I have had a lot of close calls with a group of skunks outside Walton Court lately. It seems they are very fond of the bird feed that George has been putting out. I have seen various single skunks scurrying around the yard from time to time, including a too-close encounter when one ran out from under the back steps while I was walking down them. But I was most troubled to look out the side porch the other evening to see four (!!) of them in the flower bed not far from the porch under a bird feeder.
I don’t know whether to believe this or not, but I have heard that some people around here catch skunks with their bare hands. The tale I was told is that the key is to grab them strategically before they raise their tail. What I don’t understand is - what do you do with them once you have them? Do you take them into the house and say “Hey Ma, look what I got?” Then what? I would love to hear from any of you who might know.
Anyway, just when I thought I had a pretty good critter story about skunks, I got an email from Ted Lankford with this very close-up photo of a black bear that has been roaming the river gorge woods of Clear Fork Farm.
I guess dealing with a few skunks is not such a big deal after all.
Christmas at Rugby Ends This Saturday
The first night of Christmas at Rugby had really good weather for getting into the spirit of things. Not only was it pretty cool, but there were even a few snow flakes here and there.
The second and final night of the event is this Saturday. I hear there are still spaces available for the event and for the reservation only dinner. To reserve your spot, call the number listed in the calendar below.
Here is a photo taken by George Zepp of the choral group Robin's Song performing at Saturday’s Christmas at Rugby. They will be back next Saturday. They are from Deer Lodge and are led by Robin Branstetter
The first night of Christmas at Rugby had really good weather for getting into the spirit of things. Not only was it pretty cool, but there were even a few snow flakes here and there.
The second and final night of the event is this Saturday. I hear there are still spaces available for the event and for the reservation only dinner. To reserve your spot, call the number listed in the calendar below.
Here is a photo taken by George Zepp of the choral group Robin's Song performing at Saturday’s Christmas at Rugby. They will be back next Saturday. They are from Deer Lodge and are led by Robin Branstetter
Ambleside Open House
Benita Howell wants to let everyone know that their annual Ambleside Open House and Christmas Carol Sing will be Sunday evening, December 28, 4:30 - 9:00 Eastern time. “Tom and I hope that everyone can drop by sometime during the evening,” Benita says “Singing is fun but definitely not required.”
Annual Hiking Meeting Announced
Benita also wants to invite all hikers to attend the annual business meeting of the Big South Fork Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association. The meeting will be held after the January 3 potluck, presumably in the Community Room. The program will be Jim Poteet's slide show on the early years of TTA, an interesting one he presented at the statewide fortieth anniversary meeting. The Big South Fork Chapter and several of its friends and neighbors had key roles in establishing the Tennessee Trails Association.
She says that everyone interested in hiking, or joining TTA, or just curious to see 1960s versions of several familiar faces is welcome to stay after the potluck. Following the program, they will elect chapter officers and discuss ideas for 2009 hikes.
Thanks to the McCuistons
Historic Rugby wants to give a big thanks to Buddy and Rhonda McCuiston who come each year and help Rita Elliott decorate the inside of Kingstone Lisle and the Community Room for Christmas at Rugby. They came on Wednesday and did a beautiful job, as always. The McCuistons, who live in Crossville, have helped with the decorating for at least 12 years, Rita said.
Benita Howell wants to let everyone know that their annual Ambleside Open House and Christmas Carol Sing will be Sunday evening, December 28, 4:30 - 9:00 Eastern time. “Tom and I hope that everyone can drop by sometime during the evening,” Benita says “Singing is fun but definitely not required.”
Annual Hiking Meeting Announced
Benita also wants to invite all hikers to attend the annual business meeting of the Big South Fork Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association. The meeting will be held after the January 3 potluck, presumably in the Community Room. The program will be Jim Poteet's slide show on the early years of TTA, an interesting one he presented at the statewide fortieth anniversary meeting. The Big South Fork Chapter and several of its friends and neighbors had key roles in establishing the Tennessee Trails Association.
She says that everyone interested in hiking, or joining TTA, or just curious to see 1960s versions of several familiar faces is welcome to stay after the potluck. Following the program, they will elect chapter officers and discuss ideas for 2009 hikes.
Thanks to the McCuistonsHistoric Rugby wants to give a big thanks to Buddy and Rhonda McCuiston who come each year and help Rita Elliott decorate the inside of Kingstone Lisle and the Community Room for Christmas at Rugby. They came on Wednesday and did a beautiful job, as always. The McCuistons, who live in Crossville, have helped with the decorating for at least 12 years, Rita said.
Invasive Plant Removal Cancelled
Wednesday’s outing to remove invasive plants from the trail to the Massengale Place has been cancelled. Barbara Stagg says the weather report is calling for pretty “unpleasant” weather. I will let you know when it has been rescheduled.
