THE HIVE

05/28/2026

Special store hours this weekend! The store will be closing today at 5:00pm and open tomorrow, Saturday May 30th from 8:00am to 11:00am.

05/25/2026

Join us for coffee and donuts as we sit among seasoned beekeepers to chat about all things beekeeping. This is a place to ask questions, share concerns, and learn about beekeeping. It is a laid back, fun gathering for all levels of beekeepers (especially brand new ones!)

05/22/2026

05/20/2026

Happy World Bee Day - May 20th🐝🐝🐝

Shared from one of our favorite local beekeepers, Ron Kness-

The day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators to food production, ecosystems, and biodiversity. It’s observed every year on May 20, which marks the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping from Slovenia.

For beekeepers and gardeners, it’s also a good reminder of how much pollinators contribute to:

Fruit and vegetable production

Wildflower and native plant health

Honey and beeswax production

Overall ecosystem balance

Since we are all involved with beekeeping, this could be a great day for:

Posting hive photos or a short apiary update

Sharing a “save the pollinators” message

Offering a honey promotion

Teaching people about swarm season, splits, or pollinator-friendly plants

Posting a quick “Did you know?” fact about bees

On May 20th. let's give our hardworking bees get the attention they clearly deserve. Sometimes we forget just how much they impact our daily lives and how essential they are to the well-being of nature.

Without bees, the world as we know it wouldn’t exist.

05/14/2026

Ever notice that beeswax caps don’t all look the same in a hive?

🍯 Honey cappings are usually bright white and puffy looking because bees make them from fresh wax to seal ripe honey. That clean, snowy wax is brand new.

🐝 Brood cappings cover developing baby bees. They look flatter and darker because the brood comb gets reused over and over as generations of bees are raised. Thousands of tiny feet, pollen oils, and propolis gradually stain the wax over time.

So next time you see a frame:
White caps = honey pantry
Darker caps = busy bee nursery

One hive. Two types of beeswax. Tiny architects knowing exactly what they’re doing.

05/12/2026

So many bee clubs meet tonight!
Rhea County Bee Club
Roane/Morgan County Bee Club and
Monroe County Beekeeping Association

Meeting reminder! Tonight’s speaker will be Charlie Parton, an experienced local beekeeper. Come to the meeting and bring your beekeeping questions! 🐝

Mapping apps will sometimes not direct to the correct location using the address - it is next to the Madisonville post office, in the same plaza as State Farm and Gizmo’s.

05/12/2026

Tonight!

🐝🍯 Join Us for the May RCBA Meeting! 🍯🐝

📅 Tuesday, May 12th
🕕 Fellowship & Potluck: 6:00 PM
🕡 Meeting Begins: Around 6:30 PM
📍 Rhea County Fairgrounds
334 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN
(We’re in the building just past the barn!)

This month’s guest speaker is Dr. Larry Millet, presenting:

💭 “Managed Hives Vs. Treatment Free Beekeeping”

Dr. Millet will lead a thought-provoking discussion on:
🐝 What a truly healthy hive looks like
🐝 How to recognize hive health
🐝 Treatment vs. no-treatment approaches
🐝 And how honey bees are not in trouble… we are.

Dr. Millet is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in cellular biology, neuroscience, microfabrication, and honey bee technology. He has published more than forty scientific papers and began beekeeping in 2017.

🍽️ We’ll also have a potluck dinner, so bring a dish or snack to share!

🎁 Have door prizes to donate?
Please give them to Rick or Tracy at check-in.

👕 RCBA t-shirts will also be available for purchase at the meeting!
(Proceeds support the club 💛)

✨ New to beekeeping or curious about getting started? Come check us out 🤗 we’d love to meet you!



Rhea County Beekeepers Association

05/11/2026

🐝 Introducing " Kamon’s Beekeeping 101 Series! "🐝
Our goal is to help new beekeepers build confidence, learn how to read the combs, and avoid common mistakes along the way.
In this playlist, we’ll walk step-by-step through:
🍯 How to properly inspect your bees
🐝 What healthy brood, pollen, and honey stores look like
🛠️ Essential tools and gear for beginner beekeepers
📦 Proper hive setup and configuration
🌱 Good hive management practices
💪 How to keep your bees healthy from start to finish
Be sure to follow along, ask questions, and join us as we learn and grow together in the bee yard!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/182FSwU2s9/

Beekeeping 101 is designed to help new beekeepers learn about their bees and to help them grow/be successful as quickly as possible!

05/07/2026

This Saturday! Come and talk bees🐝 with area beekeepers. Everyone is welcome! If you’ve ever thought about becoming a beekeeper, learn more about what it takes to get started.

We are located inside Pennine Gardens, where you can browse the many beautiful, pollinator friendly plants and flowers🌺 Also, check out Winsome Stroll Market located right next door (40+ unique artist and antique vendors).

05/07/2026

Rhea County Bee Club’s May 12th Meeting info. All are welcome! Jonathan Jouben from THE HIVE will be there. Give him a call if there’s any products you’d like him to deliver to you there 423-365-5300 (option 2).

🐝🍯 Join Us for the May RCBA Meeting! 🍯🐝

📅 Tuesday, May 12th
🕕 Fellowship & Potluck: 6:00 PM
🕡 Meeting Begins: Around 6:30 PM
📍 Rhea County Fairgrounds
334 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN
(We’re in the building just past the barn!)

This month’s guest speaker is Dr. Larry Millet, presenting:

💭 “Managed Hives Vs. Treatment Free Beekeeping”

Dr. Millet will lead a thought-provoking discussion on:
🐝 What a truly healthy hive looks like
🐝 How to recognize hive health
🐝 Treatment vs. no-treatment approaches
🐝 And how honey bees are not in trouble… we are.

Dr. Millet is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in cellular biology, neuroscience, microfabrication, and honey bee technology. He has published more than forty scientific papers and began beekeeping in 2017.

🍽️ We’ll also have a potluck dinner, so bring a dish or snack to share!

🎁 Have door prizes to donate?
Please give them to Rick or Tracy at check-in.

👕 RCBA t-shirts will also be available for purchase at the meeting!
(Proceeds support the club 💛)

✨ New to beekeeping or curious about getting started? Come check us out 🤗 we’d love to meet you!



Rhea County Beekeepers Association