Monday, June 23, 2008

Community Singers Perform Saturday
The inaugural performance of the Rugby Community Singers is this Saturday, June 28, at 7:45 pm EDT at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre in the Visitor Centre. Ron Jackson says the group has been working very hard and that they have uncovered some astonishing talent in the Rugby community. Reservations are required – call 888-214-3400 or locally 628-2441. Donations are accepted at the door.

Victorian Gardening Workshop Still Open
Rita Elliott says there is still room for more people to sign up for the Victorian Gardening Workshop which is scheduled for Saturday. She says that instructor Bob Washburn is expected to bring lots of interesting plants which will be available for purchase at the end of the class. See details in the workshop calendar below.

HRI Annual Meeting Sunday
Historic Rugby’s annual membership meeting is Sunday, June 29 at 2:00 pm EDT at the Community Building. Current members are invited to come and vote in the board election. Non-members who are interested in Historic Rugby are also welcome to attend and learn about joining. Meeting activities include updates on HRI activities/operations, board elections, and refreshments. No new board directors are nominated, but several directors are up for election for second terms. The nominating committee included board directors Jessica Neary, Chair, Jim Meadows and Joe Beavon, as well as members-at-large Fred Oliver and George Zepp. Directors nominated for second terms are Beth Hester, Lummy Massengale, Tom Martin, Jessica Neary, Joe Beavon, and Nick Hanson.

New Construction Projects in Rugby
At least three new building construction projects have recently gotten under way in Rugby.

Marilyn and Walter Young have a new outhouse under construction in their back yard. Gerald Hanwright is the contractor. I believe this is supposed to be an actual functioning outhouse, partly in preparation for a Boy Scout troop that will be visiting at some point. Gerald says they hit rock when digging the hole so that they were only able to go down 20 something inches. Marilyn says it is going to be a “one-holer” and that it might eventually be more for storing tools than anything else.

Carman Robertson’s house in Beacon Hill now has a foundation and looks ready for the framing crew to get to work. The house is beautifully sited among the many trees.

The Gibbs’ workshop is well under way as it appears that most of the framing is complete, including a large deck in the rear. Lavonne said the concrete foundation and basement were poured by Ed Piercy and his crew from Monticello, Kentucky. The 26-foot span, 30-ton, steel-reinforced concrete basement ceiling will provide a solid floor for the first floor workshop. (Goodness, we will all know where to go in case of nuclear war!) The first and second-floor framing is currently under way by Roger Pyles and his crew from Monticello. The second floor will be Lavonne's craft area. The basement will provide storage for wood, bee hives and garden tools.

Lavonne wanted me to mention how much they appreciate “the advice and guidance we have received from our neighbors here in Rugby; especially for Julian's know-how and experience.” They also want to thank John Gilliat and the Design Review Committee for encouragement and expertise. Lavonne said everyone is welcome to come by and watch the progress.

Carman on the Mend
It was good to see Carman Roberson inspecting the construction progress at his lot in Beacon Hill yesterday. Carman said he is finally feeling better after very serious complications from a tick bite which recently put him in the hospital for six days. He said he was diagnosed with spotted tick fever.

New York Times Article about Pig Problems
Of all places, I was surprised to see an extensive front-page article in Saturday’s New York Times about the problems landowners in the South are having with feral hogs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/sports/othersports/21hogs.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=hogs&st=nyt&oref=slogin

The article says there are an estimated four million feral hogs in 37 states. According to the article they are “omnivorous, destructive and dangerous,” causing $800 million in property damage every year. Apparently the main danger is that they carry disease which can infect crops and other animals. The article then goes on to describe the difficult efforts in various parts of the country to hunt or trap the pigs. One scary part says that pigs gestate in just four months and deliver litters of a half dozen, which explains why their numbers are rising so rapidly.

Several folks in Rugby have talked to representatives of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the pig problem. When Cheryl Hodgkins talked to them several weeks ago they said that they do not assist with pig elimination but that anyone can shoot pigs on their own property. They also said that it is allowed to shoot pigs on other people’s property during certain hours of the day as long as the shooter has an appropriate hunting license (and presumably permission from the landowner). And it is illegal to bait them. I believe they told her that the other option for dealing with pigs is to trap them, but then you have to do something with them.

The main concern with hunting, of course, is that anyone hunting pigs near residences and places where people might be out walking needs to be very careful and ideally will have notified local residents to stay inside. And as the New York Times article mentions, it is very hard to hunt pigs successfully. I have heard that Gerald Hanwright was nice enough to try to shoot some of the pigs recently at the Lindens where they have been attracted to apples that have fallen on the ground, but apparently he was unsuccessful. Gerald, thank you for trying.

