We have enjoyed having the company of Pearl Nester in Rugby this summer. She has been staying at the home of Eric Wilson and Vi Biehl for several months while they were staying at Sewanee. Pearl, who lived in Rugby for several years in the 1990’s when she was lodging manager, stayed busy this summer writing an interesting book about her Rugby experiences. When Pearl was not busy at her computer, she stayed active focusing her famous “Hoosier yell” at the pigs that appeared near the porch at High Wray on a regular basis. Come back soon Pearl!!
It is my understanding that Eric and Vi are in the process of transitioning back to Rugby for a while. I did see a Vespa scooter parked in front of the Commissary on Sunday so I suspect Eric is back (or is it really Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?).
Hadley and Marilyn Hury have been in residence at their Beacon Hill home for several weeks now spending time turning their back yard into a beautiful cottage garden full of flowering plants. Unfortunately Hadley has to go back to his teaching job in Memphis at the end of the week. But Marilyn is going to be able to stay in Rugby for a while longer. Since she will not have a car, she welcomes offers of rides into “town.”
Poor Hadley has been concerned about being unable to get out of Rugby during the World’s Longest Yard Sale which is going on this weekend along U.S. 127, but I have assured him that there is a simple way around the great accumulation. If I were going toward Cookeville during the yard sale, I would usually go all the way down Brewstertown Road, past the dump, turning right where the road dead ends. Then through Burrville turning left on the road a little beyond the white church. Then turn left at the dead end in front of the Glades market which takes one through greater Deer Lodge. Go a little way beyond Deer Lodge and turn right on Route 62 heading west. This crosses over U.S. 127 and ends up in Monterrey where there is an entrance to I-40.
Ok, maybe Hadley should carry a good local map.
History Meeting Friday Night
Here is the bell tower on Rugby's original schoolhouse/meeting place that burned in 1906. To see the rest of the ornate building, taller than the present 1907 schoolhouse, come to the free History Night this Friday (Aug. 8), 7:30 p.m. EDT at the theater of the new Visitor Centre. At least three dozen amazing images of Rugby people, buildings and views from 1892 showed up in England this year and will be publicly unveiled, with commentary by HRI Executive Director Barbara Stagg.
Irish Band Performing August 9Don’t forget that The Boys of County Nashville, a well-known four-piece traditional Irish band, is performing Saturday night. I understand that tickets are still available.
Craft Workshop Debut
Several people mentioned that last Friday’s basketmaking class at Judy Zugish’s new studio was a lot of fun. Eight students enjoyed learning to use wisteria vines, herbs and other materials to make a basket. Judy and Beth Dunagan were seen later in the weekend pulling up more wisteria vines between Walton Court and the Hughes Library. Anytime anybody wants to come gets some wisteria vines on the ravine side of Walton Court, feel free to help yourself!! Anyway, here is one of the photos from Judy’s class.
The group shot at the left was taken by Judy Zugish.Gayle Minor took the picture of Judy at the right.
Vote on Thursday
If you didn’t get a chance to vote early, don’t forget to vote Thursday in the August General Election.
Chess Anyone?
Lynn Rylander writes “My husband, Jim, and I are fairly new residents to the area; not living in Rugby, but only five miles west off Highway 52. Jim loves the game of chess and has found no one in this area yet to play. Anyone interested in a match, please call (931) 879-5376.”
Birthdays
No birthday reported this week
Calendar of Events
August 7 – 10 – Highway 127 World’s Longest Yard Sale – an estimated 4,000 vendors line U.S. 127 from Defiance, Ohio down to Gadsden, Alabama. Comes within 15 miles of Rugby near Jamestown, Tennessee.
August 8 - One Stroke Painting in Acrylics and Enamels at the First Baptist Church Jamestown on Friday at 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Instructor is Mara Trumbo teaching a unique technique in creating a goldfish and a seascape. Cost $25.00 all inclusive.
August 8 – History Night 7:30 pm EDT at Rebecca Johnson Theatre, photographic views of 1892 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. Adult tickets $10 in advance, $12 day of the concert. Under-age-18 tickets $6 in advance and $7 day of the concert.
August 30 – Concert – Farr Horizons Trio – 7:45 pm EDT at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre. Tickets must be purchased in advance through Historic Rugby at 888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441. Adult tickets $10 in advance, $12 day of the concert. Under-age-18 tickets $6 in advance and $7 day of the concert.
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
I wasn't fortunate enough this year to see any of Rugby's female Snapping Turtles coming out of ponds or returning to their ponds the morning after a night of digging and egg-laying. I have seen them in other years, though, in June and early July. Only the females leave the ponds. About the only chance to see the males is if two of them happen to be fighting over territory on a moonlit night. They'll rise up thrashing out of the water, chest to chest, trying to bite and claw one another.
If you do happen to see a Snapping Turtle making her way across your yard in early summer, don't argue with her. Just let her have the right-of-way. You don't want to be bitten by this prehistoric (really) creature.
I'm hoping to see some baby turtles in early fall, but I may have to sit up all night to see them. Their eggs will hatch in the middle of the night, that is if skunks, foxes, raccoons, minks, etc. haven't discovered the eggs and eaten them already. Unfortunately for the turtles, the female can't help leaving her scent at the egg-laying site which is a dead giveaway. I know a couple of yards where there should be nests. If I'm very lucky, I could see up to 50 little ugly quarter-sized turtles emerge from their buried nest and make for the nearest pond. They're born with the instinct and somehow unerringly head toward water.
