Southside Beekeepers Association January 2017

2016-17 OFFICERS: President: Harvey Joyner Vice President: Jerry Taylor & Bucky Moore Treasurer: Donna Rogers

Secretary: Sue Moore Program Coordinator: Karen Joyner Newsletter Editor: Tammy Malkin

The President’s Corner

What Do You Do on a Winter’s Day with

Beehives?

As I look out my window at this January

snow fall, I ponder the question “What do you do

on a winter’s day with beehives?” The quick

answer is - Nothing! On a day like today, the

queen is surrounded by thousands of her

workers, kept warm in the midst of the winter

cluster. Although “the weather outside is

frightful,” or below freezing, the winter cluster

of bees remains a constant 92 degrees F. The

bees generate heat by “shivering” their wing

muscles. They are also busy consuming honey in

order that they might continue generating

warmth. The “bee ball” is constantly, though

gradually, in motion so that the bees on the

outside of the cluster move toward the center,

as the warm, well-fed bees move toward the

outside. So, for such a time as this, we human

interventionists need to simply back-off and

trust them with their winter’s work.

On the other hand, when weather and

time allows, it is advisable that you brush off

any dead bees or snow that might be blocking

the entrance. Meanwhile, you might consider

cleaning, repairing, and storing equipment for

the winter season. Others of you may even want

to spend time on bee-related hobbies, like

candle-making, mead-making, cosmetics, and so

on. Of course, we would like for you to

participate in our monthly meetings, when we

always share beekeeping stories and ideas for

future use.

I want to thank those of you who

participated in last month’s Christmas party,

with special appreciation to Sue Moore for her

constant online promotion of it, to Leslie and

Chuck Sabo for orchestrating the “Naughty

Santa” gift exchange, to Barbara Suessmann

(and whomever else?) for decorating the room,

and to Barbara for rescuing me at the last

minute with finding a key to get into the

building! …Also, what a pleasant surprise and joy

to have had Vee Foster join us for last month’s

party!

While from the outside, it might appear

that not much is going on with bees during the

winter, they are busy on the inside of the box,

consuming honey and keeping warm. If and when

the temperature gets above 50 degrees F, and

you are concerned about their food supply,

you might want to check to make sure there is

sealed honey in the top frames. Do not even

think about liquid syrup, as the bees would have

to remove the water, even if they were to get to

it! Emergency feeding might include placing

granulated sugar around the inner cover hole or

placing fondant on the top bars of the top super,

but remember that once you start feeding, you

cannot stop until the bees start bringing sin

their own pollen and nectar.

So, it is my hope that you will not feel

compelled to do much of anything with your

beehives during the bleak mid-winter. Take time

to read, relax, and prepare for the season to

come, when there will be plenty to do. More on

that discussion next time!

Harvey

NEXT MEETING

WHEN:

Thursday, Jan 26nd, 6pm

WHERE:

Emporia/Greensville Extension Office

105 Oak Street

Emporia, VA 23847

Refreshments If you would like to volunteer to

provide refreshments at a meeting, please

see Sue Moore.

Thank you, Harvey & Karen Joyner,

for providing refreshments at this month’s

meeting.

URGENT!!

ORDER BEES AND EQUIPMENT IN

JANUARY

BEES: Those who will be ordering your

bees from package producers, the package

producers will typically be prepared to

take your orders for package bees and

nucs beginning late fall and may be

completely booked by the end of January.

Call early!

EQUIPMENT: Andy Westrich, of Andy’s

Woodenware, is based out of Hampton,

VA. If you would like to place an order

with Andy, contact Andy directly for

pricing and information at (757) 513-2467

or email at andy@hamptonapiary.com.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Colonial Beekeepers will be hosting three "Getting Started in Beekeeping" presentations in January 2017. This will be a

great opportunity for those of you considering beekeeping to come out and see what it is all about! We will have a meet

and greet informational meeting where folks can come out and just consider whether beekeeping makes any sense for

themselves and their situation.

A try-before-you-buy session, if you will, where we will make a quick presentation on:

What it takes to be a beekeeper - basic yard reqs, good (or no) neighbors, money, desire;

What it's like to be a beekeeper - time it takes, knowledge investment needed;

and we will have some equipment on display and beekeepers there to answer the myriad of questions that you may have.

This presentation will be given at three different times and locations in January:

January 21st, 9:30 AM at the Northampton Community Center, 1435 Todds Lane, Building A, Hampton, VA 23666-

2944,

January 28th, 10:30 AM at the Poquoson Public Library, 500 City Hall Ave, Poquoson, VA 23662.

Preregistration is required at this venue as seating is limited. Registration opens 28 December. Call 757-868-3060 or

visit the library website (www.poquoson-va.gov/library) to register.

January 28th, 2:00 PM at Brent & Becky's Bulbs, 7900 Daffodil Ln, Gloucester Courthouse, VA 23061.

Candied Honey Bacon

Ingredients

1 lb. Dry cured bacon, sliced - I like Niman Ranch

2 tbsp. Orange Blossom Honey (Or, Maple Honey)

¼ c. Light Brown Sugar – I like India Tree's Light Muscovado Sugar

2 tsp. Dijon Mustard

½ tsp. Kosher Salt

¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Top with a wire rack. 3. In a large bowl, add the honey brown sugar, Dijon

mustard, Kosher salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well. 4. Add the bacon to the bowl and toss gently with your

hands. 5. Place the bacon in a single layer onto the wire rack

and bake on the center of the oven. 6. After about 20 minutes the bacon will begin to

brown, but will likely need to bake for another 10-15 minutes. The bacon is done when it is dark brown, but not burnt. If you take the bacon out too soon it will be chewy, and not candied. Resist the temptation to pull the bacon out before it is finished.

7. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the rack. When the bacon is cool enough to handle, transfer it to a plate.

8. Leave the bacon whole or break it into pieces... either way it's delicious!

9. Serve at room temperature