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01/06/12 - NNHS Newsletter - Epiphany - Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
	“It is better to follow even the shadow of the best, than to remain content with the worst, and those who would see wonderful things must often be ready to travel alone.” - Henry Van Dyke, “The Other Wise Man”, 1896 (10 Nov 1852 - 10 Apr 1933)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, 

   This Newsletter event repeats each year, but this particular interpretation of it is being revisited from 2006.

   Today is Epiphany, the Twelfth Day of Christmas.  As we as Latter-day Saints do not personally observe this Visitation of the Magi, my children know this primarily as "The Day Mom Gets Really REALLY Sad Because She Has to Take Down All Her Christmas Decorations - Unless She Can Find a Loophole."

   This year Mom found a couple of doozy loopholes - first, we are still actually celebrating Christmas tonight on the Twelfth Day (and you can't really celebrate Christmas if you take down all the decorations, can you?!?  Why, that would be akin to watching The Roy Rogers Show on tellybision without wearing your cute little Western clothes - complete with hat, vest, toy guns and holster, boots and spurs, right?!?  But I digress...).

   Second, we keep getting sick so we keep having to take sick days.  Sick days do not count against you.  They're Freebies (I made that part up myself).

   Third, as long as all the outside decorations have been removed, it's not so bad, and mine are, so I'm covered there (I made that part up myself. too).

   Fourth, I haven't really decided whether of not I'm going to keep up a year-round holiday tree and just change out the ornaments to suit the season.  Hmmm - if I use the little white tree instead of the big green one, I won't need to replace as many decorations (having "redistributed" my enormous stash of decorations when I moved back to Illinois three years ago).  Lemme see, if I moved straight to the Valentine tree and skipped the January snow tree this year, I might be able to... No, wait a minute!  I can pull off that January snow tree!  I'll just take down the big green tree, and move the little white tree from the hearth room into the living room somewhere or other...  YEAH!  I can do that!

BONUS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB6Igby3l-k&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5511244C7053CCC8 - Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning - Organ Solo

HOMEWORK:

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
   Happy Birthday today to        Harry Covert ('57) of Northern VA AND    Steve Veazey ('60) of VA AND    Diane Sandler Marcus ('69) of MD!

   Happy Birthday tomorrow to     Jimmy Shires ('57) of VA AND Brucey Smith Slama ('57) AND Paige Smith Morahan ('57)!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

08 -    Mrs. Wilma Salmon Robinson (Warwick HS - '51) of VA AND Dreamadon Dillon Skidmore ('57) AND Sonja Settles Allen ('57) AND    Pat Branch Coltrane ('57);

09 - Joan Burcher Green ('57) AND    Joe Dickson ('66) of VA;

10 - Peggy Taylor Hudson ('57) AND    Bob Parrish ('68) of VA;

11 - My Brother-in-Law, the late   Miles Nowitzky (Granby HS - '50) (d. 07 May 2005) AND     Frances Goodson Wang ('65) of MD AND   Ron Haney ('65) of VA AND   Ron Smith ('65) of VA  AND Barbara Dye Hensley ('69) of VA!

Many Happy Returns to You All! http://www.nnhs65.com/Happy-Birthday.html

YESTERDAY IN WWII:

GRANDBABY NEWS:

  From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 01/05/12, 3:44 PM - "Going to Colorado Springs":

   From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 01/05/12, 4:05 PM - "Typhoon grandbaby addition":

		--Our new little granddaughter Lola Grace Shipman, was born Dec. 27th weighing 8 lbs. 5 oz. That will be 5 for us!  What blessings! Happy New Year Peace & Blessing, Cheryl Mays Howard    AWWW! How adorable she is! Thanks, Cheryl! Congratulations to everyone concerned!

   From Fred Field (June '45) of CA to        Bill Lee (Warwick HS - '54) of NC 01/05/12 - "Holiday String":

