VOL 22 #_12_

DECEMBER Report

 THIS LETTER IS TO REMIND YOU THAT THE MEETING IS ON DECEMBER 13TH AT  TRADITIONS  RESTAURANT

We will have reports on the Bee Lab, whats happening with our bees, a program survey,  Our Texas Honey Queen is scheduled to come.  Past TBA President John Talbert and wife, Lavada will be there, and of course we are honoring our own Mr. John Knight for his 100 birthday.  Our President  didn’t mention that we had 26 ETBA members present for the party that Shirley gave him last Sunday.  Over 140 family and friends enjoyed Bar B Que and cake with honey sticks as a candle.  Thanks Shirley for a great party.  All of us love you John.  ( for those that don’t know, John keeps 12 hives and sells all the honey he can make)

Our beginners beekeeping class is almost filled up.  I have currently only one prospect for a scholarship.  If you know of a young person  that would like to learn to keep bees please lead him/her to us.

Royce Pelham and I have made some candy to feed to the bees, details at this meeting if you care to know.  Can’t report much at this time but can tell you that the bees do like it.  If you can’t make this meeting give me a call and I’ll be happy to fill you in. 

Paul Syltie, @903-845-4397, has some bee boxes, extractor, etc. for sale.  Paul also works for Vital Earth in Gladewater and writes a newsletter about the earth. His last letter has an article about bees. Subscriptions are free. I will have a few copies with me.

Don’t forget we are to announce our Honey Contest winner and our “Beekeeper of the Year” award at our dinner.

There is a new newsletter out named Bee Stings and Sawdust, written by Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware.   The first issue has a story about pesticides which will scare you.  I will have a copy at the meeting.

New bees apparently will be in short order this year, I suggest you get your order in “early”, as in yesterday.   

 Well folks, I sure hope all our fellow beekeepers had a wonderful Thanksgiving time. Family is really what it is all about and the holidays are always a good time for that. You can have money and things but a loving family are more precious than these. As usual I tasted almost all the good food the ladies labored over, just to be courteous of course, anyway I was a stuffed turkey. Took some time to thank some family and friends and thanked the Good Lord for the honeybee. Went last Sunday to Mr. J.W. Knights 100th birthday party, had some good food and some of the ETBA there, we even had our own table. I told Mr. J.W. that since I came to his he has to come to my Bday when I turn 100. He said just let him know. Now about those wonderful bees. Are your hives heavy? Are they full of bees? If not they will probably not make it till March when the queen starts making new brood. Also if you are missing the meetings there is so much info we need to keep current on, and I know many would like to be there but can’t. So if you could call someone for info that may help. Stopped by Mr. Counts house the other day and he was making some bee candy using bee protein and sugar water to feed the bees over winter. We need to know about this type of maintenance to be sure we take good care of our "livestock, so we may be productive next year. There seems to be so much to do even now to get ready, you need to be a good multitasker to even get all the basics done, let alone all the extras, when you are a hobbiest with a job, wife and children, lots of home projects and honeydos, you can get overwhelmed with it all. I know that I cant do it all so I try to do the best with what I can, and hope to do better with my bees. I again want to say thanks to all our fellow club members who show up and bring food and items for auction and big smiles every month. Even though this is all Voluntary... Y'all go above and beyond so we all can benefit, so Thank You, Thank You very much. This is truly the most wonderful time of year. Hope all goes well and hope to see all at Traditions on the 13th of Dec. And be sure to reflect on the real reason for the season. A child was born. He lived and died, then rose again. And He is coming again, oh by the way!! We need to get ready for that too. So If I don't see you at the dinner I want to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Sincerely,Joe

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NO MEETING DECEMBER 6th !!!

CHRISTMAS DINNER MEETING IS DECEMBER 13TH AT TRADITIONS RESTAURANT.