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Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association
October 10th, 2011
(Proposed -- to be ratified at the November meeting)
Call to Order: 7:32pm
Welcome - David Smith
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions
Announce Officers - David Smith - President, incoming
Miles Carter - Vice President, incoming
Becky Weliczko (well-itch-ko) - Secretary, incoming
Steven Woolheater - Treasurer, incoming
Gyula Bella - Librarian, continuing
Rick Crites - Web Master, continuing
Welcome Guests
9 Guests and total of 87 attendees.
Pot Luck Dinner
Speaker: Watched "City of Bees, A children's guide
to Bees". Question and Answers followed. Discussion noted,
Honey flow stops soon.
OLD BUSINESS:
Treasurers Report: Steven Woolheater stated, as of October 13, 2011
Association account has an ending balance $ 10,854.46. Also have
$1,409.96 in undeposited check. Check for $240 from recent sales
of cookbooks at the garden expo. and $30 cash for a total of $9,714.50.
CD: $1,000 in honor of Lotte Tedman. Read, Approved and Seconded.
Passed.
Secretaries Report: Previous Meeting Minutes - Read, Corrected,
Approved and Seconded. Passed.
Hillsborough Commissioner Meeting Update: Ray Fisher discussed
last meeting with the planning commission. The County presented
A, B, C scenarios. C is most restrictive regarding the setbacks.
Many attendees were opposed to the Amendment. It is important that
anyone interested to speak in a positive way, attend. C scenario
states $201 fee per property and 50-75 foot set back. If interested,
be at the next meeting, Wednesday, October 19th at 6 pm. Jimmy Johnson
discussed the three separate drafts. Scenario A does not include
a fee and has minimal setback. Beekeepers are in favor of draft
A. We'll need support at the upcoming Hillsborough County meeting.
Member noted they believed this amendment was born out of a concern
for public safety and found some Commissioners to be in favor of
drafting an amendment to have bees be legal on residential property.
Further discussion points: Take care when public requests advise
regarding bees. If cloudy, do not open bees. Open bees when less
in number are present like at noon time. If you have neighbors,
use a calmer queen type.
Discussed allergies to different insect stings.
Bee yard Maintenance: We have gained permission from the Parks
Department place the fill shell in the road.
Bylaws: Miles was not present. Team was selected previously by
the Vice President to begin review of this document. Updates will
follow.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussed State Beekeepers meeting - 91st Annual Convention to
be held in Orlando, Florida, October 27-29
Florida State Beekeepers Association Advertising. The FSBA publishes
a newsletter and convention program each year in conjunction with
our annual meeting. The newsletter, The Florida Beekeeper, is published
four times a year and goes to approximately 900 subscribers. Advertising
rates continue unchanged from last year and are some of the lowest
in the United States and Canada: Full Page $140; Half Page $110;
Quarter Page $60; Business Card $25. If we wish to participate in
our campaign, this must be submitted by October 14, 2011, camera-ready,
black and white with minimal graphics, preferably in Adobe Acrobat
format (.pdf).
Member elected to place a full page ad for $140. Gary Ranker stated
the existing ad is viewed as still good. Was a new ad last year.
Discussion regarding the break time, which cost $100. Member motioned,
seconded, passed.
State meeting minutes were discussed: Renee Hartmann's notes. Need
a new nominations for a Queen. See State website for information.
Present Queen is a beekeeper. Some Queens do not have experience
as beekeeper but are interested in beekeeping. This may be provided
by the Association. Previously Marie Blanchet mentored a nominee.
Contact Gary or the chair for further information.
Hopgaurd section 18 was applied for by Gary Ranker and this was
approved by the State. This product is available for Varroa mite
control. This is safe for bees and can be placed during the honey
flow. Works best when brood is low. Cost is $30 for 50 strips. Sometime,
people have commented this does not kill every mite, but it is safe
and does not make Queen sterile. Made out of beer hops. Mario is
a distributor. Cardboard applicator. Mitska did test on the product.
