Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 4 October 2021

Wilson County Beekeepers met at the Ward Ag Center on October 4, 2021 with 43 members and guests in attendance.  Carey Mitchell, president called the meeting to order.  Minutes from the September meeting were approved as posted in the last newsletter.  The reported checkbook balance is $______ after the purchase of the new coffee urn and Beekeeping in TN books for the short course.

Sad news to report… JD Vantrease passed away on September 28. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, October 7 from 2-8 and Friday from 11 am until the service at 1 pm at Upper Helton Baptist Church in Alexandria.
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Old Business Discussed:

• If you filled out a TB A ballot at the last meeting, Howard said it will not be accepted as it was not his official ballot. Petra has new ballots at the back table and would appreciate you recasting your vote.
• The Fair Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 at 5:30 at the Expo Center. If you haven’t let Petra know do so this meeting so seats can be reserved.
• A list is being started for those that will be attending the Short Course—November 2-4 from 6:30-9:00 nightly. If you are planning on attending, let her know so she can get a seating and food count.
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New Business Discussed:   

• Circulated at each row of tables was a folder with two lists…one for the 2021 charity—if you have an additional charity you would like to include…we will select one by vote for December and the runner up will be our charity for next June. And one for the 2023 program topics as the 2022 schedule is already complete.  Looking for topic ideas for 2023
• Updating the mentor list. If you would like to be added and can help the upcoming newbees, please let Petra know
• November is our annual elections. All officers are open, and if you would like to be on the ballot for any office, we need to know.  Currently Margaret Cantrell is stepping down as TBA Alternate and Dale said ‘like the tomcat who was romantically involved with the skunk, he thinks he’s enjoyed as much of the TBA as he can stand’ and will also be stepping down.  So those two offices will need to be filled.  Also we will be voting on the by-law updates.  (Copy was in the last newsletter)
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Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Continue to check and treat for mites
• Place entrance reducers on hives (but make sure that you don’t have any mice trapped inside)
• Check each colony for a laying queen. Combine a weak hive with a strong hive.
• Leave one shallow super completely full of honey plus the honey in the brood chamber.
• Feed all colonies that do not have at least 40 pounds of honey stored. (A deep-brood frame holds 6-7 pounds of honey; a medium frame holds 4 ½ pounds; a shallow super frame holds 3 ½ pounds)
• Feed a mixture of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water (measured by weight). After October you will need to switch to solid sugar for feeding.
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What’s blooming (at our house) that the bees are working:

• Asters
• Autumn Olive
• Goldenrod
• Ironweed
• Ivy
• Magnolia
• Partridge Pea
• Ragweed
• Smartweed
• Vitex
• Yellow Wingstem

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Program:  Kamon Reynolds had an interesting discussion on varroa mites and their control
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Announcements:

• Petra has craft books on the back table for sale…cleaning out…$1.00 per book
• November 1—Elections… plus Sue Dickhaus—Making Lotions
• November 2-4—Short Course 6:30 – 9:00 nightly

Door Prizes:

• Vitex bushes—Jenny Lamb, Jeff Crutchfield
• 2022 Wounded Warrior Calendar—Lucy Freeman
• Hive Tool—Chris Herron, Al Taylor
• Boardman Feeder—Brittnee Herron
• Box of Shallow End Bars—Kenny Birdwell
• The Hive and the Honeybee—Trish Davis

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $_______________

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
October 5, 2021

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