Wilson County Beekeepers

Wilson County Beekeepers President Leonard Walker called the July 7, 2025 meeting to order with 66 members and guests in attendance. Approval of the May meeting was made. Checkbook balance is $______, which pays for all of the picnic supplies. Financial report is at Petra’s table for viewing. Current paid membership stands at 206 paid members

Old Business Discussed:

• Why do bees hum?  Because they can’t remember the words.
• David Thompson gave a brief overview of Farm Days that was held in May.
• Brief discussion on Field Day at Sterling’s
• Thanks to the club’s generosity, we were able to send Wounded Warrior Project $688.00 in donations
• Zek Richter won the bid on the extracting unit at $210.00
• There are still a few slots available for the Fair.

   New Business Discussed:

• New stock of burlap for anyone wanting to use it.  Please remember that this was given to us, so it is NOT for resale.
• Thanks to Jamie for the Karaoke machine.  Hopefully, this will take care of our sound problems.  The problem was never in our microphone, but in the Center’s system
• Petra is accepting items for the Fair Basket.  There is a box on her table for donations.
• Fair Discussion:
• Should have entry and parking passes by the next meeting.  If not, they will be mailed
• Allen Ferguson agreed to do the extracting demonstration at the Fair on the weekends…we will need                                                                10 frames…they don’t all have to be full
• Request was made for anyone willing to do an observation hive for the Fair

  Allen’s Monthly To Do’s:

• Manage heat the best you can
• Remove bottom boards, if possible.
• Make sure your entrance reducers are turned to the wide side
• Try to provide a water source.  It can be as simple as a bowl of water with rocks in it or a concrete bird bath
• Check brood for good pattern and quality and make sure the queen is still laying
• It’s a good time to pull honey, if it’s not storming or too wet
• Make sure they have enough room to store honey and dry nectar

What’s blooming that the bees are working:

• Basswood
• Bottlebrush Buckeye
• Catnip
• Clover
• Crepe Myrtle
• Cucumber
• Euonymus
• Magnolia
• Melons
• Mints
• Oregano
• Squash
• Vitex

Book Report:  No Report

Program:  John Benham had a great program on Are Your Bees Ready for Winter?

Announcements:

• July 28—Melissa Ross—Pointers on Entering Blue Ribbon Winners
• NO MEETING IN AUGUST DUE TO THE FAIR

The evening’s door prizes were handed out by Leonard with the help from Jennifer Ferguson

Door Prizes:

• Apiguard—Steve Warren
• Blue Sky t-shirt—Pat Gooch
• Hive Tool—Jim Branson
• Uncapping Cold Knife—Donnie Gleaves
• Coffee—Mark Dodson
• Capping Scratcher—Edward Miller
• Mini Hive tool—Ed Schwark
• Frame uncapper—David Elliott
• WCBA hat—Zek Richter
• Jar of Sterling’s honey—Katie Wilson

The meeting adjourned around 8:18 for refreshments & fellowship.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $___________.

Respectfully submitted: Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
July 8, 2025

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