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	10/12/09 - NNHS Newsletter - Happy Columbus Day! “One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.” - André Gide (22 Nov 1869 - 19 Feb 1951)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

   This theme repeats on the second Monday of October each year!   

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-11-04-NNHS-Columbus-Day.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-10-05-NNHS-Happy-Columbus-Day.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-09-06-NNHS-Happy-Columbus-Day.html 

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-08-07-NNHS-Happy-Columbus-Day.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-13-08-NNHS-Happy-Columbus-Day.html

BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evYfXBoN9cU - Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siHfQGn3JTs - Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean - The Robert Shaw Chorale (with pretty slide show)

HOMEWORK:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day 

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/columbus.htm

http://www.annieshomepage.com/columbusday.html 

http://www.columbusnavigation.com/ 

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct12.html

http://wilstar.com/holidays/columbus.htm 

HEALTH UPDATE:

  From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 10/11/09, 9:58 PM - "Harry is home.":

Harry is home from the hospital and doing well.  Have home health and PT here for a while, but that won't be for long since he spent 8 days longer in the hospital than planned.  He is getting around well and feeling good.  Doctor's appointment tomorrow will determine where we go from here and when on the problem with his heart.  The good news is it is fixable now but would not have been in a few years.  So, this is a blessing after all.  Thanks to all of you for your prayers.  I know they have helped him and strengthened me.

My love to all,
Ruthie

   SUPER-DE-DUPER! Thanks for the update, Ruthie!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/requests-prayers.html

  THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

   Happy Birthday today to Charlotte Spade Wilkins (Warwick HS - '65) of NC!

   Happy Birthday tomorrow to  The United States Navy - 1775 AND Larry Cutler ('64) of VA AND   Pattie Hilsdon Reisinger ('66) of CO AND          My #1 Son, Lewis Harty (Hillsboro HS, IL - '89) of IL!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

14 -      Liz Breeden ('61) of VA AND      My Granddaughter, Eme Harty of TX;

15 -   Milton Nunnally ('66 and '67) of VA;

17 - Betty Jean Dail Phillips ('57);
18 - Lou Kressaty (Butler HS, NJ - '57) of VA  AND   Carol Faith DeArment Blankenship ('61) of VA  AND Jimmy Crank ('63) of VA;

19 -   Danny Coleman ('63) of NC!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

   Many Happy Returns, One and All!

THIS DAY IN WWII:

October 12, 1942 - During World War II, Attorney General Francis Biddle announced that Italian nationals in the United States would no longer be considered enemy aliens.

THIS DAY IN 1964:

Monday, October 12, 1964 - The Soviet Union launched the Voskhod 1 into Earth orbit as the first spacecraft with a multi-person crew and the first flight without space suits.

Monday, October 12, 1964 - In Game Five of the World Series in Yankee Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees 5-2: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA196410120.shtml

  From Robert Fulcher ('64) of VA - 10/11/09, 3:01 PM - "NNHS64":

Good afternoon, Carol,

You can add my e-mail to the list. I'm still in Newport News, and my birthday is 7/15.

Thank you for all you do.

One question though. How did you end up in ILL?
 
Robert

   Thank you, Robert! I've made those additions: 

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/SITE-MAP.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-ALL.html

          http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/contact-1964.html

    http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

   Why did we move back to Illinois?? That's a good question, Robert, I wish I had a good answer.....

   Lemme see.  We had spent 30 years in the Midwest before moving back east in 2001.  We moved to North Carolina in January of 2002, and I assumed (silly me!) that we'd spend the next 30 years there.  BUT - we came out to to Illinois to visit our sons last December, and just before we were to return home, something went somehow askew, and the next thing I knew, BOOM-SHA-KA-LA-KA-LA-KA!   We went back, gave away most of what we owned, loaded the rest into a small truck, and here we are.  We all knew this was going to happen sometime in the future, maybe even within five years.  I just don't think anyone realized it would happen so soon - certainly not I!  What's the old saying?  If you're ever in doubt that the Lord has a sense of humor, just tell Him what YOUR plans are!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/02-07-09-NNHS-Charles-Dickens-197th-B-day.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/02-11-09-NNHS-Thomas-Edisons-162nd-Birthday.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/04-23-09-NNHS-The-Sweetest-Sounds.html

  From Ronni Green Cristol ('64) of MD - 10/11/09, 3:02 PM - "reunion":

Hi Carol,

It was a wonderful reunion over the weekend and everyone looked fabulous.       John Todd (of TX), our class president, was as gracious and charming as ever and the committee did an amazing job.

