Sewanee Fog Creates Bonds and a Little Magic

by Kevin Cummings, Messenger Staff Writer

The Fog was finished. Down 9-2 in the bottom of the last inning, the Sewanee Fog, the community’s coed softball team, had very little hope for a win on that sticky July night in Winchester.

Leadoff man Kevin Hiers hit a liner, and first baseman Michelle Thibodeaux followed with a hit, and suddenly the team had life. The Fog capitalized on a few lucky breaks, and kept hitting and hustling. McKenzie Liegel ran through a stop sign from third-base coach Jimmy Wilson to score, and a short time later the stage was set, down 9-8, two outs, Freddy Saussy at third and Melanie Pozuc—the winning run—on second.

A base hit to right field, and Pozuc scored just ahead of the throw to the plate to complete the miracle comeback.

“I can’t believe what I just saw,” an elated Wilson kept repeating as he walked off the field.

Third baseman Brian Owens, who got a key hit in the rally, said he’ll never forget that game.

“The runner on third scored easily, and little Melanie is flying around third as fast as she can go, and I’m yelling, ‘Go! Go! Go!’” Owens recalled. “A close play at home, but she is safe, 10-9. History in the making, Sewanee wins!”

The post-game celebration was a bit raucous after the big win, which came two days after the Fog’s first victory of the season on July 21, a 28-1 hit parade. Although those were the only two wins this year, the team stayed upbeat throughout the season.

Head coach Mike Murrah, who now has a combined 2-59 record as Fog coach (he is assistant coach of the University of the South softball team), was known for rousing post-game speeches at the Village Tavern (the team’s sponsor), where he hailed the Fog as “just below awesome.” 

“We were dedicated to the proposition that all softball players were created equal, but it did not always pan out on the field. Oddly enough, when it came to after-game celebrations, we were clearly superior to other softball players,” Murrah said proudly.

Indeed, this team, comprised of players of different skill levels, ages and occupations, bonded in the grass and pebble-filled dirt on the field, and after, amongst the cold beer, bloody knees, bruises, sweat and camaraderie, it was impossible to tell if they had won or lost.

The team’s solidarity was especially on display in early August, when Owens had to miss several games while he visited his mom, who was dying in Billings, Mont. After Shirley Owens passed away, the Fog sent flowers (which included purple and white team colors) to the funeral service and a message of love to their teammate in Montana.

“I just want to thank you all for the awesome flowers you sent, and more importantly, caring enough about me to do that. The only tears I shed today was when I saw those flowers and card from you all,” Owens wrote his teammates in an email.

Outfielder Marcia Medford shared her thoughts on the team’s bond. 

“When I joined the Sewanee Fog, I only knew one person on the team,” she said. “I now have a lot of new friends. What could be better than that?”

Second baseman Caroline Holmes, a Sewanee junior, echoed Medford’s feelings. “I was a little concerned about being the youngest player on the team, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of support and sense of community that we developed as a team throughout the season. I look forward to seeing those friendly faces around town,” Holmes said.

The Fog ended its season on Aug. 13 with a 15-5 loss in the league tournament. After the game a player on the opposing team emphasized how great it was to see a Sewanee team playing in Winchester again after a long absence. 

“I thought that was a cool thing to say,” said outfielder Sally Krebs. “Let’s see if he has the same feeling after we beat them next year. I’m kidding, but hopefully we can build on the magic and experience from this season.”

Sarah and Jimmy Wilson are co-owners of the Village Tavern, and they helped make the team possible. Jimmy said the Fog is about community, not wins and losses, and they will sponsor another softball team next year.

Fog players this season also included Cindy Geick, Ida Zago, Justin Campbell, Sandy Bryant, Osei Hill, Will Overton, Kevin Cummings, Sarah Brown, Ellis Mayfield, Kate Stucke, Rob Zeitler, Haynes Roberts and Kelly Farina.

Hubbard Publishes Poems About Caregiving

A memoir in poetry, “Yesterday’s Water: A Caregiver’s Poem Journal” by Sally Hubbard, is now available. She will have a book signing 6–8 p.m., today (Friday), June 5, at the Blue Chair. 

“Yesterday’s Water” is Hubbard’s journal of caring for her husband, Charles, during his last 18 months. She said she wrote it for people who are caring for chronically or terminally ill loved ones. 

It is “testimony that feeling numb, or disgusted, or abandoned, or inadequate, or lost, is understandable and acceptable,” Hubbard said. “That we sometimes have to grieve the loss of a person while he or she still lives; that life continues after the death of a loved one.”

