June Meeting Update

East Central Iowa Beekeepers Association

May 25, 2020

Dear Members,

Due to restrictions currently in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to hold our quarterly meeting, scheduled for June 8^th. Hopefully, we will be able to meet at our next scheduled date on September 14^th. We will notify you via email, our website (https://eastcentraliowabeekeepers.blogspot.com) or postal mail of our status prior to that date.

In lieu of being able to hold a meeting in June, we are tentatively scheduling a field day activity on July 12, 1 to 4 pm at Kent Park, in Johnson County. We would meet at the Conservation Education Center (see map below). Plans are still being formulated for this date but may include a short meeting, presentations, and refreshments. This, of course, will be dependent in most part upon easing of group restrictions by the governor prior to that date and by determining if, regardless of restrictions, the club officers feel it is prudent to have a large gathering at that time.

Any feedback on this alternative plan you would care to share would be appreciated. If you have ideas about presentations you would like to see or would like to present, or would like to a part of the planning for this proposed event, please contact our president, Floyd, at 319-351-7428, vice-president Joseph at jo.aloysius@gmail.com or me at davisjk@southslope.net.

We will keep you informed. Hopefully, all are well into a successful bee season and will be able to meet again soon.

Sincerely,

Jim Davis, Secretary

For a map of the  location of Kent Park, as well as a map of the park, follow this link.

June Meeting Update

At this time, due to the situation with the COVID-19 virus, which has shut down libraries across the state, it is uncertain at this time if we will be able to meet at our regular time and place in June.  We are  monitoring the situation and  will provide further  information  here as we have a better idea how we will be proceeding.  We have some options available, including possibly meeting at an outdoor location or having an online opportunity.  We will keep membership safety first and foremost in whatever decision is made.

In the meantime, there are some opportunities to learn more.  See below for information about an online presentation by Andy Joseph, State apiarist.  You need to do  the simple registration procedure with Zoom software and click on the registration link to join this interactive presentation. 

If you are just starting into beekeeping and have your first set of bees and have questions, please don't hesitate to check out our mentoring information or contact  any of  the officers of the  club.  We are starting into a very busy month with  the bees, doing splits and preparing for swarm season, helping  our colonies grow.  Always try to  keep two steps ahead  of the bees!  Good luck, stay tuned and stay healthy.

Heartland Bee Club Online Conference

Everyone,

Join Heartland Bee Club for our May Meet-Up via Zoom.  The Indian Creek Nature Center Amazing Space is currently closed to the public.  Our meeting will be via Zoom conference.  The online meeting will be at 6:30 pm, May 14th.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuypqDIqE9QQzJcLdLWUh0gpLl5ld3wz

You will need to copy this link into a browser.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  You can call in or connect online.

 

Our meeting will feature guest speaker, Iowa State Apiarist, Andy Joseph.  We will also have time to chat and discuss beekeeping.

About Andy: Iowa State Apiarist, since February of 2008, Andy Joseph’s enthusiasm concerning apiary opportunities in Iowa is contagious. While based in Ankeny, Andy can be found crisscrossing the state providing vital services and outreach to beekeepers and those interested in pollinators.

Andrew Joseph, State Apiarist

Entomology & Plant Science Bureau

Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Iowa Laboratory Facility

2230 South Ankeny Boulevard Ankeny, IA 50023

(515) 725-1481

Andrew.Joseph@IowaAgriculture.gov

(Haven't used Zoom?  Learn how here.)

Also just for fun, East Central Iowa Beekeepers have been invited to participate in a science trivia game.  Info on that  event is  below.

Sciences Library Trivia Night

We will hold Trivia Night every Friday at 5pm from May 1 to Jul 10! The trivia will be led by student emcees Madison and Mason. We will use Zoom and Kahoot, so join Zoom on your computer to see the trivia questions and use the browser on your smartphone to input your answers. We will do two rounds of questions. The Zoom link is the same for each week, so registration with your name and email address to receive the Zoom link is only required once. Our prize (a water bottle) is only for our students, but the greater reward is having a good time with friends!

Best wishes,

Laurie

Laurie Neuerburg, MSLS, MS (Biomedical Sciences)

Sciences Reference & Outreach Librarian

University of Iowa Sciences Library

(319) 467-0216, laurie-neuerburg@uiowa.edu