The new Site is Live!

The new site for the club is live at www.crossroadsbeekeepers.com.

A huge thanks to Nancy for getting this going for us.  Nice work!

Please use the contact form to report problems with the site or if you have comments or suggestions.  I am still learning the platform it is on so bear with me as I learn and fine tune things.

If anyone would like to contribute to the photo gallery or the blog, let me know via the contact form.

Bee School 2017

Crossroads Beekeepers to Host Bee School on February 11th

Effingham IL:  On Saturday, February 11th, the Crossroads Beekeepers will be holding their sixth annual bee school at the University of Illinois Extension Center, 1209 N Wenthe, Effingham, Illinois.  This year's bee school is for anyone interested in beekeeping and will focus on basic skills and information needed for the beginning beekeeper. 

Class topics include Understanding the Honey Bee taught by Larry Quicksall, Hive Components and Equipment taught by Jim Livingston, Getting and Feeding Your First Bees taught by Rick Campbell, and Your First Year of Beekeeping by Nick Brummer.

Click HERE for Flyer and Registration Form

In addition to the speakers, there will be educational displays created by club members and a live demonstration on lighting a smoker and a video on how to extract honey from frames.  

Prairie Profile will also be on site to offer wooden-ware equipment needed to start beekeeping this Spring.

Doors will open for check-in at 8:00am.  The first session will start at 9:00am, and the bee school will conclude at 4:00pm.

The cost to attend this all-day bee school is $30.00 and includes the classes, presentation handouts, sample copies of beekeeping journals, refreshments, and a catered lunch from Niemerg’s Steakhouse.  Those registered for the Beginning Beekeeping workshop will also receive the book “First Lessons in Beekeeping”.  

Registration deadline is Monday, February 1^st. 

Click HERE for Flyer and Registration Form

For more information and to download a registration form for the bee school, visit the club’s website at http://CrossroadsBeekeepers.blogspot.com .

Crossroads Beekeepers is a local beekeeping club based in Effingham and serving beekeepers in all surrounding counties.  Club meetings are on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the University of Illinois Extension Center, 1209 N. Wenthe, Effingham.

For more information regarding registration for the bee school, please contact Dawn Quicksall at 217-342-4233.

Click HERE for Flyer and Registration Form

Meeting January 9, 2017

The next monthly meeting of the Crossroads Beekeepers will be held January 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the U of I Extension in Effingham, IL.  Bring a snack to share and join us to talk bees!

We will be accepting nominations for "Beekeeper of the Year" and making final arrangements for the Beginner Beekeeping School.  The date set is Feb 11, 2017 for the school.

• REMINDER:  We will not hold a monthly meeting in February due to the Bee School.

December 2016 Meeting

Our December 2016 meeting is tomorrow, December 12th at 6:30 pm at th U of I extension in Effingham. As usual it is free and open to the public.  This will be a Christmas Holiday potluck. Please bring a dish to share. We will also take nominations for 2016 Beekeeper of the year. We hope to see you there!

Officer Nominations

Nominations are still open for club officers.

So far we have Jim Livingston nominated for President, Nelda Campbell for Treasurer, Bradley Livingston for Secretary.

We are still seeking nominations for Vice President and Membership Coordinator and further nominations for all offices are still open.

We will ask for further nominations at the November 14th meeting and voting will follow.  You may volunteer for an office if you would like or nominate someone you think would serve the club well.

2016 Honey Judging

We had 9 entries in the honey competition, one in the comb honey, and one mead.  Two entries were light and the remainder amber honey.

In the light class first place went to Rick Campbell and second place to Lance Coil.  In the Ambers we had a tie for first between Rick Russel and Nick Brummer, with Rick Campbell taking second and third going to Dave Dohm.

Our only entry in comb honey was Rick Campbell.  Dave Dohm brought a sparkling mead for tasting.

The people's choice went to Lance Coil and the president's choice was Rick Campbell.

Thanks to Danny Wright for judging.

Sugar/Pollen Recipe and the "To Do" list from the 9/12 meeting.

By popular request from the meeting, we have the following slides from Dave Dohm's excellent presentation on preparing your hives for winter and a successful spring.