Hubbard is a former associate editor of Studies in English Literature 1500-1900 at Rice University in Houston, a lifelong singer and occasional poet (her muse only speaks during the hard times, she said). She and Charles retired initially to the Four Corners area following an interest in Southwest Anasazi archaeology. In 2005, they moved to Sewanee, Hubbard’s hometown.

Copies of the book ($15) will be available at the signing. Hubbard will also have copies of her first book, Uganda Impressions, available.

“Yesterday’s Water” is available at the Folks at Home office, 141 University Ave., Sewanee. Profits will benefit Folks at Home (F@H), a local nonprofit organization developed for and dedicated to assisting its members in continuing a dignified and comfortable lifestyle in the community through coordination of services they need during their elder years. 

For more information contact F@H at 598-0303 or email <folksathome​sewanee@gmail.com>.

Lighting Sewanee’s Christmas Trees

Today (Friday), Dec. 5

4 p.m. Snacks and music in the University Quad

4:30 p.m. Quad tree lighting

5 p.m. Cookies, cocoa and caroling at Angel Park

5:30 p.m. Angel Park tree lighting

Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos. Everyone is encouraged to bring food and/or unwrapped new toys. All donated items will go to the Community Action Committee or Operation Noel. In case of inclement weather, the Quad tree lighting will be cancelled; the Angel Park post-tree-lighting activities will move inside to the Blue Chair Bakery & Tavern.

Plan for a Razzle Dazzle Fourth of July

This year’s Fourth of July celebration in Sewanee, a “Razzle Dazzle Fourth,” will include some of the community’s favorite events.

The second annual Fourth of July Pie-Eating contest will be at 1 p.m., Friday, July 4, in Guerry Garth. Contestants will vie for $100 in cash, as well as gift certificates, services and other great prizes as they eat their way to pie nirvana. Sign up early, as there are a limited number of spaces. A small fee of $5 per contestant will be charged to cover costs. Sign up by calling Ginny at 598-5205 or show up before the contest.

Returning after its 2013 rain delay, the Fourth of July Mutt Show will be in Manigault Park. 

Registration begins at 9 a.m.; the show begins at 10 a.m. Lizzie Duncan will be back as the show’s emcee. All dogs are welcome to compete—no talent necessary. 

The categories for this year’s show have changed: best dressed, Razzle Dazzle doggie, owner/dog look-alike, best trick and judges’ choice. Entrants may register for one category or one category plus judges’ choice. An entry form will be in upcoming issues of the Messenger.

Dr. Matt Petrilla’s fabulous trophies will be awarded to winners. In case of rain this year, the Mutt Show will be held in the indoor riding arena at the Equestrian Center.

The Fourth of July Cake Contest will offer two levels of competition. There will be a youth level, to include all bakers 12 years and under, and an adult level to include all bakers age 13 years and older.

Within each level, a prize will be awarded in each of three categories: best tasting, best decorated and best representation of the theme, “Razzle Dazzle Fourth of July.”

In addition to the three categories, a grand prize ($100) will be awarded to the best all-around cake. The best all-around prize is offered by acclaimed IvyWild Restaurant owner and chef Keri Moser, who will present the prize at 12 p.m. The winner of the best all- around cake will also have the opportunity to wear the winner’s special hat and ride in the parade.

Winners of the best tasting, best decorated and best representation of theme categories in the youth competition will each receive $5 and a Blue Chair Café gift certificate for two ice cream cones.

Winners of the best tasting, best decorated and best representation of theme categories in the adult competition will each receive a $50 IvyWild gift certificate.

Cake registration and set-up will take place from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Blue House on University Avenue. Registration will close at 9:45 a.m., when the judging will begin. Winners will be announced at 12 p.m. Following the awards presentation, the community is invited to view and sample the cakes.

The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Sewanee Women’s Club with the generous co-sponsorship of IvyWild Restaurant and the Blue Chair Café and Tavern.

For more information call Flournoy Rogers at 598-0733 or Mandy Grubbs at (931) 691-4310.

People interested in being food vendors need to register by June 30. A limited number of spots are also available for Thursday night’s street dance festival downtown and at the Lake Cheston fireworks display Friday. All vendors must register to expedite proper placement along the parade route. Vendors not registered may not receive a placement area for either venue.

To register email <luwin@bell​south.net> with name, phone numbers, list of foods/drinks offered and email for the vendor distribution list that will provide more information. Because Sewanee is not incorporated, vendors are not required to have a business license.