Monday, June 16, 2008

Everyone seemed a little relieved this week now that the 17-year cicadas are gradually quieting down. We have seen a lot fewer birds at our feeders since the cicadas started, but they now are returning. As the cicadas descend back into the earth for another 17 years they are leaving their mark with broken ends to tree branches all over town.

Lot’s of folks came out Tuesday night for the “singing, playing and dinner” benefit at the Community Building. The organizers did a great job of setting up a hotdog dinner and everyone enjoyed the music of Gerald Hanwright, Lonesome County Line, Doug Piercy and Dusty. Bobbie Joe Thomas thanked everyone for their contributions and support. And Mara Trumbo did a lot of work in organizing drawings for various door prizes and auction.

Elmer Alley Obituary
Longtime Rugby supporter Elmer Alley died on June 9, 2008 at age 87. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike Alley who lived for years in Rugby and is survived by Mike and Bridgette’s children, Zach & Hannah Alley. According to the obituary in The Tennessean, Elmer, who joined WSM at age 18, had an extended career in radio, television, the record industry and cable television.
The obituary says that accomplishments spanning over forty years included: Recording audio engineer (Hank Williams and many others), songwriter, comic on the Waking Crew, Program Director for WSM TV, Producer/Director of syndicated country music shows, puppeteer, a voice on radio and television commercials, co-creator of Opryland, creator of Fan Fair, launched the Nashville Network, and Executive Producer/Writer for Hee Haw (2 yrs.). Elmer served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a communications specialist in India.

A graveside service was held Thursday at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville.

History Club Field Trip this Saturday
Just a reminder that the History Club field trip to Kentucky’s Wayne County Museum is this Saturday, June 21. Please let Linda Konig know if you are going so she can have an approximate number.

Cast Iron Workshop
Gayle Minor said that Saturday morning 11 people enjoyed an informative and delicious workshop with Larry and Brenda Edmondson. Outdoor cooking will never be the same as dishes that normally would take a kitchen's oven or stove were prepared in cast iron camp "Dutch" ovens, and even (chocolate chip cookies!) in a foil-lined cardboard box. Charcoal briquettes provided all the heat for cooking, placed both underneath and on top of the camp ovens for maximum exposure to the heat.

Below is a great photo montage that Gayle’s daughter Beth created from the workshop.


Gayle says that “Afterwards we waddled back to our cars, over-stuffed with an excellent lunch, hands full of leftovers and recipes, and visions of our own cast-iron cook-outs dancing in our heads.”

Hike Report
Hikers who went to Pogue Creek on Saturday enjoyed incredible beauty of the multi-colored bluffs and amazing overlooks. The trek was pretty physically demanding as the new State Natural Area does not have any official trails yet. The route went through some very steep, slippery areas. Many thanks to hike guides Ron Bicknese and Doyle Newburry who were very patient in showing the group the many special views. Ron had a mishap when he was attacked by a low lying limb – Ron, I hope your wound is healing quickly. Here is a link to some photos that Carrie Thornthwaite took during the hike:
http://www.thornthwaite.com/PogueCreek/index.htm

Bear Sighting in Rugby
Tom Howell said that Gerald Hanwright told him that he witnessed a bear heading for Ron and Bethany Jackson's house Wednesday in the late afternoon. It stopped traffic on Hwy. 52. Apparently others saw it, as well. Tom says that Gerald's description of the bear as a fat, well-fed animal suggests either that it was eating lots of cicadas or was a "panhandler" bear recently trapped in the Smokies and released in the BSFNRRA -- that likely means it's trying to head south for home. The animal lumbered for Tommy Martin's wild area after someone scared it.Tom Howell says we all need to "keep our eyes peeled" for ursine activity. If this critter shows up in Rugby again, it may be the better part of wisdom to alert National Park Service rangers or wildlife people so that they can pick this guy up. Meanwhile, all Rugbeians may want to take down bird feeders at night and bring in any pet food. Tom says he hopes we won’t have to start using bear-proof garbage containers at our homes.

Two Local Ladies in Nursing Homes
Linda Konig wanted to let folks know that “Miss” Hattie and “Miss” Natia are now living in nursing homes in the area. They would appreciate getting cards from those who remember them. Miss Hattie’s family has taken care of the Laurel Dale Cemetery for many, many years. Miss Natia worked for the Martin family. George Zepp said that his mother and aunt always relied on Miss Natia to help get Walton Court ready for Pilgrimage. Miss Hattie and Miss Natia are sisters. Below are their new addresses.

Mrs. Hattie Fletcher, Oneida Nursing/Rehab Center, 18805 Alberta St., Oneida, TN

Mrs. Natia Letner and her daughter Evelyn, Huntsville Manor, 287 Baker St., Huntsville, TN

Looking for Work This Summer
Looking to do manual labor here around Rugby. Anything from mowing lawns, digging, or simple building. Contact Charles Erickson at 423-628-2071 or email him at urgchop@gmail.com.

Birthdays
June 17 Lloyd Stokes
June 18 Jenny Young
June 22 Bethany Jackson

Calendar of Events

June 21 – History Club. Special trip to Kentucky’s Wayne County Museum in Monticello, Kentucky featuring display on the Battle of Mill Creek. Meet at the CafĂ© at 9 a.m. to carpool. Bring a picnic lunch. Entry to museum is free.

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 from 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 21 – Basic Tatting – Learn the basics of this old time needlework from Joy Gowan. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT. Fee $28, Supplies $20

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.

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

Nature Notes by Linda Konig
You would think that after living here ten years, I would surely know every wildflower, bush and tree in the area. Believe me, I have tried to learn them all. However, I’ve recently become acquainted with two new wildflowers and a new tree.

About three weeks ago, Wil and Carrie Thornthwaite asked me to come over to their yard and look at something that was growing at the edge of the back yard against the woods. It turned out to be Western Wallflower, an orange flower. Then, less than a week later, I found a clump of them on Brewstertown Road. It’s strange, but I have noticed that once you “learn” a wildflower, you begin seeing it in other places.

Last Wednesday I discovered Colicroot, sometimes called White Stargrass growing right across from Fentress Road around the voltage box. These tiny white flowers growing up and down a stalk are easily overlooked but worth a close look. Years ago, people would dig up the roots and make a medicine for babies’ colic with them.

The new tree I found was growing near the river at Nemo Bridge campground. I was walking on the trail beside the river when I was startled to see what looked like huckleberry blooms on a small tree. They also looked a lot like Lily-of-the-Valley blooms. I found the name of this tree in my Audubon Field Guide to Trees – Tree Huckleberry (Tree Sparkleberry). Birds usually eat the berries. Has anybody else seen this tree around here? It was lovely.