Scott: Just got to the end of over 400 postings on the Bee-L, and found yours.
 I did not realize that you are a beginner.  Forget the Bee-L as a primary
source of knowledge, as you will be very confused with the various answers
(some just WRONG), based on different temperatures, different flora, different
geography, different procedures, etc.
DON'T go to the library and read books written before about 1992, because they
will not cover the mites, viruses, or Africanized bees in as much as none of
these appeared in the US. until the late 80's.  Only read new books (I am
presently writing a new one for release maybe in 99); and then read the GOOD
ONES.
The BEST beginners book, perhaps ever printed, was just re-issued in April 98.
It is the BEEKEEPER'S HANDBOOK, Third Edition, written by Dr. Diana Sammataro,
who initiated the use of grease patties to control the tracheal mite.  It is
$29.95 from A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio, contact  [log in to unmask]
This book will answer ALL of your beginner problems ACCURATELY, and is so
filled with pictures and diagrams that learning becomes easy.  I wish it had
been around when I started beekeeping 65 years ago.  Diana is a fine
professional scientific beekeeper.  You will spend $29.95, but save $100's by
not making mistakes that you WILL MAKE by listening to the many advice's of
the nice people on the Bee-L.
 
After 2-3 years of experience, then buy the new REVISED 1992 edition of THE
HIVE AND HONEY BEE which you will use as a desk copy reference the rest of
your life.  It is $36.
 
Maybe you can come to the American Beekeeper's Federation meeting in Nashville
from January 7-12.  I will be giving a workshop on Upgrading beeHAVERS into
beeKEEPERS.  If you come, please say hello to me.  To get more info, go to:
http//www.abfnet.org
 
However, I will answer your new question about the queens.  In your area of
the U.S., Queens take a rest from laying for about 6 weeks, about November 15
to January 1.
Regardless of the temperature, snow, or ice, the worker bees will start eating
honey about 1/1/99, microscopically move muscles to develop body heat and
raise the cluster temperature to 91-96 degrees so the queen will start laying
eggs.  They will steadily increase all of this slowly so the queen is laying
about 1500 eggs/day, which is 2 every minute by about late March.  This is the
way God planned nature.
 
I hope you have treated for mites, particularly with Apistan so you don't lose
your bees over the winter, and I hope each colony has no less than 50 pounds
of honey "on board" for winter feed.
 
That is enough for now.  Have a fine Holiday and Good Luck.  Buy the Book!
 
                                                                                                        George Imirie