Worcester County Beekeepers Association

Mass Bee Fall Meeting -- NOVEMBER 17

Lunch deadline is November 9

TIME:             Saturday November 17, 8am - 5pm 

LOCATION:   Bristol County Community College, Building H, Fall River, MA

Don't miss this opportunity to hear two OUTSTANDING speakers, Jamie Ellis and Sam Ramsey, and to meet your fellow beekeepers from around Massachusetts. This is also the annual Mass Bee Honey Show with Honey, Cooking and Photography contests! Please register online in advance (free for Mass Bee members, $15 to join).

Details and registration link can be found on the Mass Bee web site, www.massbee.org/events/fall-meeting.

Lunch is available for $12 -- reservations must be received by Friday November 9!

Preparing Your Hives for the Winter Months

Did you miss our September 15 meeting? You can find Ken's notes on Preparing Bee Hives for the Winter Months here.

Thanks to everyone who helped at the Spencer Fair!

We had over 50 volunteers this year and despite some hot weather, a good time was had by all! Our booth was as popular as always and we answered many questions about honeybees and beekeeping. Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers, this year's fair was a tremendous success. And if you missed out on the fun, please join us next year!

WCBA EXTRACTORS

WCBA has several extractors available for rent to our members. For details see here.

HONEY BEE SWARM REMOVAL

Honeybee swarms are a natural process where the bees divide their colony and half of them leave home along with their queen, to start a new hive. Before they find their new space, they may hang around in a temporary spot for a few hours. If you see a honeybee swarm, keep your distance and please don’t panic--they are normally fairly gentle. Do call a beekeeper who will come and get them.

A list of Worcester County Beekeepers who are on call to collect swarms can be found here. Most will also travel to nearby towns.

Current WCBA memberships are good through December

The WCBA bylaws were changed earlier this year so that the membership year is now the same as the calendar year. This means that current memberships are good through December 31, 2018.

For new memberships, and for renewals (before Dec. 31) print, fill-out and mail the form found here. Membership renewal is no longer due until December.

Update on MA House bill H.4041 "An Act to Protect Massachusetts Pollinators" 

Update: This bill did not get a vote in the House during the session ending 7/31/18. Stay tuned for next steps!

Background: H 4041 is a reasoned, extremely moderate use restriction of systemic neonicotinoid pesticides by homeowners. Your Representatives have told the Speaker they support this bill. One hundred Massachusetts scientists support the bill. Now the Speaker needs to hear directly from you!

INSURANCE FOR BEEKEEPERS

Did you miss the insurance presentation at our April meeting, by Wendy Ashe of A&B Insurance in Westford? Here is a link to her handout:

Beekeeping Insurance Info

TEMPERATURE PROBE INFORMATION

Did you miss the temperature probe presentation at our April meeting by WCBA member Max Weagle? Here is a link to the probe information:

Temperature Probe info

WCBA BY-LAWS

We have posted an online video of Dr. Eric Mussen's talk on Advanced Honey Bee Nutrition from our Oct. 7 conference:

Nutrition Needs in the Honeybee Colony

HIVE INSPECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

The MA apiary inspection service is now available. If you are interested in having an inspector check your hive, or any hive that died, please submit an online inspection request here:

MDAR Apiary Inspection Request Form

You can also call 617-626-1801 to request a visit from an inspector.

MA POLLINATOR PROTECTION PLAN

The MA Pollinator Protection Plan has been released and can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/farmproducts/apiary/pollinator-plan.pdf

DOES YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS NEED UPDATING?

If your membership is up to date but you are not receiving club emails (quarterly newletter & important announcements), please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to update your email in our records.

NEXT MEETING -- NOVEMBER 3 - THANKSGIVING BANQUET

Saturday November 3, 5 PM 

Location: Leicester Knights of Columbus (See directions below)

Reservation/payment should be received by October 26th. See form in Fall Newsletter, page 7. 

FAMILY STYLE DINNER: 6:00 PM

Celebrate witha a fresh turkey dinner with all the fixins', dessert, coffee & tea.

SPEAKER: BOB DURAND
Bob served as Secretary of Environmental Affairs in the early 2000’s and is now a beekeeper himself. Bob will talk about Wildlife of Massachusetts.

AWARDS & PRESENTATIONS: Presentations for Beekeeper of the Year,
Honey Queen, Spencer Fair Winners, and Appreciation will be made.

TEACUP RAFFLE: Bring a gift from the garden, the kitchen or the hive, a
handmade craft, some bee equipment, a gift certificate or even a bottle of spirits
for the raffle.

Note: Board nominations for 2 director positions will also be taken this evening.

Replies must be received by October 26th. See the reservation form on page 7 of the Fall Newsletter. 

HOLIDAY PARTY

TIME: Saturday, December 1, 5:00 PM

LOCATION: Leo’s Ristorante, 11 Brackett Court (off Shrewsbury St), Worcester, MA

Relax and kick off the holiday season wining, dining with your fellow beekeepers.
COCKTAIL HOUR: 5:00 PM
BUFFET DINNER: 6:00 PM

       Rolls, antipasto, various Italian dishes, dessert, coffee & tea

YANKEE SWAP: Bring a $10 gift to swap with your fellow beekeepers.

Replies must be received by November 23rd. See the reservation form on page 7 of the Fall Newsletter.

BE SURE TO SAVE THESE DATES FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Directions to the Leicester Knights of Columbus

Indoor monthly meetings and many of the Special Events of the WCBA are held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Manville Street, in Leicester, Massachusetts.

From Webster Square in Worcester: Follow Route 9 West into Leicester. Two miles from the town line turn right onto Manville Street, just after Entwhistle’s Garage. Entrance to the Knights of Columbus is 1/2 mile up on your left.
From the Spencer or Leicester area: Follow Route 9 East. Turn left onto Manville Street, just before Entwhistle’s Garage. Entrance to the Knights of Columbus is 1/2 mile up on your left.