Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 2 October 2023

Wilson County Beekeepers met at the Ward Ag Center on Monday, October 2, 2023 with 56 members and guests in attendance.  President Carey Mitchell called the meeting to order.  The minutes of the September 11th meeting were approved with the checkbook balance standing at $xxxx.xx.  This amount reflects a $350.00 donation that we received from Lake Forest Acres Garden Club in memory of Jerry Sanders.  His wife, Linda, was a recipient of the Hive Grant several years ago.  Jerry always loved the bees and the garden club wanted to honor him.

Old Business Discussed:

• Thank you to all that brought desserts and bid at the Dessert Auction for Cole Joines.  Over $25,000 was raised that night.  Who would have thought that a banana pudding would go for $1,000.00?  Such a great turnout and the family truly appreciates everyone’s efforts.
• The TBA Fall Conference is this coming Friday and Saturday, October 6 & 7 at MTSU.  There will be a Honey Show, so you might consider entering.
• TBA Board Meeting is Thursday, October 5 at MTSU.  Every TBA member is welcome to attend, but only delegates will be allowed to speak.
• October 23-25 will be the Short Course.  If you are planning on attending, either as a refresher or helping out, please let Petra know, as she needs a headcount for dinners.

New Business Discussed:                                               

• Next month we will be electing officers for 2024.  ALL positions are open.  If you interested in taking on ANY office, please let Petra know so she can put together the ballot.  We will also be selecting our charity for December (and June), so if you have a local charity you would like to put on the list, let her know.

Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• October is a little late to treat for mites,  Those treatments that require high temperatures to evaporate don’t work in cool temperatures
• Check for laying queens
• Feed colonies that don’t have enough stores
• Colonies will stop taking sugar water after first hard freeze
• Clean up around your hives
• Repair equipment and start thinking about next year

What’s blooming at our house that the bees are working:

• Aster
• Boneset
• Catnip
• Crownbeard
• Golden Rod
• Ironweed
• Leaf Cut
• Magnolia
• Partridge Pea
• Smartweed
• Virginia Copperleaf
• Vitex
• Yellow wingstem

Program:  Jay Williams had a fantastic program on becoming a better bee detective

Announcements:

David and Karen Cuen had bags of pine needles for anyone needing smoker fuel.

• October 5—TBA Board Meeting
• October 6 & 7—TBA Fall Conference—Murfreesboro
• October 23 & 25—Short Course
• November 6—Elections and Susan Welchance—Working with Beeswax

Door Prizes:

• J Hook Hive Tool—Evie Wilson
• Vitex Plants—Jeremy Blackwell, Andrew Poteete, Jenny Lamb, Rhonda Stansberry, Russ Davis
• Honey Magnet—Julie Hallum
• The Hive and the Honey bee—Shelley Flint
• Dial Entrance Reducer—Heather Kitchen
• Gloves—Freddie Stroupe
• Capping Scratcher—Norma Jean Stroupe
• Honey Candy—Marianne Smith
• WCBA Hat—Deanie Yoest
• Wounded Warrior 2024 calendar—Ed Miller
• Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey—donated by Al Dutton—Norbert Braunwalder and John Stansberry

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 for refreshments & fellowship.       

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $xxxx

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
October 3, 2023

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