Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 3 October 2022

Wilson County Beekeepers Association President Carey Mitchell called the October 3, 2022 meeting to order with thirty-eight members and guests in attendance.  The minutes of the September meeting were approved.   The reported checkbook balance is $__________.
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Old Business Discussed:

• TBA Fall Mini-Conference for the North Middle Region is scheduled for October 8 at the Dayspring Academy in Greenbrier. Online registration is open through the TBA website.  Thomas Seeley will be the featured speaker, via zoom.
• The Short Course is scheduled for October 24-26 (Monday-Wednesday). If you are planning on attending, please let Petra know.  We will be capping at 50 seats.
• Allen reported that the library book has been delivered
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New Business Discussed:                                                             

• We have the privilege of getting Kent Williams next May to do an all-day queen rearing class. Sterling has volunteered one of his bee yards for the event.  (Thanks Sterling!)  This will be a hands-on class and open to all interested.  The class size is limited to 40 and the cost is free to WCBA members.
• The Fair Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 in the Farm Bureau Expo Center at 6:30. Those that worked the Honey Booth are invited, but you need to let Petra know by October 13 so she can put you on the guest list.
• Next month will be our annual elections. If you would like to run for ANY position, let Petra know so a ballot can be prepared.  Jennifer said she would continue as Librarian, Jenny Lam will stay on as our Social Media Queen, and Sarah Poss will continue to do the newsletter.  Thanks Ladies!
• TBA is holding its 2022 Fall Board meeting on Saturday, October 29 from 2pm to 4:30pm, followed by BBQ and drinks. This will be at the UT Extension Office in Gallatin at 658 Hartsville Pike.  We need three delegates (or alternates) to attend.  Jenny Lamb said she would be there.
• Next month we were to have Jay Williams speak, but due to unforeseen circumstances he will not be able to make it, but rescheduled for next year. We will do an open forum discussion ‘What I have Learned this Year’.  We did this a couple years back, and it was a great discussion.
• Jenny Lamb was contacted by Watertown Elementary will be holding a STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math & Music) Event on Thursday, November 17 from 4-6pm and asked if WCBA would be a sponsor of the event. Allen & Jennifer Ferguson said they would man the booth at the event.
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Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Same as last month…30 days later.
• Treat for Mites
• It might be too late to get healthy fat bees
• We have some 40 degree weather and the hives are clustering
• Reduce hives, remove empty frames and boxes
• Start repairing anything that needs it.
• Start looking for a source for nucs, queens and packages
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What’s blooming (at our house) that the bees are working:

• Asters
• Basil
• Boneset
• Catnip Crepe Myrtle
• Crownbeard
• English Ivy
• Horseweed
• Ironweed
• Leaf cup
• Ragweed
• Smartweed
• Virginia Copperleaf
• Vitex
• Yellow winstem
• Zinnia
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Program:  Barry Richards from Cross Plains presented a most-informative program on observation hives with a lot of pictures and visual samples
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Announcements: 

• October 8—TBA Mini-Conference (Greenbrier, TN)
• October 24-26—Short Course
• October 25—Fair Appreciation Dinner
• October 29—TBA Board Meeting (UT Extension Office in Gallatin)
• November 7—Elections and Open Forum
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Door Prizes:

• Rossman Hat—Ed Schwark
• Vitex—Russ Davis, Lou Taylor, Jenny Galles
• Frame Grip—Karla Clark
• Queen Marking tube—Wendy Street
• Honey Candy—Jenny Lamb
• Hive Tool—Sterling Earhart
• Direct Feed Microbial—Les Burton
• Mouse Guard—Philip Chapman
• Smoker (donated by Allen & Jennifer Ferguson)—Doug Davis
• Hat & Veil (donated by Allen & Jennifer Ferguson)—Amy McClain
• Homemade potholders (donated by Norma Jean Stroupe)—Jennifer Ferguson
• Box of gloves (donated by Lou Taylor)—Norma Jean Stroupe
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The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm for refreshments.
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The Club’s current checkbook balance is $_______________

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
October 4, 2022

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