Sunday, February 3, 2008




DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
I thought I would start out with a reminder that tomorrow is primary election day in Tennessee, so I would encourage everyone to vote. I am looking forward to this being the first time that I get to vote in downtown Burrville since I am now a fulltime Rugby resident.

FREE HORSES
Jessie Gully was shocked last Monday as she drove over the Clear Fork bridge to see about a half dozen horses wandering around on the roadway. She slowed down and managed to wind her way through them and then told Rita about it at the Commissary. Rita called Virginia Lankford and learned they belonged to someone renting the Lankford land for pasture.

Later in the morning George Zepp had to pass one slow-moving stallion in the right lane as he returned from a run to the trash dump site, but by that time three men were rounding up the rest. Guess the herd was restless to see more of the Rugby area.

ACTIVITY AT UFFINGTON
Historic Rugby’s properties crew has been working hard this winter on the continued restoration of Uffington House, the historic home of Madame Hughes, the mother of Rugby’s founder Thomas Hughes. One goal is to get a new heating and air system installed behind the house. The electric line to the house has been buried and major work is being done to restore the wood floors and some interior walls including rebuilding some walls in the kitchen area. No timeframe has been announced on when the house will be ready for tours.

The new greenhouse behind the Uffington barns is a step closer to being a reality as its cover has been put on. The 60 foot long greenhouse now has utilities, although chief greenhouse guru Bill Roeder reports that there is a glitch with the gas pressure from the well not being strong enough to power the heating unit. As soon as the gas issue is resolved work will begin on propagating some of Rugby’s more interesting heirloom and native plants. There may be volunteer opportunities from time to time to help with the effort. Below is a picture of Bill Roeder outside the greenhouse and another of Robin Sexton inside.

















The old fire truck that the Clear Fork Volunteer Fire Department made available to Historic Rugby was fired up recently and moved to its new protected spot in the Uffington barns. As soon as maintenance work is done on the truck, including several new tires, it will be available for the Historic Rugby properties staff to help protect the historic buildings.

LAURIE LEE ON COVER TENNESSEE
Rugby Beacon Hill lot owner Laurie Lee had a starring role on the editorial page of the Tennessean on Thursday. As executive director of Cover Tennessee, she is in charge of the State’s important new health insurance program. In the article she explains how Cover Tennessee is intended to help fill health insurance gaps left because of cutbacks in TennCare by providing affordable health insurance options for Tennessee’s uninsured. To read Laurie’s guest editorial on the web go to
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801310407

HISTORY CLUB THIS FRIDAY
Linda Konig, Queen of the History Club, has announced that Historic Rugby interpreter Amy Barnes will be leading the discussion at the meeting this Friday night. Amy is researching information about May Hughes, daughter of Thomas Hughes.

Linda also mentioned that there will be a special History Club in March with dinner offered at Grey Gables where Linda Brooks Jones will share the story of the Brooks family in Rugby. At a later date we will let you know when and how you can reserve a spot for the special dinner presentation.

VALENTINE DINNER AT CAFÉ SATURDAY
There are still a few places available at Harrow Road Café for Chef Jay DeYoung’s four course Valentine Dinner. There is a choice of a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with brandy shallot cream sauce and garlic mashed potatoes or chicken cordon bleu with almond rice pilaf, which are both served with lots of other good stuff. Call Historic Rugby for reservations at 1-800-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441.

HOUSE FOR SALE
Now that Butch and Cheryl Hodgkins have moved into their new house in Rugby, they are selling their Fentress County home which is on the west edge of Allardt just off the Taylor Place Road (Highway 296). They have priced it for quick sale at $79,500. To contact them call 423-628-6569 or 931-510-5567.

BIRTHDAYS
No birthdays – although I just found out that Jessie Gullie’s birthday was last week January 31

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 6 - Ash Wednesday Service at Christ Church at 5 pm
February 8 – History Club – 7:30 pm at the Friendly House

February 9 - Four Course Valentine Dinner at the Harrow Road Cafe - call Historic Rugby for details and reservations. Romantic lodging in 1880s buildings is also available. Ask about special lodging/dinner packages.

Historic Rugby Workshops – contact Historic Rugby for details and reservations
February 10 -Acrylic Painting - instructor Mara Trumbo.
March 15 – Personalize and Decorate with Quilting - instructor Joyce Lantz
March 16 – Create a Unique Table with Quilting – instructor Joyce Lantz
March 22 & 23 – Create a Birdsnest Basket – instructor Judy Zugish

Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 am EST at the Friendly House

Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Friendly
House