News & Events: Information on Meetings and other News & Events
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The date and time of this months next meeting.
May Meeting of the ACBA
May 11, 2023
A message from Wayne Pitts:
Hello to all,
Our next meeting is coming up this week, Thursday May 11 at 6PM at the Ashe County Cooperative Extension Office.
Rickey Roark will be presenting on horizontal hives and asking, “Is a horizontal hive the right choice for you and your bees?” Come here more about how the Roark's entrepreneurship has allowed them to expand into new markets.
We'll have pizza beginning at 5:30PM (please share some $$ to cover expenses). And as always, feel free to bring a dessert or a gift item to donate as door prizes.
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts, President
Ashe County Beekeepers Association
March Meeting of the ACBA
3/9/23
A message from Wayne Pitts
Hello to all!
I have Spring Fever, though I expect more cold weather and even snow might be in our future. I certainly hope your bees have thrived through the winter. We've had losses but from what I've heard, most beekeepers are reporting solid success at overwintering their colonies.
Our next ACBA meeting will be this Thursday (3/9) at 6PM at the Agricultural Extension Office in Jefferson, behind Bojangles. Notice the time - we meet at 6PM. Also, if you have an item or two to donate for door prize drawings we always appreciate them!
We'll have pizza available at 5:30PM if you want to come a bit early and catch up with fellow beekeepers. We have an exciting agenda planned with Todd and Donna Swanson speaking on two important topics. Please plan to attend!
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts, President
Ashe County Beekeepers Association
ACBA Regular Meeting
CANCELLED
A note from President Wayne Pitts:
Hello to all,
Looks like we might have a couple of good days to take a peek inside our hives this week. I sure hope so. I'm pleased to report that the WCC Beginning Beekeeping Class met this week with 15 students enrolled!
We will have the final "winter" meeting of the ACBA on Thursday, February 9 from 6-8PM. As for topics, we'll be discussing
* Honeybee Seasonal Life
* Plants, Pollination
* Harvesting and Marketing Honeybee Products
I look forward to seeing you all there!
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts, President
Ashe County Beekeepers Association
Wayne Pitts Note About Upcoming Meeting
January 12, 2023
Hello to all!
Happy New Year to all! Kim and I are just back from the 2023 Hive Life Conference in Sevierville, TN. Wow - what an experience! I was so pleased to see about a dozen ACBA and other Ashe County beekeepers there. Besides the Roarks, all of our local bee vendors were there. I think Northwest NC was well represented. Start making plans to go next year.
We will be meeting this Thursday, January 12 from 6-8PM. The format is a little different in the winter months. Travis Birdsall from the Ashe County Agricultural Extension Office will make a presentation and we will continue with some more in-depth discussions of honey bee diseases, beekeeping history, and pesticides. We'll have pizza too!
The Wilkes Community College Ashe Campus will be offering the Beginner Beekeeping Class again this Spring and the ACBA is offering scholarships to cover tuition ($70) and 2023 dues ($15) for applicants who are selected. Last year, we funded three scholarships and there could be more this year. Please share the attached flyer within your social networks and encourage your friends and neighbors to apply. We hope you will apply too!
The Beginner Class (AGR-3001-308 Beginning Beekeeping (63594)) is held on Mondays from 6-9PM, Feb 6-Mar 27. Also, there is an Advanced Beekeeping class (AGR-3001-309 Advanced Beekeeping (63595) being offered at the WCC Ashe Campus on Tuesday nights from 6-9PM from Feb 28 to Apr 18)! I am already aware of 6 persons who intend to take the course, besides Kim and me. Please sign up and encourage others to take a look. Here's the schedule of classes where you can register: https://www.wilkescc.edu/wdce/
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
ACBA Scholarship Announced!
January 5, 2023
All,
Please link to the below PDF which has information about the new scholarship being offered by the Ashe County Beekeeping Association!
Great news and hopefully many, many will look to apply...
