Jeff asked that the minutes be read from the last meeting which I did. Jeff then had everyone introduce themselves as there were a few new faces. there were 28 members in attendance. motion was made to read minutes. Daryn then read the treasurers report, having gone over the books and put it all onto "Quicken" he says there is $1131. in the Education fund and $3203 in the checking account. Daryn also said that from now on he will be using a receipt book for all cash or money transactions made by members. There are 5 apprentice course books that have been paid for but not picked up. a motion was approved to read the treasurers report. The minutes from the Executive meeting that was held last Thursday, were read by myself , (Teri McGarr) corrections were made by Kriss Crilly, as I had a date wrong .a motion was made to officially change the board members. Daryn is now Treasurer & Kriss is now Vice President. Jeff asked that volunteers fill some of the duties that Kriss has had ,as there were too many and it was getting a bit much for 1 person to do, now that there are so many members. Chris Church will be in charge of swarms and swarm management Kriss is going to continue to do the FB page & Craigslist. she also says she doesn't mind taking deliveries of bees etc, but Steve Foley suggested asking about doing it elsewhere if she wanted. Peter Hill discussed plans for a field trip to Yakima to check out Controlled Atmosphere Storage facility for bees, with Eric Olsen. and to meet with some people who have been studying wintering their hives and controlling the climate for better wintering. he mentioned a central WA. bee group that it may be a good thing if we got affiliated with them. The following people now have Duties. Wayne Ranne has names and slots available and is in charge of the Chelan Earth day. Stan Peak is in charge of equipment hauling, co-chairing will be Kristen Taylor and Jeff O'Brien. Lee McGarr will be in charge of the annual potluck BBQ, which is to be at Walla Walla park shelter #2 July 12 at 5pm, He will be sending out an E-mail giving details. Steve Foley talked about the apprentice course said hed be working on getting the Journeymans course going .he also said we have around 35 new apprentices. Kriss said Al Z would be looking into speakers for the pollinators symposium this year. Daryn asked to put it to a vote of the members about his & Kriss swapping roles. it was voted on and approved. No Old business. New business: it was suggested that we have a Po box for all club mailings , Kriss felt that the bank statements should be sent to Daryn as treasurer, Daryn felt that someone else on the board should get a duplicate of the statement. he also supported the idea of a Po Box. Chris Church said he felt that this should go into the by laws. there was a motion it was seconded, by several members, Chris suggested each officer should have a key, it was voted on and all agreed. It was discussed about a central storage space for all the clubs equipment, Kriss discussed what club equipment she had at her house. Jeff asked that everyone who has equipment let him know what they have, so he can make a list . by Laws needing amended were discussed, a suggestion was made about forming a committee for studying and reviewing the bylaws, Alice Crawford said it was her view that EVERYONE should be making themselves familiar with them. Kriss asked Karen at the Chelan county fair, about giving out honey sticks, and was told not to hand them out on Kids day, she will check out the ruling. although members have agreed they do not want to buy them and give them away, or sell them. no other business, Education hour saw Stan and Chris show us the installation of a Nuc or package of bees for newbees. Grants for the Queen rearing and bee breeding workshop at WSU. have been awarded to: Peter Hill, Kristen Taylor (full) Steve Olsen (partial) total grant money awarded $650. I apologize if anything was missed off . all corrections gladly received. Teri McGarr.
Jeff asked that the minutes be read from the last meeting which I did.
Jeff then had everyone introduce themselves as there were a few new faces. there were 28 members in attendance.
motion was made to read minutes.
Daryn then read the treasurers report, having gone over the books and put it all onto "Quicken" he says there is $1131. in the Education fund and $3203 in the checking account.
Daryn also said that from now on he will be using a receipt book for all cash or money transactions made by members.
There are 5 apprentice course books that have been paid for but not picked up.
a motion was approved to read the treasurers report.
The minutes from the Executive meeting that was held last Thursday, were read by myself , (Teri McGarr)
corrections were made by Kriss Crilly, as I had a date wrong .a motion was made to officially change the board members.
Daryn is now Treasurer & Kriss is now Vice President.
Jeff asked that volunteers fill some of the duties that Kriss has had ,as there were too many and it was getting a bit much for 1 person to do, now that there are so many members.
