Yesterday was one of those hot sultry summer days in Rugby that just made you think about the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole. So, around 4:30 pm George and I headed on down for a dip.
On the way, we noticed that someone from the Sheriff’s department was in front of Martin Roost talking to two men who apparently were staying there. Well, they didn’t really appear to need our help, so we went on down to the Swimming Hole.
Amazingly, we had the water to ourselves. The water was a little low, and a little murky, but it felt very refreshing. I floated on my back and looked at the blue sky, remembering how smoggy the skies were in Nashville earlier in the week. Ah, it is great to be in Rugby at the Swimming Hole!
Later that evening we were told that the folks staying at Martin Roost who had been talking to someone from the Sheriff’s department, had had an unfortunate experience earlier in the day. They had apparently parked near the trailhead across from the Laurel Dale Cemetery and went down to the river to fish. While they were gone someone broke a window out of their SUV and stole some valuable fishing gear. I was very sorry to hear this, as we have so little crime in Rugby that we get a little complacent about the possibility of it. And I am sorry that the folks at Martin Roost had their stay interrupted by this unpleasantness. I guess we all need to be aware of this.
Happenings This WeekA lot is happening in Rugby this coming weekend. Activities include a hike, a history lunch and walk with Barbara Stagg, and an English Country Dancing class – see Calendar of Events below. Mary Hemminger wants people to know that you do not need to bring a dance partner to come to the dance class.
In addition, Lavonne Gibbs says there will be a refresher first aid class this Saturday, July 26, for those who took it last year at the Friendly House. If anyone who took it last year has not signed up for this year’s class, Lavonne says they should contact John Hicks at 628-2873. While this class is limited to folks who took it last year, it is good to know that a group in Rugby has been through this training.
By the way, the photo above shows a groundhog that George caught on camera outside our kitchen window recently. And below is a photo Jim McBrayer took of Cheryl Hodgkins, Jenny Young and Dorcus McBrayer admiring the new sign for Carriage House Gallery.
Judy Zugish Basket Studio Opens with Class
Gayle Minor says Judy Zugish is opening her new basket studio in Beacon Hill with a special Studio Opening Class on Friday, August 1. Judy is an amazing basketry artist. You can see samples of her work at http://www.twigtwisters.com/.
Gayle says that participants in Judy’s class will make an all-natural basket. See details for making reservations in the Calendar of Events below.
Birthdays
July 27 - Louise Zepp, Lovelle Atkinson, and Linda Konig
Calendar of Events
July 26 – Tennessee Trails Burnt Mill Bridge Loop hike. This is a 4.3-mile loop with moderate difficulty and some short stairs. Bring snacks for a lunch somewhere along the trail since we will be going at a leisurely pace. Leave the Harrow Road Café at 9:30 am EDT with plans to be at the Burnt Mill Bridge parking lot at 10:00 AM. Hikers can either meet at the Café to carpool or meet at the Burn Mill Bridge parking lot. Hike Leaders: Wil & Carrie Thornthwaite E-mail: wil@thornthwaite.com Phone: 423.628.5862. The morning of the hike use Wil’s cellphone (615.390.9716) for any late calls Saturday morning.
July 26 – 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 know about. Outing begins at Harrow Road Café with lunch and discussion. 12:00 to 4:00 pm EDT. Fee $24 (including lunch). Call 1-888-214-3400 or 423-628-2441 for reservations.
July 26 – English Country Dancing 7:00 pm EDT at the Friendly House. Email Mary Hemminger if you would like to come at mejs@juno.com
August 1 – Basket Studio Opening Class with Judy Zugish. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, $35 (materials included). Participants should bring handclippers, and old towel, and lunch. All levels welcome. Payment in advance. Contact Gayle Minor for reservations (423-628-6295, gaylemk@aol.com)
August 2 – Community Potluck 7:00 pm EDT
August 2 –Talk & Booksigning by Jeff Biggers. 8:00 pm EDT at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre. The author of The United States of Appalachia discusses his new book, In the Sierra Madre, about his experiences living among the Tarahumara Natives of Sierra's Copper Canyon. No charge - donations welcome.
August 8 – History Night 7:30 pm EDT at Rebecca Johnson Theatre, photographic views of 1891 Rugby newly discovered in England. Includes Tabard Inn, Virgo, The Lindens, Farden’s Drugstore, Commissary, Rugby Scenery, etc. Barbara Stagg interpreting.
August 9 – Concert – The Boys of County Nashville. 7:45 pm EDT at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre. Three-piece traditional Irish Band. Tickets must be purchased in advance through Historic Rugby. $10 Adults, $6 K-12 Students.
August 7 – 10 – Highway 127 World’s Longest Yard Sale – an estimated 4,000 vendors line Highway 127 from Defiance, Ohio down to Gadsden, Alabama. Comes within 15 miles of Rugby near Jamestown, Tennessee.
Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 am EDT at the Friendly House
Dulcimer Class – Tuesdays, 2:00 pm 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
A favorite quote from Thomas Hughes – “Above, the vault is blue beyond all description, and studded with stars as bright as though they were all Venuses. The katydids are making delightful music in the trees, and the summer lightning is playing over the Western heaven; while a gentle breeze, cool and refreshing….”
He wrote this by lamplight on September 1, 1880, while sitting on the front porch of Pioneer Cottage. I love the fact that Pioneer Cottage is still here, the stars are the same ones Hughes admired , and the katydids we’ll hear tonight are the direct descendents of the ones that Hughes heard.
This last statement is literally true because katydids don’t travel. They just keep to the same neighborhoods, living in the trees their whole lives, generation after generation. Their wings are practically useless, only good for fluttering very short distances.
By the way, the true katydid chorus is an all-male chorus. The females don’t “sing.” What we are hearing mostly these nights is the True Northern Katydid. The song “lyrics” are the easiest of all the katydids songs to recognize, being “Katy,” “ Katydid” or “Katy didn’t.” One of the things I like about their chorus is the way they often sing antiphonally, one tree full of katydids singing at one pitch and those on a nearby tree singing on a slightly lower note a split second after the first. Reckon Ron Jackson could teach them a wider repertoire?
