Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                               August 3rd, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on August 3rd at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty two people were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath, the invocation was led by Scott Carter.

 

Wayne Beck reported on an educational presentation for a Cub Scout den that included about 15 people and resulted in a request from a home schooling association for a presentation in September. This presentation will take place at the library in Chatham for about 25 to 30 third grade students.

 

A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Kathy Carter and 2nd by Butch Isaac.

 

Patty Altman is stepping down as secretary of the club. Lisa Agney has accepted the nomination for the secretary’s position. Nate Mcgrath is stepping down from the president’s role and Kurt Longden has accepted the nomination for that position. Dean Beck will remain in the Vice president’s position. Miranda Smith is stepping down for the Treasurer’s position and Nate Mcgrath will be filling that position. New officers will take over at September’s meeting. A motion to accept these nominations was made by Nate Mcgrath and 2nd by Scott Carter.

 

The club has three directorship roles that are not officers, they are not elected, they serve the president…Dave Thomas technical director, Wayne Beck educational outreach coordinator/director, Butch Isaac is the membership director and is stepping down so that position will be open. The membership director greets new members on their way in, gets them signed up, collects the membership checks and keeps track of the paperwork. The club will be looking to fill that position, if anyone is interested they need to talk to one of the officers.

 

Our thanks go out to the guest speaker Andy O’Connell from the Central region of Illinois State Beekeeping Association who gave the club an update on the events and happenings of ISBA.

 

Motion to adjourn was made by Patty Altman and 2nd by Kurt Longden.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                               July 6th, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on July 6th at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty people were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath, the invocation was led by Scott Carter.

 

Wayne Beck asked club members to contact the National Honey Board to order free literature for the club to hand out at educational presentations. The shipping cost is $9.95 per bundle and they only allow one shipment per person per year.

 

Wayne reported that one educational presentation was done in June by Joyce and Mike Dullenty at the Morrisonville library.

 

A motion to approve the secretary’s report was made by Scott Carter and 2nd by Miranda Smith.

 

A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by Butch Kaiser and 2nd by Carrie Burge.

 

Scott Carter reported on the class he presented on how to make comb honey. It does involve a lot of work, but Scott encouraged everyone to learn about the process and he reported he will be giving another presentation on the subject in the future. Larry Roth reported he has a opossum and a skunk messing.

 

Larry Roth reported he has a possum and a skunk messing with his bee hives and how he can tell the difference is by the damage caused to his bees. The possum will chew and chew the bees and then spit them out, never swallowing them. The skunk will gorge themselves on the bees because the bees are sweet, so you can look for their scat on the ground around the hive and that way you can determine which critter is messing with your hives.

 

Delaney Bertoldo was the recipient of the youth scholarship offered by Taylorville Kiwanis club. Delaney took the club’s beginning beekeeper’s class this spring and has a very healthy hive. She has been helping out in the schools with the educational presentations. She has a tremendous desire to learn more. This is perfect example of our club’s mission statement, to teach the public about the importance of bees. So it is important that we get out and encourage companies to fund these scholarships.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Scott Carter and 2nd by Dean Beck.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dean Beck, Acting Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                               June 1st, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on June 1st at the Extension office in Taylorville.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath as well as the invocation.

 

A motion to approve the secretary’s report was made by Scott Carter and 2nd Steve Hendricks.

 

Wayne Beck reported on the educational presentations and commented that Taylorville Junior High had thanked the FBI for the presentation on beekeeping. Delaney Bertoldo also sends thanks.

 

FBI will have a booth set at the Illinois State Fair like last year in the Department of Agriculture tent. Like last year volunteers are needed for both this booth and to give short presentations of beekeeping.

 

Scott Carter will be holding Comb honey event, advanced beekeeping and how to manipulate bees and the equipment needed.

 

Elections for officers are coming up in September. If you would like to run for an office please make the president, Nate McGrath aware of this.

 

Volunteers are needed for this year’s chilifest held at the square in Taylorville on October 7th & 8th the club discussed options on how to come up with honey to sell or donate at this event.

 

Round table discussions took place on the topic of swarms.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Nate Mcgrath and 2nd by Scott Carter.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Patty Altman, Secretary

 

 

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                May 4th, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on May 4th at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty two people were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Scott Carter.

 

A motion to approve secretary’s report was made by Sheila Shartzer and seconded by Kurt Longden.

 

Treasurer’s report was approved after Dean Beck made a motion and Bill Wilson 2nd.

 

Wayne Beck reported on the educational presentations which are receiving a lot of interest from the youngsters. Taylorville’s Memorial School had 239 students attend the presentation! Thanks go out to Kurt, Nate, Miranda, Kenneth and Wayne for helping at the Historical Society over Earth Day. Wayne also reported that Family Beekeeping had a booth set up at Henson Robinson Zoo for Earth Day along with the Springfield Park District. Wayne and Bill Wilson with the help of boy scouts council and the chief scouting executive for Abraham Lincoln council handed out 300 packages.

