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12/13/11 - NNHS Newsletter - In the Bleak Midwinter | ||
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“Look round and round
upon this bare bleak plain, and see even here,
-
Charles Dickens,
Martin Chuzzlewit, 1843/4 |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
Today's theme is being revisited from 2006.
BONUS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ - In the Bleak Midwinter - Gloucester Cathedral Choir - sing-along version
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Bleak_Midwinter:
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a Christmas carol based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti written before 1872 in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem.[1] It was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904 and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Holst.
Harold Darke's anthem setting of 1909 is more complex and was named the best Christmas carol in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts in 2008.[2]
In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, Rossetti contrasts Christ's first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ's birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watched by beasts of burden. Rossetti achieves another contrast in the fourth verse, this time between the incorporeal angels attendant at Christ's birth with Mary's ability to render Jesus physical affection. This verse is omitted in the Harold Darke setting. The final verse shifts the description to a more introspective thought process. Darke repeats the last line in his setting.
Hymnologist and theologian Ian Bradley has questioned the poem's theology: "Is it right to say that heaven cannot hold God, nor the earth sustain, and what about heaven and earth fleeing away when he comes to reign?"[3].....
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
Happy Birthday today to Kay Davis Smith ('57)!
Happy Birthday tomorrow to
Elizabeth Mitchell Hedgepeth ('57) AND
Kathie Avant Taylor ('64) of GA!
Happy Birthday this week to:
15 - Jewell Hamner Crowe
('57) AND
16 -
Betty Brockwell McClure ('58) of VA;
17 -
Tom Oxner ('65) of AR;
18 - James Strickland ('57);
19 - Durwood Adams ('57)!
Many Happy Returns to You All!
http://www.nnhs65.com/Happy-Birthday.html
TODAY IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES:
From
http://www.civilwarinteractive.com/This%20Day/thisday1213.htm:
Friday, Dec. 13, 1861 BUFFALO BELLIGERENCE BREAKS BOTH Over in the western part of Virginia (which was still one state in these days) there is a high spot of land known as Buffalo Mountain. On this hill was a Confederate outpost known as Camp Allegheny. This was not an entirely comfortable place for them to be, as Western Virginia had voted strongly against secession and was full of Union supporters. In fact, just on the next hill over, known as Cheat Mountain, there was a whole camp of Union soldiers, under command of Brig. Gen. R. H. Milroy. Milroy and his men came one mountain over to pay a call on their secessionist neighbors, and a considerable battle ensued. The effort caused about as much damage to the attackers as to those they attacked: 137 Federal casualties to 146 for the Confederates. It did drive the boys in gray off Buffalo Mountain; they headed for Stanton. The Unionists returned to Cheat Mountain. Saturday, Dec. 13, 1862 FEDERAL FOLLY FLAILS FREDERICKSBURG Again, like yesterday, fog rose from the Rappahannock in the night, not dispersing until midmorning. As soon as it did, the cannons exploded and the first wave of Union troops began the charge up the rise called Marye’s Heights. At the top waited the Army of Northern Virginia, which had had days to dig in and prepare. Longstreet’s men held the left, Stonewall Jackson’s the right, backed up on the lower elevation by J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry. Every wave that marched up the hill was slaughtered and driven back, and then followed by another wave. This futility continued for five assaults before sunset, around 4:30 p.m. this time of year, and another one after dark. All met the same fate as the first. This is not to say the Federal attack did not wreak harm of its own, but the casualties were hugely lopsided: 12,635 killed, wounded or taken prisoner for the Union, out of some 114,000 men engaged, versus 5309 casualties for the Army of Northern Virginia’s force of 72,000. It was after this battle that Robert E. Lee made his famous remark, “I wish these people would go away and let us alone.” Sunday, Dec. 13, 1863 SEVERAL SKIRMISHES SOIL SABBATH This time of year most armies were in winter camp or heading for them. This did not, however, mean that complete peace prevailed upon the land. Action happened at Hurricane Bridge in West Virginia; Powell’s River near Stickleyville in Virginia, along with others at Strasburg and Germantown there. Ringgold, Ga., saw some action as Longstreet’s corps moved for winter camp, and just plain old random fights at Meriwether’s Ferry on Bayou Boeuf, Arkansas. What should have been a routine family visit in Washington was complicated by great hostility, although no gunfire: Mary Todd Lincoln received her sister for a visit at the White House. The complicating factor was that her sister, actually half-sister, Emily Todd Helm, was the widow of Gen. Ben Hardin Helm, general of the Confederate States of America. There were actually demands that Mrs. Helm swear the loyalty oath before being allowed to visit her relatives. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1864 SHERMAN SACKS SAVANNAH STRONGHOLD The 1000-foot long King’s Bridge rebuilding job was finished, and the Union soldiers of Gen. William T. Sherman marched across it today on their way to attack the last barrier standing between them and the sea--Ft. McAllister. Sherman gave the assignment to his old corps, the 15th, now under Gen. W. B. Hazen. Sherman and his staff repaired to the top of an old rice mill to watch the action. As the blue-clad troops neared the fort, firing broke out and, to Sherman’s horror, the Union troops disappeared. After a few anxious moments they reappeared, having merely marched down into a swale. Soon thereafter they were seen waving the Stars and Stripes from the parapets of the fort. McAllister had fallen, and Union steamships could be seen offshore. |
From Joan
Lauterbach Krause ('60) of VA - 12/12/11 - "Train set":
This really is AWESOME and worth the time.
