Wednesday morning I tried to head out of Rugby toward Nashville, but I didn’t get any further than the lane to Grey Gables as the traffic was backed up. A large tree had fallen across the road not far from Brooks Store. Gerald Hanwright says he thinks the road was blocked for a couple of hours. Rugby also lost telephone service that day for a much longer period. And some folks on Brewstertown Road were without power at about the same time, apparently due to a downed line not far from Nydeck Road.
Several trees have fallen in and around Rugby lately, probably caused by the large amount of rain we have had and occasional periods of heavy wind. We lost a 75-foot pine tree at Walton Court around Christmas, there is a pine tree down in the driveway to the Yellow Cottage and one down across the road not far from Newbury House. So anyone with a chain saw has been busy lately.
And speaking of chainsaws, at lunch at the Café yesterday Terry Brewster mentioned that someone had stolen some items, including a rescue saw, from the Clear Fork Volunteer Fire Hall back in mid-December while Terry was in Germany visiting his son. He said the fire department still has a couple of regular chain saws they use mainly when trees fall, but that the rescue saw was a more expensive one that emergency responders sometimes need to saw through various materials.
Hesters Welcome New HRI Director
Harry and Jonell Hester held an impromptu reception yesterday to allow some of their neighbors a chance to meet Cheryl Cribbett, the new Executive Director of Historic Rugby and her husband Dennis. Jonell got the idea earlier in the week and had asked a few people to informally spread the word.
Cheryl officially started her new position last Monday, January 5, although she had been helping HRI with some bookkeeping work in December. Cheryl said she “loves her new job!” She is eager to meet the rest of the community, Historic Rugby members and supporters over the next few months.
At the reception, longtime Executive Director Barbara Stagg said she is looking forward to being able to spend more time working on Historic Rugby fundraising and other development issues in her new role as Development Director. Barbara and Cheryl will be working closely together, especially during the next few months, as Barbara shares her years of institutional knowledge and love of the organization.
I especially enjoyed getting to talk to Jim and Polly Allen at the reception. They do a wonderful job of maintaining one of the prettiest of the original homes in Rugby, the house back behind the Café named Ingleside. Polly said that with the help of Gerald Hanwright their yard at Ingleside has recovered from the onslaught of pigs that occurred last year!
Jim Allen, Rick Murphy and Polly Allen at the Hester's reception.Christ Church Happenings
Lavonne Gibbs wanted me to mention that the Inquirer's Class for Rugby's Christ Church Episcopal met Saturday with seven participants plus Father Peter Keese and his wife Helen. Peter noted on his class summary that "The purpose of the gathering was to explore some things about Christianity as Episcopalians know and practice it; and to have some fun."
Photo provided by Lavonne Gibbs of Christ Church Inquirers Class
Lavonne also wrote that “February 1 will be the date for Bishop Charles Von Rosenberg to make his annual visit to Christ Church and take in anyone wishing to join. Contact Peter Keese pkeese@knology.net.”
Spirit of Red Hill Open This Weekend
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to
suit me." (C.S. Lewis) Nodding in agreement? Donna and Annie invite
you to stop by Spirit of Red Hill this weekend for a cup of tea (or hot
chocolate for you Philistines - both will be available), munch a cookie
and pick up a good read. All books on sale, 10-25% off, many new
arrivals. Or just stop by, say hello and have some goodies!
Weight No More
Marilyn Young wants to find others in the area interested in starting a weight loss support group. Please call her if you are interested at 628-2930.
Share Your Rugby Photos
Former Historic Rugby interpreter and longtime Rugby supporter Misty Poss has started a group on the Flickr photosharing site for Rugby. The site can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/historicrugby/
She says that it is a chance to share photos of the area, and to see what others have taken. Video files are also supported if anyone has any to share.
Correction
Rita Elliot mentioned that I had the wrong date for the first workshop of the season. Mara Trumbo’s painting workshop will be Saturday, March 14. Full details of this year’s workshops should be available on the Historic Rugby website soon.
Birthdays
January 14 - Drew Martin and Charles Crabtree
January 15 - Margaret Erickson
January18 - Deanna Oliver
Calendar of Events
January 13 – First Winter Tuesday Hike – WEATHER PERMITTING. Benita Howell will send email to people on hiking list with details depending on the weather forecast. To be added to her email list contact Benita at 423-628-5521 or bjhowell@highland.net
January 17, 18 & 19 – Shop at Spirit of Red Hill open
January 23 – English Country Dancing at the Friendly House
January 24 – Snow and Ice Hike and Chili Lunch. Hike to the Meeting of the Waters at Rugby (alternative is to hike to the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole and then back on the Laurel Branch Trail to the Howells’ house for chili). Fount and Anna Bertram from the Murfreesboro Chapter are hike leaders. Meet at the Harrow Road Café at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Rugby hikers should let Benita Howell know if they are coming for chili lunch at 423-628-5521 or bjhowell@highland.net
January 30 – Chili Cook off – Second Annual Morgan County Chili Cook Off – Come support Rugby entrants including the Harrow Road Café, last year’s winner. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern at Central Middle School, Liberty Road, Wartburg.
February 7 – Community Potluck – 7:00 p.m. Eastern
February 14 – Valentines Day Dinner at Harrow Road Cafe
Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
Historic Rugby – http://www.historicrugby.org/
Grey Gables Bed & Breakfast Inn - http://www.rugbytn.com/
Christ Church Episcopal - http://christrugby.etdiocese.net/index.htm