 

Bill Wilson made a motion to enter the club in the honey competition at the Illinois State Fair, Kurt Longden 2nd the motion. After voting on the idea, it was determined that the club would not be ready for such an under taking at this time, perhaps next year.

 

Planning ahead…volunteers are needed for the annual Chili fest on the square in Taylorville.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Scott Carter and 2nd by Kurt Longden.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                April 6th, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on April 6th at the Extension office in Taylorville. Thirty six people were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Scott Carter.

 

The Family Beekeepers of Illinois have been excited to welcome several new members to the club. The meeting opened with introduction of these new members as well as the existing members.

 

Larry Roth reported on the honey queen from APF. Larry was impressed with her presentation on the multiple uses of the hive tool and reported she will be coming to the state fair to possibly judge cooking classes.

 

Wayne Beck reported on educational presentation scheduled for May 9th at Taylorville Junior high school. They are expecting a couple hundred students to attend. Wayne also reported that the Boy Scout council display has been selling honey of which a portion of the profits goes back into the program. Morrisonville library has asked Mike & Joyce Dullenty to hold another educational presentation, but the date for that presentation was not confirmed.

 

Miranda Smith, treasurer for the FBI, updated the club on the treasurer’s report. Kurt Longden made a motion to pass, Patty Altman 2nd that motion.

 

Nate McGrath, president, reported that the youth scholarship program offered by the Kiwanis club is still available because no one applied last year.

 

Our thanks go out to Sheila Shartzer’s Mom for supplying the club with the chicken salad sandwiches and Patty Altman for the cookies made with honey.

 

MThanks also go out to Wayne & Dean Beck to for retrieving and distributing the bee packages from Wilbanks for the club.

 

Big thanks to our guest speaker Eleanor Schumacher, bee inspector for the southern region of the State, for her presentation on Spring Management. Thanks to Larry Roth, retired inspector , for assisting Eleanor with her presentation.

 

Motion to adjourn was made by Roger Shewmaker and 2nd by Scott Carter

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                March 2nd, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on March 2nd at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty three members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the club President Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Bill Wilson.

 

A motion to approve the secretary’s report made by Scott Carter was 2nd by Dean Beck. Treasurer, Miranda Smith updated club on treasurer’s report. A motion to approve the report was made by Dean Beck and 2nd by Patty Altman.

 

Wayne Beck reported on the education presentations, including a display set up at the Scout Council’s office, which has produced 16 potential contacts requesting information on bee presentations. Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield is holding educational activities for Earth Day in April. Wayne has put in an application to reserve a space for the club to participate in this activity. So the club will be asking for volunteers to man the booth at this event. Presentations have been scheduled at Taylorville Junior High School in May. The University of Illinois extension is planning to establish an arboretum in Pana and they are seeking out sponsors to help with this project which may lead to some educational presentations in the future if the plan goes through.

 

Treasurer, Miranda Smith reported on Emerald Gardens. This is a non-profit 18 acre property she owns. On this property, she grows food to donate to the homeless and local food pantries. Miranda also plans to set up a bee hive on site to recruit new beekeepers with hands on experience to beekeeping.

 

Members held a Show & Tell on equipment they have either designed and built themselves or found on the internet to help with the keeping of the bees.

 

Scott Carter made a motion to adjourn and Bill Wilson 2nd

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                February 2nd, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on February 2nd at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty three members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Vise President Dean Beck. The invocation was led by Scott Carter.

 

Wayne Beck reported on the educational presentations; Boy Scout Council has been scheduled for June 24, 25, and July 21 and 22. A presentation for an assisted living facility has been narrowed down to late April or early May. Scott Carter reported he made a presentation to Kiwanis club in Decatur.

 

The dates for the beginner beekeeping class has been changed to March 11 and March 18th from 8am to 1pm. The 2024 beginner beekeeping class has also been scheduled for February 24th & March 2nd .

 

Thanks go out to Sheila and Bayer for the sandwiches and brownies that were donated for the meeting. Thanks also go out to Robert Enlow Construction Company for their donation of $200 to the club.

 

A very interesting presentation was given by Arvin Pierce about his trip to Africa and what he learned about the raising of honey bees in that country.

 

Bee packages were ordered and money was collected from the club members.

 

Miranda Smith, treasurer for the club updated club on treasurer’s report, a motion to approve was given by Scott Carter and 2nd by Kurt Longden.

 

Motion to adjourn was given by Scott Carter and 2nd by Chris Abrizzani.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                January 5th, 2023

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on January 5th at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty two members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the President of the club, Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Bill Wilson.

 

A motion to approve the treasurer’s update was made by Roger Shewmaker and 2nd by Kurt Longden.

 

Wayne Beck reported on educational programs that are in the works, nothing has been confirmed yet. Wayne did report that an assisted living facility has expressed an interest in a beekeeping presentation, and perhaps the observation hive.

 

Miranda, the club Treasurer is working to finalize a bee package order from Wilbank’s and will be sending out an e-mail soon for those interested in purchasing bee packages for Spring.

