Hello Mid-Michigan Beekeepers

I just wanted to remind everyone that our March Beekeepers meeting will be held on March 4, 2010 at the Richfield Center at 7:00p.m. Please try to be early so we can get started early and be done and ready to leave by 8:30p.m.

Also, at this meeting we will be gathering our bee orders as a group for a discount. So remember to bring you checkbooks or cash as bees have to be paid in full upon ordering. If you cannot be there and want to order with the group please contact Jim Dodder at 810-399-2750 or Jim Withers at 810-736-0128.
Thank you for your cooperation and look forward to seeing you on the 4th.
Respectfully,

Barb Applebee
Secretary
Mid-Michigan Beekeepers Club

Anyone interested in adding their names in our Mid-Michigan Beekeeping directory, please let me know at the following address: midmichiganbeekeepers@gmail.com. The following information as your provide it will appear in our directory.

You’re Name: ______________________________________________________________
You’re Business/Farm/Apiaries Name: ____________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ______________________________________________________________
Cellular Phone: _____________________________________________________________
Email address: ______________________________________________________________
Beekeepers Club: ___________________________________________________________

If there is anyone you may know of that would like to be in our Mid-Michigan Beekeepers Directory pass this information on to them as well.
The phone number is you choice if you want either published or just one. The whole purpose of the phone directory is allowing everyone to know their fellow beekeeper. By some chance someday they need help or have some question with their hives they have the opportunity to call one of their club members or some other beekeeper closer to their hives.
I am going to set the closing date for the directory for April 30th. This way I can get them made up and distributed by the first of July the latest to everyone. Thank you.

Barb Applebee
Secretary
Mid Michigan Beekeepers Club

Hello Friends,
   What a beautiful morning.  I went out to kick the furnace on in my workshop this morning so it can warm up for today's project, hive-top feeders.  On my way back into the house I heard a strange noise from high above.  I looked up into the bright blue sky and beheld 3 beautifully white swans followed by 9 darker colored swans which I'm guessing were cygnets (younger swans) flying northwest.  As I stood in the still crisp air I next heard water dripping from the eaves of my barn as the sun began to melt the snow on the roof.  Ah, spring is in the air.  Yet I'm torn between emotions.  I can hardly wait for spring to fully arrive, but am I ready with all my equipment?  Is there anything I'm forgetting?  Why oh why haven't I already created a checklist to ease my worried mind?  I shall endeavor to do so this evening....first thing on my checklist is to create a checklist.  How about you?  Are you ready for spring and the new beekeeping season? 
   Maybe we should add that to our agenda Thursday night at this month's meeting.  Try making up your own checklist and bring it to the meeting.  We can share some ideas and maybe help each other with things we may have overlooked ourselves.  We have a lot to cover at this month's meeting; ordering bees, honey bee sex, starting new hives.  Wow, I shall have to find a way to be succinct....I hear you laughing.
   Finally, I will have pre-registration forms for this month's ANR beekeeping conference.  Last year the lines went down the hall of the Kellogg Center.  You may save yourself some standing time in a long line by pre-registering.
   Looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting.  The only dress requirement is that you wear a smile.
 
Cheers
Jim Withers