Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 4 November 2024

President Carey Mitchell called the Monday, November 4, 2024 meeting to order at the Ward Ag Center with 62 members and guests in attendance.  The minutes of the September 30 meeting were approved with the checkbook balance standing at $. 

Old Business Discussed:

• What will happen to the bee that can’t stop eating honey? He will become a little chub-bee!
• The TBA Board meeting was Thursday, October 10. No delegates were at the meeting to report
• Several members attended and enjoyed the TBA Conference.
• The Short Course was October 22-24. We had 21 attend (including those taking it for a refresher).  A big thank you goes out to speakers Al Taylor, Allen Ferguson, and Leonard Walker.  Also thank you to those that helped with the class, brought show and tell items, and equipment to be assembled…Philip Chapman, Jennifer Ferguson, Kenny Birdwell, Bryan Leu, Lou Taylor, Trish Davis & David Thompson

New Business Discussed:                                               

• Elections: Everyone agreed to stay on in their current position except one.  Current Slate:  President—Carey Mitchell   Vice President—Leonard Walker   Secretary/Treasurer—Petra Mitchell    TBA Directors—Jessica Dodds-Davis, Jenny Lamb, and one open slot   TBA Alternate Directors—Chuck Benson, Philip Chapman, and Laurie Karr.  Al Taylor stepped up to fill the open Director slot.  Unanimous vote on slate to stay as read.  Also the following agreed to continue on in their positions:  Jennifer Ferguson—Librarian, Duane Ackley—Newsletter Editor and Jenny Lamb—Social Media Queen
• Christmas Charity—every member was given a ballot of charity selections to select ONE. The one with the highest count will be our charity for December and the second will be used at the June picnic
• Petra discussed the December Christmas Dinner: The date is set for Monday, December 2 at 7:00 pm in our usual location.  RSVP’s will need to be made by November 30 so tables can be set.  Each family is asked to bring a covered dish AND a dessert, because we really like to eat.  The club is providing the ham and turkey, coffee and drinks.  Thanks to Freddie Stroupe and Dale McCleskey for volunteering to bring the turkeys.  If you want to be included in the gift swap, bring a wrapped gift (value up to $10.00)…no theme.
• Petra reminded us that we do not pay for the use of the Ag Center (both rooms) for our monthly meetings. Also, they allow us to use the closet in the corner to house our supplies so they don’t have to be carried back and forth for each meeting.  They set the tables back after we remove them for project like the short course and dinners.  If we were to rent this space monthly, the cost is $250 per side, or $500 for the entire room, not including the closet.  The Ag Center has been very generous allowing us this space for many years without charge.  She proposed that we make a one-time donation to the center as a goodwill gesture.  She left the amount up to the membership, should we vote to write a check.  Discussion ensued, and Jennifer Ferguson motioned giving them $1,500.00.  Norbert Braunwalder seconded the motion.  Vote was unanimous that we write a check from the account to cover the $1,500.
• David Thompson had a brief overview of what TBA is currently working on.

Leonard’s Monthly To Do’s:

• No more about mite treatment. If you haven’t done it, it’s too late
• Keep checking your honey stores. Continue to feed as needed
• Clean up around your hives, repair any equipment that needs it
• You should be thinking about next year
• Order what you need. You will need it sooner than you think

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

• Asters
• Golden rod
• Smartweed
• Witch Hazel

Book Report:  No book review

Program:  Sue Dickhaus was on hand to discuss Propolis…what it is, what to do with it, and it’s benefits.

Announcements:

• The charity we will be supporting in December is The Bridge House, And we will be supporting Wounded Warrior Project in June 2025
• Veterans were asked to stand to be recognized and thanked for their service
• November 30—RSVP for Christmas Dinner
• December 2—Christmas Dinner
• January 6—Sterling Earhart—Resource Hives
• Vitex Seeds were available for the taking
• Ronnie Woodard noted that Buddy Phillips passed away (a member from 2023)

The evening’s door prizes were handed out by Carey with the help from Jennifer Ferguson with the help of Zek Richter

Door Prizes:

• 10 Frame medium box (donated by Philip Chapman)—Steve Brewer
• Wounded Warrior 2025 Calendar—Norbert Braunwalder
• Walk-in Feeder—Rob Hopper
• The Hive and the Honeybee—Margaret Cantrell
• Queen Catcher and Marking Cage—Tricia Davis
• Dial Entrance—Bryan Leu
• Bee Magnet—Allen Ferguson
• Frame Grip—Philip Chapman
• Hive Tool—Lucy Freeman
• Large Hive tool—Deanie Yoest
• WCBA Shirt—Russ Davis
• Bee Shirt (donated by Steven Lachenmayr)—Lou Ann Chapius
• Propolis Glyceride (donated by Sue Dickhaus)—Vince Settle

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

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $___________.

Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
November 5, 2024

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