Your observation about how easily memories can be stimulated made me realize what happened because of some December  correspondence between me and Beth Maxwell of Newport News.   She started it:        =========================   12-9-11  From Beth Maxwell to Fred: During these serious and troubled times, people of all faiths should remember these four great religious truths:   1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's Chosen People. 2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 3. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian world. 4. Baptists do not recognize each other at the liquor store.   As tee-totaling Baptists, my folks would not be caught dead in an ABC (liquor) store.  But at Christmas time when the women made their fruitcakes, that was the exception to the rule!  They simply had to have some spirits for soaking the fruitcake!  When I read this, it brought back lots of memories!  Bet it did to you, too!   Merry Christmas, everyone! Beth Maxwell               ==================================      Hello Beth,        12-9-11      Very well said!   My English/Welsh immigrant maternal grandfather, John Henry Lloyd, belonged to both Presbyterian and Baptist churches in NN.  The former because most of his friends went there - the latter because they sang louder (he was very deaf).  Welsh roots go way down deep into the music genes - as do mine.   During 1930s winters, he would discreetly show a visitor a bottle of whiskey and quietly ask, Would you care for a drop of something against the cold?   His wife (my grandmother) made the fruitcakes for Christmas.  She soaked them well with both whiskey and brandy.  Her mince pies got the same.  I got into trouble at school (5th grade) when one of the nosy girls asked why my slice of lunch pie had a funny odor.  I gave her a truthful answer which she promptly relayed on to the teacher.  My defense was: It's not real whiskey - just flavoring.  The teacher quickly accepted that.  Surely she didn't want to step into the inevitable potential.               ===================================   Hello Beth,        Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011    Your article about buying at the ABC Store shook some cobwebs off the brain.  I remember that friends and family referred to the place as a Package Store.   That undoubtedly removed the necessity of mentioning the place by the common name.  But also left me in the dark about the derivation.   Now since I am all grown up and have my own computer and Wikipedia to serve me, I decided to find out what it was all about.  The below result is fairly self-explanatory.            ================================   From Wikipedia:   In alcoholic beverage control (ABC) states, liquor stores often sell only spirits or sometimes sell spirits and wine but not beer. ABC-run stores may be called ABC stores or State Stores. In Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, and Massachusetts, liquor stores are also technically known as “package stores” because purchased liquor must be packaged in a sealed container or bag when it is taken from the store.[1] United Kingdom and Ireland In the United Kingdom and Ireland the corresponding term is "off-licence," or "offie" for short, which refers to the fact that alcohol may be bought on the premises but must be consumed off the premises. Almost all supermarkets, grocery stores, and petrol stations have an off-licence. The price of alcohol in off-licence establishments is substantially lower than its price in on-licence establishments (bars, pubs, and restaurants).         ================================ When working in England, I noticed that some pubs had an outside window from which customers could buy bottled booze.  Above the window was a small sign which said "Off License."  Didn't think much about that at the time, but guess it is clear enough now.           I also learned that in English food service, what we call take out is there referred to as take away.    In England I got into several heated discussions over which such variations were most logical.  I soon learned not to argue with a culture that drives on the wrong side of the road and mounts on-off switches upside-down.    Here in California the common name is Liquor Store.  However the name is slowly being transmogrified to Convenience Store.  If you asked about a package store you might get reported to the bomb squad.  Too close to the dreaded Suspicious Package.    Incidentally, my father used to buy his booze (substantial quantities) at the ABC store on Jefferson Avenue.  Any friend that he might run into there would understand.   Happy New Year, Fred ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Fred W. Field Loma Linda & Fullerton, CA fwfield@juno.com

Thanks so much, Fred!

    From Norm Covert ('61) of MD - 01/04/12 - "NEW YEAR’S NOTIONS & NUMBERS":

