Read about Rugby's bobcats in Nature Notes below. Photo courtesy of an animal rescue group at photo from www.BigCatFun.com/free_profile_photos/
YOUNG LEADERS VISIT RUGBY
Gigi Schooler brought a group of future Morgan County leaders to the village on Saturday for a two-day visit. It was the first "Youth Leadership Morgan" class, with nine of the total 14 teens able to be here.
Photo by George Zepp
Gigi, director of the county's Chamber of Commerce, said the leadership class got organized when she learned Morgan County was the very last of the state's 95 counties to have such a program. Thanks for getting that going, Gigi!
PLAN FOR A RUGBY VALENTINE NOW
As you plan ahead for Valentines Day you may want to consider several valentine events planned in Rugby. Historic Rugby and Grey Gables Bed and Breakfast are each offering special valentines dinner events for Saturday, February 13. And each is offering overnight lodging packages.
HRI is also offering a Sunday Valentines brunch on Sunday, February 14.
Details and contact information about these events are listed in the Calendar of Events below.
HRI BOARD PLANS FOR 2010
by Rick Murphy, a board member
The Board of Directors for Historic Rugby held its annual all-day planning meeting on Saturday. The morning planning session focused on strategies for balancing the organization’s budget in tight economic times. The planning session was followed by the official board meeting where numerous actions were taken including the adoption of a balanced budget for 2010.
The Board has a very active committee structure which has been supporting the efforts of staff to review and update each of the organization’s business areas, including the museum, lodging, commissary store, café, fundraising/development and property protection and development.
A schedule was approved for meetings throughout the rest of the year including the Annual Meeting for HRI members which is scheduled for June 27 at 1:30 p.m. The other board meetings are scheduled for Feb. 28 at 1:30 p.m., April 17 at 9:00 a.m., June 27 following the annual membership meeting, and Sept. 27 at 9:00 a.m. All times are Eastern.
This year’s nomination process for filling open seats on the Board was discussed by Nomination Chair Jane Logan. Details about the nomination process will be provided to members in the near future.
For details about 2010 events, special programs and workshops go to http://www.historicrugby.org/
RUGBY ON ALERT AFTER BURGLARY
Cheryl Cribbet received the disturbing news during Saturday’s HRI Board meeting that the HRI housekeeper found several items missing from Pioneer Cottage on Saturday. Apparently someone broke into the front door sometime earlier in the week and stole the television and satellite box as well as other things including some sheets and towels.
We don’t have a lot of crime in Rugby, so these incidents are good reminders that we need to be vigilant.
BIRTHDAYS
January 26 - Benita Howell
January 27 - Jessica Erickson
January 28 - Peter Keese
Januray 31 - Mary Ann Lovett and Jessie Gully
CALENDAR
February 6 – Community Potluck 7:00 p.m. Eastern
February 12 – History Club 7:00 p.m. Eastern at the Friendly House.
February 13 - Valentine High Tea Dinner – Grey Gables Bed and Breakfast Inn. Special dinner plus a program of Christian Gospel music. Lodging package also available. For details and reservations contact Linda at 423-628-5252 or email greygablestn@highland.net
February 13 – St. Valentines Dinner at the Harrow Road Café – four-course dinner and special gift. Reservations required. Lodging packages also available. See details of menu and rates at http://www.historicrugby.org/. For reservations contact HRI at 423-628-2441 or toll-free at 888-214-3400
February 14 – Valentine Sunday Brunch at Harrow Road Cafe - Served 11:00 a.m. To 2:00 p.m. Eastern
March 20 -The Wild Thyme Players and The Silver Stage Players Present and original production of “The Way the Story Goes” a collections of true stories written and performed by a artists ranging in age from 10 – 85 years old. 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Historic Rugby’s Rebecca Johnson Theatre – Contact Historic Rugby for more information or reservations at 888-214-3400 or 423-628-2441. Admission is free – donations to Historic Rugby and the Players will be appreciated.
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2-4 p.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
By Linda Konig
The story in the last Rugby Week about the injured bobcat on the highway across the Clear Fork River was interesting. Various people have seen and heard a bobcat around Rugby here and there. I was afraid that the bobcat that Donna and Annie's friend found was "our" Rugby bobcat. They're loners and fiercely defend their territories from other bobcats. However, I've since learned that although bobcats are solitary and extremely territorial, when one dies, another one usually moves in pretty soon. The territory usually estimated for a bobcat in good habitat is about five square miles, and our area seems to have all the necessary requirements for good bobcat country – such as rocky bluffs and rock shelters, a mix of both meadows and forests. Sometimes rivers form part of a bobcat's territory boundary, but not necessarily. They can and will swim if necessary.
These are fascinating animals, perhaps all the more fascinating because they're so seldom seen (more often heard). They're crepuscular, meaning they do most of their hunting at dusk and just before dawn. When we hear them, it's a bloodcurdling scream that sounds like a woman screaming. Unfortunately, it takes more than a scream to identify them because some other night-time animals such as owls sound similar.
Speaking of night-time screams, we may hear some anytime now because February into spring is usually the time that most bobcats in Tennessee mate. I've been told that they've been heard behind Windwood cottage and on parts of Bobby Brooks' land. Steve Logan saw one last year behind their house just about dawn when their dog started barking. These cats aren't as large as panthers, and, as a rule, humans have nothing to fear from them. Their preferred prey includes rabbits, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, fawns or sickly deer.
This Week’s Editors: Rick Murphy and George Zepp
