News quickly spread around the village this week that a cell phone tower has been proposed to be placed just east of Rugby. The difficulty in getting reliable cell phone service in Rugby has been a great source of frustration to residents, tourists and emergency responders over the years.
The tower is being proposed to be put on land owned by Bill Ray, 1/2 mile east of the White Oak Bridge on the tract once owned by Laurie Britt – so it would actually be well across the river from the historic district, but visible from parts of it during winter in particular.
The Tennessee Historical Commission has asked for Historic Rugby’s opinion about the proposed location. Historic Rugby has sought community input and held a community meeting last Friday afternoon at the Community Building. It appears that Historic Rugby has received many positive comments about the proposal since better cell phone reception would be so greatly appreciated.
Cheryl Cribbet said in an email that due to the proposed location, only 305 feet of the tower would extend above the ridge and chances are that, if visible at all from the main part of the historic district, it would only be seen in the winter months and at night due to the required light. She said the reason that Historic Rugby has been asked for a written opinion on this matter is that the state has restrictions on placing a tower within 7,000 feet of a historic district.
The cell tower would be used by multiple cell phone service providers. Reportedly the cellular companies that will be leasing space will be US Cellular, ATT and Verizon.
Photos
Left: Julian Bankston rebuilding the well structure at Joe Gibson's cabin Saturday. The water is being used for the community garden.
Right: Local artist Chris Threet from Grimsley was demonstrating his art by working on a pencil drawing on the front porch of the Commissary this past weekend. He will be there again on Memorial Day, Monday, and is also selling prints of his drawings in pencil and charcoal.
Photos by Jim McBrayer
Volunteers Needed Tuesday
Steve Logan needs volunteers to do exterior cleaning of Pioneer Cottage to get it ready for re-staining this Tuesday, May 31, at 9 a.m. This will include power washing and brush scrubbing of some of the exterior. Feel free to wear your bathing suit! Steve estimates the volunteers will be finished by 11 or noon, in time for lunch.
Grey Gables Tea - Wednesday
Grey Gables Bed ‘n Breakfast Inn June Theme Tea Wednesday June 1, 2011. 1 to 3 p.m. EDT
By Linda Brooks Jones
We all rejoice that the rain has diminished, but are we ready for the hot rays of summer! We are preparing a Tea Menu that will please the palate and a program that will explain a lot of the wives’ tales and folklore we have heard handed down from past generations. You are invited to share a tale or two of your own. Menu -- Mixed Lettuces With Stilton And Nectarines - Blueberry Chicken Salad in Miniature Pitas - Pear Sorbet - Jewels of Fruit In a Bed of Angel Cake and Pudding - Savory Walnut Biscuits with Mixed Berry Spread -Assorted Teas and Beverages - $10 per person, plus tax and gratuity - Reservations Required: Call 423-628-5252.
Sunday, June 5 - Cumberland Odyssey Celebration and Book Signing - 3 p.m. at the Historic Rugby Visitor Centre’s Theatre.
Historic Rugby will host a National Trails Day event on Sunday afternoon, June 5, at 3 p.m. EDT in the Visitor Centre's Johnson Auditorium, at the intersection of Hwy. 52 and Cumberland Avenue in Rugby. Hear author David Brill and photographer Bill Campbell describe the collaboration that produced Cumberland Odyssey, a coffee table book showcasing the unique natural features and cultural heritage of the Cumberland Plateau.
The book honors the pioneers who first envisioned a 300-mile hiking trail extending from Cumberland Gap to Signal Mountain, now becoming reality as the Cumberland Trail State Park. Bobby Fulcher, state park manager, will join Brill and Campbell to perform some of the old-time Plateau music that he presents each Sunday evening on his award-winning Cumberland Trail radio program broadcast by WDVX, Knoxville.
Copies of Cumberland Odyssey will be available at the event; all proceeds from book sales go to the Cumberland Trail Conference, the non-profit organization that supports and coordinates volunteer efforts to build and maintain the trail. Admission to this event is free and open to the public, but Historic Rugby welcomes donations toward retiring debt on the Forest Legacy land tract, part of a recreational and nature conservation greenbelt that surrounds the village of Rugby.
Larry Edmondson is giving two outdoor cooking workshops titled Pot Luck Cast Iron Cooking on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18 at 4 p.m. EDT each day. Participants can sign up for either date and will learn to use and care for cast iron Dutch ovens and will enjoy a complete meal prepared during the class. The workshops will be conducted at Grand Vista Hotel, 11597 Scott Highway, Helenwood, Tenn. Class will last approximately 2½ hours. The fee is $25 per person including meal. Pre-registration is required. Please specify which day you prefer. Email to potluckcooking@hotmail.com or call 931-432-4640. Bring your lawn chair.
