Winter struck Rugby with a vengeance this week as temperatures descended near or below zero on Thursday night. Sunday morning folks in Rugby woke to ice-covered walks and side roads, although Route 52 was in good shape due to an earlier salting. This morning we were greeted with a light coating of snow.
But it seems like the village is handling the weather pretty well.
Fortunately, John Gilliat had spent time before Thursday night’s low temperatures hit winterizing some of the historic buildings around town to help avoid frozen pipes. So far I haven’t heard of any major problems.
Donna Heffner and Annie Patterson had lots of old books available at their shop this weekend for those who needed winter reading material. They made the Spirit of Red Hill an even more inviting place to visit with hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies for visitors to enjoy as they browsed the books.
The Café was also a welcome refuge this weekend. We went Sunday for some soup and warm chili. While sitting by the fire, I found out that the waitresses had trouble coming in earlier in the morning because of the treacherous side roads. I am sure that Chef Jay DeYoung is very appreciative that Mary Hemminger and other neighbors jumped right in and volunteered to wait on tables during breakfast.
Sunday afternoon warmed up into the 40’s so George and I were able to get out and cut some downed trees and dead limbs at Walton Court. I had just about had enough of that when Bob and Mary Hemminger pulled up and said I needed to come with them to Jones Falls to get a photo of the ice formations at the top and bottom of the falls.Bob, Mary and I went all the way down to Jones Falls, but my camera battery had given out. So we hiked back up, got some batteries, and Bob and I went back down (Mary was tired from having waited on tables in the morning). As we went back down the trail the sky got darker and darker. When we got to our destination Bob and I quickly scrambled down the slope to take a few photos of the incredible ice formations and then we hurried back as sleet started to fall.
First Tuesday Hike
Tuesday’s hikers enjoyed a cool winter hike while picking up ancient trash along the state-owned trail that runs from Horseshoe Bend Road to the White Oak Bridge. It was good to get outside while the weather was relatively decent and walk along this beautiful trail and see the fast-flowing water of the White Oak. Nora and Jim Meadows, Benita and Tom Howell, and George Zepp and I filled up Tom Howell’s truck with trash, including three vehicle tires. We left a hulk of a vehicle for someone with heavy equipment.
The photo above is Benita Howell, Nora Meadows and Jim Meadows carrying trash away from the White Oak Trail.
Thank You
I received this email from HRI Executive Director Cheryl Cribbet. “I would like to extend a heart felt "THANK YOU" to Jody and Harry Hester for their wonderful welcome reception on Sunday (1/11). It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet some of the Beacon Hill and Rugby residents. I look forward to working with all of the residents of this wonderful village in the year to come.”
Birthdays
January 23 - Sara Senft
January 26 - Benita Howell
Calendar of Events
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 – Hike at Lone Mountain State Forest near Wartburg led by Tom and Benita Howell. Details will be provided later.
February 7 – Community Potluck – 7:00 p.m. Eastern
February 14 – Valentine’s Day Dinner at Harrow Road Café. Romantic Four Course Dinner. Seating from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations required. Lodging packages including dinner also available. Call Historic Rugby at 888-214-3400 or locally 628-2441.
Exercise Group - Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern at the Friendly House
Nature Notes by Linda Konig
I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't wait until Spring. I miss the sights of Spring, the smells of Spring, the sounds of Spring.
I guess the sound that thrills me the most is the high-pitched “peeps” of the spring peepers. Starting in early March (which is only 6 weeks away), I'll be checking out the cattail-choked pond across from Grey Gables’ driveway every afternoon at dusk, eager to hear the peepers. They always seem to start there first.
In April we could be hearing as many as 10 different frogs – wood, mountain chorus, uplands chorus, eastern narrow-mouth, pickerel, northern or Blanchard’s cricket, Cope’s gray tree frog, bullfrog, green, and spring peepers – plus the American toad.
So April is the perfect time for nature expert Bob English to come to Rugby to do a frog program with his tapes and slides. He is scheduled for one of Historic Rugby’s workshops on April 25.
After the program, we'll venture out into the night to nearby pond(s) or puddle(s). Bring your flashlight and wear sturdy shoes!
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
Rugby Photosharing Site - http://www.flickr.com/groups/historicrugby/