Regular ACBA Meeting
November 10, 2022
A message from the President, Wayne Pitts:
Hello Fellow Beekeepers,
We will have our annual potluck meeting this Thursday, November 10th at 7PM at the Agricultural Extension Office (behind Bojangles. We sure hope you will come! This is a great time to bring a new beekeeper or enthusiast visitor.
To ensure that we have a good distribution of food and drink, I recommend the following assignments by last name:
A-J: Main Dish
K-Q: Side Dish
R-Z: Desserts
The ACBA will provide a cooler of water and a variety of sodas and paper plates, cups, etc.
Remember: We will be electing new officers. please don't forget to make your nominations by clicking here.
Take care,
Wayne
Regular ACBA Meeting
October 13, 2022
FYI, open the below, downloadable file to see the October 13, 2022 ACBA meeting agenda.
Regular ACBA Meeting
September 8, 2022
Hello Beekeepers!
Our regular monthly meeting will be held September 8 at 7 PM. The agenda is attached. As always we'll have pizza and snacks to share beginning at 6:30 PM for those who would like to arrive a bit earlier and spend some time chatting with others. Please consider bringing some snacks or drinks to share! Also, please donate a door prize for the raffle - it is always nice to take home a surprise.
If you have pollinator plants to donate to the Keep Ashe Beautiful campaign, please bring them. If you need any plastic planter containers, let us know as Helen and Randy have some to share. I will have 10 used supers (10 frame) that were donated last spring if you're looking for some more hardware (limit 2 per beekeeper) You'll need to torch'em and repaint them.
See you tonight!
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
FYI, open the below downloadable agenda...
Regular Membership Meeting
July 14, 2022
Hello ACBA,
We will have the regular monthly meeting of the Ashe County Beekeepers Association Thursday, July 14 at 7PM at the Agricultural Extension Office (134 Government Cir #202, Jefferson, NC 28640) - that's TOMORROW! Please come! James Wilkes will be discussing "Single Brood Box Systems" which should stimulate lots of conversation and innovative ideas about how to manage your bees. We'll also be sharing details about upcoming events and seeking input from you regarding what bee activities interest you most.
lease see the draft agenda and the ACBA Interest Form attached.
Please consider bringing a door prize for the drawing and we always welcome snack contributions. Pizza will be available at 6:30PM!
We'll see you there!
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
Information from Helen Baldwin:
Some of you graciously volunteered earlier in the year to bring snacks to a meeting or two. If anyone is still game, we’d love to let you help out!
Randy and I will pick up pizzas, but here are the other things we need:
Bottled water - no clue how much, but @ 30 bottles will hopefully be enough.
Paper products - plates, plastic utensils, napkins
Cookies, chopped fruit/platter, whatever
If you would like to bring something, please contact Helen Baldwin so we’ll know what else we need to pick up.
If you can help out this time, thank you!!! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Hope to see you Thursday!
Environmental Field Day
September 13, 2022
A message from Jessica Hodgson regarding the 2022 Environmental Field Day...
Please respond back to this email if you are able to be a presenter.
I hope you all are well! I am seeking volunteers to help with our Environmental Field Day for 5th grade students on Tuesday, September 13th with a rain date of Wednesday, September 14th. The kids have such a fun time with this field day, and we hope you can come out and make this a fun day for them. We have been unable to host a field day for the past two years because of Covid, and we are so excited to get this up and going again.
A field day will be held at the New River State Park, Wagoner Access from 9:00- 2:00 a.m., we would recommend you come early to set up any tables or props that you will need (tables are not provided). We will be there at 8:00 a.m. There will be 10 stations total and students will be with you for 20 minute intervals and then they will change stations. Lunch will be provided, and will include a variety of subs, chips, and desserts. I will need two test questions and answers from each presenter/station, having 20 questions total as students will take a test on all materials that they learned.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Jessica Hodgson
New River SWCD
Office Administrator/Environmental Educator
336-246-8875 ext 111
jhodgson@ashecountygov.com
Regular Membership Meeting
June 9, 2022
Open/read the below downloadable file from Wayne Pitts with details about the June 9th meeting…
Also, information from Helen Baldwin:
Greetings to all!
