Utopian Exhibit Opens at Visitor’s Centre
George Zepp was busy last week mounting a new exhibit at the Rugby Visitor’s Centre. The exhibit is called "The Happiest Days of My Life: Searching for Utopia in Tennessee." It was created by the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville from their holdings. It was on display there in the Nashville TSLA building's lobby for a bit over three months ending March 1, 2007. Since then, no one has been able to see it (except online, where it's not nearly as impressive).
Photographs and text describe several communities including Rugby, Ruskin (in Dickson County), Nashoba (in West Tennessee) and even The Farm, the hippie settlement founded in 1971 by California folks in Summertown, Tenn.
Rugby has been granted an open-ended loan of the exhibit, so it now is in place in the Visitors Centre opposite the Rugby Mural. Check it out when you can.
Tuesday Hike Announced
Bob Hemminger is organizing a hike for Tuesday, June 2 to see if the Cumberland Rosemary is blooming along the river. The group will then proceed to the Meeting of the Waters and the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole. Any interested hikers should meet at the Cafe at 9:30 am EDT. Be prepared to end up with a swim if you'd like.
Popular Victorian Plant Available at Commissary
Some of you have noticed a dark purple-leafed plant that comes up every year in the back yard of Kingstone Lisle. It looks like a coleus but it is actually an ornamental herb known by various names including Purple Perilla (Perilla frutescens) popular with Victorians for carpet bedding. The plant is easy to grow and seems to like full sun, but I think it can tolerate some shade. We are making some of these plants available for purchase at the Commissary. When bruised, the leaves have a strong, spicy smell. It apparently can be used as an herb and is popular in Asian dishes or to tenderize meat. Here is a photo of some coming up between some rocks at Kingstone Lisle.
Real Estate Happenings
Carman Roberson says that excavation work is set to begin for construction of his house on Offler Avenue in Beacon Hill today. Larry Rindler is the contractor. Carman is hoping to be able to move in sometime in October.
And Gail Sparks wanted me to mention that the remodeled cottage she is selling in Rugby is still for sale. Here is a link to the listing online, with pictures and details: http://realfocus.kaarmls.com/r?A1099328B710
Independence Day Party Announced
Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Community Picnic - Saturday July 5 at Lizzie’s Place, John and Kathy Hicks home in Beacon Hill. Festivities start at 6:00 pm EDT. This year’s entertainment will be Lonesome County Line (Butch Hodgkins’ band) Kathy says they will provide BBQ and drinks. Bring a dish to share.
Remembering Art and Mary Ann
I received this from Cindy Boland.
“My parents Art and Mary Ann Gehring were members of the Rugby community for 13 years before migrating back north to be closer to us kids and grandkids.They ran Newbury House when it was first reopened and fell in love with the area, people and the community. I know that there are many people in Rugby and surrounding area that knew them and have stayed in touch. It was their final wish to be brought home. Mom passed away 5 years ago last January and Dad just this past January. Their children will be bring them home to be placed in Laurel Dale Cemetery Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 pm. Father Keese will be presiding. We just want to invite those who knew Mom and Dad to join us in a celebration of their life and love of Rugby, Tennessee.”
George Zepp was busy last week mounting a new exhibit at the Rugby Visitor’s Centre. The exhibit is called "The Happiest Days of My Life: Searching for Utopia in Tennessee." It was created by the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville from their holdings. It was on display there in the Nashville TSLA building's lobby for a bit over three months ending March 1, 2007. Since then, no one has been able to see it (except online, where it's not nearly as impressive).
Photographs and text describe several communities including Rugby, Ruskin (in Dickson County), Nashoba (in West Tennessee) and even The Farm, the hippie settlement founded in 1971 by California folks in Summertown, Tenn.
Rugby has been granted an open-ended loan of the exhibit, so it now is in place in the Visitors Centre opposite the Rugby Mural. Check it out when you can.
Tuesday Hike Announced
Bob Hemminger is organizing a hike for Tuesday, June 2 to see if the Cumberland Rosemary is blooming along the river. The group will then proceed to the Meeting of the Waters and the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole. Any interested hikers should meet at the Cafe at 9:30 am EDT. Be prepared to end up with a swim if you'd like.
Popular Victorian Plant Available at Commissary
Some of you have noticed a dark purple-leafed plant that comes up every year in the back yard of Kingstone Lisle. It looks like a coleus but it is actually an ornamental herb known by various names including Purple Perilla (Perilla frutescens) popular with Victorians for carpet bedding. The plant is easy to grow and seems to like full sun, but I think it can tolerate some shade. We are making some of these plants available for purchase at the Commissary. When bruised, the leaves have a strong, spicy smell. It apparently can be used as an herb and is popular in Asian dishes or to tenderize meat. Here is a photo of some coming up between some rocks at Kingstone Lisle.Real Estate Happenings
Carman Roberson says that excavation work is set to begin for construction of his house on Offler Avenue in Beacon Hill today. Larry Rindler is the contractor. Carman is hoping to be able to move in sometime in October.
