January Meeting...

Hampden County Beekeepers Meeting January 2013

When: Thursday, January 10th at 7pm

Where:  Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)

118 Mount Vernon Rd.

Chicopee, MA 01013

This will be our first session of bee school for 2013, as well as our first official meeting of the year.  Don’t worry; we’ll keep the business to a minimum!

We’ll kick the night off with an introduction of the HCBA and it’s officers with our host President Jim Stefanik.  Next it will be on to club business.  We’ll be voting on an update to our current by-laws.  Please request a copy if you’d like to have a chance to review the proposed update before the vote.  After the vote we’ll get straight to bee school.  Speaker, Ken Warchol will cover Introduction to Beekeeping. 

All members are welcome to attend this meeting.  Seasoned members and new members alike!  Come out and vote, and if you like, stay for Ken’s lesson, there’s always something to learn. 

Please don’t forget if you plan to vote, your 2013 dues must be paid.  Dues are due January 1^st 2013, but will also be accepted at this meeting.  Make sure you’re current!  If you are not planning to renew your dues, please let me know and I’ll be happy to stop sending reminders. 

Bee well!

Jessica Martin

HCBA Secretary

Beekeeping School 2013...

Due to popular demand, Hampden County Beekeeping School will be back in session in 2013! 

There are 8 classes, held twice a month on Thursdays from January to April. 

Members old and new are welcome to attend any and all school sessions.  It's never too late to learn something new!

Beekeeping school will be held at our regular meeting location:

Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)

                       118 Mount Vernon Rd.

                       Chicopee, MA 01013

Beekeeping School 2013 Schedule:

January 10th & 24th

February 7th & 21st

March 7th & 21st

April 11th & 25th

Classes are from 7pm-9pm

Beekeeping school is $75.00* per person and includes your beginning beekeeping manual, a 1 year membership in the HCBA, a Beekeeping School Certificate upon graduation, and the chance to win a complete starter hive on April 25th.

*$125.00 for two people if you share a book. 

If you know someone who may be interested in enrolling in our Beekeeping School as a new student, please have them contact our treasurer, Cheryl Robare for more information. 
Phone: 413-782-7371
Email:  hcmbeekeepers@aol.com

Space is limited, so sign up early!

April Meeting #2...

Hampden County Beekeepers April Meeting #2

When: Thursday, April 26th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Beewax Products & First Aid
w/speakers Tom Flebotte, HCBA Director and Kim Dermeski

Topic 2: Q&A, Certificate distribution, and raffle*

*ALL NEW MEMBERS WILL BE ENTERED IN THE RAFFLE TO WIN A BRAND NEW HIVE!

April Meeting #1...

Hampden County Beekeepers April Meeting #1

When: Thursday, April 12th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013

This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. The night's topics will be covered by chapters 6 & 7 in your books. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Fall and Winter Management
w/speaker Jeff Rys, HCBA Vice President

Topic 2: Extracting Honey
w/speaker Len Elie, HCBA Member

March Meeting #2...

Hampden County Beekeepers March Meeting #2

When: Thursday, March 29th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. The night's topics will be covered by chapter 8 in your books. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Challenges of Beekeeping
w/speaker Ken Warchol, MA Bee Inspector

March Meeting #1...

Hampden County Beekeepers March Meeting #1

When: Thursday, March 8th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. The night's topics will be covered by Chapters 5 & 8 in your books. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Spring and Summer Management
w/speaker Jeff Rys HCBA Vice President

Topic 2: Bears and Other Invaders
w/speaker Len Elie HCBA Member

February Meeting #2...

Hampden County Beekeepers February Meeting #2

When: Thursday, February 23rd at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. The night's topics will be covered by Chapter 2 in your books. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Dynamics of the Hive
w/speaker Ken Warchol, MA Bee Inspector

Topic 2: Queens and Swarms
w/speaker Ken Warchol, MA Beel Inspector

February Meeting #1...

Hampden County Beekeepers February Meeting #1

When: Thursday, February 9th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is part of our 2012 bee school session. The night's topics are covered in Chapter 4 of your books. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Source of Bees
w/speaker Tom Flebotte HCBA Director

Topic 2: Installing Bees
w/speakers Tom Flebotte HCBA Director

January Meeting #2...

Hampden County Beekeepers January Meeting #2

When: Thursday, January 26th at 7pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013


This is meeting is the second class of our 2012 bee school session. Please arrive before 7:00pm as class will start promptly at 7:00pm.

Topic 1: Protective Clothing
w/speaker Tom Flebotte HCBA Director
Topic 2: Hive Assembly
w/speakers Tom Flebotte & Lee Duquette

October Meeting...

Hampden County Beekeepers October Meeting

When: Thursday, October 20th at 6:00pm

Where: Willimanset Heights Improvement League (WHIL)
118 Mount Vernon Rd.
Chicopee, MA 01013

Big E money will be paid out at this meeting so if you’re collecting, bee sure to attend!

Left over Big E items will be auctioned off, so bring your wallets!