2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2008 REGULAR MEETINGS

Our monthly meetings begin at 7:30pm and are held on the last Tuesday of the month at the Norfield Church Community Room at 64 Norfield Road, Weston Connecticut. There is usually a meeting designed specifically for new beekeepers at 6:30pm (prior to our regular meetings).  These events are free and open to the public. Our calendar is subject to change, so please check our website for the latest updates (www.backyardbeekeepers.com) or call any members of the Board (see listing of Board members).

In addition, a number of weekend workshops are scheduled each year to give participants a hands-on opportunity to learn new beekeeping skills & techniques and visit other bee yards.

January 29
Pest & Disease Control and Prevention	Dan Conlon
Dan Conlon will discuss Pest & Disease management, showing experiments using different methods of control and prevention. Focus is on reducing cost, labor and not intefering with honey production.

February 26
The Effects of Miticides on Queen & Drone Physiology	Lisa Burley
Lisa Burley from Virginia Tech will share her Master’s thesis research on the effects of miticides on queen & drone physiology.

March 25
Herstory of Women in Beekeeping	Tammy Horn
Tammy Horn will discuss her findings for her new book on notable Women in the field of Beekeeping, past and present.

April 29
Experiences from “Bees Besieged” & Current Projects	Bill Mares
Bill Mares will share his experiences from writing “Bees Besieged” and his current project working with the coffee farmers and beekeepers in Central America.

May 27
Learning from Intensive German Beekeeping Practices	Kirsten Traynor
Kirsten Traynor, who received a Humboldt Scholarship to investigate the German beekeeping industry for one year, will provide insight and images into these effective and rewarding methods of hive management.

June 24
Annual Pot Luck Dinner Meeting and Silent Auction
Not only is it a fabulous Pot Luck Supper, the Auction equally tempting, only topped by the camaraderie of your fellow beekeeper! Bring a dish to share and something to donate to the auction.

September 30
Basis of Honey Bee Breeding	Dr. Ernesto Guzman
Dr. Ernesto Guzman associate professor of environmental biology at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada will discuss the fundamentals in The Basis of Honey Bee Breeding

October 28
The Power of Propolis	Glen Perry
Glen Perry, American Apitherapy Society board member will discuss Propolis, how to collect and utilize this fascinating material. He will describe its anti-viral and bactericidal properties and how it works on infections that are antibiotic resistant.

November 25
Jeoparbee!	Howland Blackiston
Howland Blackiston will be the Master of Ceremonies as he leads his brilliant and entertaining HoneyBee Jeoparbee! Come and see how much you think you know about Honey Bees! It is also our Annual Honey Swap & we set up our Farmer’s Market Table for your holiday shopping needs.

NO MEETING IN DECEMBER

2008 WORKSHOPS

Our weekend workshops are scheduled each year to give participants a hands-on opportunity to learn new beekeeping skills & techniques and visit other bee yards.  They are held at various locations, and we ask that those planning to attend contact the host so that if the workshop should be postponed for some reason, the host can contact the attendees.   Please check our website for the latest updates (www.backyardbeekeepers.com) or call the workshop host(s) with any questions.

Saturday January 26
Mead Madness	Howland Blackiston
Did you ever wonder how you could make mead at home? Please join fellow BYBA member Howland Blackiston and learn about the craft of mead making. Discover the many different types of mead, and become acquainted with the simple equipment you can use to make delicious honey wines at home. Making mead is fun, easy and deliciously rewarding.  For workshop attendees over 21, Howland will also offer free tasting of a wide array of honeywines, spirits and liquors.  Contact Howland at (203) 571 1774 or blackiston@bee-commerce.com

Saturday February 2
Soap Making	Marina Marchese
Marina Marchese, of Red Bee Studio, will demonstrate how to make handmade soap the way your grandma did. You will also learn that many ingredients found in your kitchen like oatmeal, cornmeal, honey, herbs and beeswax can spice up any basic recipe. We will mix up a huge batch for everyone to take a some home so bring an old towel and a small wax coated milk type carton. There will be handouts of sample recipes for you to experiment with on your own. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty if you plan to help. Contact Marina at (203)226-4535 or redbee@optonline.net

Mondays, March 3, 10, 17, 24
"March Mondays" Beekeeping Class	Leslie Huston & Dick Marron
BYBA will again be conducting its beekeeping class, affectionately called “March Mondays” again this year.  The classes will be held on the first four Mondays from 7pm to 9pm, at the Norfield Congregational Church.  Fee is $50, and includes class, handouts, and one year’s membership in the BYBA.  The class will be taught by (dynamic duo) Leslie Huston and Dick Marron and will cover a full range of topics: basic bee biology, beekeeping equipment, pests and diseases, colony management, products of the hive, and much more.  March also features the hands-on hive setup workshop, to help new beekeepers get their equipment assembled.  If you or someone you know is interested, please have them contact Leslie Huston at (203) 417-2023 or ljhuston3@charter.net.