And Gail Sparks wanted me to mention that the remodeled cottage she is selling in Rugby is still for sale. Here is a link to the listing online, with pictures and details: http://realfocus.kaarmls.com/r?A1099328B710
Independence Day Party Announced
Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Community Picnic - Saturday July 5 at Lizzie’s Place, John and Kathy Hicks home in Beacon Hill. Festivities start at 6:00 pm EDT. This year’s entertainment will be Lonesome County Line (Butch Hodgkins’ band) Kathy says they will provide BBQ and drinks. Bring a dish to share.
Remembering Art and Mary Ann
I received this from Cindy Boland.
“My parents Art and Mary Ann Gehring were members of the Rugby community for 13 years before migrating back north to be closer to us kids and grandkids.They ran Newbury House when it was first reopened and fell in love with the area, people and the community. I know that there are many people in Rugby and surrounding area that knew them and have stayed in touch. It was their final wish to be brought home. Mom passed away 5 years ago last January and Dad just this past January. Their children will be bring them home to be placed in Laurel Dale Cemetery Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 pm. Father Keese will be presiding. We just want to invite those who knew Mom and Dad to join us in a celebration of their life and love of Rugby, Tennessee.”
Adopt a Flower or Herb Bed
Historic Rugby could use some gardening
volunteers to help maintain the flower beds at Kingstone Lisle, Newbury House, Percy Cottage and the Café. Initially, this would involve checking occasionally to see that the bed is watered and pulling weeds. We may also enlist help to clean up and help replant some beds. If you would be interested in “adopting a bed” let me know and I can show you what beds are available for adoption. This is something that you can do on your own schedule and would really help keep some of the buildings that are open to the public looking better year-round. Just email me at rickmurphy1@aol.com or call me at 423-319-7842.
Recent Workshops
Dulcimer student Gayle Minor says that June Goforth and her three "Go-fer"s taught eight students Saturday at the Mountain Dulcimer Workshop at the Community Center. Gayle says that much was learned, and a great time was had by all. June said she was happy with the class size and that this was the best class she's taught in a long time.
The students were most enthusiastic -- three of them are planning to form a Dulcimer club in Rugby, and two of them are planning to travel to Knoxville twice a month to continue study with June. June sold two of her classroom "loaner" cardboard dulcimers to students who enjoyed it so much they didn't want to stop! Here is a photo of the workshop courtesy of Gayle and her daughter Beth.
George Zepp reports that he enjoyed the Night Safari that Linda Konig led on Saturday night. They had a little excitement when a Park Service ranger stopped and asked what they were doing in the former picnic area near the bridge across the Clear Fork – they were looking for (and found some) glow worms, of course. They also heard three different kinds of frogs at Newbury pond. He said they did not run into any of the wild pigs, although there has been lots of evidence of them rooting around along the road near Ingleside and the Lindens in the last few days. (Pearl Nester left me a message last night that she saw and chased off eight more pigs last night).
Birthdays
June 3 Gayle Minor
June 7 Sheila Stringfield and Pat Toney
June 9 Jodye Weiler
Calendar of Events
June 7 – Community Potluck 7:00 pm EDT
June 14 – Hike to Pogue Creek, one of Tennessee’s newest State Natural Areas near Pickett State Park. Moderately difficult hike with several grade changes. About three hours of hiking along a beautiful overlook and into a gorge where no trails have been developed yet. Meet at Harrow Road Café at 9:30 am EDT to carpool. Email George Zepp for registration: rugbytn@aol.com
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 Café at 9:00 am to carpool. 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.
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 7 – Fit and Fun with Missy Kane – Learn secrets for staying trim after 50 starting with a two mile power walk. Includes lecture on foods for fitness, a nutritional lunch and a 3-5 mile afternoon hike. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm EDT. Fee $35 – lunch $9 (optional)
June 14 – Become a Cast Iron Chef – Learn camp cooking techniques from Larry Edmondson. Enjoy lunch together as you eat your creation. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EDT. Fee $15
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.
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
Community Singers – Practice Sundays 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm EDT at Christ Church
Nature Notes by Linda Konig
If you think all moths are brown, read on. The other day I was thrilled to see one of our more colorful moths in a new light. This moth is a familiar sight in Rugby in early summer, if you use a porch light all night and look around your porch in the morning. It’s called the Rosy Maple moth. They are fairly small but make up for it by being pink and yellow. Margaret Erickson was visiting me on Saturday afternoon when she spotted a newly-minted brilliantly-colored Rosy Maple moth crawling in the grass and asked me what it was.
