene Armstrong and AC Mann received the Lifetime Member award.
• We still have a few bears left over from the fair…$6.00 each. Plus we received two quarts of dark honey from Robin Majors that are selling for $22.00 each.
• Still looking for 2021 program suggestions.

New Business Discussed: 

• Jessica passed around Christmas Charity ballots for each member to select one. She did mention another one that Leadership Wilson is working towards—building a new ADA approved playground for Watertown to replace the old one they currently have, which is not wheelchair accessible.
• Petra discussed the Christmas Dinner: Dinner date is December 2 with RSVP’s to be in by the 30^th of November.  Club is purchasing the turkey and ham and drinks.  Each family is asked to bring a covered dish AND a dessert.  Volunteers were asked to make the turkeys (Becky Owen and Jake Balentine) and bring the rolls and butter (Jessica Dodds and Chuck Benson).  Also, each attendee is asked to bring a WRAPPED gift to play Dirty Santa.
• An extractor was given to the club for use, but since we already have two that are rented out, we will be auctioning this one off in a Blind Auction. Put your name down on one of the cards along with your top bid.  Auction starts at $200.00 and winner will be announced at the Christmas Dinner.
• ELECTIONS: As no one put their name on the ballot, we will leave officers as they are.  Since Candice Thompson left her post as director, Philip Chapman agreed to step in her place which leaves his alternate post open.  Leonard Walker agreed to fill that post.  2020 Officers are as follows:  President—Carey Mitchell; Vice President—Jessica Dodds; Secretary/Treasurer—Petra Mitchell; Directors—Philip Chapman, Dale McCleskey, Jim Murff; Alternates—Margaret Cantrell, David Thompson, and Leonard Walker.  Jennifer Ferguson agreed to continue as the club’s librarian and Marla Welch will continue to write the newsletter.
• If you want to save time and pay your 2020 dues, Petra will be glad to take them.

Jessica’s Monthly To Do’s: 

• Feeding continues as long as the bees can use the sugar syrup.
• I recommend putting on mouse guards and making sure the entrance reducer is attached at this time.
• If your bees are in an open area and tend to get strong winds, a wind guard would be a great idea. Hay bales or a piece of plywood can be used.  Maybe some extra weight on top of the hive.

What’s Blooming at our house:

• Autumn Olive elaegnus
• Witch hazel

Plus

Question for the night:  How many sub-brains does a honeybee have?

(Check your membership book for the answer).

Our own Peggy Scholes had a wonderful teaching program on bee stings

Announcements:

The charity for the Christmas dinner will be the Watertown Park

The charity for the June picnic will be Wounded Warrior

• Today—November 4– Happy Birthday to Allen Ferguson & Robin Majors
• November 30—RSVP’s due for Christmas Dinner
• December 2—Christmas Dinner
• January 6—Trevor Qualls—Honeybee Biology

Carey and Jessica handed out door prizes at the end of the meeting:

• 5 gallon pail filter—Jerry Sanders
• Bee Brush—Chuck Benson
• Honey Candy—Judy Parrish
• 9-Frame Spacer—Jennifer Ferguson
• Lighter—Mark Anderson
• TBA Cup—Jessica Dodds
• Pigeon Mountain Bag—Sally Syes
• 1 year ABJ Subscription—Laurie Vinson
• Seasonal Prints—Leonard Walker
• Korean BeeBee Tree (donated by Nancy Fulcher)—Irene Barb

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm 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
November 5, 2019

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