Congratulations Bob Fuchs
Jane Fuchs says that husband Bob is going to retire the end of December. It sounds like they will be at their Beacon Hill home in Rugby a lot more after his retirement. After Christmas they will be here to set up Tennessee residency.
Jane says she is “a bit sad that I'll have to turn in my Virginia ‘RUGBY TN’ license plates… but being in Rugby more often will make it all worthwhile.”
Jane and Bob love to help the properties staff at Historic Rugby when they are in town. She said to let John Gilliat know he needs to “get some Rugby maintenance jobs in line for us!”
Christ Church Inquirers Class
Lavonne Gibbs says that Father Peter Keese has changed the Inquirers Class at Christ Church to a “one day marathon” on Saturday January 3, 2009. I think they were hoping that this might make it easier for people to attend, including several people who have expressed interest.
Wednesday’s outing to remove invasive plants from the trail to the Massengale Place has been cancelled. Barbara Stagg says the weather report is calling for pretty “unpleasant” weather. I will let you know when it has been rescheduled.
Congratulations Bob Fuchs
Jane Fuchs says that husband Bob is going to retire the end of December. It sounds like they will be at their Beacon Hill home in Rugby a lot more after his retirement. After Christmas they will be here to set up Tennessee residency.
Jane says she is “a bit sad that I'll have to turn in my Virginia ‘RUGBY TN’ license plates… but being in Rugby more often will make it all worthwhile.”
Jane and Bob love to help the properties staff at Historic Rugby when they are in town. She said to let John Gilliat know he needs to “get some Rugby maintenance jobs in line for us!”
Christ Church Inquirers Class
Lavonne Gibbs says that Father Peter Keese has changed the Inquirers Class at Christ Church to a “one day marathon” on Saturday January 3, 2009. I think they were hoping that this might make it easier for people to attend, including several people who have expressed interest.
Birthdays
December 8 - George Zepp
December 15 - Matthew Stagg, Rita Elliot & JoNell Hester
Calendar of Events
December 8 - George Zepp
December 15 - Matthew Stagg, Rita Elliot & JoNell Hester
Calendar of Events
December 13 – Christmas at Historic Rugby. Event includes candle and lamp-lit 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 13 – Christ Church Lessons and Carols at 5:00 pm and 7:15 pm Eastern. Lessons and Carols are open to anyone at no charge.
December 13 – Christ Church Lessons and Carols at 5:00 pm and 7:15 pm Eastern. Lessons and Carols are open to anyone at no charge.
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
December 25 – Christmas Day Hike – Annual hike to Colditz Cove. Meet at the Harrow Road Café at 2:00 pm Eastern
January 3 – Christ Church Inquirers Class
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.
December 25 – Christmas Day Hike – Annual hike to Colditz Cove. Meet at the Harrow Road Café at 2:00 pm Eastern
January 3 – Christ Church Inquirers Class
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.
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
This week the night skies should be interesting, if not overcast. For one thing, the moon is waxing to full on Friday. Another sight that many of us have been noticing is the waltz of Jupiter and Venus toward the western horizon -- Jupiter being the brightest.
I'm especially hoping for clear skies on Saturday and Sunday (13th-14th) because of the Geminid meteor showers. They usually put on a pretty good show, with 50 to 100 shooting stars per hour during peak times. The barely-past-full moon, however, may block out all but the brightest of them.
As usual, the best time to look will probably be in the wee small hours. I've learned it takes great fortitude as well as patience to watch for meteors in winter. The Geminids seems to come from directly overhead. Some could be slower than most, and I love the slow ones because you have more time to admire them. Some could be fireballs, meaning they are particularly big and bright.
The best places to look for them? One is the parking lot across from the new high bridge on Highway 52.
As Rugby has acquired more houses, security lights, etc., our Rugby night skies have gradually gotten a bit dimmer.
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
This week the night skies should be interesting, if not overcast. For one thing, the moon is waxing to full on Friday. Another sight that many of us have been noticing is the waltz of Jupiter and Venus toward the western horizon -- Jupiter being the brightest.
I'm especially hoping for clear skies on Saturday and Sunday (13th-14th) because of the Geminid meteor showers. They usually put on a pretty good show, with 50 to 100 shooting stars per hour during peak times. The barely-past-full moon, however, may block out all but the brightest of them.
As usual, the best time to look will probably be in the wee small hours. I've learned it takes great fortitude as well as patience to watch for meteors in winter. The Geminids seems to come from directly overhead. Some could be slower than most, and I love the slow ones because you have more time to admire them. Some could be fireballs, meaning they are particularly big and bright.
The best places to look for them? One is the parking lot across from the new high bridge on Highway 52.
As Rugby has acquired more houses, security lights, etc., our Rugby night skies have gradually gotten a bit dimmer.