Chris Church will be in charge of swarms and swarm management
Kriss is going to continue to do the FB page & Craigslist.
she also says she doesn't mind taking deliveries of bees etc, but Steve Foley suggested asking about doing it elsewhere if she wanted.
Peter Hill discussed plans for a field trip to Yakima to check out Controlled Atmosphere Storage facility for bees, with Eric Olsen.
and to meet with some people who have been studying wintering their hives and controlling the climate for better wintering.
he mentioned a central WA. bee group that it may be a good thing if we got affiliated with them.
The following people now have Duties.
Wayne Ranne has names and slots available and is in charge of the Chelan Earth day. Stan Peak is in charge of equipment hauling, co-chairing will be Kristen Taylor and Jeff O'Brien.
Lee McGarr will be in charge of the annual potluck BBQ, which is to be at Walla Walla park shelter #2 July 12 at 5pm, He will be sending out an E-mail giving details.
Steve Foley talked about the apprentice course said hed be working on getting the Journeymans course going .he also said we have around 35 new apprentices.
Kriss said Al Z would be looking into speakers for the pollinators symposium this year.
Daryn asked to put it to a vote of the members about his & Kriss swapping roles. it was voted on and approved.
No Old business.
New business:
it was suggested that we have a Po box for all club mailings ,
Kriss felt that the bank statements should be sent to Daryn as treasurer, Daryn felt that someone else on the board should get a duplicate of the statement. he also supported the idea of a Po Box.
Chris Church said he felt that this should go into the by laws.
there was a motion it was seconded, by several members, Chris suggested each officer should have a key, it was voted on and all agreed.
It was discussed about a central storage space for all the clubs equipment,
Kriss discussed what club equipment she had at her house.
Jeff asked that everyone who has equipment let him know what they have, so he can make a list .
by Laws needing amended were discussed,
a suggestion was made about forming a committee for studying and reviewing the bylaws, Alice Crawford said it was her view that EVERYONE should be making themselves familiar with them.
Kriss asked Karen at the Chelan county fair, about giving out honey sticks, and was told not to hand them out on Kids day, she will check out the ruling. although members have agreed they do not want to buy them and give them away, or sell them.
no other business,
Education hour saw Stan and Chris show us the installation of a Nuc or package of bees for newbees.
Grants for the Queen rearing and bee breeding workshop at WSU. have been awarded to:
Peter Hill, Kristen Taylor (full) Steve Olsen (partial) total grant money awarded $650.
I apologize if anything was missed off . all corrections gladly received.
Teri McGarr.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting
January 21,2018
Calendar
February 8 Bee chat, Louie’s Café, Leavenworth
February 25 Business/Education meeting, 5 p.m., firehouse
March 8 Bee chat, Paradise Restaurant, Wenatchee Ave across from PUD
March 10, 17, 24 Apprentice class, 9 a.m. – 1 ish, cost for members $35
A.s.a.p. Bee orders
Education
Stan and Chris demonstrated and discussed a top-bar hive. These can be easily made from plans found online (Les Crowder recommended) using foam board and gorilla glue. Sticks on top can be grooved and fitted with a small fin to encourage orderly comb build. Bees are started at the end near the entrance, and a following board placed behind them, moving it down the hive as they build out. Brood combs are generally built straight; honey combs less so but can be straightened by hand. The hive needs to be checked often to prevent combs being built into each other. Queens generally do not lay out into the honey combs. This style of hive is convenient to work but needs more hands-on time, produces slightly less honey, and cannot be expanded (as by adding a super on a Langstroth). Harvest is by cutting comb off the top bar, then either preparing cut comb or crushing the comb in a bag and draining honey out. Feeding can be done with a mason jar feeder or a small bucket with pine needles floated on the syrup to provide bees a stand.
Bee stings are inevitable if you keep bees. Usual stings can be treated with antihistamines and severity will usually decrease with accumulated stings. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or swelling in the throat may indicate the severe kind of allergy, anaphylaxis, and should be treated immediately in the emergency room as this can be life-threatening.
