Guest actors perform at Pilgrimage

Calling All Actors

Casting Call Scheduled for Rugby Quilt Play 

Rugby's putting on a very interesting play soon and needs actors (all experience levels from beginner to professional) to come try out.  

It's called "Full Circle," and will be presented April 12 as part of Rugby's second quilt event, so it deals with quilts and quilting. 

Needed are 10-15 people (mostly, but not exclusively, female) between the ages of 9 and 99. Come join in this fun read-through casting event tentatively set for Saturday February 9, from 2-4 p.m. Eastern/1-3 Central, here in Rugby at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre in Rugby's Visitor Centre right on Hwy. 52. (Bad weather date is Feb. 10, same times.) 

The play was locally written by current Rugby residents and includes several short vignettes set in and around Rugby, so some participants will get to play more than one part. 

If you would like to come see what it's all about, please contact Director Courtney Woolard by emailing her at full.circle.director@gmail.com or calling to leave a message with name, town, phone number at 865 314-8949.

 

 

Photos of the Week

 

Top:  Alexander-Perrigo House got a roof!  Right:  Linda Konig shows an antique Topsy-Turvy Doll belonging to Linda Brooks Jones during History Night Friday.  Bottom:  Part of the new enclosed porch at Christ Church's  Friendly House is now a great place for children's Sunday School.

    

Rugby State Natural Area 2013 Activities Announced

 

State Natural Areas representative, Lisa Huff, has announced the following activities scheduled for the Rugby State Natural Area this year. 

February 23 - Japanese spiraea removal -- Meet at the Massengale Trail parking area at 1 p.m. EST. Gather at noon for lunch at meet at Harrow Road Cafe before the work session. Wear boots suitable for wet areas and bring work gloves.  

March 9 -  Powerpoint talk in Johnson Theatre on Historic Vegetation and Restoration Opportunities on the Cumberland Plateau, followed by an instructed walk to the Massengale Homesite, which is "almost a perfect representation of what is being proposed in many quarters for savannah and open woodlands on the Cumberland Plateau." Talk at 3 p.m. EST, walk at 4 p.m. 

November 2 - Fall Japanese spiraea removal day -- meet at the Massengale Trail parking area at 10 a.m. EDT. Come early for breakfast at the Cafe. Wear boots suitable for wet areas and bring work gloves.

 

There will also be a Geology Walk in Rugby led by the State Geologist, Peter Lemiszki, scheduled for March 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT This workshop, sponsored by Historic Rugby, will have a $20 fee that includes lunch and materials.

Author Luncheon Saturday

Local Author Kit Howes at Grey Gables 

Grey Gables is sponsoring an author luncheon with talk and book signing this Saturday.  Kit Howes will speak about his book, "Hot Zone: Memoir of a Professional Firefighter" - January 19 at 12:30 p.m. eastern/11:30 a.m. .central.  Call Grey Gables for reservations at 423-628-5252

 

                      Rugby Beacon Hill Home Available for Rent

 

Jessica Neary wanted to let folks know that her family's Rugby house is now available for rent.  Springburn Cottage is beautifully designed and decorated and sits on a quiet wooded acre next to the Big South Fork River and Recreation Area. It has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, washer and dryer, and a kitchen (with stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher) that is open to the dining and living area.The house has lots of windows looking out over the woods and a spacious rear screened porch directly off the living room. Rent is $600 per month plus utilities plus a $600 security deposit. No pets or smoking.

For information contact Jessica Neary at 931-239-2223.

 

Enjoy a Meal at Wilderness Week,

Help Friends of Pickett State Park

Rugby's neighbors at Pickett State Park are having a fundraiser this week at Wilderness Week at Pigeon Forge. In cooperation with The Friends of Pickett State Park, Ruby Tuesday's restaurant of Pigeon Forge is giving back a 20% donation to the group for anyone who eats there on January 17 or 18 if a flier is given to the restaurant at the time an order is placed. To receive a flier, stop by the Pickett State Park ranger office (931) 879-5821 or contact Rbicknese@tnaccess.com. A copy of the flier can also be found on Facebook under the page for "Friends of Pickett State Park."  Rugby Tuesday's is located at 2302 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN.

 

BIRTHDAYS 

Jan. 14 – Drew Martin and Charles Crabtree

Jan. 15 – Margaret Erickson

Jan. 18 – Deanna Oliver 

 CALENDAR       

Rugby is in the Eastern time zone, just barely   

Sat. Jan. 19 -  Kit Howes - Author/Lunch Program at Grey Gables. Kit will give a program with slides previewing his book, Hot Zone, Memoir of a Professional Firefighter.  12:30  p.m. Eastern time. $10 plus tax and gratuity for lunch.  Reservations call 423-628-5252

Thurs. Jan. 24 – Thomas Hughes Philosophical Night #1 – 7 p.m. EST at Jessie Gully’s house.  Share views on life with your neighbors.

