No meeting in December…
Here is a 2019 Preview!

As in years past, December is quite a busy month for most, so we will forego a Bee Guild meeting… No Meeting in December!

New Officers:  At the November meeting/Honey Contest, please welcome our new President taking over for 2019, Dalton Hyde, and Emily Quinn as our new Vice-President.  Drew Owens remains as Treasurer, and Julie Moye as Program Director.  Welcome, Dalton & Emily, and Thanks, Drew & Julie!

2019 Meetings… We are asking that anyone who can pick an open month to choose the topic (your chance to have it your way!) and arrange the subject matter and/or speaker.    Here is what we have on tap so far – please check your schedule and pick an OPEN month!  (Let Denise Deacon (252.722.3118) or Dalton (919.260.3265) know of your interest and they’ll help with getting you in contact with speaker if needed.). Meetings to be held second Wednesdays at the KDH Library unless otherwise noted, socialize at 6:30 – begins at 7 pm.

January 9:  Buying Bees – What is involved and where to get packages & nucs, will discuss problems last year, new suppliers – Denise Deacon speaker
February 13:  OPEN (Library unavailable, maybe hold at Brew Station upstairs room?)
March 13:  OPEN
April 10:  Splits – Etienne Nadeau is speaker
May 8:  Queens – Rick Coor is speaker
June 12:  OPEN
July 10:  OPEN; however, sometimes in the past we have not held a meeting in July as it is mid-summer hectic/busy for most.
August 14:  Group Extraction – at Denise’s house
September 11:  OPEN
October 9:  (Tentative) Beginner Orientation/Bee School in a Nutshell, Denise
November 13:  Honey Contest/Potluck
December:  Break – no meeting

We hope you enjoy the holiday season!  If you have any questions or concerns, contact Denise Deacon (252.722.3118) or Dalton Hyde (919.260-3265).  Thanks!

The Outer Banks BeeKeepers’ Guild is pleased to announce the winners of the Third Annual Honey Contest held in November. With samplings of 12 unique Outer Banks honeys from Guild members’ hives, each with it’s own special features, the judges and attendees again had their work cut out for them.  Many thanks to all who contributed to the evening, either with food or beverages, raffle and door prize items, or just their delightful presence!

Guest judges were Rick Coor, president of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, Paul Newbold, incoming president of the NCSBA, and Joey Russo, owner (and chef) of one of Kitty Hawk finest eateries – Russo’s Bistro and Bar. Chef Russo also created the delicious main course for the evening’s potluck dinner.

The individual honeys’ qualities such as density, clarity and flavor were compared, votes were tallied, and the winners were:

Judge’s Choice – Light: Lenie & Tom Taylor (Wanchese).
Judge’s Choice – Amber: Denise Deacon (Kitty Hawk).
People’s Choice: Bobby Dupree (Kill Devil Hills).

Special Mentions:
Judge’s Second & Third Place – Light: Virgil Lanning (Kitty Hawk) and Don Babin (Rodanthe)
Judge’s Second & Third Place – Amber: Melissa Warner (Manteo) and Sophie & Amy Johnson (Kitty Hawk)

The Outer Banks BeeKeepers’ Guild welcomes anyone who would like to know more about honey bees and beekeeping to join us at our monthly meetings, usually held the second Wednesday of each month. Please visit outerbanksbeekeepers.com for more information, or contact OBBG president Denise Deacon at (252) 722-3118.

L-R: Joey Russo, Bobby Dupree, Tom Taylor, Lenie Taylor, Paul Newbold, Denise Deacon, Rick Coor

As we missed our monthly meeting last week, member Julian Lassiter thoughtfully forwards this suggested informative video from Weller Bee Supply – “How to Prepare Candy Boards and Prepare Your Hive for Winter.”  Some great tips contained therein – thanks, Julian!