Saturday March 15
Hands on Hive set up	Leslie Huston
The weekend workshop will have a number of BYBA members demonstrate the basics of assembling equipment and the tools one needs to make your job easier. If you have equipment to assemble, bring it and we’ll help you. Bring your smoker, and we’ll show you the fastest way to clean it! Tips and hints galore! Discussions will include hive site location, Queen selection, and demonstrations of various pieces of beekeeping equipment that you may not have seen or used before. If you have made a piece of equipment that you find useful in your beekeeping, please contact Leslie Huston so that we can make arrangements to display it—you get to explain how it is used. Nothing is too small or too big for this workshop!  Location: Norfield Congregational Church Community Room Time: 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.  Contact Leslie at (203) 417-2023 or ljhuston3@charter.net

Saturday April 12
Hiving Package Bees	Dick Marron
Dick Marron will demonstrate how to hive package bees at his bee yard in Newtown at Cherry Grove Farm.  This workshop will provide a hands on opportunity to learn and try the proper techniques for transferring a package of live honeybees into a new hive.  Cherry Grove Farm is located at the junction of Palestine Road and 100 Acres Road in Newtown. It may be a little muddy. Bring a veil. Parking in the farm yard is OK. Bees are in the field opposite the house. (There are no buildings in this field.) The workshop will start at 11 a.m. If it’s pouring we’ll do it on Sunday the 13th. For details contact Dick Marron at (203) 743-0541 or dickm@snet.net

Saturday April 19
Hive Inspection I	Dick Marron
At the first inspection after hiving a new package, it's important to check that the queen's been released and has started laying eggs, as well as surveying the condition of the newly established colony. At this workshop Dick will check on how the bees hived at April's demos are progressing. The workshop will start at 11 a.m. If it’s pouring we’ll do it on Sunday the 20th. For details contact Dick Marron at (203) 743-0541 or  dickm@snet.net

Sunday May 25
Basic Queen Rearing	David Blocher & Leslie Huston
This workshop we will demonstrate the Miller method of raising queens - a method that requires no special equipment and no special skills (i.e. eagle eyesight!).  Attendees will also have a chance to try their hand at grafting larva into queen cups to raise queens. General background information will also be provided - how to set up and provision a colony to raise queen cells, timing, and other equipment that can come in handy when raising queens.  Bring your bee apparel! This workshop will be held at the BYBA queen rearing bee yard at Trout Brook Valley, near Aspetuck Orchards Apple Barn.  Contact Leslie Huston at (203) 417-2023 or ljhuston3@charter.net

Saturday June 7
Hive Inspection II	Ray Simon
Board member Ray Simonwill conduct this early summertime bee inspection workshop at 475 Stanwich Road Greenwich CT at 11 a.m. This inspection will focus on mid summer activity, mite inspection and queen evaluation.  Please contact Ray at (203) 249-0257 or simonr@optonline.net to let him know you plan to attend.

Saturday June 21
Swarming & Making Splits	Win Baum
Past BYBA President Win Baum and his wife Stefanie will be hosting this back yard bee visit at 500 Papurah Road in Fairfield, Connecticut at 10:30 am. Come and see how Win's bees are doing, and discuss the swarming. Contact Win for directions at (203) 255-9185 or win@winbaum.com

Sunday June 22
Basic Queen Rearing	David Blocher & Leslie Huston
At this workshop we will demonstrate the Miller method of raising queens - a method that requires no special equipment and no special skills (i.e. eagle eyesight!).  Attendees will also have a chance to try their hand at grafting larva into queen cups to raise queens. General background information will also be provided - how to set up and provision a colony to raise queen cells, timing, and other equipment that can come in handy when raising queens.  Bring your bee apparel! This workshop will be held at the BYBA queen rearing bee yard at Trout Brook Valley, near Aspetuck Orchards Apple Barn.  Contact Leslie Huston at (203) 417-2023 or ljhuston3@charter.net

Saturday July 12
Hive Inspection III	Mary Howansky
BYBA member Mary Howansky will conduct this bee inspection workshop at her home in Wilton at 11 a.m. This inspection will focus on mid-summer activity, ongoing mite inspection and queen evaluation, nectar flow (and/or dearth!).  Contact Mary for directions at (203) 762-5912 or showansky@sbcglobal.net

Saturday July 26
Honey Harvest	Ellen Zampino
Board member Ellen Zampino will host a honey harvest workshop. We will take honey from the hive, extract it and bottle it. Come see just how it's done. The workshop will start at 11 a.m. Contact Ellen at (203) 981-0611 or jazampino3@aol.com

August 2
Fall Preparation Workshop	David Blocher
BYBA President David Blocher will be hosting this fourth inspection and also addressing the important issues of fall preparation. This inspection will look at hives to assess their condition and discuss what actions can be taken to give the bees the best shot at surviving the winter - August is the time to start preparing your hives for winter! The workshop will start at 11 a.m. Contact David at (203) 938-2549 or dblocher@optonline.net

September 13
Hive Inspection IV	Andrea Azarm
BYBA board member Andrea Azarm will be hosting this fourth and final inspection workshop. This inspection will look at hives to assess their preparedness for winter, and point out final touches that can help the bees survive the winter months. The workshop will start at 11 a.m. Contact Andrea at 203) 255-2525 or aazarm@snet.net

November 8
Beeswax Workshop	Ellen Zampino & Patty Pulliam
Ellen Zampino will demonstrate a safe, easy way to clean and process beeswax so that it may be utilized for candle and ornament making.  Patty Pulliam will demonstrate how to prepare your own lip balm and hand creams.  Just in time for you to create your own hand made holiday gifts!  Contact Patty Pulliam at (203) 259-4861 or pattpull@optonline.net