Hard to believe it’s already time for the June meeting; seems we were just enjoying the first ACBA picnic in May :)
Some of you graciously volunteered earlier in the year to bring snacks to a meeting or two. If anyone is still game, we’d love to let you help out!
Randy and I will pick up pizzas, but here are the other things we need:
Bottled water - no clue how much, but @ 30 bottles will hopefully be enough.
Paper products - plates, plastic utensils, napkins
Cookies, chopped fruit/platter, whatever
If you would like to bring something, please contact me so we’ll know what others can bring and/or what else we need to pick up.
I think that’s it, but if not, or if we need more of something, Food Lion’s close!
If you can help out this time, thank you!!! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Hope to see you Thursday!
Regular Membership Meeting
May 12, 2022
Fellow Beekeepers and Honeybee Enthusiasts!
Due to early voting, our regular meeting location is unavailable this month. Instead, the Ashe County Beekeepers Association's May meeting will be from 7-9PM at the
West Jefferson Municipal Park, located at 201 S Church, West Jefferson, NC 28694 (Behind the Ashe County Public Library).
We are planning a cookout/shared food event and everyone can participate! The ACBA will purchase charcoal, hamburgers/hotdogs, and buns. The officers and board members have divided paper products, condiments, and fixings for the hamburgers and hotdogs.
What do we need from you?? Please bring an item below based on the first letter of your last name:
• Savory side dish (last name starts with the letter A through F)
• Soft drinks or water (last name starts with the letter G through N)
• Fruit or Dessert (last name starts with the letter O through Z)
Of course, if your last name starts with a different letter than your prize-winning signature dish, bring whatever you like! Please click here to RSVP and confirm what you'll bring.
We'll need some setup volunteers and grill hands. The officers will be on-site by 6PM to begin setting up and to get the food started. Please arrive early and help out! Be sure to bring a lawn chair because we're expecting a good turnout!
Please respond to this email as soon as possible to let me know your thoughts.
Email: Wayne:
ACBA Regular Meeting Agenda
April 14, 2022
● Call to Order, Wayne Pitts, President
● Recognition of visitors and those we haven’t seen for a while
• Present name and where you live.
● Availability of Minutes – see website
● Treasurer Report: David Tanner, Treasurer
• ●Reminder: 2022 dues
Old business:
● Cluster mentoring program
● Review of the website (on-going)
● NCSBA Golden Achievement Program for Chapters
● Christmas in July & other outreach events
● Write in: _______________________________________________
New business:
● Jonny Parsons – update by Helen Baldwin
● Swarm capture response team
● Earth Day - Western Youth Network Afterschool Program
● Revolutionary Hives – Bucket Bee Raft
● Voluntary hive placement – a few opportunities
● Equipment donation – assembled/unassembled hardware, etc.
● 2022 NCSBA Summer Conference - July 28-30, Hickory, NC
● Write in: _______________________________________________
Break: Grab a snack and Drawing for Door Prizes
Special Report: Presentation on swarms by Randy Baldwin
Ashe Beekeeping Calendar:
● Overview of what to expect in your hives in April-May
● Q&A period
● Upcoming field events
● Master Beekeeper Program – upcoming certification test 4/18
Adjournment
● May 12 meeting – Picnic Shelter behind the Library
ACBA HOLDS 1ST MEETING IN 2022
March 10, 2022
What an exciting past few days we've had with springtime temperatures and seeing all the honeybee activity! This is a quick reminder that our first meeting of the year is this Thursday, March 10 at 7PM at the Ashe County Agricultural Extension Office (134 Government Cir #202, Jefferson, NC 28640).
We plan to introduce the new officers and board members and discuss several items of new business. Later, we will have an open floor discussion with Q&A led by Jim Rash related to what you can expect in your bee yard in March and April. Expect to learn more about the lessons learned in the recent NCSBA Spring meeting as we discuss avoiding the risks of late cold snaps, swarms, spits, installing nucs, Spring treatments, etc.
Feel free to bring a snack to share with the group. Also, we always love door prizes if you have something you would like to donate. Invite your friends!
