RUGBY HALLOWEEN
It was a very scary Halloween weekend in Rugby! Skies cleared Saturday night just in time for a brilliant moon to light the scene for ghost stories at the site of the old Tabard Inn. A full contingent of participants traipsed around the village, learning about Rugby while being intrigued by its spirits – real and imagined. Flaming lanterns lighted their way. We’re still not sure about the source of loud cackles coming from Oak Lodge during the evening, but another unusual sound was sound of the flowing river down below the Tabard site. The roar of rushing water is rarely heard from above the gorge. But it was clearly heard on Saturday night as guests sat quietly on hay bales to enjoy Rugby’s special Halloween aura.
Photos of the Oliver's Halloween Party taken by Barbara Stagg
CHURCHYARD IMPROVED, LIBRARY WORK BEGINS
This week a flurry of activity was seen in the yard at Christ Church. Two lamp posts were added near the gate into the front churchyard – one inside and one outside. Also installed were low walk lights between the boxwoods along the sidewalk. The lights were greatly needed as the area gets very dark at night and I think they did a great job of doing it in a way that does not distract from the historic character of the building. Rita Elliot says everyone at the church is very appreciative for the hard work that several church members and others in the community have put into this effort.
John Gilliat recently mentioned that roofers are scheduled to come soon, possibly this week, to begin work on replacing the metal roof on the historic Hughes Library, which was damaged earlier this year by trees blown over by strong winds. I think it has taken longer than everyone expected to work out the details of the repair with the insurance company – including an extensive bidding process for finding roofers who were skilled in working with standing seam metal roofing. The Historic Rugby properties staff has also begun extensive work on the exterior of the building, including preparation and painting of the entire exterior and work on the large shutters, as well as other repair and maintenance on the building and grounds.
While most of the roof work is covered by insurance, Historic Rugby has to pay a $1,000 insurance deductible and thousands of dollars for labor and materials for the other work on the exterior of the building. Donations to Historic Rugby, including those to the annual fund campaign which begins this month, help with the restoration and maintenance of this and other of the historic buildings. They are greatly needed. While a lot still needs to be done on other buildings, I think it is quite an accomplishment that by the end of the year the properties staff will have completed extensive work on the exterior of two of our cherished historic buildings – the Print Shop (completed earlier this year) and the Hughes Library.
FIREWISE PROGRAM TO FOLLOW POTLUCK
By Tom Howell
Fire has been a big problem throughout the history of Rugby, and the situation is unchanged today. Rugby lies adjacent to "the big woods" in almost all directions, and fires in the woods can burn up houses.
One almost did. In 2005 lightning jumped from a pine tree at the edge of the woods to electric wiring in the attic of a new house in Beacon Hill. It started a fire that was quickly extinguished with the help of non-firefighter friends and neighbors. More recently an out-of-control brush fire threatened houses in Beacon Hill 2.
Controlled burns can become hostile any time leaves are on the ground (even if it’s wet), and grass will burn readily during time of drought. The "urban-wildfire interface" that we live in is a potential fire hazard, so we all need to take steps to protect our homes and our lives.
Steps that you can take to protect your house and neighborhood are what we are going to be talking about in a FIREWISE program sponsored jointly by state forestry and the Clear Fork Volunteer Fire Department. It will be November 7 at the Rugby Community Building immediately after the First Saturday Community Potluck, which takes place at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Hosts for the FIREWISE program include Ed Smith, head of state forestry for the Morgan-Roane county area, and Steve Johnson, head of Morgan County forestry. These are the people mainly responsible for extinguishing and controlling hostile woods and brush fires. They can tell you what you can do, both as neighborhoods and as individuals, to reduce the risk of uncontrolled outdoor fires to your homes and lives.
BEARLY NEWS
Much to the dismay of the staff at Historic Rugby, the dumpster behind the Harrow Road Café has captured the affections of a bear. While the heavy metal dumpster would appear to be bear proof, this wily creature has discovered something special. If he/she pulls herself/himself up onto the top, jumping up and down on it collapses and destroys the heavy plastic top doors. Mr./Ms. Bear apparently has shown up late at night for the last few nights and makes quite a mess by pulling out garbage. Our Bruin was at it again last night at 10:55 p.m., as witnessed by three of us from the safety of a car.
Several people in the village have asked your scribe about what is being done about this situation. John Gilliat said staff is very concerned and is attacking the problem from two angles. They are trying to locate a truly bear-proof dumpster that can still be emptied by the trash removal folks. This is apparently not as easy as it sounds and potentially quite expensive. They are also working with local wildlife officials to determine the best way to quickly get the animal away.
HIKE AROUND RUGBY CHANGED TO NOV. 23
By Benita Howell and Carrie Thornthwaite
Because of several Rugby conflicts, we’ve had to change the date of the hike around Rugby from Saturday, November 14, to Monday, November 23. The change is shown in the TTA on-line calendar, but the original date is printed in the newsletter some of you just received. Be sure to note the correct date on your calendars.
The November 23 hike is a repeat of Eric’s hike last July, only this time we’ll have a bit cooler weather and only the hardiest of bugs will be evident. This hike is sponsored by the Big South Fork Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association. Total distance, divided into several segments, is about 8.5 miles, rated moderate because of some steep climbs and stream crossings, but there are several points where you can return to the village without completing the entire hike. Meet at the Harrow Road Café at 9:30 a.m. Eat lunch at the Harrow Road Café or bring your own. Dress appropriately for the weather... waterproof shoes advised. E-mail Carrie (carrie.thornthwaite@lipscomb.edu) for more information.
