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03/01/13 - NNHS Newsletter - Martenitza!

“The sun is brilliant in the sky but its warmth does not reach my face.
The breeze stirs the trees but leaves my hair unmoved.
The cooling rain will feed the grass but will not slake my thirst.
It is all inches away but further from me than my dreams.”

- M. Romeo LaFlamme, “The First of March”

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, 

   It's that time again!

HOMEWORK:

http://www.myspace.com/lotlorien/blog/236078666

http://krokotak.com/tag/martenitza/

BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAS1RydqaPo - Martenitsa

BONUS #2 - From   From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 03/01/13, 10:20 AM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaQ3IhMfwXw - "Legend of the Martenitsa in Bulgaria"

Legend of the Martenitsa in Bulgaria
For more than 1,000 years, we in Bulgaria have celebrated our national holiday on March 1st called Baba Marta, Grandma March. Mart in Bulgarian is the name for the month of March. This holiday symbolizes the coming of spring.

Bulgarians wear a small special ornament made of red and white yarn on this day, called Martenitsa. We wear it until March 22, and some people wear it until they see a stork or the first buds of a tree.

Some like to wear the Martenitsa around their wrists. Sometimes people tie it to the branch of a tree or bush to leave there. You can find the Martenitsas hanging there in the branches as you walk outside.

The belief is that if you wear the Martenitsa, Baba Marta will help you, and spring will come more quickly. People often give a Martenitsa as a gift to a friend or relative.

The tradition comes from the following legend:

Khan Asparuh, the first Bulgarian king, had a sister called Huba. She was held captive in another kingdom. Asparuh sent a message to his sister that he had found a land where they could settle down south of the Danube River, a place that nowadays is Bulgaria.

When Huba got the good news from her brother, she managed to escape from captivity and run away. She rode on horseback without stopping until she reached the Danube River. She looked for some way to cross the mighty river but couldnt find a ford to pass across. So then she tied a thread of white yarn to one of the legs of a falcon sent by her brother and let him fly up into the air, holding the other end of the thin thread in her hands.

The falcon flew away to find a ford for passage across the river and just then, when he found a place, an arrow shot by an enemy pierced the falcon, and he fell to the ground dead. The yarn became red from his blood. Huba followed the thread she was holding and so she found the way to cross the great river and reach the country where her brother Asparuh had made his new home. Then they lived free and happy in the new land they called Bulgaria.

That day was March 1st, the new year in the tradition of those times. They called the white and red threads of yarn after the name of the month March, and named it Martenitsa.

The Martenitsa became a symbol of peace and love, health and happiness. The white color symbolizes purity and honesty in relationships, and the red color means life, passion, and cordiality in friendship and mutual love.

Since that time the red and white threads of yarn have come to symbolize the strong bond among Bulgarians around the world.

This special national holiday on March 1st reminds us of the values which the Martenitsa has carried down through the centuries.

And all Bulgarians everywhere wear it as an ornament on this special day, and for three weeks after that, until spring begins.

Rositsa Ruseva
 
   Thanks, Domi! This is really nicely done!

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

   Happy Birthday today to  Alan Cohen ('57)!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

  • 03 -   Jerry Seay ('63) of VA AND    Robert Shapiro ('63) of VA;

    04 -   The late Mr. William Etheridge (NNHS Principal) - 1922 (deceased - 04/19/05) AND   Roland McCoy (June '45) of VA:

    05 -   Hazel Pegram Southall ('57) AND   Helen Pegram Ignace ('57) AND   Jeanie Scruggs Anderson ('65) of VA;

    07 -   Shirley Eanes Matthews ('66);

    08 -      The late Mildred Mae Linkous Spriggs (June '38) (deceased 07/04/07) - also Mother of        Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA AND Doris Burns ('38) - also Mother of    Steve Burns ('65) of MN!

       Many Happy Returns to You All!

    http://www.nnhs65.com/Happy-Birthday.html 

    THIS DAY IN WWII:

    March 01, 1939 - A Japanese Imperial Army ammunition dump exploded at Hirakata, Osaka, Japan, killing 94.

    March 01, 1941 - Bulgaria signed the Tripartite Pact, allying itself with the Axis powers.

    TODAY IN 1963:

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Drummer Rob Affuso (Skid Row, Soulsystem) was born Robert James Affuso in Newburgh, New York.