Quilter Joyce Lantz Jump Starts Summer Workshops
Historic Rugby’s Summer Workshops will begin with one of Rugby’s favorites – Joyce Lantz, who will be teaching Applique Basics for Quilters ~ Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Fee $45
Learn the various methods of this time-honored form of quilting craft and create a block that can be a pillow top, wall hanging or centerpiece of a quilt. Choose from several patterns and designs available to appeal to your own style. Both machine and handwork will be incorporated. Below is a photo from last year's quilting workshop - Joyce Lantz is shown in the front row on the far left.
Several other interesting workshops lined up for this summer, including ones dealing with painting, identifying ferns, planting a fall garden and making Victorian decorations. See full listing below under workshops at the end of the newsletter.
Anyone Want to go to the Movies?
By Vi Biehl
Jessie Gully told me about an 'art theater' down in Knoxville off Kingston Pike and we went there recently, having eight movies to decide from. We chose 'Of Gods and Men' which tells the true story of eight monks who gave themselves to a life of 'contemplation, service and humility' in the Algerian outback, in the 1990s, among Arab Muslims with whom they live as brothers to all, even the terrorists. A few examples of films to come are: Bill Cunningham New York; Bride Flight; Buck; Caves of Forgotten Dreams (one neither Eric nor I will miss); The Double Hour; The First Grader; The Future; The Tree of Life; Hanna; Meek's Cutoff; Potiche; etc. The theater is the Regal Cinema Art, 'dedicated to alternative and independent films, first-run foreign productions and restored classics'. See their web site for present info. Vi Biehl - ericavi@highland.net
Children’s Bikes Needed
By Eric Wilson
My daughter Kathy and our grandkids will be going to Family Camp with us in the Smokies July 4 - 9, driving down from NJ. One of the camp activities is a bike ride around Cades Cove. I have a supply of adult bikes but if I can find two kids’ bikes to borrow it will greatly simplify things for them.
They would need bikes with 20" wheel size, preferably with gears and handlebar brakes. I can handle any routine maintenance on bikes which you have and which would fit this description. Or maybe on bikes that come close to fitting this description!
To contact Eric email him at ericavi@highland.net or call him at 628-2817.
BIRTHDAYS
May 31 - Vi Biehl
June 1 - Bob Fuchs
CALENDAR
Rugby is in the Eastern Time zone, just barely
Saturday, June 4 – Community Potluck – 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 5, Cumberland Odyssey Celebration and Book Signing - 3 p.m. Rugby’s Rebecca Johnson Theatre. Join author David Brill and photographer Bill Campbell for a personal journey through their coffee table book on the Cumberland Plateau. Bobby Fulcher will perform some of the old-time Plateau music described in the text. Proceeds from book sales support completion of the Cumberland Trail. Free.
Sunday, June 26 – Historic Rugby Annual Membership Meeting – 1:30 p.m. at the Community Building
Saturday, July 2 – Hicks’ Annual Independence Day Picnic
Saturday, July 16 – Book Club. 7 p.m. at the Friendly House. We will discuss Hadley Hury’s book of short stories, “It’s Not the Heat.” This is a special chance to ask the author questions and get your book signed. The meeting will be held at the Friendly House at 7 p.m. The book can be ordered from:
storieshttp://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000040272
Readers are also welcome to read Hadley’s novel, set on the Gulf Coast – “The Edge of the Gulf: A Novel of Suspense.”
Quilters Group - Wed. and Sat. 2–4 p.m. at the Friendly House
NATURE NOTES
A Sunny Day in May
By Linda Konig
The chill of gray wet days seems finally to have ended in the heat of summer. This past Saturday we had our first HRI wildflower walk in May—actually three short walks. The first walk was on the land that used to belong to Bowater near Old Central Avenue. Though the pine trees are growing taller every year, there is a parade of wildflowers throughout the warmer months along the graveled road leading to the oil storage tanks. I was gratified to find lots of lavender-to-purple Sampson's Snakeroot there, because it had been several years since I'd seen a little of it somewhere else, and then it had been pink. Perhaps it's the varying acidity of the soil that changes the color? There were lots of other wildflowers such as blue Narrow-Leaf Vervain, golden Two-Flowered Cynthia, and wispy Yellow Sweet Clover, but soon it was time for our picnic lunch.
After lunch at the head of the Gents' Swimming Hole Trail, we drove 5 miles to historic Carpenter Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Morgan County, perched on a hill just off Nydeck Road. The gravel road that leads uphill to the burial ground has a variety of wildflowers throughout the summer. I've been there at various times, but I was surprised by two flowering Cumberland Azalea bushes. They had just begun to bloom. They're similar to the Flame Azaleas, but the Cumberland blooms a little later, and so the blossoms are surrounded by full-grown leaves, whereas the Flame Azalea puts out flowers before its leaves are fully unfurled. Another difference is that the Cumberland Azalea has a deeper color, its blossoms being more reddish-orange than the yellowish-orange Flame Azalea's. We also saw a few intensely deep-pink Deptford Pinks, White Milkweed, Butterflyweed beginning to turn orange, and some bright yellow Bird's Foot Trefoil there. In June, the Bird's Foot Trefoil will practically cover the area against the gravel road.
