The Oak Ridger

July 28, 2009

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Rarity Ridge advertises itself as "A Place Called Home" and boasts about its hometown feeling of community.

Many of its residents say that the advertising is "right on."

According to its Web site, Rarity Ridge sits along the Clinch River, highlights the past with its traditional, vintage-style details and invites each member to gather with their neighbors, enjoy the area's natural beauty and experience all that life has to offer.

Rosalie and Ellis Fowler, Bill and Maryann Walters, Bob and Natalie Dickinson, and Frank and Norma Fath, all say they are "living happily every after" at Rarity Ridge.

The Dickinsons moved into the community four years ago, and although they were not the first to move in, they were the first to have a contract.

"We have a wonderful patio home in the Village," said Natalie Dickinson. Both she and her husband, Bob, are enjoying the new Wellness Center in the Town Center.

Bob, 79, swims 50 laps in the indoor pool each day.

The indoor pool uses saline instead of chlorine, and members have access to the weight room, locker rooms and saunas. The Wellness Center also has a personal trainer on site.

Outside, the outdoor pool features a lap pool, and a children's area, as well as a pool house with facilities and showers.

"Once a month we have 'Movies at the Pool,' and a cookout," said Rita Wilson, sales manager and year-long resident.

What brought Rosalie Fowler to East Tennessee from Louisiana? "The Tennessee people, the mountains and the four seasons," she said.

The Fowlers are currently building their new home at Rarity, on a hill that has several different views. Local builder Len Hart is their contractor.

"Rarity feels like home," said Rosalie, a semi-retired Realtor.

Their home is unique, like the countryside, where it stands. Inside, the Fowlers have put in stained glass in their front entrance and in a special piece of art in a bathroom.

Each piece symbolizes the fleur de le theme, or flower -- namely, the iris.

The Louisiana Iris is one of Louisiana's state flowers and the Iris is Tennessee's state flower.

Also featured inside the home is Louisiana antique wood -- pecky cypress. A large section adorns the center ceiling of the kitchen and a special wall, put together by Ellis, is located in a hallway off the kitchen.

Pecky occurs when the wood is attacked by fungus, resulting in lens-shaped pockets throughout the wood.

The beam over the fireplace is more than 200 years old, Rosalie said.

The Walters are settled into their home on the other end of Rarity.

They came to Rarity from Florida, but are originally from Michigan. Their children live in Michigan, Minnesota and Kentucky, but they did not move to Florida like their parents thought they might, so "we moved in between," Bill Walters said.

The Walters were frequent visitors to Rarity before becoming homeowners. They rented a patio home for several years during their trips from Florida to Kentucky or Michigan.

Maryann is a registered nurse and Bill is a machinist -- both retired.

"It's so welcoming here," Maryann said. "We fell in love with it."

Maryann and Bill like to walk their black Labrador, Buddy, in the neighborhood, and know their mailman on a first-name basis.

"People at the pool are always cooking hot dogs or something and they always ask you to eat," Bill said. "It's unbelievable here."

Rarity currently has about 150 residents, from retirees to young families.

"It's a community for all generations," Wilson said.

Beverly Majors can be contacted at (865) 220-5514.