2ND COSTUME WORKSHOP NOV. 15
Jody Hester has rescheduled a follow-up to the Victorian Costume Workshop for Sunday, November 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Room. This will be a good opportunity to review progress being made on costumes and get additional advice.
Jody said: “Everyone should bring their own fabric to customize their costume, we’ll make hats, belts, skirts, anything they need help with. I have some ribbon, feathers, etc. for hats. The following persons have volunteered to help sew: Nora Meadows, Debbie Harris, Lisa Donegan, Mara Trumbo, Joyce Lantz, Beth Hester, and anyone else that can sew simple things and would like to help the non-sewers.”
DECORATING TO BEGIN FOR CHRISTMAS
In the last two editions of Rugby Week I have mentioned what a great job the Decorating Committee has done in the village for autumn, and shared Cheryl Cribbet’s thanks to all who have helped. Rita Elliot said that she and Cheryl Hodgkins wanted to add their thanks to all who have donated considerable time, materials and money toward the effort. Rita mentioned that, alas, it will soon be time to decorate for Christmas! See details for the annual Greens Workshop scheduled for Saturday, November 21, in the HRI Workshops Calendar below.
WARNING TO HIKERS
By Jodye Weiler
After my grandson told me of two hikers coming up on him while he was hunting, I thought I'd ask you to post an item in the news letter about the situation. During hunting season, it is not too safe to be cutting across to the Jones waterfall, especially on the weekend. Other than when my kids are here, I have no idea who may be in the woods.
BIRTHDAYS
November 3 - Rick Murphy
November 4 - Bob Young
November 5 - Charles Lovett
November 6 - Jane Beavon
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 2 – Benita Howell is organizing a short hike today, as the weather should be excellent. Meet at the Cafe at 9:30, and we’ll move vehicles and start from the trail head near Uffington House.
November 7 – Community Potluck 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Potluck will be followed by a fire prevention presentation.
November 14 - Joan Donaldson Book Signing – 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Her new book “On Viney’s Mountain” has been released and is already available at the Commissary. This historical novel for young adults is set in the Rugby Colony and features a heroine suggested by Aunt Dicey Fletcher (imagined as a young girl). For more information on Joan or the book, see www.joandonaldson.com or Google “On Viney’s Mountain.”
November 14 - History Club field trip to Deer Lodge. Barbara Stagg will lead. Meet in the parking area behind Print Shop to carpool at 1:30 p.m. Eastern
November 15 – Victorian Costume Workshop Part 2 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern at the Community Building
November 23 – Hike Around Rugby – meet at the Harrow Road Café at 9:30 a.m. Eastern
November 27 – Thanksgiving Marketplace
December 5 – Christmas Tour of Homes – Tour of decorated Rugby homes, Christmas dinner at Harrow Road Café and concert at the Visitor’s Centre. Contact Historic Rugby for Information
December 12 – Christmas at Rugby – Tour of decorated historic Rugby buildings and Christmas dinner at Harrow Road Café. Contact Historic Rugby for Information
January 16 – Book Club Meeting - The next selection is “The Known World,” by Edward P. Jones. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the moral complexities of slavery in antebellum Virginia through the experiences of free and enslaved blacks, black and white slave owners, and their interactions with one another and with whites in a society shaped by slavery. The book was published by Amistad, a division of HarperCollins, in 2003 (paperback edition 2004).
Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2-4 p.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
HRI WORKSHOPS
November 7 - Walk About Basketry - Walking Stick – New Workshop – Instructor Judy Zugish - All levels can learn to weave a classy walking stick handle from prepared bark and plant fibers for those glorious Cumberland Plateau hiking trails. Treasure and use your walking stick often.
November 8 - Walk About Basketry - Water Bottle Basket - New Workshop – Instructor Judy Zugish - All levels can learn to weave a unique belt or shoulder carrying basket for your water container, woven with prepared bark and plant fibers.
November 21 – Christmas “Greens” Workshop – Community Building. 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Bring hand clippers. Learn to make traditional Christmas wreaths and sprays with natural materials. Please bring boxwood cuttings, blue cedar berries and/or nandina berries if you have access to any. The workshop is free – everyone is welcome.
TO REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS: Call 423-628-2441 or Toll-Free 1-888-214-3400. Lodging is available at Historic Rugby with a 10% discount to all workshop participants.
Nature Notes by Linda Konig
Some of us got to talking about eating crawfish the other night and that got me to thinking about them in general. Here are some of the notes I had in my computer files:
The greatest diversity in crawfish is found in the southeastern U.S. with over 330 species. Who knew? I thought they were all the same. Yes, we have crawfish in our creeks and rivers in the Big South Fork area. It turns out that humans and raccoons aren’t the only ones who like to eat crawfish. Some fish like to eat them and the bigger crawfish will readily eat the younger ones when their new shells are soft.
You see, there’s one really big drawback to being a crawfish and that is that their shells must be shed periodically as they grow. While they’re waiting for a new shell to harden, they lay low and stay pretty inactive for a day or so. Crawfish are extremely vulnerable at that time, and though the adults only molt about twice a year, the juveniles molt every week or so.
We also have a certain snake in our area that is a crawfish predator, a non-poisonous light brown snake called the Queen snake. It’s usually found among rocks along creek and river banks in the daytime, but is mostly nocturnal, seeking out crawfish in the water at night. It so happens that crawfish are mostly active at night, too.
Crawfish seem to know they’re particularly soft and succulent during and after molting because they hide under rocks and in crevices. Still they can’t help emitting a certain smell at that time, making them still more vulnerable. Queen snakes can smell them and search them out. Yum.
This Week’s Editors: Rick Murphy and George Zepp
