I’m a bit distracted right now. The arrival of an eight-week old springer spaniel puppy named Roger has turned the house upside down as we scramble to meet his needs. How big a crate do we need and is the old one really too big? Why do we only have one dish when we had two before? That collar doesn’t look big enough and that one looks too small! Will a clock sewed into a stuffy really mimic the sound of his mummy’s heartbeat? I don’t think I have worked so hard to create a living space since, well…since I set up a bee hive. Someone once said that managing bees was more work than maintaining an aquarium and less than raising a dog. I must admit that it has been a rare occasion that a beehive has had me up in the middle of the night but I think overall the comparison of bees to household pets is a mismatch. I think bees are truly in a category of their own.
We are setting up for a new bee season and that means checking hive equipment; the health of over-wintered bees and revving up the CRBA for a new calendar of events. It’s a little early to be replacing queens but soon enough we will stop worrying about whether our bees survived and start worrying about whether our bees will swarm. The New Beekeeper Corner will start at 6:30pm in the lower hall at Gordon Head United Church and then our regular meeting will begin at 7:00pm in the upper hall. If you have stuff you would like to display, you can set them up between 6:30pm and 7:00pm on the stage in the upper hall so that people can see them during our social.
It’s that time of year when we hold our annual general meeting and elect some new executives and directors and it is a great time for new members to get a feel for all that goes on outside of our monthly meeting. I love this club because people put their hands up and say I can help. Whether it is Seedy Saturday, a trip to the Iotron or volunteering at the fall fairs and field days our members share the load and make it easier for everyone. While executive roles are elected, my goal is to have each one of those people supported by one or two others to share the responsibility. That way people can respond to the puppies and other family commitments in their lives.
Attached to this newsletter is our annual report summarizing the events of the past year. Take a look through it and see you at our meeting on Thursday March 9th.
Wanted Second Vice President
We have been without a Second VP for a while now and that person will keep the social portion of our meeting buzzing. They will also work to coordinate field visits and smaller geographic groups within the club. Working with the President and the First Vice president, you will be one of three to help make our monthly meetings fresh and exciting for all our club members.
March 7 & 8 – Trip to the Iotron
We offer this vital service to active members of the CRBA so their equipment can be sterilized.
If you wish to send equipment, add your name to the list by contacting Alanna Morbin (250-386-5982). Instructions and planning info will be sent to you by email and included in the BeeLine.
Please provide the following by email or phone:
- Name
- Phone #
- Estimated number of items you wish to send