Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 8 January 2024

Wilson County Beekeepers met at the Ward Ag Center on Monday, January 8 for the first meeting in 2024.  There were 67 members and guests in attendance with ten new members joining the group.  President Carey Mitchell called the meeting to order.  The minutes of the December meeting were approved with the year-end checkbook balance standing at $xxxx.xx.  The year-end financial report was available for anyone wanting to know who the club’s money was spent over the course of the year.

Old Business Discussed:

• What do you call the bees that live next door? Neigh-buzz!!!  (Thanks Duane)
• The Christmas Dinner was a great success…we were able to send Wounded Warrior Project a total of $1,115.00, thanks to your generosity.
• Several members attended the North America Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY this past weekend with great reviews. It didn’t appear that anyone attended the Hive Life conference in Sevierville.
• Anyone wanting /needing to purchase bees can check with several of our members…Sterling Earhart, Pat Gooch, John Hancock, Al Taylor, and/or Leonard Walker

New Business Discussed:                                               

• Congratulations to Honeybee Tennessee (Jessica) on being in the top-ten State specialty license plates (#7 out of 197). There was an excellent article in The Tennessean.
• Dues are due…and new membership books are in. If you attended the Short Course and paid the registration fee, your 2024 dues were included, so see Petra for your copy.
• South Central Kentucky Beekeeping School is Saturday, February 3 in Scottsville, KY. The cost is $10.00 per person, or $15.00 per couple.  Petra has details at her table.
• David Thompson, TBA President, informed the group that the TBA Board Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 pm, right after the Refresher Course.

Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Get your equipment ready for the new season (repair and paint…if you paint)
• Check bee yard for wind/storm damage or animal damage
• Check honey stores, and feed if necessary
• Hives will need 6 frames of shallow or 2-3 deep frames
• If they have adequate feed, do not feed
• Do not disturb the cluster
   

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

Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

Program:  Leonard Walker had a very informative program discussing how he uses double screens to increase his honey yield

Announcements:

• February 5—Clarence Collison—Swarm Management—Are you winning the battle?
• February 24—Beginning Beekeeper Refresher Course—9:00 am

TBA Board Meeting—1:00 pm

The evening’s door prizes were handed out by Carey with the help from Jennifer Ferguson and Evie and Katie Wilson

Door Prizes:

• WCBA hat—Rhonda Stansberry
• Bee Pin—Duane Ackley
• Smoker—Jenny Lamb
• Hive Tool—Allen Ferguson
• Entrance dial—Donnie Gleaves
• Bee Magnet—Les Burton
• Bee Brush—Steve Davis
• Bee Coasters (handmade by Kenny Birdwell)—Clint Cannon
• Frame Rest donated by Ronnie Woodard—Rob Hopper
• Let it Bee Plaque donated by Norma Jean Stroupe—Tricia Davis

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 for refreshments & fellowship.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $_____________________

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
January 9, 2024

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