07

I'm in a Benny Goodman kind of mood, so I thought I'd pass it along! This may have been precipitated by my watching 1936's After the Thin Man the other night, where the song was featured at the unexpected New Year party given at the Charles residence - much to the surprise of Nick and Nora Charles when they arrived home.

BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJ4dpNal_k - Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman Orchestra - featuring Gene Krupa on drums and Harry James on trumpet - 2 minute film version from Hollywood Hotel, 1937

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwDN9UMMi3c&NR=1 - Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman Orchestra - 5 minute version - "I think this is the best quality version on YouTube. I should also point out that this obviously isn't an original recording!"

And for you "young 'uns", Sing, Sing, Sing is not to be confused with Sing Sing:

In Dec. of 2008, 3 of us who are all retired CNC/U faculty, published a book (see attached BROCHURE) called Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, 1961-71. Some 35 people--retired faculty, staff, & former students, wrote short essays for this book, which was paid for by individual donations. The book is dedicated to

"Scotty" Cunningham, CNC's first president, who unfortunately died before we completed the book. All profit from the book goes into a scholarship in his memory at CNU.

Virtually all of our earliest students came to us from the Peninsula high schools. We are trying now to locate them, for several reasons. Of course, we want them to know about Memories. Some of them have their names and/or pictures in the book, along with names and pictures and information about some of their CNC professors and classmates. Also, since virtually all records of the earliest students have been lost or misplaced at CNU, and the Alumni Association there has virtually no records until the mid-1970s, we want to fill this major gap in the history of CNC/U.

We are creating lists of each CNC class from 1961-71, with names, addresses, e-mails, degree(s) if any, occupations, and family members. These will circulate only among the former students and interested retired professors until sometime in 2011, when CNC/U has its 50th Anniversary. At that time, we'll share the information with CNU, so that the "lost decade" students can be officially listed. Since these are our students from the First Decade, we're calling them the "First Decaders." We plan to honor them in some fashion during that 50th year. So we want to find them in order to invite them to our celebration of their part in the creation of the college.

We're using various avenues to locate those "First Decaders," including Alumni records at William and Mary, since many of them transferred there after 2 yrs. with us. (CNC was a 2-yr branch of W&M until 1971). Connecting with Alumni groups at the high schools is another avenue I'm pursuing. This is why I asked Sylvia Weinstein, who asked Nancy (Bigger) Alligood ('56 - of VA), who asked you to help!

Yes, ma'am - and here it is once again today (but I'm still working on attaching that brochure.....)!

07 -

Frank Blechman ('65) of Northern VA AND

Steve Silsby (Ferguson HS - '72) of NC;

09 -

the late Adrienne Price Cox ('57) (deceased 08/20/06) AND Eva Ellis Madagan ('61) of FL!

Just wanted to let you know, in spite of the craziness of the past few weeks, I have really missed you this week.

The last week in May my husband, Harry, was in the hospital for possible heart problems. Turned out to be nothing.

End of May, husband (Chris) of daughter number 4 (Kimmy) deployed to Afghanistan.

June 3, daughter number 2 (Sheri) had a beautiful healthy baby boy (Jace) at home in Ozello, Florida. No, it's not even on the map; just a wide spot in the marsh. She also has a 20 month old (Maddi) and is studying for her RN and can't figure out why she is tired. Spent most of the next week or so helping her.

Then had to spend time getting daughter number 3 (Sandy) ready for a study abroad trip to Panama with the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing.

And I take care of daughter number 1 (Amy)'s 2 girls two or three times a week when she goes for her workout with her trainer for her Fibor.

Now, I'm the one who is tired. I need my fix of NNHS to raise my spirits and keep the Nana going.

Hope you are well and it is the hardware that is sick.

Love ya,
Ruthie

YOWZERS-WOWZERS! You really know how to keep from being bored, doncha, Ruthie?!? Most of the things you mentioned were good and happy and positive, but they all sounded exhausting! Congratulations wherever it applies!

Aside from being prepped for the dreaded reformatting, my computer has been doing better than I have this week, I'm afraid. I've spent most of my time lying in bed (reading, crocheting, watching TV, sleeping, or a combination of any and all), and the rest of my time moaning and groaning and acting like a weenie.