Old Business
Bees will be ordered from Charles Schaefer (3# packages $135, 4# $155, queens $40, from northern California) and Ruben (medium or deep nucs, Italian or carniolan bees, $140, queens $35). Members indicated a general preference for the nucs: local bees with established queens. Bees from Coastal 3# for $150. March 1 is the absolute deadline for orders. Delivery mid-April.
Treasurer Report Checking $2539.80 Savings $1131.11 Dues not yet all in
Expected expenses soon: insurance $350, website $500, apprentice books $1100
New Business
Vania Winters from the Wenatchee River Institute (Barn Beach) is looking for speakers for several talks in Leavenworth: pollinator garden, hives, bees, and honey.
Master Gardeners are soliciting our participation in their state meeting in September: 4 days, about 300 participants: booths, sponsorships, tables, etc.
Elections Jeff Hampton, Daryn, Teri and Kriss were proposed; the slate was approved unanimously.
Additions and corrections cheerfully accepted.
Alice Crawford
December 10, 2017
January 11 Bee chat, Pizza ‘n’ More (across from Olive Garden), 6 p.m.
January 21 Business/Education meeting, 5 p.m., firehouse, elections (president, vice-president,
secretary & treasurer all open), need education topics
February 8 Bee chat, location TBA
Educational and Business
Informal discussion of several topics: How to pay dues on website: Go to Members, on yourself check update profile and find further instructions there. Dues are due by 2/25, and if not paid by then, you will be removed from the member list.
Bee packages are usually 3# (about 10,000 bees) plus a queen. The club procures bees from Charles Schaefer and Ruben. Price is usually about $120. There have been shortages the past year, and members are encouraged to place orders early.
Bylaws may be amended at the January meeting if members bring suggestions.
The apprentice course is tentatively scheduled for March 10, 17, and 24 at the Henry building in Cashmere. Sign up on website.
The mead class in November drew about 30 participants and included instruction, processing, and socializing.
Steve Foley made suggestions for winter activities. Plan for next year: how many hives and equipment needs. There is a rush buying equipment in the spring; better to plan ahead and order early. Renew bee periodical subscriptions, get and read books. Find a “bee buddy” with whom to share hive work.
Bees collected at the top of the hive may indicate lack of food. Easiest way to assess honey store in hive is to lift it.
Do queens lay in the winter? It depends on the weather, strain of bees, and probably other things. Carniolan queens in this climate do not lay in winter.
New beekeepers are encouraged, in addition to reading, to explore the web. Sites particularly recommended are Randy Oliver, Michael Palmer, and Ross Conrad.
Al would like suggestions for future educational sessions.
Treasurer Report Checking $5721.62 (with Western Bee check for bolk order not yet cleared)
Savings $1130.98
And there was a raffle. And honey tasting. And treats.
November 19, 2017
No bee chat in December
December 10 Business/Education meeting, 5 p.m. fire station (Note: this is a date change.)
Honey tasting: bring some and Drawing for goodies
January 11 Bee chat, location TBA
January 21 Business/Education meeting, 5 p.m., firehouse, elections
Educational
Informal discussion of several topics: Al noted hive losing considerable weight but with active bees, presumed from relatively warm weather but lack of forage. Prevention of moisture buildup in hives considered, and good ventilation appears more effective than absorbent. Glycerin-oxalic acid appears to work well for mite control. (See Randy Oliver’s information online for details. He is working on getting system certified.) Towels placed between brood boxes and left for weeks… or until bees destroyed the towels. Fogging oxalic acid appears effective and efficient for large numbers of hives. Formic acid (“MiteGone”) 65% saturation on a sponge enclosed in cellophone sleeve on the outside surface of outer frames for 2 weeks also produced good results. Al spoke to Manson Grange, found only 10-12 people with limited enthusiasm; this is anticipated with groups other than school kids, who are generally very enthusiastic.
Treasurer Report Checking $3078.77 Savings $1130.98
Bulk order: Wayne reported some discrepancy either in pickups or in delivery from supplier; members were requested to check their orders. It was noted that frames from Western Bee are not exactly the same dimensions as those from Mann Lake but will fit nonetheless.
Bees: Charles Schafer will have bees again but price not yet determined. Ruben will have nucs
for $140, also queens. Bees from Mike in Sequim must be arranged individually.
