While there were not a lot of political signs in Rugby, I know from talking to various folks around town that there was a lot of interest in the recent historic election. Like most of Tennessee, the three counties that make up the greater Rugby area voted overwhelmingly for Republican John McCain with the following results reported by USAToday.com:
Morgan County - 1,969 for Obama, 4,717 for McCain, 136 other
Scott - 1,720 for Obama, 4,931 for McCain, 132 other
Fentress - 1,831 for Obama, 4,789 for McCain, 119 other
Of course, Tennessee reelected Republican Lamar Alexander with only token opposition from Democrat Bob Tuke. And Democrat Lincoln Davis was reelected as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 4th District which includes Rugby. In a hotly contested race, Republican Ken Yaeger defeated Democrat Becky Ruppe for the State Senate District 12 seat representing Rugby.
Friday's Sunset
The rain stopped and the skys cleared on Friday just in time for a brief but spectacular sunset. Carrie Thornthwaite captured these photos of the dramatic sky. There was also an incredible rainbow that disappeared by the time I got my camera.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Events
There’s a lot going on in Rugby through the end of the year, so I am going ahead and updating the calendar of events below through December. Please let me know if there is anything you want added. Here are just a few of the holiday events listed in the calendar:
The popular Greens Workshop to help decorate Rugby for the holidays is coming up November 22, a Saturday. Let Rita know if you can help make wreaths and sprays to help decorate the village.
Thanksgiving Marketplace is just around the corner on the Friday after Thanksgiving – call now if you would like to reserve a space at the British Cream Tea.
It is time to make reservations for the Christmas at Rugby Event and for the special Christmas Dinner the first two Saturdays in December.
Grey Gables is also preparing for its Christmas dinner with music the first Friday of December.
See details for these and other holiday events in the calendar below.
Pumpkin People
I keep meaning to share a photo of the special pumpkin that Donna Heffner and Annie Patterson installed in front of Walton Court shortly before Halloween. This is the second year they have creatively applied some of the metal objects that Annie uncovered in her sweep of the ruins of the original Walton Court. There is no telling how many years worth of pumpkin people will arise from the ruins.Mary Kay Benefit Tomorrow Night
Tiffany Terry (Bill and Linda Jones’ daughter) is having a Mary Kay Party at the Community Room on Tuesday, November 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. She will be donating $1 or $2 from each sale to help Teresa Coker’s brother, Gary Matthews who was injured a couple of months ago and is just now being released from the hospital. She will have perfumes, lotions, men’s cologne, etc. available for sale.
Churches Announce Sunday Bonfire Cookout
Teresa Coker says that Brewstertown Church of God and Rugby’s Christ Church Episcopal are jointly sponsoring a bonfire cookout on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 pm. The bonfire will be in Tom Martin’s field between Uffington House and the Road to Laurel Dale Cemetery. Everyone is invited – please bring something to share, like hot dogs, rolls, chips, marshmallows, etc.
New Hours at Cafe
The Harrow Road Café has announced new hours for the rest of November and December. Due to low sales during weekday mornings and high expenses, breakfast will now only be served on weekends. The new reduced hours are:
Monday through Thursday - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Friday – 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday – 8:30 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday – 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
The new hours start today and all times are Eastern Time.
Barbara Stagg Returns Home after Surgery
Barbara Stagg returned to her home in Rugby on Thursday after having hip surgery earlier in the week. She says she is doing well and is enjoying being back with John and their three dogs.
Birthdays
November 10 - Michael Harris
November 11 - Boyd Mitchell
Calendar of Events
November 14 – History Night – 7:30 pm Eastern at the Friendly House. Rugbeians who recently went to England will share experiences from their Rugby-related travels.
November 15 – Music and Dance – 7:00 pm Eastern at the Friendly House
November 22 – Volunteer Greens Workshop – Learn how to make Christmas Wreaths and Sprays and help decorate Rugby for Christmas.
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day (Historic Rugby’s Café, Visitor’s Centre and Shops are closed for the holiday)
November 28 – Thanksgiving Marketplace – Friday after Thanksgiving, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern – Tours of Historic Buildings, Victorian Santa & his “Reindeer” Dogs, Holiday Shopping and Craft Demonstrations, and Traditional British Cream Tea. Advanced Reservations Required for Traditional British Cream Tea only - call 888-214-3400 – seatings are at 1:30, 3:00 and 4:30 pm Eastern – tickets $16.00)
Nov. 29 – Hike – The Big South Fork Chapter of TTA is leading a Saturday-after-Thanksgiving hike at the Burnt Mill Bridge Loop. 4.3 mile moderate hike with good views of the Clear Fork. Meet at Harrow Road Café at 1:30 p.m. Eastern to car pool or at the parking area on the west side of the new Burnt Mill Bridge at 2:00 pm Eastern. Register with hike leaders Tim or Lynn Takacs if you plan to meet the group at the trail head parking area ttakacs@comcast.net or lynntakacs@comcast.net
December 5 - A Victorian Christmas at Grey Gables - 7:00 pm Eastern, Hot Mulled Cider.....Holiday Eggnog and multiple course Christmas dinner with entertainment after dinner by the Cross Family Singers. $27.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Contact Bill and Linda Brooks Jones at 423-628-5252 or email greygablestn@highland.net
December 6 & 13 – Christmas at Historic Rugby. Event includes candle and lamplit visits to traditionally decorated historic buildings, hot wassail & caroling, actors presenting Rugby Christmas Past, seasonal music - $9 in advance, $10 at the door with students (high school or elementary) at $4, and HRI members $6. Traditional four-course dinner is extra by advance reservation only – 2 seatings $29 each, tax & gratuity included. Purchase event and dinner tickets at the Visitor Centre or call toll free 888-214-3400
December 20 – Rugby Chorus Christmas Performance at Christ Church – 7:30 pm Eastern
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service – 5:00 pm at Christ Church followed by a potluck in the Friendly House – everyone is invited
Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 am Eastern at the Friendly House
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern at the Friendly House
Rugby Related Websites
Here are some links to Rugby related websites:
Historic Rugby – http://www.historicrugby.org/
Grey Gables Bed & Breakfast Inn - http://www.rugbytn.com/
Christ Church Episcopal - http://christrugby.etdiocese.net/index.htm
Nature Notes by Linda Konig
It isn’t only the leaves that are so colorful in the fall. I always look for the colorful berries, too. Most of them are inedible to humans, but can be used in autumn bouquets and wreaths.
Why go to Wal-Mart when you can gather Mother Nature’s free bounty? Here’s a list of these I’ve seen lately:
Red and orange – staghorn sumac, holly, hawthorn, nandina, pyracantha, winterberry, trumpet honeysuckle, tea viburnum, barberry, yew, spindlebush, bittersweet, autumn olive rosehips, spicebush, chokeberry, dogwood.
Yellow – Russian olive, horse nettle.
Blue-to-black – greenbriar, privet, maple-leaf viburnum, black tupelo, southern arrowood, Virginia creeper, pagoda dogwood, Indian cucumber.
Most of these berries will last all winter or until some bird or animal eats them.
Thinking of berries reminds me it isn’t long until Rita’s Greens Workshop, after which she and her busy “elves” will decorate “downtown” Rugby’s buildings for Christmas. I’m sure she would appreciate our gathering some of these berries for her and her helpers to use in the all-natural decorations.