We'll look forward to seeing you at our 50th and for updating us as always throughout the year.

Ronni Cristol

   Thanks, Ronni, I'm sure it was simply extraordinary - as always!

  From Tom Flax ('64) of VA - 10/11/09, 9:13 PM - "Report from 45-Year NNHS 1964 Reunion":

Hi Carol..

I hope this finds you and your family doing well.. we all missed you this weekend at the 45-Year Reunion of the 1964 class from NNHS.. to those who did not attend.. you missed a great party..

Hats off to my fellow committee members a great group to work with. .you guys had such great ideas.. to make this event so special-- the bottles of wine went over well.. I know I will never open mine.. Let us carry this spirit forward and meet again, soon.. Remember to check out the "rusty anchor" on the website.. it should be there soon..

Take care.. travel safely.. much love.. remember TYPHOONS FOREVER.. hope to see everyone again real soon.. There is talk of a "cruise" for our 65th birthday celebrations.. anybody else in..  Check the website for further details..

   Thank you, Tom - and I certainly missed being there! We'll look forward to more news from y'all!

   From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 10/11/09, 5:22 PM - "wedding":

Hi Carol,

Congrats on another grandchild...wow, how many now? What a bundle of blessings. We will be having our 2nd grandson on the 23rd.

   Thanks, Cheryl! That brings it to an even dozen grandchildren for us, ranging from 18 to newborn -       Andrew,     Elizabeth,     Rachel and    Becca in Collinsville, IL;     Jacob,     Tom,     Eme,    Joe and     Jimmy in EL Paso, TX;   Azrae and    Kaiya in Hillsboro, IL; and       Buckley in Franklin, MA.

Our daughter Heather got married a few weeks ago.. so I am posting the announcement. It is on the Daily Press special occasions web site for today.

The group pic attached is our family plus    my brother's (Fred Mays - '60 - of VA) daughter, Ansley, and granddaughter, Payton. Our grandson    Carson (16 months) was ring bearer.. ha ha

Peace & Blessing,
Cheryl

					WOWZERONI!!! As I've said many times before, your family surely does make pretty babies!    Thanks so much for sharing these with us, Cheryl - and Best Wishes to one and all!
Saturday, September 19, 2009			Sunday, October 11, 2009

   And speaking of grandchildren.....

     From Me ('65) of IL - 10/11/09 - "    Eme's Baptismal Dress Bodice":

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-06-09-NNHS-Ill-Still-Be-Loving-You.html

   Since the appearance of this Newsletter last week, I know you've all been waiting breathlessly for an update from me.

			I finished the crochetnitted bodice I designed for Eme's baptismal dress Saturday night (the skirt will be made of regular beautiful white fabric).  It's made predominantly of Red Heart white four ply yarn in knit stitch, with borders in basic stitch: http://www.crochenit.net/      http://www.crochenit.net/stitches.html     The crocheted edging was done with Caron Simply Soft yarn, which is brighter, shinier, more delicate, and of course, far softer than the other yarn.  The puff sleeves (which are convertible, being able to be upturned into a shorter sleeve with a cuff) were done in basic stitch using both yarns, and are tied up with white ribbons for extra detail (and to minimize fullness).

   I crochenitted blessing suits for some of my younger sons, and several sweaters and vests and capes, but I've never attempted to try a baptismal dress before.  We're not really sure how it will react with being immersed in a baptismal font.  The good news is if we decide it just won't work (perhaps a trial run in the bathtub before the skirt is attached?!?), we still have time to make something completely different, as Eme's baptism is not until October 24th.  Then this bodice could just be attached to a contrasting colored skirt, and she could wear it for her confirmation instead.

  From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 10/11/09, 10:34 PM - "Swine Flu":

Yesterday Harry and I attended the service for Valerie Post, a 22 year old mother of two who died of the Swine Flu.  She was healthy and having a good pregnancy when she came down with what they thought was a cold.  She was 7 months along and started to have pain in her back and thought it was preterm labor.  Went to the hospital, where they diagnosed Swine Flu and took the baby by C-Section.  She never woke up.  After two months in a coma, she passed away leaving her two month old daughter, whom she never saw, and a two year old girl.

