ECWBA Newsletter - February

1.The January, 2012, meeting went well.  Andy Krueger was re-elected to the office of secretary.  Jeff Champeau was re-elected to the office of president.  Andy Krueger had samples of shirts for sale.  The shirts are for purchase or may be ordered at various sizes and with various logos printed.

2.The Introduction to Beekeeping Class committee has moved forward with its class.  The seven committee members saw twenty-five students show up for the first night of class on January 26.  So far, so good.  Everything is running smoothly there.

3.Some of the meeting dates and places for early 2012 have been scheduled in already.  Here’s what developed so far:
·Saturday, February 18, 2012, Fond du Lac Public Library, Fond du Lac, WI, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Craig Petros, Wisconsin state apiary inspector, will be the guest speaker.
·Saturday, March 17, 2012, Ripon Public Library, Ripon, WI, 9:30 to 11:00 am.
·May and/or June, 2012 (another field day???)
·July and September meetings to be determined.

4.A new ECWBA e-mail address has been established.  This new address will be the general contact address for the organization.  From here on out, all e-mail correspondence directed to the ECWBA president can be sent to:  ecwbeekeepers@yahoo.com .
 
5.The new year also brings with it membership renewal time.  The membership dues will remain $15.00 for a one year membership.  One membership entitles the member(s) to receive the newsletter, to vote on officer elections and organizational business issues, and to hold a position as an officer.  A membership may include more than one person (e.g. husband/wife, parent/child, etc.), but only one newsletter will be sent out and only one vote may be cast per membership.

Beekeeping Notes
·Now is the time to order package bees.  There should be some order forms and information at the next meeting available to ECWBA members.
·Queens!  If you plan to split surviving colonies, develop a plan for additional queens – Are you going to purchase queens?  Are you going to raise your own queens?  Start thinking and planning now.
·We are closing in on spring fast (really, we are)!  Late winter can be tough on bees.  Be ready to feed the winter survivors.  Stock up on some sugar and dig out the feeders.
·Since we all love to expand our little beekeeping operations into something bigger, this is a good time to purchase, assemble, and prepare new equipment for the upcoming season.  This is especially true for frames and foundation if you have a frame rotation plan in place.
·Get “the buzz” on the latest beekeeping information.  Attend the ECWBA meeting on February 18.  Craig Petros, one of Wisconsin’s apiary inspectors, will be the guest speaker.

Best of Beekeeping, Jeff Champeau - ECWBA President

Membership dues will be collected at the upcoming meetings.  If you are unable to attend one of the next meetings, you may send your dues to one of the following ECWBA officers:

Jeff Champeau
ECWBA President
145 North Wisconsin Street
Berlin, WI  54923

Or

George Weigel
ECWBA Treasurer
268 South Peters Avenue
Fond du Lac, WI  54935

If paying by check, please make check payable to East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association.  A membership card and payment receipt will be returned to you promptly.  Thank-you for your continued support of the East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association.