I don’t know if it was just the beautiful fall weather or the Michaelmas Festival at the church or the Pumpkin Festival in Allardt, but Rugby had a sea of visitors this weekend. And while we were out of town until Saturday night, I heard that folks enjoyed hearing a little bluegrass music at Christ Church on Friday night – apparently the wood interior was great for resonating the sounds of Lonesome County Line.
Carman Roberson said that he enjoyed tea at Friendly House during the Michaelmas Festival on Saturday - he thought they had about 60 people for the various seatings. Ron Jackson said that the rest of the Michaelmas Festival went well and that he had good sales of his beautiful handmade jewelry. English country dancing was performed by Bob and Mary Hemminger and friends. Children's activities and a bake sale rounded out the activities. On Saturday night, Janet Courtney gave a presentation on "Crime in Victorian Rugby" in the theatre. Linda Konig said she thought the festival made more than $1,000.
Kathy Hick sent this message: “Thanks to all who helped make this festival a success including all who attended the activities, the vendors, interpreters in the church, and those who prepared and served all the wonderful food at the tea and bake sale. For those who are interested we have a Tea Cookbook with all the yummy recipes served at the tea plus much more for only $5.”
Rugby Plants for Sale
Just in time for fall planting season for perennials and shrubs, Historic Rugby is offering some heirloom and native plants for sale at the Commissary. Included are the tall blue aster which locally are called Michaelmas Daisies and are in bloom around the village right now. In addition, there are some Beautyberry plants, which is the shrub that has the bright purple berry – these were taken from cuttings of the old plants in front of Uffington House. Also, there are some Passionflower plants, which grow the showy purple flower that is the Official State Wildflower of Tennessee – these from a group growing behind Uffington.
Last Date to Register to Vote
Tom Howell wants everyone to know that today, Monday, October 6, is the last day to register to vote in the presidential election in Morgan County and throughout Tennessee. Early voting in Tennessee begins October 15 and ends October 30. Morgan Countians do this in Wartburg; Scott Countians, in Huntsville; and Fentress Countians, in Jamestown. Tom says “Much is at stake in this election, and it should be taken seriously.”
Visitors from England
I received this email from Kathy Hicks.
It is really a small world!! Rugby Tennessee has had the pleasure of visits from four British friends who come from towns with names that should be familiar to Rugby, Tennessee folks.
On September 23 John and Carole Davis of Uffington, England spent three days here. They had a great visit and hope to return in the near future. Jim and Nora Meadows stayed with the Davis's when they visited Rugby, England along with John and Kathy Hicks and Julian Bankston. John, Kathy and Julian stayed with Pete and Sharon Smith who visited here for the 125th anniversary celebration. Sharon is the curator of the Tom Brown Museum in Uffington, England. The folks at Uffington, England extended a warm welcome to us Yanks and we hope to have more visits with them in the near future.
On October 2 Janet Courtney and Gayner Evans from Rugby, England visited Rugby Tennessee. Paul and Suzanne Reese ( formerly of Rugby, Tennessee and now residents of KoKo, Indiana) drove Janet and Gayner to Rugby. They toured the sites and Janet delivered a presentation " Crime in Victorian Rugby" which was very informative and entertaining. Janet and Gayner enjoyed their visit and met many of the Rugby folks.
Saying Goodbye to Barbara Ritchie
I mentioned in a couple of emails that Rugby lost a dear friend last week when Barbara Ritchie died last Monday. Lots of her Rugby friends showed up at the funeral home in Oneida to pay their respects Wednesday night. I thought some of you might be interested in reading the story in the Scott County Independent Herald about Barbara. It is at http://www.ihoneida.com/news/2008/100208fatality.html
Condolences to Betty Burton
Rita Elliott and Linda Konig mentioned that former Historic Rugby interpreter, Betty Burton, has had a tough time recently. She apparently had an accident which required a hospital stay and is now recuperating at her sister’s house in Nashville and using a walker. Shortly after the accident, her husband, David, who has had medical problems for a long time, passed away. Our thoughts are with her in this difficult time.
Thanks to Carrie
Many thanks to Carrie Thornthwaite for doing such a great job on the newsletter while I was traveling recently.
A number of you have asked about out recent trip. George and I enjoyed getting to see the coast of Dalmatia where we traveled from the Medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, up the coast of Croatia along the Adriatic Sea and into the beautiful Alpine country of Slovenia. We then went to the capitol of Croatia, Zagreb, with its impressive buildings, many left over from the days when it was part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire. We ended the adventure by taking a night train from Zagreb to Venice, where there was just enough time to eat breakfast and take a short walk along the canals. It was interesting to see how well most of Croatia and Slovenia have recovered from the tragic war of independence that occurred back in the 1990’s. Here is a collage of seven photos we took during the trip.
Carman Roberson said that he enjoyed tea at Friendly House during the Michaelmas Festival on Saturday - he thought they had about 60 people for the various seatings. Ron Jackson said that the rest of the Michaelmas Festival went well and that he had good sales of his beautiful handmade jewelry. English country dancing was performed by Bob and Mary Hemminger and friends. Children's activities and a bake sale rounded out the activities. On Saturday night, Janet Courtney gave a presentation on "Crime in Victorian Rugby" in the theatre. Linda Konig said she thought the festival made more than $1,000.