David Tanner will be collecting 2022 dues 😊
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
See the attached agenda...
REGULAR MEETING WILL BE A POTLUCK DINNER AS ALWAYS!
November 11, 2021
One week from tonight (Thursday, November 11, at 7pm) is the final gathering of ACBA until March. As usual, we will wrap up in style with a potluck dinner! We’ll return to the Extension Office behind Bojangles in Jefferson.
For the past few years, Randy has smoked a brisket and is game to do that again, providing he can find a good one; if not, have no fear - we’ll still eat well! ACBA will be funding the meat as it has in the past.
For the rest of the spread, it’s up to the rest of us!
Ideas for contributions: veggies, salads, breads, desserts, bottled water, condiments. Chips, soft drinks, and other types of meat dishes have also been brought in the past. Nothing will be turned down! If we need paper products/utensils, we’ll get them.
Please let me know what you’d like to bring so that folks who offer to bring what’s needed will know what that is! And if you haven’t yet let me know that you’re coming, please let me know that as well.
In wrapping up the year, we’ll also be shifting more than a few gears on the ACBA board. There are several spots to fill, so please consider volunteering for one! Participation on the board provides an opportunity to work with some entertaining, industrious fellow bee lovers. It's fun and easy, so there’s absolutely no reason to shy away :)
A final meeting reminder will be sent out early next week.
Email: Contact Helen Baldwin here:
REGULAR MEETING WILL BE A POTLUCK DINNER AS ALWAYS!
November 11, 2021
One week from tonight (Thursday, November 11, at 7pm) is the final gathering of ACBA until March. As usual, we will wrap up in style with a potluck dinner! We’ll return to the Extension Office behind Bojangles in Jefferson.
For the past few years, Randy has smoked a brisket and is game to do that again, providing he can find a good one; if not, have no fear - we’ll still eat well! ACBA will be funding the meat as it has in the past.
For the rest of the spread, it’s up to the rest of us!
Ideas for contributions: veggies, salads, breads, desserts, bottled water, condiments. Chips, soft drinks, and other types of meat dishes have also been brought in the past. Nothing will be turned down! If we need paper products/utensils, we’ll get them.
Please let me know what you’d like to bring so that folks who offer to bring what’s needed will know what that is! And if you haven’t yet let me know that you’re coming, please let me know that as well.
In wrapping up the year, we’ll also be shifting more than a few gears on the ACBA board. There are several spots to fill, so please consider volunteering for one! Participation on the board provides an opportunity to work with some entertaining, industrious fellow bee lovers. It's fun and easy, so there’s absolutely no reason to shy away :)
A final meeting reminder will be sent out early next week.
Email: Contact Helen Baldwin here:
End of Year Regular Meeting of ACBA
October 14, 2021
* After a good turnout at our October regular meeting where Burton Beasley spoke about fall/winter prep, we doled out a lot of door prizes! We're really glad to be back in our ACBA ‘home.'
* But that was THEN and this is NOW! We hope everyone is looking forward to next month's potluck dinner which is always a high point in closing out another year of beekeeping in Ashe County.
* Stay tuned to this posting to learn about planning and preparation as well as how everyone can help!
Regular Meeting
October 14, 2021
- The upcoming regular meeting of the ACBA will be back at the Extension Office.
- The speaker will be Burton Beasley, who will talk about fall/winter prep.
- Meeting is still at 7pm, with refreshments @ 6:30.
Also, seating is limited to @ 25 attendees (masks recommended by the County Extension Director), so please call 336-982-8289 or email ashebeekeepers@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Seating is limited to @ 25 attendees (masks recommended by the County Extension Director), so please call 336-982-8289 or email ashebeekeepers@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
MAY MEETING via ZOOM
May 14, 2020
We are having our first virtual ACBA meeting this Thursday, May 14th via Zoom. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm but the Zoom link will be opened at 6:45 to allow everyone to get connected. We will discuss two topics, splits and queen rearing. James Wilkes is hosting the call with his Zoom account...thank you James. Click here for the link to join this meeting. (Password: 554109)
I'm anxious for the group to get back together in a safe way and excited to learn how you're all doing and how your bees are getting along this spring.
Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Paul Woods
(919) 259-3999
May April Meeting - CANX
May 14, 2020
* There will be no May meeting for ACBA, Alleghany, Wilkes, or Watauga.
* Info regarding the June meeting will be passed along as soon as possible.
* Be sure to check out web sites and Facebook pages for the above groups. All are listed below (Watauga is in the process of getting a new web site)
* Hope everyone is staying healthy and staying put unless absolutely necessary. We can be thankful the bees can venture out!
Ashe - https://www.ashebeekeepers.org/ / Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ashecountybeekeepersassociation?fref=ts
Watauga - https://www.facebook.com/groups/173968829310745/
Alleghany - https://www.facebook.com/groups/227271690730610/
Wilkes - http://www.beekeepersofwilkes.org/ / Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/beeksofwilkes/
ACBA April Meeting - CANX
April 9, 2020
* There will be no April meeting for ACBA, Alleghany, Wilkes, or Watauga.
* Info regarding the May meeting will be passed along as soon as possible.
* Be sure to check out web sites and Facebook pages for the above groups. All are listed below (Watauga is in the process of getting a new web site)
* Hope everyone is staying healthy and staying put unless absolutely necessary. We can be thankful the bees can venture out!
Ashe - https://www.ashebeekeepers.org/ / Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ashecountybeekeepersassociation?fref=ts
Watauga - https://www.facebook.com/groups/173968829310745/
Alleghany - https://www.facebook.com/groups/227271690730610/
Wilkes - http://www.beekeepersofwilkes.org/ / Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/beeksofwilkes/
A Message to WCBA Members from Pam Anderson
March 16, 2020
I have just talked with the Extension Center staff. All meetings at the Center will be cancelled for the next four weeks. This means our April meeting will be cancelled.
Additionally, the second and third meetings (April 4th and April 7th) of the Beginning Beekeeping/Mentoring course will be postponed. I'll be working with Extension Center staff and our instructors to reschedule the class dates, but I probably will not know the new dates until mid-April. I will notify the students of the new class dates as soon as they are scheduled. Any student wishing to withdraw from the course at this point will receive a refund. Students should notify me of their intention to withdraw by the end of this week.
As the mother of a physician who is on the front lines fighting this epidemic, may I ask that you keep our healthcare workers in your thoughts and prayers?
May God see us all safely through this difficult time,
Pam Anderson 🐝
ACBA Monthly Meeting
March 12, 2020
* The 1st regular meeting of the Ashe County Beekeeping Association will be Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 7:00 PM at the Agricultural Center Building in West Jefferson. Pizza will be served @ 6:30.
* The meeting will be held at the Ashe County Agricultural Center Office, located at 134 Government Center Drive in Jefferson, NC.
NOTES FROM HELEN:
* It’s already March again - time for ACBA to buzz back into action! I’m not sure how that happened, but here we are.
* For our first meeting of 2020, Jim Rash will focus on spring hive inspections. In addition, he and Marna, our new program chairperson, will share some of what they learned at the NCSBA spring meeting the past few days.
* Dues for 2020 will be collected Thursday, so if you’d like to get that out of the way, Liam will be happy to oblige. Dues remain the same: Individual - $10, Family - $15. Also, You may join NCSBA or renew your membership online - https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/membership/join-or-renew-now. Don’t worry if you can’t remember your NCSBA membership number - https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/membership/member-number-recovery. Membership in the state group, $15/person, is suggested but not required.
* I know I’m not alone in sensing the loss of Bob Cole as we head back into the routine. I was one of several members who attended Bob’s poignant service last month. Before I pulled out of our driveway in the dreary, drippy, chilly weather, I was surprised - or not! - to notice a bee hovering on the windshield. I doubt I was the only one and hope that the presence of Bob's bees has comforted his widow, Susan. It will definitely not be the same without Bob, a founding member of ACBA, in our midst, but what knowledge and respect for bees he left behind! His was an extraordinary life, extending way beyond beekeeping. He is missed by many, many folks.