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Singer Thomas Anders (Modern Talking) was born Bernd Weidung in Münstermaifeld, Mayen-Koblenz, Germany .

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Actor Maurice Benard was born Mauricio Jose Morales in Martinez, California.

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Ice hockey player Ron Francis was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Musician and record producer (The Choir) Dan Michaels was born.

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Actor Russell Wong was born Russell Girard Wong (王盛德) in Troy, New York.

    Friday, March 01, 1963 - Baseball player Irish Meusel (b. Emil Frederick Meusel on 09 June 1893 in Oakland, California) died in Long Beach, California at the age of 69.

       From Jack Nelson ('54) of Northern VA - 02/28/13 - "AND THEN IT IS WINTER":
     

    Thanks to Alvin and Jean Mizelle for sending this to us.
     
    When I first started reading this email I was reading fast until I reached the third sentence.  At that point, I stopped and started over, reading the article slower and thinking about every word. 
     
    This email is very thought provoking.  It makes you stop and think.  So, please read it slowly.
     
     
    AND THEN IT IS WINTER

    You know...time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

    But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

    But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.  Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Because if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!

    And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin!

    Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
     
    So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long! Life goes by quickly.
     
    So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!
     
    "Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
     
    LIVE IT WELL!
    ENJOY TODAY!
    DO SOMETHING FUN!
    BE HAPPY!
    HAVE A GREAT DAY!

    Remember, "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."
     
    LIVE HAPPY IN 2013!
     
    LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

    TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,
    YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE
    SO, ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
     
    ~Your kids are becoming you...but your grandchildren are perfect!
     
    ~Going out is good. Coming home is better!
     
    ~You forget names...but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!
     
    ~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything...especially golf.
     
    ~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
     
    ~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
     
    ~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
     
    ~You tend to use more 4 letter words..."what?"..."when?"...
     
    ~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
     
    ~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless."
     
    ~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
     
    ~Everybody whispers.
     
    ~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet...2 of which you will never wear.
     
    ~But Old is good in some things: old songs, old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!
     

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    Stay well, "OLD FRIENDS!"
      
       Thanks so much, Jack - and Alvin and Jean!       Many of these same thoughts have been going through my head for the last few weeks...

          From Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA - 02/28/13 - "Guess Who":

    Good Luck!!!

    Bet you can’t guess who this blonde beauty is………..(click on the image to enlarge it), look closely and after you guess or give up, scroll down below the photo.

    SCROLL DOWN

     

     

     

     

    KEEP SCROLLING

     

     

     

    SCROLL A LITTLE FARTHER DOWN

     

     

     

    JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Francis Bavier – better known as Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show.

       GASP! Wayne Honey,     Bill Hobbs ('66 - of Northern VA) sent this to me a couple of days ago, and in my weakened, feverish condition it upset me so badly I rushed to my bed and pulled the covers over my head! What a cruel world!

       Thank you, Gentlemen - I think (although a lump is forming in my throat even now)!
     

         Me ('65) of NC - 02/28/13:
     

     

     

     

     
     
     

    From newsletter@jimrohn.com - 02/27/13 - "One of Life’s Great Lessons – Learn to be Thankful for What You Already Have":
     

    One of Life’s Great Lessons – Learn to be Thankful for What You Already Have
    By     Jim Rohn (reprinted from 2000)

    Is thankfulness a survival skill? Perhaps most of you would respond with, “No, Jim, thankfulness is not key to survival,” and I would tend to agree with you. Most of us have probably already solved the necessary problems of survival, gone beyond that and are now working to achieve our desires. But let me give you this key phrase, “Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” I believe one of the greatest and perhaps one of the simplest lessons in life we can learn is to be thankful for what we have already received and accomplished.

    Both the years and the experiences have brought me here to where I stand today, but it is the thankfulness that opened the windows of opportunities, of blessings, of unique experiences to flow my way.

    My gratitude starts with my parents who raised me, gave me an incredible foundation that has lasted me all of these years and continues with the mentors that I've met along the way who absolutely changed and revolutionized my life, my income, my bank account, my future. I am also very thankful for the people, the associations, for the ideas, for the chance to work and labor, and to produce results, all of that has brought me to this place, to this weekend. I'm grateful for it all.

