If you are an Alabama Beekeeper, you should plan to attend the annual meeting of the Alabama Beekeepers Association on October 10 & 11 at Imagine Suites, 926 Selma Highway, Prattville, AL 36036-4528. This is the most central meeting location in the state that we have found. Registration is at 8:00 AM both days. David Ellis, current Vice-President and Program Chairman, has put together a program of speakers and workshops from which all beekeepers in Alabama will greatly benefit. This annual meeting will be enjoyable for everyone. The pre-registration fee of only $40 practically feeds you for Friday and Saturday through lunch.

These suppliers have promised to be there: Dadant & Sons (Jerry Latner of High Springs, Florida, 877-832-3268), The Walter T. Kelley Co. Inc., and Daniels Scientific, Inc. Rossman Apiaries, 800-333-7677, rossmanbees@alltel.net, always attends our meeting. Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, 800-233-7929 has been invited. Take advantage of this opportunity to place an order with these companies and pick up at Prattville to save shipping charges. Be sure to place your order early and specify pickup at Prattville. This is your chance to meet face to face with representatives of these suppliers and purchase needed supplies.

This year our speakers will be Dr. John Skinner, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Entomology and Plant Pathology; Jerry Hayes, Florida Apiary Inspection Assistant Chief; our own state apiarist, Dennis Barclift; and, of course, Dr. Jim Tew, Associate Professor, Apiculture, Department of Entomology, Ohio State University.

In addition to informative lectures, there will be workshops that will appeal to beekeepers and non-beekeepers, alike. David Ellis, current Vice-President, is working on a series for new beekeepers. Bonnie Funderburg, Karan Smith, and Mary Swann will demonstrate cooking with honey.

Motels in the area include Comfort Inn. 334-365-6003; Super 8 Motel, 334-365-7250; Arbor Suites, 334-358-9004; Best Western Inn, 334-361-2007; Country Inn & Suites Hotel, 334-495-3000; Days Inn, 334-285-5312; Econo Lodge, 334-285-5022; Hampton Inn, 334-285-6767; Holiday Inn Prattville; 334-285-3420; Jameson Inn, 334-361-6463; Jupiter Inn, 334-361-0499; La Quinta Inn, 334-358-5454; Marriott Legends Capitol Hill, 334-290-1235; Montgomery Prattville Marriott, 334-290-1235; Pine Motel, 334-365-3311; and Sunset Motel, 334-365-7698. For RVs, there are Kountry Aire RV Park, 334-365-6861 and Langford Farm RV Campground, 334-300-2846.

Both mornings a continental breakfast of coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries will be available. Friday and Saturday lunches and Friday evening banquet will be prepared by our own members. The annual meeting is your opportunity to visit with beekeepers from around the state, pick their brains, and provide your expertise to help less experienced beekeepers.

There will be a silent auction. Maybe you or your spouse will find something that you just cannot live without, or maybe you have something to donate to the auction. Wil Montgomery will coordinate tailgating, an opportunity to buy, sell, or trade whatever you have on your tailgate.   The more the merrier. Please pre-register. Much planning depends on how many come to the meeting. How many chairs, programs, beverages, snacks, meals?

The more the merrier. Please pre-register. Much planning depends on how many come to the meeting. How many chairs, programs, beverages, snacks, meals?

Check our website at www.alabamabeekeepers.com for up-to-date information.

Please pre-register! 

Bonnie Funderburg     funder@otelco.net

July 24, 2008