Jeff reported 35 attended the mead class with 20+ kinds of mead were presented. Short fermentation produces an alcohol content of 3-5%; Jeff keeps some longer to achieve 18%.
The WVC hive is doing well after queen replacement, and student is returning next year.
Work continues on the website. Bee orders and bulk equipment orders will eventually be possible online.
Elections will be held at the January meeting. All offices are open. Volunteers are needed.
Steve will again teach the apprentice course in March. Texts are being printed – bound copies.
Dues will remain $20 for individuals, $25 for families.
October 15, 2017
November 18 Mead Class See email from Jeff for detailsNovember 19 Business/Education meeting 5 p.m. Douglas County Fire Station
December No Bee Chat
December 17 Business/Education meeting, 5 p.m. fire station
Educational Video – Randy Oliver: Reading the Combs
Bees need 3 things: a dry home, flowers, and parasite control
Look for recruitment (brood and new bees) vs. attrition (bees dying); aim to increase recruitment and decrease attrition. Peak number/s relates to nectar flow and availability of pollen. Hive inspection should examine interface between brood and honey store. Young brood pheromone stimulates foraging for pollen. “Wet” brood, with plenty of jelly in cells, indicates good nutrition. Lack of this pheromone, or 8-10 frames filled suggests no more brood space and stimulates formation of queen/swarm cells. Production of white wax indicates need for more honey storage space; add a super. Bees can carry varroa mites 2 miles, so be considerate of neighboring beekeepers and keep mites under control in your hives. With first frost bees go into survival mode until spring pollen starts.Randy’s website ScientificBeekeeping.com is recommended. Discussion: Shop towel method under review for official approval. Fogging of oxalic acid can be done with water as long as temperature is warm enough to keep oxalic acid dissolved. Alternatively it can be done with part or entirely alcohol, but bees clearly do not like alcohol. Pollen/protein patties (Mann Lake’s recommended) can be used in August and February. Treasurer Report Kriss is on vacation
Bulk equipment order has gone in and is being assembled for shipping. Wayne will notifybuyers when delivery date is certain.
Mead class will require minimum of 20 participants to make it practical. See Jeff H.’s email for
details.
October 5 Bee Chat 6 p.m. Milepost 111
October 15 Business/Education meeting 5 p.m. Douglas County Fire Station
November 19 Business/Education meeting 5 p.m. Douglas County Fire Station
November 18 Mead Class
Educational Panel
Kristin reported on Randy Oliver’s presentation in Everett. Bees need a dry space, nectar, pollen, and mite control… only. He’s trying to breed mite-resistant bees. Brood should be swimming in jelly; if dry, they need pollen. He treats for mites with shop towel system in April, July, September and December (in southern California). See Kristin’s email for more detail. See Randy’s website “Scientific Beekeeping” for lots more.
Stan led a panel of Chris, Craig, Felix and Wayne on preparations for winter. There is wide variety of systems, but general agreement that mite control, adequate food, ventilation sufficient to keep the hive dry, and insulation for hives in exposed locations are required. It was noted that super frames containing some honey and some nectar can be stored in a freezer over the winter, then replaced in the super the following year. Insulation can raise the temperature in the hive during the day enough to cause bees to break up their ball. It was noted that honey is a considerable heat sink. There was suggestion that not insulating over the winter was followed by stronger hives in the spring.
Treasurer Report Checking account $2755.86 Savings Account $1130.39
County fair went very well; Kriss got a big hand
Bulk equipment order will go out next week. Get orders in to Wayne Ranne.
September 7-10 Chelan County Fair
September 17 Business/Education meeting
October 5 Bee Chat
October 15 Business/Education meeting
Discussion included topic of honey extraction, bottling, storage and sale. Also labeling, and where to have this done. Hive weight and yellowjacket control were also covered.
Chelan County Fair: All slots are covered. There will be two presentations on Sunday: Keeping Bees, and Extracting. We will be in the old building, Wilkins. The theme this year is “Fun for the Whole Herd.” Our bulletin board will be “Fun for the Whole Hive.”
Bulk Equipment order will be handled again by Wayne Ranne. Forms will be out soon and you will have a month to plan your order. Deadline will be 10-1- 17.