Kathy Hick sent this message: “Thanks to all who helped make this festival a success including all who attended the activities, the vendors, interpreters in the church, and those who prepared and served all the wonderful food at the tea and bake sale. For those who are interested we have a Tea Cookbook with all the yummy recipes served at the tea plus much more for only $5.”
Rugby Plants for Sale
Just in time for fall planting season for perennials and shrubs, Historic Rugby is offering some heirloom and native plants for sale at the Commissary. Included are the tall blue aster which locally are called Michaelmas Daisies and are in bloom around the village right now. In addition, there are some Beautyberry plants, which is the shrub that has the bright purple berry – these were taken from cuttings of the old plants in front of Uffington House. Also, there are some Passionflower plants, which grow the showy purple flower that is the Official State Wildflower of Tennessee – these from a group growing behind Uffington.Last Date to Register to Vote
Tom Howell wants everyone to know that today, Monday, October 6, is the last day to register to vote in the presidential election in Morgan County and throughout Tennessee. Early voting in Tennessee begins October 15 and ends October 30. Morgan Countians do this in Wartburg; Scott Countians, in Huntsville; and Fentress Countians, in Jamestown. Tom says “Much is at stake in this election, and it should be taken seriously.”
Visitors from England
I received this email from Kathy Hicks.
It is really a small world!! Rugby Tennessee has had the pleasure of visits from four British friends who come from towns with names that should be familiar to Rugby, Tennessee folks.
On September 23 John and Carole Davis of Uffington, England spent three days here. They had a great visit and hope to return in the near future. Jim and Nora Meadows stayed with the Davis's when they visited Rugby, England along with John and Kathy Hicks and Julian Bankston. John, Kathy and Julian stayed with Pete and Sharon Smith who visited here for the 125th anniversary celebration. Sharon is the curator of the Tom Brown Museum in Uffington, England. The folks at Uffington, England extended a warm welcome to us Yanks and we hope to have more visits with them in the near future.
On October 2 Janet Courtney and Gayner Evans from Rugby, England visited Rugby Tennessee. Paul and Suzanne Reese ( formerly of Rugby, Tennessee and now residents of KoKo, Indiana) drove Janet and Gayner to Rugby. They toured the sites and Janet delivered a presentation " Crime in Victorian Rugby" which was very informative and entertaining. Janet and Gayner enjoyed their visit and met many of the Rugby folks.
Saying Goodbye to Barbara Ritchie
I mentioned in a couple of emails that Rugby lost a dear friend last week when Barbara Ritchie died last Monday. Lots of her Rugby friends showed up at the funeral home in Oneida to pay their respects Wednesday night. I thought some of you might be interested in reading the story in the Scott County Independent Herald about Barbara. It is at http://www.ihoneida.com/news/2008/100208fatality.html
Condolences to Betty Burton
Rita Elliott and Linda Konig mentioned that former Historic Rugby interpreter, Betty Burton, has had a tough time recently. She apparently had an accident which required a hospital stay and is now recuperating at her sister’s house in Nashville and using a walker. Shortly after the accident, her husband, David, who has had medical problems for a long time, passed away. Our thoughts are with her in this difficult time.
Thanks to Carrie
Many thanks to Carrie Thornthwaite for doing such a great job on the newsletter while I was traveling recently.
A number of you have asked about out recent trip. George and I enjoyed getting to see the coast of Dalmatia where we traveled from the Medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, up the coast of Croatia along the Adriatic Sea and into the beautiful Alpine country of Slovenia. We then went to the capitol of Croatia, Zagreb, with its impressive buildings, many left over from the days when it was part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire. We ended the adventure by taking a night train from Zagreb to Venice, where there was just enough time to eat breakfast and take a short walk along the canals. It was interesting to see how well most of Croatia and Slovenia have recovered from the tragic war of independence that occurred back in the 1990’s. Here is a collage of seven photos we took during the trip.
(Like other pix in Rugby Week, click on this collage and it should enlarge)
Clockwise from Top Left: Dubrovnik's wall had great vistas to newer parts of the seaside city. Its domes and roofs, repaired after the 1991-95 war, include this bell tower where a "human" figure operates the clapper. Ljubljana, the picturesque capital of Slovenia, has its own Rugby Pub where George & Rick got some grub and spoke to some Brits visiting for a wedding. In Zagreb, the elegant 1925-era Regent Esplanade, where we spent a final night, was built for tourists on the Orient Express but later was a stop for Nixon, Liz Taylor and Pierce Brosnan. In Slovenia's Bled, a little lakeside village, its 1,000-year-old castle high on a bluff attracts school kids who get a period introduction from a costumed nobleman. In Zagreb, near the massive open-air market, George got to know one of the coldly determined vendors with her basket. Back in Bled, the lake island Otok and its church atop 98 steps are accessible by "pletna" boats holding 18 passengers and rowed by a single oarsman.
