Jan 2010 Newsletter
President’s Message
Hello People,
Well, this is my final message as president. As has been wisely said it’s a good idea to pass the torch to ‘get some new blood.’ Well, at this Tuesday’s Club meeting, it’s time for our biannual elections and the torch will be passed.
Please know how much I’ve enjoyed working with various Club members, be it board or general, to help fulfill the Club’s charter. On a personal note, there’s a certain amount of satisfaction to have helped so that as I move along, the Club is in a decent place. There are various committees in place, such as the Fair, Education, web site and Bee School groups, which address those areas of the Club’s charter. It’s been fun working with members and being involved with the fairs, finding speakers, helping with the bee school and workshops. And, for icing a really neat part of all this activity of outreach and promoting bees and beekeeping to the general public is our bank account has some more breathing room now. Pretty neat in my book.
As mentioned earlier, this month’s meeting is Election night. Most positions are filled. However we are still looking for a Secretary. The general requirements are show up and take minutes for the Club and Executive Committee meetings, help keep the membership list in sync with the Treasurer and take care of Club correspondence, both via e-mail and snail mail. Oh yes, and one other big nut, taking care of the newsletter has also been part of the duties. If you are decent with a computer and like details, people and bees please consider helping out.
Well, it’s getting to be Spring-y out; the sun is setting later, we’re getting through January, February is short, the queen is or will soon begin laying this year’s brood. It’s a good idea to check your apiary, bees, equipment. Order bees if needed, repair equipment, order something if need be; because as you know, soon the days will be warm, the bees will be flying and the season will be in full stride. It’s coming and it will be wonderful.
Good for now. Thank you to the many Board and Club members with whom I’ve worked and talked with along the way. You’ve taught me some very valuable lessons; I appreciate your time and patience. Thank YOU very much. It’s been excellent. Very well. It’s time to head along. Thank you, Good Day and see you around. Greg
PLEASE REMEMBER
Fellow club members to remember in your prayers: Pam, Ray, Dick B., Chris, Joe, and Fred; and little John P. seems to be doing well! These people are in, or have just gone through a ‘rapids’ portion of their life journey, so any help or kindness directed their way would go a long way.
Help Keep Our Files Current
If you move or change any contact information, please tell us. This is especially true of e-mail addresses. A quick note will save many emails from the internet postmaster.
ITEMS FOR SALE
If anyone has anything bee related that they would like to advertise in this newsletter, please email me at weeacresii at comcast.net
CLUB MEETINGS
UNLESS OTHERWISE ANNOUNCED, ALL GENERAL MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE 4TH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT THE BRISTOL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND BEGIN AT 7 PM
PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAME TAG TO THE MEETING TO HELP OUR NEWER MEMBERS LEARN WHO YOU ARE. IF YOU HAVE MISPLACED YOURS, PLEASE SEE JEANI WARISH FOR A REPLACEMENT.
If there is a topic you would like to see covered or a particular speaker you are interested in for future meetings, please contact President Greg Boyd.
BrCBA Yearly Calendar 2010
January 26th ~ Video from the club library ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
February 23rd ~ Topic TBA
March 23rd ~ Topic TBA
April 27th ~ Topic TBA
May 25th ~ Topic TBA
Mentor Program
JANUARY BEEKEEPER’S SCHEDULE
Attend the January Club meeting.
Sign up for bee school.
Go to school or teach a class.
Clear snow from hive entrances.
Build new frames and hives as required.
Order bee packages.
Feed bees if needed.
Make sure the hive is pointing South-ish to shelter it from the North-ish winds.
Consider wrapping the hive with tarpaper. This will help keep the hive warm and reduce wind infiltration.
Consider adding a top insulation board. Make sure the slot is facing the frames, and the outlet is facing the front of the hive. Ensure the top extension cover is pulled forward to allow the bees to enter/exit.
Put weights on the top cover to weigh it down.
IF YOU’RE PLANNING ON ORDERING PACKAGES/NUCS/QUEENS, BELOW IS A LIST OF PEOPLE TO CONTACT
PACKAGE BEES
Package & nuc pick-up locations in Smithfield, RI, Freetown, MA and Thompson, CT
http://www.beehavin’ 1-800-431-6747
Fred Magee
West Bridgewater, MA 508-583-4270
Roger Robitiaille
88 Lewis St. Warwick, RI 02886
401-732-6599 or 401-378-3578
Trails End Farm
Call (508) 763-5280 to place order or go to http://www.tefarm.com/
QUEEN BREEDERS
Bob Brachmann , Cold Weather Queens
7590 Maples Rd. Little Valley, NY 14755
Billerica, MA, 798-667-5380
Rollin Hannan Jr., Hannan Honey LLC
480 Hulls Hill Rd., Southbury, CT 06488
Ware, MA, 413-967-5064
Michael Palmer, French Hill Apiaries
505 French Hill Rd., St. Albans, VT 05478
Holliston, MA, 508-429-6872
Kirk Webster
Champlain Valley Bees and Queens
Box 381, Middlebury, VT 05723 802-758-2501
Bristol County Beekeepers Association Bee Library
DUES ARE DUE DUES ARE DUE DUES ARE DUE
Dues are $15 per year. As the bylaws state, notices shall be made in the newsletter for November, December, and January. Well, here’s the November notice! Dues are due. Please make your check out to Bristol County Beekeepers Association and send it to Doreen Laboa, 180 New Bedford Rd. Rochester, Ma 02770. Please fill out the Member Renewal Form for 2010 sheet below and mail it or bring it to a Club meeting. PLEASE PRINT all information legibly.
Membership Renewal Form 2010Please provide all of this information when you renew. Please print clearly. Thank You.
NAME: ___________________________________________________________________ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________PHONE NUMBER: ______________________CELL (optional)_______________________ E-MAIL: __________________________________________________________________ How do you want to receive the Bristol County Beekeepers Association newsletter? POSTAL SERVICE E-MAIL ONLY
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MINUTES TO GENERAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 24,2009
The evening began with an open discussion about various problems and solutions in member hives. Then the attending members were treated to a talk by Don Adams about how to build a wax melter, how to melt and strain impurities from your wax, and how to make use of your wax.
The meeting began at 8:45 PM. A thank you card was received from Ray and Eunice Michaud for the plaque and gift certificate. Thanks to Bob P. and Jeani for getting things organized. And thanks to Everett for delivering them.
A motion was made to accept the secretary’s minutes as written in the last newsletter. Motion was seconded and passed. Treasurer’s report read by Fred Sterner was accepted as read.
The club Christmas party will be December 22, in room B2. It will be a pot luck with a Yankee swap. Children are welcome. Festivities will start at 6:60 PM. A separate flyer will be sent out.
Elections are being held at the January meeting. We still need someone for the secretary position, and someone for the executive board.
The club will be donating $250 to RIBA to help with the expense of having Randy Oliver here this past summer.
Meeting adjourned 8:55 PM.
“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.”
Og Mandino
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