Jana Howard gave a short talk on having a representative from the beekeepers club talk to the Rock Island City Council to educate them on bees. They destroyed a hive on church grounds instead of having it moved. Their next meeting is August 28 at 6 p.m. Kriss will contact Daryn and Peter to see if they are willing to talk to the council. They will take the Wenatchee Bee Ordinance.
There are people in the valley who have offered to keep bees for us on their property and small orchards. Kriss forwards names and numbers to club members.
Many thanks to Kristin Taylor for taking notes in my absence.
July 16, 2017
August 10 Bee Chat 6 p.m. El Agave
August 20 Business/Education meeting 5 p.m. Douglas County Fire Dept.
September 7-10 Chelan County Fair, a few signups still needed
Educational Presentation
Control of Varroa Mites – Al Zalewski
Expectation that bees will develop resistance to varroa is upset by interbreeding with pollinator and native bees.
Powdered sugar to encourage removal of mites by grooming is not recommended by WSU.
Apivar strips must be left in for 45 days to cover brood and mite cycles, cannot be used with super, need temperature 50-90o, resistance develops slowly but miticides should be rotated.
HopGard II is expensive, very messy, but strips do not have to be removed, and can be used with supers on… although there is some concern about this.
Several other less effective materials were mentioned briefly.
Formic acid, commonly used in Canada, is inexpensive and works on capped brood, but can kill queen and brood if used at too high temperature.
Oxalic acid is probably preferred treatment now. It doesn’t kill in capped brood so must be repeated at 3-5 day intervals x3. Homemade vaporizers can heat too fast/hot and produce formic acid. Al showed several expensive but effective alternatives to vaporizers. A respirator with an acid cartridge is recommended as is a bee suit. Early morning when all bees are in the hive is recommended. The “blue towel method,” with oxalic acid + glycerine on a towel placed between the brood boxes looks promising. The towel can be left in. thus getting both brood and mite cycles, and the bees will eventually destroy it.
Al strongly recommends treating about August 1, then again in December (brood break) if there is adequate temperature.
The hive at WV College was re-queened after a slow start and is now doing well.
Reports Treasury: savings $1130.26, checking $3230.96
Leavenworth Farmers Market: Kristin and Imelka are in charge of our booth. Markets are Thursdays 4-8. We will start July 20 and participate every two weeks. 2-3 volunteers are needed in addition to those wanting to sell honey.
Wayne is planning another bulk equipment order from Western Bee. More information will be available on the website.
No bee chat in September – it’s fair time.
An observation hive is needed for the fair for Friday and Saturday.
A gift basket for the Douglas County Fire Department was approved.
June 11, 2017
July 6 Bee Chat Potluck, WallaWalla Park Shelter #2
Bring salad or finger food, place setting and drink, maybe a chair
Club will provide dogs, buns and condiments
July 16 Business/Education meeting, Douglas County Fire Station, 5 p.m.
August 20 Business/Education meeting
September 7-10 Chelan County Fair, email with details and signup request
Video of Mike Palmer: Building a Sustainable Apiary, part 2
A progressively more complex and progressively more incomprehensible presentation of a system possibly useful to large-scale operations. Al stopped it before the end; there were no objections from members present.
Questions for discussion: For a presentation of bees in observation hive to scouts, should a waiver of responsibility be obtained? Yes, and an EpiPen available as well. Where to obtain queens for queenless hive? Multiple sources suggested without details. Are slotted frames useful? Maybe. Honey supers off by August 1? Yes, to avoid having to feed over the winter. If planning to feed, can wait until August 15.
Jeff has not purchased insurance or posted minutes of survey to website; he’s overwhelmed.
Our exhibit at the fair will be in the Wilkins building. Mike and Steve O. will do the extraction demonstration; Steve Foley will talk on beginning beekeeping.
The hive at WVCollege is doing well.
Steve O. reported on his WSU trip. Bees fed mushroom extract appear to be resistant to varroa mites. They need volunteers with at least 8 hives in one place to participate in further study.
Peter and Daryn reported on a lively event presenting beekeeping to first-graders.
There appear to be more than usual yellowjackets. A rumor that honeybees attract yellowjackets was denied.
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Is a registered Washington State Non-Proift. UBI 603594512