NEW YEAR’S NOTIONS & NUMBERS Posted: 03 Jan 2012 07:02 PM PST By NORMAN M. COVERT Looking back on events of 2011 is a notion that Leroy (Satchell) Paige said we should avoid. Chances are, he said, “the Devil may be gaining on you!” The late, great professional baseball pitcher knew from which he spoke. I, therefore, am forging into 2012 with optimism. A retrospective does give pause that something good can happen with me and mine – and you and yours – these next 12 months.  Times Square 2012, Mayor Michael Bloomberg counts down with Gadfly Entertainer Lady Gaga on stage right. (Bloomberg Photo) With my medical fixes and new devices, you might compare me to my 1996 Saturn. This year it received a new water pump, battery and serpentine belt, and nails were removed from two tires. Quality workmanship and parts promise fewer calls to AAA™ and Medicare. Such optimism and renewed energy did not translate into dragging out formal clothes and reserving a table for two at a local New Year’s Eve gala. Our mission in recent years is less than exciting with our attempts to be awake when the Waterford Crystal Ball drops in Times Square. We made it this time and it was as festive an occasion as could be from the vantage point of my recliner. I recall Mother allowing me to stay up for the arrival of the new year when I was 11 years old. That occasion saw me try writing out the numbers 1-9-5-5 as a visual perspective of the occasion when a 200 pound aluminum ball was dropped in Times Square. A strange number 1955, I thought, but I liked the double fives. I liked the double digits, too, in 2-0-1-1. I’m wrestling with the transition to the new digits 2-0-1-2. Nick Diaz with fellow motorcycle rider Janet Joseph in Leesburg, Va. New Year's Day. It took me long enough to figure out the “2-0-0” part while inscribing progressions through the fog of the past decade. I have made a mental note to be careful to avoid writing “2-0-0-1-2.” Arithmetic was never my forte; my eyes glaze over and my brain goes into neutral. I once discussed this syndrome with a colleague Nick Diaz, who is a whiz banger at math; also a tutor, coach, educator and college trustee. Prof. D shed his motorcycle leather while on the road Sunday in order to explain on Facebook™ that 2011 is a prime number (I didn’t see it that way, nor understand its significance). He says 2-0-1-7 also will be, or is, a prime number, I suppose boding well for the prospects in the future. He expressed this phenomenon as an arith-metic (sic) expression: “2^2*503.” (Sigh!) Differences in this Algebra text and my '57 volume could fool me, but not Prof. D. I’m confused, as usual, but certain he will explain it. Prof. D did opine that my angst with numbers was founded in not having been taught correctly. He should have met my ninth grade math teacher Mrs. Taback, who opened the windows of Algebra I for me – alas, the revelation lasted but a moment. I did achieve greatness as a senior in high school when Mrs. Mary Beth Stokes challenged me with a semester of general math to earn an “A” and that critical graduation credit. Later in life, I learned adults rarely have to figure “it” out, they cheat! Only top tier mathematics students and engineers understood a slide rule, which has been replaced by equally complex calculators.  I do sense a conspiracy but I’ve never suffered as a result of the esoteric phenomenon. My well-worn Pica Pole for figuring text flow in publications. You may agree with me that, for example, a broad assortment of charts has been available to assist anyone with a mathematical chore at work. My own digital computer, consisting of 10 fingers, is severely limited in its capabilities. When I became a sports writer I was required to figure won/lost records, games behind, batting averages, earned run averages and such statistics. It was made elementary by charts available from the right suppliers. Slide rule adjusted to multiply by 2. Was an essential tool for engineers and designers until the calculator and computer made them obsolete. I first learned about the cheat sheets while using the Peterson Scoremaster™ book to record a baseball game. The charts are inside the back page. Some basic arithmetic and geometry (A = L x W) helped me later with newspaper and magazine layout and design. The mystery of working with photographs was a snap using the proportion wheel.  Yes, I did use some pencil and paper when working off variables of the equation and derivatives: X% of Y =? (or is it Y = X? [Sigh!]). I do not demean the need to teach arithmetic/mathematics, etc, in secondary schools and universities. I am pleased that the multiplication tables are slowly coming back into fashion in local schools. When the batteries run out on the calculator and telephone device, you can’t beat a No. 2 pencil and scratch paper. (GamblersSupply.com) So Prof D, what are the odds that my cubes will roll sevens and elevens in 2012? I’ll just have to roll ‘em and see. Best new year wishes, dear reader.–©Norman M. Covert 2012 #  #  # Another version of this commentary is available at www.thetentacle.com and is used with permission of the author and The Octopus, LLC.

Thanks so much and Happy New Year to you, too, Normie! I strongly identify with many of the thoughts and limitations you expressed! http://nnhs65.com/SITE-MAP.html       http://nnhs65.com/faculty.html            http://www.nnhs65.com/teachers.html                 http://www.nnhs65.com/teach-Picinich-Stokes.html

     From Hunter Todd ('57) of TX - 01/04/12 - "We wish you a Very Bountiful New Year!":