 

Volunteers are needed to help instruct the beekeeping class that the club offers. The class has been scheduled for the first two Saturdays in March to be held at the Extension office in Taylorville.

 

Thanks go out to Scott & Kathy Carter for the beekeeper training book from the Ohio Beekeeping Association, they donated to the club.

 

Thanks to Scott also for the presentation on overwintering bees. The types of food to feed the bees for the varying temperatures and weather to wrap or not to wrap with insulation to protect from the cold.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                November 3rd, 2022

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on November 3rd at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty two members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the President of the club, Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Wayne Beck.

 

A motion to approve secretary’s report was made by Dean Beck and 2nd by Scott Carter. A motion to approve the treasurer’s update was made by Patty Altman and 2nd by Bill Wilson.

 

A decision was made about the club Christmas party. It will be a potluck and will be held on Dec 1st at 6:00pm at the extension office in Taylorville.

 

Wayne Beck gave an update on the yearly raffle. It was discovered they are a couple similar raffles in progress and as to not compete with those sales and increase our potential sales the club raffle will likely take place the first part of next year.

 

Wayne Beck reported that the educational doors are beginning to open up. People are starting to contact the FBI to see what information the club can provide. More presentations are being lined up in Springfield, Decatur and Taylorville. Thank you to Wayne and all the club volunteers for making this happen.

 

The beginner bee keeping class that the FBI provides will be held in January and there was a discussion about a follow up class perhaps later in the year.

 

The club will be ordering bee packages from Wilbanks next year, but will also be researching the possibility of purchasing Illinois bees in the future.

 

Dean Beck led a discussion on an article he found about sustainable northern beekeeping.

 

Scott Carter held a show and tell on an entrance cover called Protecta bee which helps with robbing, swarm prevention and preventing small hive beetles.

 

Dean made a motion to adjourn, and Miranda 2nd the motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                October 6th, 2022

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on October 6th at the Extension office in Taylorville. Twenty members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the President of the club, Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Bill Wilson.

 

Roger Shewmaker made a motion to pass the treasure’s report, Patty Altman 2nd and so it was approved.

 

Nate McGrath led a discussion on the success of the Chili fest. It was a beautiful weekend and the attendance for the event was great. The club made contact with several future beekeepers.

 

Wayne Beck reported on his scouting presentation and their exciting encounter with some feral bees.

 

The meeting included a guest speaker, Arvin Pierce, an experienced beekeeper and teacher from Blackburn College. He gave a very interesting presentation on overwintering methods and practices.

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Scott Carter and 2nd by Joyce Dullenty.

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Altman, Secretary

                    Family Beekeepers of Illinois
                                September 1st, 2022

 

 

 

The monthly meeting of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois was held on September 1st at the Extension office in Taylorville. Eighteen members were in attendance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the President of the club, Nate McGrath. The invocation was led by Rodger Shewmaker.

 

Nate McGrath led a discussion about the success of the Illinois State Fair display at the Ag tent. Thanks go out to Wayne Beck for the hand outs, Steve Hinrichs for taking professional pictures, Dean Beck for building the awesome observation hive, Bill Wilson for scheduling the event and Scott & Cathy Carter for the t-shirts that the volunteers received.

 

Scott Carter made a motion to pass the new by-law and constitution changes that were discussed in person at the August meeting, Kurt Longden 2nd. The changes to by-laws and constitution were passed.

 

Taylorville Chillifest is coming and volunteers are still needed. The event is on Saturday, October 1st from 9-6 and Sunday October 2nd from 10-6. Please sign up if you can help out. Mike & Glenda Brown are loaning the club their tent for the event, our thanks go out to them. Honey sales are still being hammered out. New this year is a Kid’s Zone and there will be special presentations both days at 12:30. Wayne Beck will present on Saturday and Nate McGrath on Sunday.

 

Wayne Beck is stepping down as Vice President but will be begin a new non-officer role as director of an educational outreach division as presented in the new by-laws. Thank you, Wayne for being such a great Vice President!

 

Dean Beck was nominated as new Vice President of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois effective immediately by those members in attendance. Dean’s nomination was announced and discussed by the nomination board at last month’s meeting.

 

Bill Wilson is leaving the office of treasurer for the Family Beekeepers of Illinois because his two years of service as an officer are over per the by-laws. We thank Bill for his amazing service.

 

Miranda Smith was nominated as new Treasurer of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois effective immediately by those members in attendance. Miranda’s nomination was announced and discussed by the nomination board at the August meeting.

 

President Nate McGrath was nominated as President of the Family Beekeepers of Illinois effective immediately by those members in attendance. He will serve his second term. Nate’s nomination was announced and discussed by the nomination board at the August meeting.

 

Your current elected officer for 2022-2023 are as follows:

President: Nate McGrath

Vice President: Dean Beck

Treasurer: Miranda Smith

Secretary: Patty Altman

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Altman, Secretary