It all began Saturday when I awoke feeling less than my best (not so unusual, really...), but headed up to the family reunion in Winchester anyway. The first four people I encountered gasped and spluttered some variation of, "Good Grief? Are you okay?!? What happened to you? May I help you??"

However, after listening to your week, I'm going to try to buckle down, get back to work, and quit complaining - even silently.

This is a webpage that I received from a NC Planners List Serve. It shows a bunch of places taken over by Kudzu that end up looking like animals covered with ivy. Sounds pretty boring (and it may be to most of you) but is worth the few seconds it takes to visit.

From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 07/01/09 - "Dancing Philippine Convicts - Thriller ...":

Dancing Philippine Convicts - Thriller ... - "Check out 1,500 plus inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines as they practice their dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller. This is not a punishment for the inmates. "

“What If” UP!: A Simple Strategy for Expanding Your Potential
By Mindy Audlin, The Official Guide to Positive Thinking, June 2, 2009

One of my mentors gave me this priceless pearl of wisdom many years ago. He said, “The greatest determinant of your success is the voice you hear inside your head.”

What are the messages you are telling yourself? Are you seeing obstacles? Or are you seeing opportunities? And how can you consciously use this voice in your head to help you create a life you love?

The answer lies in two simple words: WHAT-IF?

When we use these two innocuous little words to imagine worst-case scenarios, to worry, or to rationalize, we mentally suck the life out of our creative abilities.

What if it doesn’t work?
What if I can't afford it?
What if someone else is better at this than me?
What if it’s a bad idea?

This is a thought process we call “What If DOWNing.” It uses the power of "What If" like an undertow to carry you away from all that you hope to achieve.

But what if you used these two words in a different way? What if you used them to create possibilities? What if you looked at the “best-case scenarios”? What if it’s easier than you have ever imagined?

This is the “What If UP” mentality.

What if it works?
What if it’s fun?
What if I get to be the one who makes it happen?

“What If Upping” shifts our focus. It redirects that inner voice. It activates our emotions, fills us with enthusiasm, and practically launches us into the realm of inspired actions.

The next time you have a challenge or a difficulty, try “What If Upping” it. After all, what if the solution is closer than you know?

Author's Bio

Mindy Audlin is the author of "What If UP! A Simple Strategy for Expanding Your Potential." Her free weekly "What If UpDates" bring ideas and inspiration to people around the world. Get your free subscription at whatifup.com.

From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 07/01/09 - "Marijuana in the firewood":

"I'm calling to report 'bout my neighbor, Virgil Smith.... He's hidin' marijuana inside his firewood! Don't quite know how he gets it inside them logs, but he's hidin' it there."

The next day, the Sheriff's Deputies descend on Virgil's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but; find no marijuana. They sneer at Virgil and leave.

From David Whitley ('67) of VA - 06/23/09 - "Redneck Humor" (#6 in a Series of 11):

1. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 4, 5 and 6 (Labor Day Weekend), 2009 - The Class of 1969 will hold its 40-Year Reunion at the Point Plaza Hotel, Newport News, VA. For details, see: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion2009-69.html and contact Jean Baker Howell at hokie13mom@cox.net - OPEN TO ALL NNHS ALUMNI

To donate, click on the Donate Button on the left, or just mail it to my home. Thanks! nnhs65@gmail.com

Sing, sing, sing, everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing
Sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' like everything.

When the music goes around,
Everybody's gonna go to town.
But here is one thing you should know
Sing it high and sing it low.
Oh, sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a real good swing!

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

		Redneck Mailbox Thanks, Gorgeous!
Redneck Mailbox

“What If” UP!: A Simple Strategy for Expanding Your Potential By Mindy Audlin, The Official Guide to Positive Thinking, June 2, 2009

One of my mentors gave me this priceless pearl of wisdom many years ago. He said, “The greatest determinant of your success is the voice you hear inside your head.”

“What If” UP!: A Simple Strategy for Expanding Your Potential
By Mindy Audlin, The Official Guide to Positive Thinking, June 2, 2009