It is a contact kill and has a life kill of 36-48 hours as it dries
up quickly. Knocks down mites that are out on the bees. Wait a week
and place again during next brood cycle. Place one strip per 5 frames.
Not 100% killer. 100% organic. Negative: only 50 in package. Shelf
life is about 6 months if kept in airtight container. Distributor
can not repackage so it is suggested members buy product in groups.
It is sticky but bees will remove it themselves since it is made
of cardboard. Recommended three treatments.
Honey Bee Awareness Day has been changed to the National Honey Bee
Day. See www.nationalhoneybeeday.com.
Bee Yard: Work day: Goal to pull honey and check on the Queen placed
last month. If hive is dying, since this is late in the year, we
will combine hives. 9:30 am meet. Cover up well and wear hiking
boots. Mud is present. Mitska stated we need to leave good honey
for winter. Extraction in afternoon, call Dave to fine-tune time
on Saturday. Keep two tires on road to avoid getting stuck in mud.
Christmas Party: Marie Blancher will check on location and
available dates.
Public Speaking Events:
State Fair: Ag Class: Oct 25-Nov. Need help especially because
we will be missing members due to the Convention. Lunch is included
and entrance fee is free. this is easy. Observation hive is present
with brochure. There will be hosts to guide you. Be available to
speak to 3rd graders. You give one brochure and a honey candy to
each child. Prepared in bags. Teacher is present.
November 17th - need two beekeepers to speak in Hillsborough. Pinenas
County is covered by Jimmy. You can do one class or talk all day.
This is called the Great American Teach off. Dave will be at another
elementary class. Trapnell is being done. Get with Jimmy for locations.
Nicole requested speak on Monday, October 31st. Between 9-10 am.
Need observation hive, literature and honey to taste. 20 to 60 kids
in Riverview. Marie will take this.
Note always have honey available to sell at speaking engagements.
This is now legal per the cottage law.
From Caroline A. Goodrich <cgoodric@tampabay.rr.com>: She
writes regarding the Great American Teach in and the 3rd grade Science
Class:
Regarding the Great American Teach In:
Nationwide event where community speakers of all types of occupations,
interests, and hobbies share those with school children. This is
an elementary school so it is grades K-5 or ages 5-10. We will,
of course, accommodate any preferences for a particular age. You
can do just one class or more than one. It is a morning event only
and speakers are usually in the classroom 15-25 minutes. Thursday
11/17/11
Regarding the 3rd Grade Science Class:
We are seeking speakers to visit and 3rd grade science class for
gifted (high achieving learners). Fridays between 12-2. 30 minutes
- one hour - presentation/demonstration and Q & A. Let us know
what Fridays you might be available.
This is a public elementary school and the audience in both events
is just the teacher and the children. We are located in the Westchase
area of Northwestern Hillsborough County - we are actually only
a few miles over the county line from Oldsmar in Pinellas County,
Florida. If this is not a request you can accommodate and you have
some suggestions for us of other speakers who might be of interest
to the students, we are happy to have them. Thank you for your consideration.
(end)
Quincy Garden Club: State chair for State Pollinators. Looking
for a speaker.
Please have new speaking requests come to officers through the
updated email addresses on the TBBA website.
Swam in Seminole: Person needs mentor. John Walker to contact.
See Dave for information
Website: Plan to add "New Bee" group meeting at
7-7:30pm.
Open Discussion: Discussed upcoming information regarding
hives: Weather is changing. Temperatures are dropping. Noted virgin
Queens are swarming. Watch for this. This is a new problem. Guest
note in Google search that beekeeper are the first line of defense
against Africanized bees. This is a benefit of the HCC Amendment.
We got a call regarding a hive that was believed to be Africanized
and after State inspector tested, the bees were not African. Noel
has nucs for sale for $95. Bee lids are for sale.
Raffle
Meeting Adjourned: 9:30 PM, motioned, seconded, passed.
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