Enjoy.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIKE MODEL TRAINS - THIS IS AWESOME This 4-minute video
is worth watching for this amazing stuff:
WOWZERONI-RINI!
Thank you, Joan!
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From
Bill Hobbs ('66) of Northern VA -
12/12/11 - "My Son":
Although
this has been around for a while, I still read it till the end and it
always has the same effect. This is such a wonderful time of year to
reflect indeed! This is good time to reflect. My son Take my Son..... A wealthy man and his son loved
to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection,
from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the
great works of art. 'Oh, no sir, I could never
repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.' |
From the Head Flagtwirler of 1965,
Janice
McCain Rose of Northern VA - 12/12/11 - "Holiday
warning. :-)":
Holiday Warning!!! Please, take care of yourself out on the roads this holiday season. A recent joint study conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that 23% of traffic accidents are alcohol related. This means that the remaining 77% are caused by a@#$%^&s who drink bottled water, Starbucks, soda, juice, energy drinks, and @#$% like that. Therefore, beware of those who do not drink alcohol. They cause three times as many accidents. This message is sent to you by someone who worries about your safety.
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From
Bill Hobbs ('66) of Northern VA -
12/12/11 - "Alabama Declares War on
USA":
President Barack Obama was in the
Oval Office when his telephone rang.
"Hello, President Obama” a heavily
accented southern voice said. "This is Archie, down here at Joe's
Catfish Shack, in Mobile, and I am callin' to tell y'all that we are
officially declaring war on y'all!"
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From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 12/12/11 - "Inspirational Ball of Light, a Brain
Teaser & More":
Hazelnut Daiquiri A doctor made it his regular habit to stop off at a bar for a hazelnut daiquiri on his way home. The bartender knew of his habit, and would always have the drink waiting at precisely 5:03 p.m. One afternoon, as the end of the work day approached, the bartender was dismayed to find that he was out of hazelnut extract. Thinking quickly, he threw together a daiquiri made with hickory nuts and set it on the bar. The doctor came in at his regular time, took one sip of the drink and exclaimed, "This isn't a hazelnut daiquiri!" "No, I'm sorry," replied the bartender, "it's a hickory daiquiri, doc." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Half Price He was a good man but a bit stingy. He would bargain and haggle on a price, never paying the price asked. He especially hated paying his medical fees. One day, while eating fish, a bone became lodged in his throat and within minutes he could scarcely breathe. His wife frantically called the family doctor, who arrived just as the patient's face was turning blue. The physician quickly removed the bone with a pair of forceps. When he was again breathing normally, although overwhelmed with gratitude to the doctor for saving his life, the doctor's fees were a bit worrisome to him. Trying his best to keep his costs down, he turned to the good doctor and asked, "How much do I owe you for this small two-minute job?" The doctor, who knew his patient's miserly habit too well, replied, "Just pay me half of what you would have when the bone was still stuck in your throat!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- *-------------- Guaranteed to Roll Your Eyes --------------* I was recently talking with a friend who bemoaned her family's lack of holiday rituals. "My family doesn't have any traditions," she complained. "We just do the same thing year after year after year." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- RANDOM TIDBITS At birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant's body weight. The average person in the United States uses anywhere from 80-100 gallons of water per day. Flushing the toilet actually takes up the largest amount of this water. Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid. Wherever it travels, water carries chemicals, minerals, and nutrients with it. The earth is a closed system, similar to a terrarium, meaning that it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today. Roughly 70 percent of an adult's body is made up of water. The weight a person loses directly after intense physical activity is weight from water, not fat. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- http://punchbaby.com/2011/06/ball-of-light/ Sending this as the inspiration. It is approx. 10 minutes long and quite inspirational. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Brain Teaser Cross out six letters and you'll find a word that we should know. The word must be spelled out in order. SBAIXNLETATNERSAS Scroll down after trying to figure it out ========= ================ ===================== ========================= ================================= ========================================== =================================================== =========================================================== ======================================================================= ANSWER: Bananas You cross out the words "SIX LETTERS". Thanks, Shari! ![]() |
From
Me
('65) of NC - 12/12/11 - "Saltine Cracker Surprise":
SALTINE CRACKER SURPRISE |
35 square saltine crackers
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (NOT margarine!)
