Yellow Jessamine Garden Club Discusses Bees

The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club gathered on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the residence of President Melissa Moody. The home was beautifully decorated in fall decor. As members entered, a slideshow of miscellaneous garden club pictures were scrolling on the tv screen. Many great memories were displayed from previous projects and events.

The meeting commenced with the reciting of the pledge to the Garden Club of South Carolina flag and mission statement. The devotion and blessing of food was given by Chaplain Cathy McDaniel. Special prayer was given for several in our community, as well as, the victims of Hurricane Dorian.
After the refreshments, roll call was given by the naming of each members favorite bee. President Moody then presented the program for the evening entitled, “Save the Bees.” A power point presentation was shown. The program explained how important bees are to our society. Several types of bees were spoken of such as the honeybee, carpenter bee, and bumblebee,(Family: Apidae) however, many other species are in existence.
Bees, in general, are tremendously important to our ecosystem. As important as flower pollination and beautification of our landscapes is, it is not most important. Without help from the bees, our fruits and vegetables may not exist. By bees keeping our flowers and foods pollinated, it provides habitats for animals such as insects and birds, too. Bees supply 1/6 of the pollination for flowering plants and many hundreds of agricultural plants.
Honeybees were the first topic. Honeybees must collect nectar from millions of flowers to make one pound of honey. Honeybees may visit 50 to 100 flowers during a honey collection. Honey is used for human consumption. It is also used in medicines and body products. It is great for the skin and is known to fight off infection.
The Carpenter bee is another bee in the family. The Carpenter bee nests by boring a hole in wood, bamboo, and other timber. The male bee can’t sting however the female will sting, if annoyed.

Bumble bees are very important pollinators of many plant species. They stay close to home and carry pollen and nectar back to their nest to feed. There are approximately 46 species in North America and the female is the gender of bumble bee that stings.
The bee population is in trouble, due to pesticides, climate change and habitat destruction. However, several measures can be taken to prevent the bee decline. Use eco-friendly sprays and deterrents. Do not use pesticides and herbicides that will destroy the environment. Also, plant native plants. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs are excellent food sources. Bees need nutrition and native plants are on their menu. A small shallow dish of water with pebbles is a great idea too. Bees get thirsty too!
After an informative presentation, several committees has no business at this time. Publicity and Horticulture Chairman, Melissa Moody stated the summer projects were placed in the Dillon Herald and on the YJGC Facebook page. Horticulture Moments were also read. The birds report was given by Chairman Frances Tyler and Larue Bracey gave a report on the flower of the month, Aster. Telephone Chairman, Theresa Hamilton, mentioned that all calls were made and members were contacted.
Frances Tyler gave the treasurer’s report and there was no unfinished business to discuss. New business brought to attention was preparing for Holiday Goodness in November.
The meeting was adjourned as Glenda Campbell won the door prize.
The next meeting will be held at the home of Theresa Hamilton on October 1, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Cathy McDaniel will be the program leader on fall planting.
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The Yellow Jessamine Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region of Garden Clubs, The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and the Coastal District of the Garden Club of South Carolina.

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