If you lost a hive (or hives) due to storm damage/flooding, please see the below information from the NCSBA:

Beekeepers, the deadline is fast approaching to file a “Notice Of Loss” . Please refer to the link below to see how to file for assistance.

The USDA has a program for beekeepers that have certain honey bee losses.

Please refer to the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program Fact Sheet for more information. The website is www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2018/elap_fact_sheet_april2018.pdf

Please contact your local Farm Service Agency for assistance.

Paul Newbold

beefarmer1349@gmail.com, 252-264-0245 H, 252-312-4629 C

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We have decided to err on the side of caution and are cancelling tonight’s OBX Bee Guild meeting, 10/11.

Please stay tuned for future email regarding next month on 11/14, our Annual Honey Contest, where we will enjoy some food and beverages and each other’s company!

Depending on the weather situation tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 11, we may postpone/cancel our OBX Bee Guild meeting at the KDH Library.  Not sure what time any rain and/or wind will arrive, but if it is expected to be quite inclement I would expect not many would want to leave a comfy home nest and venture out in the dark!

I will send an email tomorrow by 5 pm to update as to whether we plan to meet or not – please check your email if you plan to attend.  Thanks!

Questions or comments – Denise Deacon, 252.722.3118

Need 3 or 4 lovers of honey bees to help out… The OBX BeeKeepers’ Guild will have a booth at the OBX Seafood Festival in Nags Head on Saturday, October 20.  The festival runs from 10:30 am until 6 pm.

You can sell your own honey at our booth, and keep the $$ yourself!!  You can help sell our Bee Guild T-shirts and stickers!  You can talk with attendees about the amazing honey bee creatures we all love!!  Doesn’t matter if you are new to beekeeping or a seasoned vet – all are welcome!  We also plan to raffle some beautiful outdoor furniture donated by Nags Head Hammocks in order to raise money for the Guild.

By helping at public functions such as this, you can accumulate credits toward advancing within the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association Master Beekeeper program as well!

Can’t commit from 10 to 6?  Even a partial time frame will help.

Please contact Denise Deacon ASAP at 252.722.3118 or obxbeehive@gmail.com to sign up.  Thanks!

The KDH Library accidentally double-booked the meeting room, so we have been moved to Thursday, October 11, instead of Wednesday, October 10.

DATE:  Thursday, October 11, 2018
TIME:  Arrive to socialize at 6:30, begin at 7:00 p.m.
SUBJECT:  Fall Hive Management/Winter Prep… Six-year beekeeper Julie Moye will lead us in round table discussion, and also hopes to call upon others to learn the various methods used with success (or failure!).  Please come prepared to share any input/advice you might have.
PLACE:  KDH Library, 300 Mustian St.  If you arrive after the Library locks their front door at 7 pm, follow the sidewalk around the left to the back door.

Raffle items always welcome, or dollar donations for tickets!

Hope to see you there!  Questions?  Contact Denise Deacon at 252.722.3118

One Week Postponement –
Meeting Wed., 9/19 Instead of 9/12

Yeaaah… Sooooooooo…..
Looks like Florence is going to pay a visit in some form – minor or major remains to be seen.
We’ll postpone our regular second Wednesday meeting one week… now set for:

Wednesday, September 19 – same place (KDH Library), same time (socialize at 6:30 pm, begin at 7), same agenda!!  Hope to see you there 🙂

In the meantime… keep those sweet bees safe!

*Strap or tie down hive lid to base so it doesn’t blow off.

*Make sure there is a slight degree of “lean” toward the entrance so that rain water does not accumulate inside on the bottom board.

*If hive is in a low spot, consider raising it up with cinderblocks, 8 x 8s, or moving it altogether.

*Check nectar/honey resources now, and feed if needed as it may be several days before they can go out to forage again if we have extended rainfall.

For more beehive hurricane preparation info, check out Dr. Tarpy’s page:

https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/09/protective-measures-of-beehives-during-hurricanes-2/