Harry works with her dad, Marty, out at the power plant.  We have known her mom, Celeste, and been friends with her grandparents, Fred and Maria, for 30 years. 

Please, if you know of any woman who is pregnant, have them get the flu shot, but not the spray mist.  In Valerie's memory, do not let this happen to another young mother.

Yours,
Ruthie

   YOWZERONI!!! Oh, Ruthie, I'm so sorry! That's just unbearably tragic! Consider this group warned and forewarned - and our deepest condolences to Valerie's family.

  From Susie Overton Jones ('63) of VA - 10/11/09 - "This is more true than people realize..........":

THIS WILL BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES .....

Both men and women, sons and daughters need to read this ...........

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
 
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.

'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.'

I agreed.

'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.

'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I  answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

* * *
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.....
somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is  history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct....
somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring....
somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'....
somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother....
somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first....
somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....
somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of  kindergarten.... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
* * *
Some body said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....
somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home...
somebody never had grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her....
somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about
being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

   Thank you, Susie!

  From Ruth Ann Reece Horace ('67) of FL - 10/11/09 - "Buying a computer- cute":

If you have seen this, it is still a good laugh so read it again.

You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and too old to REALLY understand computers, to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on..


If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!


(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on 'START'...........

      Thanks again, Ruthie!

     From Me ('65) of IL - 10/12/09 - "It's That Time Again!":

   Halloween is almost here.  Thanksgiving isn't far behind.  You know what that means, doncha?  That's right, it means it's time to schedule the Holiday Parties!

   How many of y'all are planning class or multi-class events?  The Class of 1962 usually has one.  The Class of 1958 almost always has one.  Wouldn't the rest of ya'll like to get together, some day, somewhere - soon?!?  Lemme know.  No, I cannot make it, so I don't even have a vested interest.  I just like to live vicariously and pretend a lot.

ABBREVIATED ALERT:

From ArcaMax Jokes - 10/11/09:

GI Insurance

Airman Jones was assigned to the induction center, where he advised new recruits about their government benefits, especially their GI insurance. It wasn't long before Captain Smith noticed that Airman Jones had almost a 100% record for insurance sales, which had never happened before.

Rather than ask about this, the Captain stood in the back of the room and listened to Jones's sales pitch. Jones explained the basics of the GI Insurance to the new recruits, and then said, "If you have GI Insurance and go into battle and are killed, the government has to pay $200,000 to your beneficiaries. If you don't have GI insurance, and you go into battle and get killed, the government only has to pay a maximum of $6000."

"Now," he concluded, "which bunch do you think they are going to send into battle first?"

*************

Mom's Time Out

My parents had not been out together in quite some time.

One Saturday, as Mom was finishing the dinner dishes, my father stepped up behind her.

"Would you like to go out, girl?" he asked.

Not even turning around, my mother quickly replied, "Oh, yes, I'd love to!"

They had a wonderful evening, and it wasn't until the end of it that Dad confessed.

His question had actually been directed to the family dog, lying near Mom's feet on the kitchen floor.

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

    To donate, click on the Donate Button on the left,  or just mail it directly to my home (address available upon request). Thanks! nnhs65@gmail.com
 

Columbia, Gem of the Ocean

The version that was written in 1843 (Thomas á Becket, David T. Shaw; © 1999 AmeriMusic, Inc.)
was extremely popular during the Lincoln years, and was usually included among the
patriotic songs played by the Marine Band for the President's ceremonial gatherings.
But the song was apparently a rewrite of a very well known British tune entitled
"Red, White, and Blue" that was composed and written by Thomas á Becket in 1750.


O, Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine if each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble

When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!

The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither,
And fill you it true to the brim!
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor the star of their glory grow dim!
May the service united ne'er sever,
But they to their colors prove true!

The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue.

Well, "Columbia" in this case is the USA, but the tune is familiar and the key name is there, so ........

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" midi courtesy of http://rosemck1.tripod.com/jukebox-patriotic.html
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 10/08/05
Thanks, Dave!

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" lyrics and history courtesy of http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/columbiagem.htm
also at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 10/08/05
Thanks again, Dave!

Animated Columbus Day Title clip art courtesy of http://www.chromaluna.com/content/holidays/columbusday/columbusday.htm - 10/10/09

Columbus' Ship divider line clip art courtesy of http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/columbusday/columbus_lines.htm - 09/20/04

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

Back to NNHS Newsletters - 2009