* PLEASE NOTE: Emailed meeting reminders will continue to be sent to those who desire to remain on the list. However, only paid members will receive other kinds of news and updates. If you aren’t in a position to attend the upcoming meeting or the one in April, please make arrangements to mail your dues to:
ACBA
PO Box 223
Jefferson, NC 28640
* Finally, If you would like to be removed from any mailing list associated with ACBA, just let me know as soon as possible.
* Hope to see you Thursday at the Extension Office and hear good news about your bees! As usual, the meeting starts at 7pm, but pizza and Maggie’s goodies will be available at 6:30, so come early! There will be door prizes, too!
ACBA Final Regular Meeting
November 14, 2019
* The final of the ACBA was our meeting/potluck dinner on November 14th!
* All were welcomed to come any time after 6:30.
* If you are able to come, please contact Maggie as soon as possible (336-982-4104 or Mmcclelland@skybest.com) and let her know how many will be in your party and what you will bring (please also let her know if you are unable to attend so she’ll know you received this). Delicious surprises are always welcomed, but it’s also nice to know at least some of what’s coming in order to fill in blanks! The main meat will be smoked brisket, provided by ACBA; however any other meat dish is welcomed, along with anything else! This is an appreciative group :)
* Also, please consider volunteering for Program Chair. Maggie has done a terrific job for 3 years and is ready to pass the torch. The Program Chair does NOT need to worry about following Maggie in the snack department! Pizza will still be served, and I’m pretty sure plenty of us will be happy to help out in some way. There will also be plenty of help planning the programs! A Program Chair needs to be named at the meeting or shortly after in order to be submitted to NCSBA. Again, the Program Chair will have help with the planning!
* Project reminder: Randy and I have known Sarah Goodman for over 20 years and have supported her generous projects in the past. Two years ago, ACBA members donated enough small jars of honey that every box had one! If you have honey (or anything else) you would like to donate to this exceptional cause and/or you have questions, please contact me if you don’t know Sarah, and I’ll pass it on to her.
- The deadline for donations is November 21; if you have honey, I will be happy to meet you somewhere and take all that is collected to the drop-off (Mount Jefferson Motors in Jefferson) by then. If you have other donations, I’ll be happy to take that as well, or you can drop it off yourself. If you have any honey, you can label it yourself, or I’ll put ‘Ashe Beekeepers’ and a short greeting on it. If you drop it off at Mount Jefferson Motors, please let me know so I can see what else is needed. Thanks!
- It’s that time of year again, time for The Praise Brigade’s 7th Annual Hospice Thanksgiving Boxes. Each year the Praise Brigade, which is a group of 20+ girls from elementary to high school age, get together and fill boxes with everything needed for a complete Thanksgiving meal all the way down to the rolls and pumpkin pie. We work with Jennifer B. Richardson at Medi Home Hospice who then distributes these meals to their patients. Each year our number increases so we could use your help. We have 36 meals to do this year. Any boxes left over we give to needy families. If you would like to do a box I have put a list of items below. You can also help by donating rolls, pies, gift cards (for turkey or ham) or cash or check and we can do the shopping for you. These items can be dropped off at Mount Jefferson Motors across from Farm Bureau in Jefferson. No donation is too small. The sweet thank you cards we receive back each year show that we are making a difference. Any questions contact me or Becky Carlton Greer.
Items that go in a complete box:
Large can of corn
Large can of green beans
Cranberry Sauce
Large box of Mac N Cheese
Large Box of instant potatoes or a bag of potatoes
Cake mix/icing Stuffing Mix
Pumpkin Pie ( the ones from the bakery)
Rolls $10 gift card to purchase ham or turkey
We also add items such as jello, applesauce, napkins etc..
These items will need to be dropped off by November 21st.
* * * * *
Hope to see you Thursday!
Other Notes:
* Dues for 2020 will be taken Thursday, so if you’d like to get that out of the way, Liam will be happy to oblige. Dues remain the same: Individual - $10, Family - $15.