January 14, 2003

Northwest District Beekeepers Association
Minutes of the Meeting

The meeting was brought to order by President Lawrence Oberholtzer.

Due to the absence of the Secretary the roll call was omitted.

Tim Bueler told us about the research being conducted by Steve Sheppard with
Cornell University. Steve is looking for locally produced queens to enhance
his gene pool. These queens must be locally produced and must head up a
thriving colony that is productive, gentle and hopefully mite resistant. If
any of your beekeepers have a colony that you think is close to this and
would like to donate the queen you are requested to contact Steve.

It may be the middle of winter but it is not too early to begin planning for
the farmers markets in the spring and summer and your entries for the fair in
August. Be sure and save a couple of quarts of your honey for your entry.
And some wax for candles or whatever.

Membership renewals are due this month. Be sure to contact Pete Wolcott. If
you haven't received the renewal form he has those available.

Coumaphos has a new Section 18 for Washington State for 2003.

Northwest District is hosting the regional dinner in October. Val Schick
will chair the committee. She is accepting all the help she can get.

Winter is the time to be sure the dead bees are kept clear of the doors of
your colonies. Lift the back of the hive monthly to check for winter stores.
The bees are beginning to raise brood and can go through stores pretty fast.
If they are getting light, feed them.

Lawrence brought a screened bottom board that Tim had made with a slide out
tray for monitoring mite fall. Also, this makes it easier to keep clean to
keep the wax moths under control. Lawrence also described a pollen feeder he
is going to build for feeding dry pollen substitute.

Lawrence demonstrated how he makes hand dipped candles. If you heat your wax
to 180 degrees and hold it there for ten minutes before cooling to 150 to 160
degrees for dipping the finished candle will not drip when burning. Lawrence
sells his candles for $10 per pair. If you want to bleach your wax it takes
one pound of hydrogen peroxide to each pound of wax. Heat to 160 degrees.

Lawrence called for ideas for an appreciation gift to the church for the use
of this space for our meetings. Suggestions anyone?

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

Respectfully,

Jean Bassett
Secretary Pro-tem

 

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FEBRUARY BEEKEEPING

See that hive entrances are kept clear of dead bees. If you have not done so already, order your package bees or queens now. Heft the hives. If they are light or near starving, feed drivert sugar or use a four-hole top-feeder with a two parts sugar to one part water syrup.

If anybody has any questions about beekeeping please direct them  to the newsletter “Ask Jean” and I’ll publish the answers along with the question

Bee Cool, Bee Good, Bee Happy!

Fred and Vickie Gower