Jack Carman and a student look for flowers along the weedy edge of Nydeck Road. Red ringed milkweed. Photos by Benita Howell.
Then back to Rugby and a stroll down Brooks' Circle where there were Whorled-Leaf Coreopsis with their little starry yellow flowers and leaves whorled around the stalk, Bindweed (a member of the Morning Glory family), Bowman's Root, Hairy Phlox (prominent now along roadsides, it's a brilliant pink). An English woman on the walk told me that going down Brooks Circle reminded her of “walking down an English lane.” How charming!
Historic Rugby’s Workshops
Saturday, June 11 - Imagery In Writing Workshop - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop will focus on voice and imagery. Struggling to find a voice in writing? The student will produce writing a reader will listen to and read. Included are exploring subject matter, diction, point of view, syntax, grammar, and imagery to allow the voice of an author to be distinguished from that of others. Come prepared to write and bring along some work you have already begun. The instructor is K.B. Ballentine. She has attended writing academies in both America and Britain and has published in Alehouse, Bent Pin, Front Range, River Poets Journal, Touchstone and others. The fee is $28.
Saturday, June 25 - Applique Basics for Quilters ~ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Instructor: Joyce Lantz. Fee $45. Learn the various methods of this time honored form of quilting craft and create a block that can be a pillow top, wall hanging or centerpiece of a quilt. Choose from several patterns and designs available to appeal to your own style. Both machine and handwork will be incorporated.
Saturday, July 2 - Wet on Wet Oil Painting “Rugby Christmas in July~ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Instructor: Mara Trumbo. Fee $60. For beginners to advanced, create an oil painting of Christ Church in Historic Rugby, learning design, wet-on-wet technique, color mixing, and composition.
Saturday, July 9 - Ferns of the Cumberland Plateau ~ 10 a.m.. – 2 p.m. Instructor: Dr. Patricia Cox. Fee $18. An overview of fern morphology and ferns of the Cumberland Plateau will be presented followed by a hike to put your newfound information to the test and to see how many species of native ferns we can find along the way.
Saturday July 16 - Kudzu Basketry ~ 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Instructor: Fuzzy Orange. Fee $35. Learn to create a simple or complex basket woven with kudzu. Once student learn to weave a kudzu basket, they will have the skills to weave any vine basket.
Saturday August 27 - Vegetable and Flower Gardening For The Fall ~ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Instructor: Bob Washburn. Fee $15. Planting a fall garden provides an opportunity to garden with fresh vegetables and flowers throughout the fall and early winter. The cool season enhances the flavor of vegetables. You will also learn the varieties and proper times to plant for the best fall garden ever. Bob will have a delightful selection of vegetables and flowering plants from his 52-greenhouse nurseries available for sale.
Saturday, August 27 - It’s All Done With Mirrors – “The Kaleidoscope” ~ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructor: Sara Senft. Fee $65. The world of kaleidoscopes will be explored. This includes various mirror configurations, how object boxes are constructed, etc. Each student will complete a kaleidoscope to take home.
Saturday, September 10 - English Country Dancing For Beginners ~ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (with a two-hour break) Instructor: Mary Hemminger. Fee $25. Come learn simple historic dances that were written and compiled in England in the 1600s and 1700s, the earliest being published in 1651. The dancing will be to recorded music. Individuals will use walking steps for most dances, as well as some slipping and skipping steps during the course of the day.
Saturday, September 17 - Victorian Decorations ~ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Instructors: Beth Hester, JoNell Hester and Joyce Lantz. Fee $25. Using fabric, lace, paper, ribbon and reed, create charming Victorian ornaments. At the end of the day, take home 6-8 ornaments plus many ideas and patterns.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23, 24, and 25 - White Oak Basketry ~ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructor: Bobby Edwards. Fee $130. This very popular 3-day workshop teaches the art of White Oak basketry from tree selection, splits, rims and handles to weaving a beautiful traditional basket. This is an experience not to be missed even if it does require “hand strength.”
Saturday, October 15 - Autumn Gathering and Arranging ~ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructor: Linda Konig. Fee $24. Join us in the fields and roadsides to gather dried wildflowers, seed heads, berries and nuts to create your own fall arrangement. Learn the names of and interesting information about all your “autumn gatherings”.
To register for workshops, call toll-free 1-888-214-3400 or 423-628-2441. Lodging may be available at 1880 Newbury House and local cottages at a 10% discount to students. Food service is available at the Harrow Road Café.
Historic Rugby’s website at http://www.historicrugby.org/ lists all workshops for the year.
This Week’s Editors: Rick Murphy and George Zepp