More recently, John Gilliat spoke to Travis Buchanan, another representative of TWRA, and came away with the impression that he also believes that it is very hard for humans to effectively eliminate pigs.

Travis apparently lives not far from Rugby. If anyone wants to organize a community meeting, let me know and I can get contact information so we could invite him to come answer questions. While the folks at TWRA say they cannot help us get rid of the pigs, sometimes with enough community pressure they might be more willing to get directly involved.

Another source for information on this topic is the Berryman Institute, which is dedicated to helping resolve wildlife/human interaction/conflict. Some of you may be interested in the recent article on the subject that they prepared which is at
http://www.berrymaninstitute.org/hwc_journal/ver001num002/PDF/clay137.pdf

Trumbo News
Bob Trumbo has re-joined Peavyhouse Realty in Jamestown. If you are buying or selling your home or land, let Bob get you the best price on the market.
Cell (931) 397-3280 or Home (423) 628-6591.

Mara Trumbo is resuming painting classes in her home in Rugby as well as in Jamestown every second Friday at First Baptist on Hwy 127/Main St. Mara will also be conducting a free art workshop at the Senior Center Jamestown Tuesday July 1 from 1:00 pm till 4:00 pm. Space limited, pre-booking required. Call for details (423) 628-6591 - evenings only.

Benefit Auction
Mara Trumbo said that fundraising efforts continue to help Bobbie Jo Thomas of Harrow Road Cafe and her family. Café co-worker Jesse Gully has donated a beautiful set of silver-plated candlesticks and a cake dish for an auction. The minimum bid of $25 has already been met but they are hoping to get some higher bids. Mara donated raffle prizes, the first an original 16x20" oil painting called "Moonlight Falls," the second a miniature Tennessee village (cannot be called Rugby!) painting, and the third a pair of hand-painted place mats. Tickets for a chance to win are $1.00 each and available from Mara. The draw will take place on Sunday 29th at 5:00 pm. Please call Mara (628-6591) if you wish to donate toward this cause to help one of our own.

Magazine article about Rugby at Commissary
Rita Elliott said the Rugby Commissary has just received copies of the new Tennessee Treasures magazine which features an interesting article about Rugby. Go by the Commissary to get your copy today!

Carrie Helping Next Week
Carrie Thornthwaite has graciously offered to help with the newsletter next week. If you have any news for the next newsletter either email her at carriethornthwaite@lipscomb.edu or call her in Rugby at 423-628-5862.

Birthdays
June 29 - Wil Thornthwaite

Calendar of Events

June 28 - Rugby Community Singers perform at 7:45 pm EDT at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre to benefit the Community Singers & Historic Rugby. Advance Reservations Required – Donate at Door. Call 888-214-3400 for reservations or locally at 628-2441.

June 29 – Historic Rugby Annual Membership Meeting at 2:00 pm EDT

July 5 - 10th Annual Community Picnic - Saturday July 5 at 6:00 pm EDT at Lizzie’s Place, John and Kathy Hicks’ home in Beacon Hill- Featuring Entertainment by Lonesome County Line (Butch Hodgkins’ band). BBQ and drinks provided. Bring a dish to share.

July 12 – Burial Service for Art and Mary Ann Gehring 2:00 pm EDT at Laurel Dale Cemetery.

July 12 – Legacy Classic Rock Band performance at 7:45 pm EDT. A benefit concert by Larry Edmondson’s popular band out of Cookeville. Outdoors at the Rugby Visitor Centre. Donate at the concert. Bring lawn chairs. No alcoholic beverages.

Historic Rugby Workshops – contact Historic Rugby at 1-888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441 for details and reservations or check online for more information at http://www.historicrugby.org/workshop/workshop.htm

June 28 – Designing a Victorian Garden – Instructor Bob Washburn from Wolf River Nurseries will explain proper planting of annuals and perennials that are traditional and suitable for a Victorian garden. Plants will be available for sale. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EDT. Fee $12.

June 28 – Rug Making with Locker Hooking – Becky Stower will show you how to make a rug with cloth scraps with this easy technique. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT. Fee $25, Supplies $20.

July 12 – Miniature Cathead Shaker Basket – Veronica Ludlow will help you learn to weave a basket on a mold. Design was borrowed from Native Americans and refined by the Shakers. The basket shape resembles a cat’s head. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT. Fee $38.

July 13 – Miniature Appalachian Egg Basket – Veronica Ludlow teaches technique for weaving a miniature hat basket. 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT. Fee $38.

July 19 – Rugby’s Hidden History Series – Barbara Stagg leads a leisurely stroll around Uffington House and the Tabard Inn site informing and entertaining with details few known about. Outing begins at Harrow Road Café with lunch and discussion. Fee $24 (including lunch).

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

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