It was a week of rainy weather in Rugby, and the forecast is for another of the same. The Saturday hikers were lucky, however, and had a dry, if gray, outing at Frozen Head S.P. where they were joined by former Rugby resident Mary Dresser. The waterfalls were in good form and the park was actually bustling with people. Best of all the chigger season seems to be over; at least I got no fresh bites.
December Tour of Homes
A large group of Rugbeians met at Lisa Donegan's House "Amherst" late saturday afternoon for an informal planning session regarding future holiday events. Hosted by Carman Roberson and Lisa, the emphasis was on enhancing Rugby's holiday traditions (not replacing them). Everyone agreed that Rugby special events would be made even more special by Rugbeians in period attire, and JoNell Hester agreed to chair a Wardrobe committee. Suggestions were made that we "share" costumes, or perhaps establish a "wardrobe department". Anyone interested in participating (as designer, seamstress, tailor, etc.) contact Jodye at 615 513 9269.
Enthusiastic discussion then moved to planning a tour of homes the afternoon of Rugby's Christmas Music event on December 5th. Carman said he has been involved in Christmas tours of homes as fund raisers for various charities and that they have always been very successful. And what could be more beautiful that the homes of Rugby decorated in the Victorian manner for the season? Additionally, participants could provide light refreshments/dessert as part of the open house. Yet another suggestion was for horse drawn carriages to deliver guests to Beacon Hill homes. This is not intended to be a Beacon Hill event however; it could include any Rugby home with willing hosts.
Anyone interested in opening their home for this event on December 5th, or donating time, talent, or money, please contact either Lisa at 615 585 2907 or lcdonegan@tndag.com or Carman at 615 400 3739 or gijoe1959@gmail.com.
(Lisa sends apologies to anyone who was not notified about the meeting; she blames "computer error".)
Book Club Meeting
The second Book Club meeting will be at High Wray (Vi and Eric's home) on October 17. Visiting and snacking will be at about 7pm (Eastern) with discussion beginning a half hour later. You are welcome whether you've read the book or not. Judging by experiencing the first Club meeting, you'll learn enough about the book to know if you want to read it or not from hearing what others thought of it. Vi has a spare cassette reading of the book, as well as a few extra paperback copies that can be borrowed. (The reader on the tape is so good that you'll feel as if you're actually there experiencing the events.) Questions? contact Vi at 423 628 2817 or ericavi@highland.net.
Author visit
Joan Donaldson's new book "On Viney's Mountain" is scheduled for release in mid October. This historical novel for young adults is set in the Rugby Colony and features a heroine suggested by Aunt Dicey Fletcher (imagined as a young girl). Joan will be in Rugby on November 14 to meet with interested folks and to sign copies of her book. For more information on Joan or the book check www.joandonaldson.com or Google "On Viney's Mountain".
Joanna Darrow
Joanna Darrow, a cook at the Cafe, has recovered from the swine flu and now will be having surgery Monday (today).
Darwin Bertram
Darwin Bertram is still at home recovering from his surgery. He says he is doing much better but is still hooked up to one piece of equipment which he expects to be free of in another ten days. Meanwhile he appreciates getting calls from folks at 628-2264 or mail to 200 Brooks Circle Road, Robbins, TN 37852 or receiving visitors.
Next Newsletter
Rick and George will be in Germany for another week while relatives house-sit. Eric Wilson will do the text for the newsletter next week. So, if you have any news, email Eric at ericavi@highland.net Carrie Thornthwaite will be loading the text and any photos onto the blog site. So, if you have any photos next week, email those to Carrie at carrie.thornthwaite@lipscomb.edu
Birthdays
We think that there are no birthdays in the community, this week or next. However, if we've missed yours or if yours is next week, please send us a note and we'll get you into the next newsletter. (Eric/Carrie)
Calendar of Events
October 3 - Michaelmas Festical at Christ Church Episcopal. Traditional English Tea, arts, crafts, music and English Country Dancing. Tea seatings at noon and 1:30 pm. Eastern, $10 per person for tea, reservations suggested - call 423-628-1282.
October 10 - TTA hike at Cove Lake S.P.
October 10 – History Club field trip to Deer Lodge (details to be announced).
October 17 – Book Club – 7:00 pm eastern at home of Vi Biehl and Eric Wilson. The next book is “The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich. Questions? Call Vi at 423-628-2817 or email at ericavi@highland.net.
November 14 - Joan Donaldson book signing.
December 5 - Tour of Homes
Exercise Group – Monday and Thursday at 9:00 am Eastern at the Friendly House
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2-4 pm Eastern at the Friendly House
HRI Workshops (For more details about workshops go to Historic Rugby Website at http://www.historicrugby.org/ October 17 - Learn To Play the Banjo- Appalachian Mountain Style (New) Instructor: Tony Thomas - learn how to tune the banjo, then cover old time picking techniques of frailing, two fingers, plectrum, strumming and rhythm; plus help with accompanying other musicians.
TO REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS: Call (423) 628-2441 or Toll-Free 1-888-214-3400. Lodging is available at Historic Rugby with a 10% discount to all workshop participants.
NATURE NOTES By Linda Konig
The other day I saw the most striking praying mantis I ever saw, and it was flying in a meadow. This particular mantis was large, a bright salmon color with green and brown wings. I didn't know they could be that color, but since then I've read that they can be various colors in the brown to green range, including salmon. A couple of days later, I found a new praying mantis egg case on a holly tree. Yes, this is the time of year they mate and lay their eggs.
This got me to thinking about mantises, and I looked up some info on the web about them, particularly about their flying, since you seldom see them flying about--in the daytime. I found out they usually do their flying at night and are drawn to lights. And mantids don't have wings until late late summer/early fall, so this is the only time of year mantids fly. As nature would have it, this is also when the adult female begins to emit pheromones that draw the males.
What else is flying around at night? (The plot thickens.) Well, bats for one, and they are the worst enemies of adult flying mantids. So how do all the flying mantises keep from being on the bats' fall menu? They have an ear! That's right, just one ear, and it's located between the mantid's hind legs. (No, I'm not making this up.) With this marvelous ear, they can hear the echolocation sounds the bat sends out. When the frequency increases, this tells the praying mantis that a bat is closing in on him or her. Then the mantis goes into evasive manoeuvres, namely, spiraling quickly down to safety on the ground. Oftentimes, the descent is preceded by an aerial loop. I suppose the looping and spiraling is to confuse the bats?
This Week's Editors - Eric Wilson & Carrie Thornthwaite