Birthdays
Clockwise from Top Left: Dubrovnik's wall had great vistas to newer parts of the seaside city. Its domes and roofs, repaired after the 1991-95 war, include this bell tower where a "human" figure operates the clapper. Ljubljana, the picturesque capital of Slovenia, has its own Rugby Pub where George & Rick got some grub and spoke to some Brits visiting for a wedding. In Zagreb, the elegant 1925-era Regent Esplanade, where we spent a final night, was built for tourists on the Orient Express but later was a stop for Nixon, Liz Taylor and Pierce Brosnan. In Slovenia's Bled, a little lakeside village, its 1,000-year-old castle high on a bluff attracts school kids who get a period introduction from a costumed nobleman. In Zagreb, near the massive open-air market, George got to know one of the coldly determined vendors with her basket. Back in Bled, the lake island Otok and its church atop 98 steps are accessible by "pletna" boats holding 18 passengers and rowed by a single oarsman.
Birthdays
October 8 Chip Elliott & Mara Trumbo
October 10 Teresa Coker and Tom Lee
October 11 Barb Morgan and Mary Marlow
October 10 Teresa Coker and Tom Lee
October 11 Barb Morgan and Mary Marlow
Calendar of Events
October 10 – History Night Meeting – 7:30 pm EDT at the Friendly House. Linda Konig will share some of the lesser known facts about Rugby’s founder, Thomas Hughes.
October 11 – Hike at Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area, Wartburg. The Big South Fork Chapter of the TTA is sponsoring a hike of 7 to 7.5 miles, rated moderate. Meet at 9:00 am EDT at Harrow Road Café in Rugby to carpool to the park or at 10:00 am EDT at the Park Visitor Center. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch and plenty of water. For information and to register for the hike, contact Tom Howell at tshowell1003@highland.net
October 18, 24 & 25 - Halloween Ghostly Gathering (Always a Sellout - Reserve Early)A Calling of the Spirits From Rugby's Past...With Story Telling...Chili & Cornbread Dinner ... Candle & Lantern Lit Tours...Druids Bonfire Stories. Admission: Adults $19; Students $10.00 (6 & Above Only Please). LIMIT 100 Each Night: Advance Reservations Required. Contact Historic Rugby for reservations 888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441
October 11 – Hike at Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area, Wartburg. The Big South Fork Chapter of the TTA is sponsoring a hike of 7 to 7.5 miles, rated moderate. Meet at 9:00 am EDT at Harrow Road Café in Rugby to carpool to the park or at 10:00 am EDT at the Park Visitor Center. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch and plenty of water. For information and to register for the hike, contact Tom Howell at tshowell1003@highland.net
October 18, 24 & 25 - Halloween Ghostly Gathering (Always a Sellout - Reserve Early)A Calling of the Spirits From Rugby's Past...With Story Telling...Chili & Cornbread Dinner ... Candle & Lantern Lit Tours...Druids Bonfire Stories. Admission: Adults $19; Students $10.00 (6 & Above Only Please). LIMIT 100 Each Night: Advance Reservations Required. Contact Historic Rugby for reservations 888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441
November 1 - English Willow Basketry Workshop – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Eastern - Instructor: Veronica Ludlow - $60 per person. Contact Historic Rugby for reservations 888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441
November 2 - English Watercolor Workshop – 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Instructor: Veronica Ludlow - $40 per person. Contact Historic Rugby for reservations 888-214-3400 or locally at 628-2441
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
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
Last week I wrote about the chinquapin nuts. This week I thought I’d write about some the other wild nuts. Beechnuts are abundant this year. Driving down the park road along the Clear Fork where it goes under the new bridge the other day, I saw plenty of broken bits of beechnut shells at the pavement edge. So the squirrels have been busy.
Wild hazelnuts are harder to find. There used to be a couple of these small trees along that same park road, but I haven’t seen them this year. Their small rounded nuts are nestled in eye-catching fringed sleeves. Nothing else looks like them.
Black walnut meats are a lot of trouble to extract. Their hulls stain everything they touch. The best way to get the nuts out the outer hulls is to run over them in your driveway. Then you still have to break them open with a hammer. I’ll never get over being amazed that squirrels can break them open with their teeth! The nut meats are encased in the serpentine interiors of the hard shells. It’s a tedious task to get them out, but if you like their distinctive earthy taste, they’re absolutely great for cakes, candy, etc. Yes, you can buy them already processed, but they don’t taste quite as fresh that way.
Wild hazelnuts are harder to find. There used to be a couple of these small trees along that same park road, but I haven’t seen them this year. Their small rounded nuts are nestled in eye-catching fringed sleeves. Nothing else looks like them.
Black walnut meats are a lot of trouble to extract. Their hulls stain everything they touch. The best way to get the nuts out the outer hulls is to run over them in your driveway. Then you still have to break them open with a hammer. I’ll never get over being amazed that squirrels can break them open with their teeth! The nut meats are encased in the serpentine interiors of the hard shells. It’s a tedious task to get them out, but if you like their distinctive earthy taste, they’re absolutely great for cakes, candy, etc. Yes, you can buy them already processed, but they don’t taste quite as fresh that way.
