Beekeepers of the Northern Shenandoah

Masterbeekeeper Pat Haskell has graciously offered to run a one-day queen rearing workshop for our club on Saturday, June 18.   The workshop will run all day and emphasize hands on work, with setting up cell starting colonies, grafting, mating, etc.   Space is limited to four participants only, so we can not take first year beekeepers.   Please drop me an email if you are interested in joining us.

Reminder:  If you have not picked up your bee packages, please do so Thursday, April 28 after 5pm.  They are at 114 Jeb Drive. 

If you still want your package but can’t get it tonight, please get in touch with John Lewis to make other arrangements asap.  Thanks.  931-4390.

There are a couple extras.  If you did not order any but need one, we might be able to find one for you.   Let me know.   John

We got confirmation this morning (Tuesday) that the package bees are headed to Virginia now.   Pickups will be available at 114 Jeb Drive, Winchester, on Wednesday evening 7-9 and Thursday evening, 5-9.   Please bring a check; they are $75 each. 

Around dusk each evening, we’ll demo an installation for you, if you have not done this previously.

If you can’t make these times, please contact me asap. 

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Field Day is Saturday, starting at 10:30.  Also at 114 Jeb Drive.  Bring protective gear, your smoker and some food or drink to share. 

John

I just got an email from Bob Wellemeyer.    IF, IF  IF all goes according to plan, the bees will arrive in Winchester late Tuesday evening. 

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For those of you who are new to packages, they are time-sensitive beings.   For those who have orders in, you can pick them up on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evenings.   Wednesday night is best.  (Those getting their packages sooner will be getting stronger packages. )

Pick up is from 114 Jeb Drive, Winchester.   

Pickup times are as follows.  (Please only come on these times.)  

Wednesday 7-8pm,

Thursday 6-8pm,

Friday 6-8pm.

If you’ve never installed a package, search on youtube – there are some fun demos there.  We may also demo one each evening at my place.   

CHECK THE WEBSITE BEFORE YOU COME.   ALL THIS IS TENTATIVE. 

JOHN

Field Day for the Beginning Beekeeping Class is cancelled for this Saturday.  This is due to the packages not coming in.     

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Reschedule for Saturday, April 30.  Veteran beekeepers always welcome.  At my home, 114 Jeb Drive, Winchester, 10:30.  Bring food to share at lunch.   Also bring protective gear and your smoker. 

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Watch the website about package bees arriving.  Currently scheduled for around April 26ish.   

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John

Bad news.  I just got an email from Bob Wellemeyer.   It reads in part:

“Due to recent bad weather in Georgia and unforeseen circumstances… the delivery of packages has been rescheduled for April 26.” 

Bob goes on to apologize for the delay.  I sincerely do likewise, though I’ve no control over this.  I’ve asked him for an appeal on this date, but don’t hold much hope there.

The listed date is when I can (hopefully) pick them up near Warrenton.  BONS distribution will be a day or so later.  Watch the website for updates. 

There is good news buried in this.  While late starting packages may need more care from the beekeeper, and while they don’t hold promise for any significant honey draw for you this year, they do mean better mated queens and improved chances for survival well into next year.  

UG!

John