January 4, 2012 The 45th Annual WorldFest- Houston Intl Film Festival Sends you this Very Special Final Deadline Extension... and Happiest of New Year's!     Howdy from Houston! In response to hundreds of emails and phone calls, we are delighted to announce our traditional Final "Brick Wall" Deadline for the 45th Annual WorldFest-Houston Film & Video Remi Awards Competition. Be part of the 3rd oldest International Film Festival in North America, and the oldest Indie Festival in the world. Enter the festival that gave first awards to Spielberg, Lucas, David Lynch, Ang Lee, John Lee Hancock, Randal Kleiser, Gavin Hood, Ridley Scott and The Coen Brothers! Be Part of the 45th Annual WorldFest! April 13-22, 2012! We have extended our final Entry Deadline to January 31, 2012. Your entry must reach us by then. We offer competition for the coveted Remi award in 12 major categories, not just 2; Features, Shorts, Docs, TV Production, Music Videos, Student, Screenplays, TV Commercials, Business Films, Experimental, Film & Video Production, & New Media.   It is quick and easy to enter WorldFest... The Wonderful City of Houston, 4th largest city in America! Described as "quite possibly the best organized film festival in the World" - Before there was Sundance or SXSW, before there was Toronto or Tribeca, there was WorldFest! We screen our Shorts and Features in Big AMC Theaters and are the only Film Festival in the World offering a VIP Tour of NASA and a Sailboat Regatta on Beautiful Galveston Bay at the Classic Houston Yacht Club!   To Enter, Click on FAQ, Categories, & Entry Form... The coveted WorldFest-Houston Remi Award is the symbol of Creative Excellence and is named after Frederick Remington, the brilliant Artist that captured the spirit of Texas and The West with his paintings and sculptures. Enter the 45th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival! Team WorldFest WorldFest-Houston Intl Film Festival email: entry@worldfest.org voice: 713-965-9955 Fax: 713-965-9960 web: http://www.worldfest.org The 45th WorldFest-Houston is very proudly sponsored by AMC Theaters, the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), Boxer Property, Panasonic 3D/HD, Eastman Kodak, The City of Houston, The Houston Film Commission, The HQ Marriott Westchase Hotel, Space Center Houston, Texas Longhorns, Wagner Media, NASA, The Houston Yacht Club, InkTip, The Houston Film Society, OnlyInHouston, Fest21.com , The Wellness Center and our Sister-Festivals USAFilmFestival/Dallas , & The Seoul Drama Awards, Korea; and The Concorto Short Film Festival, Italy. To everyone that has already entered, we thank you! To other Intl Film Fests, if we can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact us!    WOWZERS! Thank you so much, Hunter! Best wishes to you and yours as well!

---

      From My Husband, Paul Harty (Bardolph HS, IL - '61) of NC - 01/04/12 - "Navajo Code Talkers":

Here is a website for a proposed Navajo Code Talkers museum and they are seeking donations to help with this endeavor.  For those of you who are not familiar with them they are the group of Navajo’s that developed a code of their language in order to communicate on the battle field in the pacific on a secured lines. It was never broken by the Japanese and they were later honored with a congressional medal specific for their accomplishment. http://navajocodetalkers.org/    OUTSTANDING! Thanks so much, Dools!

      From My Sister, Eleanor Buckley Nowitzky ('59) of NC - 01/05/12 - "100 Years in Ten Minutes":

From Marvin Barnes ('65) of VA - 01/04/12 - "Inner Peace":

Inner Peace If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without alcohol, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, ...Then You Are Probably the Family Dog! And you thought I was going to get all spiritual....

Thanks, Marvin!

  From Norris Perry (Warwick HS - '59) of VA - 01/05/12 - "in 10 years!":  

    From Eva Ellis Madagan ('61) of FL - 12/20/11 - "Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier (#16 in a Series of 24)":

		Some of these ideas are really good. Bread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.    EXCELLENT! Thank you so much, Eva - I do love clever tips!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Carol Buckley Harty 7020 Lure Court Fayetteville, NC 28311-9309 915-780-3048   THREE WAYS TO DONATE:   1. Visit the main page (http://www.nnhs65.com), scroll halfway down, and click on the Pay Pal Donate Button (nnhs65@gmail.com); 2. Go to www.PayPal.com, log in, select "Send Money (Services) to nnhs65@gmail.com; or 3. Just mail it directly to my home. Thanks!

  Y'all take good care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!

                          Love to all, Carol

Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning

Lyrics by Bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826), 1811

Heber originally wrote this hymn for the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. It was first published
in the Christian Observer in 1811, but did not appear in hymnals until after Heber's death.

1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

3. Shall we not yield Him, In costly devotion01
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

"Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning" midi and lyrics
courtesy of http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/brightest_and_best_of_the_sons_o.htm - 01/06/06

"Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning" Sheet Music by Mr. H. S. Irons from Rev. Richard R. Chope,
Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #137

Image of Fernando Gallego's (ca. 1440 - 1507) Painting, "Epiphany" (ca. 1480),
courtesy of http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/gallego/epiphany.html - 01/06/06

Image of Panel from Jaume Huguet's ( ca. 1415 - 1492) Panel, "Epiphany"
courtesy of http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/h/huguet/ - 01/06/06

Animated Star Bar Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.wtv-zone.com/nevr2l82/bars3.html - 08/27/05

Animated Tiny Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!