Willamette Valley Beekeepers Association Established in 1967.
I hope everyone had a wonderful and Merry Christmas. May there be peace and joy throughout the new year. May there be many blessings come your way in the New Year. I wish good health to all, including your bees.
For me, I continue to need more time. I have too many irons in the fire. I need to downsize my hobbies, interests, and duties. I’ll see how that goes in 2018.
Happy winter solstice. The amount of daylight time will increase a little each day until the summer solstice in June. The queens will lay a few more eggs now although it won’t amount too much until the pollen begins to come into the hive.
Thanks to everyone who attended meetings and participated in them. Thanks for all the questions that you folks ask. To those who helped with meetings, Bee School, Bee Day, Ag Fest, refreshments, Chemeketa field trips, door prizes, meeting room cleanup, mentoring, the picnic, and the library; you are appreciated. Your help is what makes this such a great association.
“The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” Saint John Chrysostom
I’m hearing of a few losses of beehives. Generally, if a hive makes it past November, it will make it to spring. I suspect that some beekeepers didn’t reduce the varroa count soon enough in the year and continue to monitor and perform a second treatment if necessary. Varroa were problematic clear into early winter this year.
Our next meeting is Monday, January 22, 2018 in Building 8, Room 201 at Chemeketa C. C. We will have our pizza party, election of officers, and our big door prize giveaway.
WVBA Bee School will take place on February 15, 20, 22, and 26, 2018. It’s $45 including the book and $35 without the book. The School will be held in Building 8, Room 201 at Chemeketa C. C. I’ll be sending out a mailing with a Bee School form and a 2018 WVBA dues form.
Cheers, Rich