    What a unique opportunity each one of you here has, so many of us; representing different countries, nations and cultures, to appreciate the uniqueness of our own experiences that has brought us all here, together, for these three days to learn new skills and sharpen old ones. For the countries we represent; we have freedom and liberty. These are extraordinary times, about eleven years ago the walls came tumbling down, in Germany, and it started a wave of democracy and freedom like the world has never seen before. We as a country and as a world have so much to be thankful for. Always start with thanksgiving; be thankful for what you already have and see the miracles that come from this one simple act.

    Now thankfulness is just the beginning; next, you've got to challenge yourself to produce. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. That is called fruitfulness and abundance. Here's what I think fruitfulness and abundance mean - to go to work on producing more than you need for yourself so you can begin blessing others, blessing your nation and blessing your enterprise. Once abundance starts to come, once someone becomes incredibly productive, it's amazing what the numbers turn out to be. But to begin this incredible process of blessing, it often starts with the act of thanksgiving and gratitude, being thankful for what you already have and for what you've already done. Begin the act of thanksgiving today and watch the miracles flow your way.

    BONUS MARTENITZA CRAFT PATTERNS:

    http://www.incultureparent.com/2013/02/baba-marta-day-craft-martenitsa/ - Yarn dolls (Pizho and Penda) - "...You NEVER make or buy a martenitsa for yourself; it has to be gifted...."

    http://krokotak.com/tag/martenitza/

    BONUS MARTENITZA RECIPES:

    http://krokotak.com/category/recipes/

    FINALLY:

    From www.ajokeaday.com - 02/28/13:

    A Texas rancher was driving through Mexico and stopped at the edge of the road to admire the scenery and a beautiful white horse caught his eye. The horse looked healthy well kept and was in a separate corral. Just for tries the Texan asked one of the workers if the horse was for sale.

    The worker trying to communicate said, “No, no, he no look too good.”

    The Texan was not satisfied with the answer because he saw that the animal looked great and insisted on buying it. After a few arguments the worker arranged for the sale and the Texan took the horse back to his ranch. He rode the horse through his ranch and galloped to the barn when suddenly the horse ran right into the barn wall.

    Frustrated the Texan took the horse back to Mexico and talked to the worker who sold him the horse and explained what happened.

    The worker said, “I told you he no look too good.”

    DATES TO REMEMBER:
    1. Thursday, March 7, 2013 - The NNHS Class of 1955 holds Lunch Bunch gatherings on the first Thursday of every month at Steve & John's Steak House on Jefferson Avenue just above Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News at 11:00 AM. The luncheon is not limited to just the Class of '55; if you have friends in that year, go visit with them.

    2. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - The NNHS Class of June 1942 meets at noon on the second Wednesday of every other month for a Dutch treat lunch at the James River Country Club, 1500 Country Club Road. PLEASE JOIN THEM. Give or take a few years makes no difference. Good conversation, food and atmosphere. For details, call Jennings Bryan at 803-7701 for reservations.

    3. Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5, 2013 - The NNHS Class of 1963 will hold their 50-Year Reunion at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hampton on the Water. SEE: The website which has been set up for their class at www.nnhs1963.com; CONTACT: Frank Gibson, frankgibson@cox.net, Joyce Williams Nettles, joywnet@cox.net, or Susie Overton Jones, tnsjones@charter.net

    PRAYER ROLL:

    http://www.nnhs65.com/requests-prayers.html - updated 02/26/13

    		 BLOG:

    http://nnhs.wordpress.com/ - updated 03/13/11


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

                                     Love to all, Carol

    ==============================================

    NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.com

    PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

    ==============================================
     

    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!    
                 

    More Cica Rece da me Zeni

    "More Cica Rece da me Zeni" midi courtesy of http://ifdo.pugmarks.com/~seymour/midipage/midipage.html - 03/01/09

    Martenitza Image courtesy of http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=157727195&blogID=236078666 - 03/01/09
     
    Red and White Ribbon Divider line clip art courtesy of http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/bar3.shtml - 03/01/09

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

    Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06

    Crying Baby clip art courtesy of http://www.barbspics.com/baby/babypage06index.html - 09/28/05 (resaved 02/27/09)

    Back to NNHS Newsletters - 2013

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