Sat. Jan. 26 - Karaoke at Grey Gables - (Bring your favorite songs and sing away.)  Dinner: 6 p.m. Singing at 7 Eastern Time.  $11 plus tax and gratuity for dinner. Reservations call 423=628-5252

Sat. Feb. 2 – Community Potluck – 7 p.m. at the Rugby Community Room followed by 70th Birthday Party for Jessie Gully

Sat. Feb. 2 - Bunco at Grey Gables - A game to enjoy and meet other people.  Dinner at 7 p.m. Eastern.  $11 plus tax and gratuity for dinner. Reservations call 423-628-5252

Sat. Feb. 9 - Casting meeting for the play about quilts called "Full Circle," from 2-4 p.m. Eastern/1-3 Central, at the Rebecca Johnson Theatre in Rugby's Visitor Centre on Hwy. 52. (Bad weather date is Feb. 10, same times.)

 

Sat. Feb. 9 -  Domino Night at Grey Gables - Bring your dominos and your friends to enjoy dinner and play your favorite game.  $11 plus tax and gratuity.  7 p.m. Eastern Time. Reservations call 423-628-5252

Thurs. Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Dinner at Harrow Road Café. Reservations 423-628-2441.

Sat. Feb. 16 – Dinner and Movie Night at Historic Rugby – Meet John Doe with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. EST at Visitor Centre Theatre. Stop in at the Café for dinner before the movie!

Sat. Feb. 16 - Valentine Dinner at Grey Gables.  Bring your sweetie and have dinner.  $20 plus tax and gratuity.  7 p.m. Eastern Time. Reservations call 423-628-5252

Sat. Feb. 23 – State Natural Area Volunteer Project - Japanese spiraea removal – Volunteers should meet at the Massengale Trail parking area at 1 p.m. EST. Gather at noon for lunch at meet at Harrow Road Cafe before the work session. Wear boots suitable for wet areas and bring work gloves.  

Thurs. Feb. 28 – Thomas Hughes Philosophical Night #2 – 7 p.m. EST at Amy Barnes’ house.  Share views on life with your neighbors.

Sat. March 9 - Powerpoint talk in Johnson Theatre on Historic Vegetation and Restoration Opportunities on the Cumberland Plateau, followed by an instructed walk to the Massengale Homesite, which is "almost a perfect representation of what is being proposed in many quarters for savannah and open woodlands on the Cumberland Plateau." Talk at 3 p.m. EST, walk at 4.

Sat. March 9 – Dinner and Movie Night – Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. EST at Visitor Centre Theatre. Visit the Café for dinner before the movie!

Ongoing Activities Quilters’ Group - Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2–4 p.m. Eastern, at the Friendly House behind Christ Church Episcopal. Rugby Yoga –Mondays at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, at the Friendly House behind Christ Church Episcopal. Christ Church Episcopal -- Sunday morning services, 11 a.m. Eastern, year round; all are welcomed

Nature Notes

Honeybees and Wild Bees

By Linda Konig

 

 You've probably heard or read about the plight of our honeybees in America, how their numbers are falling due to various diseases and problems, how much they're needed for crop pollination, etc. You may not be aware, however, that our native wild bees (which pollinate about 1/3 of our planet's food crops) are also facing problems due to indiscriminate use of pesticides and loss of habitat. We now know that miner bees, living in tunnels underground, are more efficient pollinators than honeybees. (Yes, we have miner bees around and in Rugby. They come out very early in the year. I've seen them already on Winter Honeysuckle bushes.)

Today, while looking for something else, I ran across a good article on the web that gave some tips on how to help our useful friends, the bees, both domesticated and wild.  I've consolidated the information:

Native perennial flowers are usually better for all kinds of bees, having more pollen and nectar. Horticultural plants that are doubles, such as roses and marigolds, have more petals and fewer anthers. Pretty petals and leaves are of no practical use whatsoever to bees; it's the nectar and pollen they need. Plant flowers in sunny locations. It's been proven that plants that receive 6 or more hours of sunlight produce more nectar. Purple, blue, and yellow flowers are more attractive to most bees. You might want to consider planting a native tree or two that blooms in early spring, something like a maple or service berry.

Mowing kills many bees, both domestic and wild. It's better to mow less often and on overcast, cool, and/or windy days when possible. The perfect pool table lawn is also a desert so far as pollen and nectar are concerned. A few dandelions and white clover in spring or a few goldenrod and wild asters in fall would be particularly appreciated by bees, since spring and fall are their hardest times to find flowers.

Choose nonchemical solutions to insect and weed problems when possible. The pesticide or herbicide that kills unwanted pests and weeds can also kill bees and their food sources. For a marvelous photo of a honeybee practically swallowed up in a dandelion bloom, go to www.honeybeesuite.com/honey-bees-cannot-survive-on-dandelions-alone/ 

 

This Week’s Editors: Rick Murphy and George Zepp