“Don't fall for the ‘proper way to catch a skunk!’ Interestingly enough, my Dad, who is now 85 years old, told very recently about his older brother (who would be 105 if still alive) telling him about the proper way to catch a skunk. Daddy said his brother wanted him to go into a closely confined area to catch a skunk, and told him that if he would keep the skunk's tail pressed down, the skunk couldn't spray him. Not so! Daddy said he had never been so sick, and got a whipping from his Mom to boot for doing something so foolish. Your original reaction was correct! Don't believe it! ”
John Gilliat had a more heartwarming critter story. He said that he and Robin Sexton have been redoing the plumbing in the Linden’s Barn for about the zillionth time. While he was in the utility room in the back of the barn recently something rubbed against his leg. He looked down and there was a raccoon.
This must have been an incredibly friendly raccoon, as it allowed them to lock it in the Lindens outhouse while they were working - so it wouldn’t get hurt. A few minutes later it appeared in the utility room again. Apparently, it was able to climb up the wall of the outhouse and out the ventilation space.
After that, every day they came to work on the plumbing this raccoon would pay them a visit. They grew so fond of it they decided to give it a name. They call it Jessie, after one of their favorite people - Beacon Hill resident, Jessie Gully.
Rugby New House Celebration
As luck would have it, I happen to have a photo of Jessie – not the critter, but the person. Here is a photo provided by Carman Roberson of three “Victorian ladies” who perched themselves on his settee for most of Saturday evening, including said Jessie Gully.
As luck would have it, I happen to have a photo of Jessie – not the critter, but the person. Here is a photo provided by Carman Roberson of three “Victorian ladies” who perched themselves on his settee for most of Saturday evening, including said Jessie Gully.
From left to right are Linda Konig, Cheryl Hodgkins and Jessie Gully.
The photo was taken during the open house that Carman Roberson and George Crabtree had in their new Beacon Hill home (with wonderful assistance from their good friend Lisa Donegan). Everyone enjoyed seeing their beautifully decorated house and eating the wonderful food. It is great to have another Beacon Hill home completed and new residents in Rugby! Welcome Carman and George.
Carman’s photo of his new Beacon Hill Home in last week’s snow.
New Year’s Eve in Rugby
It is hard to believe, but New Year’s Eve is just a little over two weeks from now. Harrow Road Café is offering a New Year's Eve Candlelight Dinner and live music with Donna Heffner on the piano accompanied by her special friend, Mr. Gourdon.
A choice of three special dinner menus will be offered, each with soup, garden salad, choice of baked potato or steak fries, cheddar garlic spoon rolls, beverage and delicious freshly made dessert. Reservations required. See Calendar of Events below for details.
Dancing in the New Year
And in case you want to work off holiday food and drink, Mary Hemminger says there will be another round of Folk Dancing on Friday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Friendly House. Everyone is invited.
Christ Church Inquirers Class
Father Peter Keese says the Inquirers Class at Christ Church has been changed to Saturday January 10, 2009 starting 10:00 am and ending no later than 3:30 p.m. For more information call Father Keese at 865-660-0196.
Birthdays
December 15 - Matthew Stagg, Rita Elliot & JoNell Hester
December - 17 Barbara Mitchell
December -19 Mary Hemminger
Calendar of Events
December 20 – Rugby Chorus Christmas Performance - 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
December 25 – Christmas Day Hike – Annual hike to Colditz Cove. Meet at the Harrow Road Café at 2:00 pm Eastern
December 28 - Ambleside Open House and Christmas Carol Sing 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Tom and Benita Howell invite everyone to their annual open house at 149 Luton St. in Beacon Hill. Benita says “Singing is fun but definitely not required.”
December 31 – New Years Dinner and Live Music at Harrow Road Café - seatings from 5:00 to 8:45 p.m. Eastern. Dinner prices $17.95 to $22.95, not including tax & gratuity, but including entertainment. (Bring your own wine or champagne – $1 per bottle charge for corkage/Glasses). RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – Make at Rugby Visitor Centre or call 1-888-214-3400 or 628-2441
January 2 – Folk Dancing – 7:30 pm Eastern at the Friendly House
January 3 – Community Potluck – 7:00 pm Eastern
January 3 – Big South Fork Chapter of Tennessee Trails Association – after Community Potluck – annual meeting with special slide presentation by Jim Poteet followed by election of officers and hike planning meeting for 2009 hikes.
January 10 – Inquirers Class - Christ Church 10:00 am and ending no later than 3:30 p.m. For more information call Father Keese at 865-660-0196.
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
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
I read recently that the average American knows more about wildlife in Africa than he does about the wildlife in his own back yard. I think this is probably true.
One of the fascinating creatures I used to know absolutely nothing about is the pillbug, sometimes called a roly-poly or wood lice. They are actually crustaceans!
They are easy to find in damp soil, under logs and rocks, etc. They have gills for breathing and can live underwater for a little while. When you pull them out, they start flexing their abdomens to squeeze out excess water.
The scientific name for them is armadillididas, named for the armadillo because, like a true armadillo, they have similar protective plates on their backs.
You won’t believe this, but female pillbugs carry their young in a triangular pouch on their underside like an opossum. Pillbugs can have from a dozen to several hundred young at a time. The pouch is transparent so the eggs or the young are visible in it – I’m not making this up.
Another strange thing about them is that, although they eat all manner of stuff including their own scat, one of their favorite foods is carrots. They need the copper that vegetable provides. They’re like rabbits in that regard.
It really is amazing what you can find in your own back yard.
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
I read recently that the average American knows more about wildlife in Africa than he does about the wildlife in his own back yard. I think this is probably true.
One of the fascinating creatures I used to know absolutely nothing about is the pillbug, sometimes called a roly-poly or wood lice. They are actually crustaceans!
They are easy to find in damp soil, under logs and rocks, etc. They have gills for breathing and can live underwater for a little while. When you pull them out, they start flexing their abdomens to squeeze out excess water.
The scientific name for them is armadillididas, named for the armadillo because, like a true armadillo, they have similar protective plates on their backs.
You won’t believe this, but female pillbugs carry their young in a triangular pouch on their underside like an opossum. Pillbugs can have from a dozen to several hundred young at a time. The pouch is transparent so the eggs or the young are visible in it – I’m not making this up.
Another strange thing about them is that, although they eat all manner of stuff including their own scat, one of their favorite foods is carrots. They need the copper that vegetable provides. They’re like rabbits in that regard.
It really is amazing what you can find in your own back yard.