At first I thought it was a really fat yellow caterpillar with psychedelic pink markings. The colors were so bright; it looked like a plastic toy. Studying it, I saw that the two pink “decorations” on each side of its body were crumpled-up wings. There was pink on the undersides of its rear segments, also. The yellow head was quite furry along with the rest of the body. If Walt Disney ever decides to make an animated movie about a moth…..
Quickly consulting my books about moths, I learned that the Rosy Maple prepates underground, so this one had evidently just struggled out of its brown pupa and come up topside to dry its wings and see the world. Furthermore, I read the Rosy Maple caterpillars (called the Green-striped Maple Worm) feed on Silver Maple leaves. We found this one directly under a Silver Maple tree.
Historic Rugby could use some gardening
volunteers to help maintain the flower beds at Kingstone Lisle, Newbury House, Percy Cottage and the Café. Initially, this would involve checking occasionally to see that the bed is watered and pulling weeds. We may also enlist help to clean up and help replant some beds. If you would be interested in “adopting a bed” let me know and I can show you what beds are available for adoption. This is something that you can do on your own schedule and would really help keep some of the buildings that are open to the public looking better year-round. Just email me at rickmurphy1@aol.com or call me at 423-319-7842.Recent Workshops
Dulcimer student Gayle Minor says that June Goforth and her three "Go-fer"s taught eight students Saturday at the Mountain Dulcimer Workshop at the Community Center. Gayle says that much was learned, and a great time was had by all. June said she was happy with the class size and that this was the best class she's taught in a long time.
The students were most enthusiastic -- three of them are planning to form a Dulcimer club in Rugby, and two of them are planning to travel to Knoxville twice a month to continue study with June. June sold two of her classroom "loaner" cardboard dulcimers to students who enjoyed it so much they didn't want to stop! Here is a photo of the workshop courtesy of Gayle and her daughter Beth.
George Zepp reports that he enjoyed the Night Safari that Linda Konig led on Saturday night. They had a little excitement when a Park Service ranger stopped and asked what they were doing in the former picnic area near the bridge across the Clear Fork – they were looking for (and found some) glow worms, of course. They also heard three different kinds of frogs at Newbury pond. He said they did not run into any of the wild pigs, although there has been lots of evidence of them rooting around along the road near Ingleside and the Lindens in the last few days. (Pearl Nester left me a message last night that she saw and chased off eight more pigs last night).
Birthdays
June 3 Gayle Minor
June 7 Sheila Stringfield and Pat Toney
June 9 Jodye Weiler
Calendar of Events
June 7 – Community Potluck 7:00 pm EDT
June 14 – Hike to Pogue Creek, one of Tennessee’s newest State Natural Areas near Pickett State Park. Moderately difficult hike with several grade changes. About three hours of hiking along a beautiful overlook and into a gorge where no trails have been developed yet. Meet at Harrow Road Café at 9:30 am EDT to carpool. Email George Zepp for registration: rugbytn@aol.com
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 Café at 9:00 am to carpool. 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.
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 7 – Fit and Fun with Missy Kane – Learn secrets for staying trim after 50 starting with a two mile power walk. Includes lecture on foods for fitness, a nutritional lunch and a 3-5 mile afternoon hike. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm EDT. Fee $35 – lunch $9 (optional)
June 14 – Become a Cast Iron Chef – Learn camp cooking techniques from Larry Edmondson. Enjoy lunch together as you eat your creation. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EDT. Fee $15
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.
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
Community Singers – Practice Sundays 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm EDT at Christ Church
Nature Notes by Linda Konig
If you think all moths are brown, read on. The other day I was thrilled to see one of our more colorful moths in a new light. This moth is a familiar sight in Rugby in early summer, if you use a porch light all night and look around your porch in the morning. It’s called the Rosy Maple moth. They are fairly small but make up for it by being pink and yellow. Margaret Erickson was visiting me on Saturday afternoon when she spotted a newly-minted brilliantly-colored Rosy Maple moth crawling in the grass and asked me what it was.
At first I thought it was a really fat yellow caterpillar with psychedelic pink markings. The colors were so bright; it looked like a plastic toy. Studying it, I saw that the two pink “decorations” on each side of its body were crumpled-up wings. There was pink on the undersides of its rear segments, also. The yellow head was quite furry along with the rest of the body. If Walt Disney ever decides to make an animated movie about a moth…..
Quickly consulting my books about moths, I learned that the Rosy Maple prepates underground, so this one had evidently just struggled out of its brown pupa and come up topside to dry its wings and see the world. Furthermore, I read the Rosy Maple caterpillars (called the Green-striped Maple Worm) feed on Silver Maple leaves. We found this one directly under a Silver Maple tree.