2 cups chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Cover a cookie sheet with
aluminum foil, and place the saltines on top. Melt the brown sugar with
the butter in a pan, stir, and boil hard for two minutes. Pour over the
crackers and bake at 350 degrees F. for 5 minutes. Immediately cover the
crackers with the chocolate chips. As the chocolate melts, spread it over
the crackers. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on the top and chill. Peel off
the foil and break the candy into pieces. Store in the refrigerator or
freezer.
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From
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/inspirational-christmas-stories2.htm:
"Owed to Joy" The year our youngest
daughter, Shelly, was four, she received an unusual Christmas present
from "Santa." The most highly prized
gift Shelly received that Christmas Eve was a giant bubble-maker, a
simple device of plastic and cloth the inventor promised would create
huge billowing bubbles, large enough to swallow a wide-eyed
four-year-old. Both Shelly and I were excited about trying it out, but
it was after dark so we'd have to wait until the next day. -- By Ted A. Thompson |
From
http://www.FlyLady.net
-
12/12/11 - "Pampering #11":
Dear FlyLady, I have been flying for about a year and a half now. My house can still be messy at times, but I'm keeping up with my morning routine and decluttering, which is half the battle anyway. Yesterday, I was a victim of my stinkin' thinkin'. I am trying to start a new career while staying home with my 2 year old son. My unemployment is set to run out this month and we are on a very strict budget in preparation for that. My husband has MS and luckily, his only major symptom right now is extreme fatigue, so I try to let him take it easy on weekends. And thanks to my seven adorable nieces and nephews, plus the rest of my family, as well as the 30 stockings we are stuffing for the Salvation Army, I have a lot of presents all over my once-tidy guest room. I was sitting in bed feeling sorry for myself when my husband came to check on me. I told him I didn't think I was strong enough to handle what God had given me. He told me, "Baby steps, honey! You can do it! You just need to take care of yourself." I knew he was right, so I thought about things that would make me happy. A hot bath or an at-home pedicure wasn't gonna cut it. I thought for a few minutes, then it hit me! I LOVE wrapping presents! I really do; I have such feelings of love and caring when I take something I've carefully chosen, put it in a box, and cover it in pretty paper. I get into a rhythm and it's so soothing. Plus, it would help the pile on the guest bed look less crazy. So I put on a Christmas album and wrapped gifts, and the bad feelings were gone. I woke up today feeling renewed. Wrapping presents (and writing out holiday cards today) may not be everyone's idea of relaxation, but it is for me! A Flybaby Kelly here: Our habit this month is pampering. Decide what you can do that is relaxing and special for you!! I am so proud of you. |
FINALLY:
From http://www.ajokeaday.com - 12/12/11:
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DATES TO REMEMBER:
1.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 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. 2. Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 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. 3. Saturday, January 7, 2012 - 11:00 AM - The NNHS Breakfast Bunch will host a Breakfast Bunch Brunch at the Warwick Restaurant, 12306 Warwick Boulevard, (across from CNU) Newport News, Virginia 23606. "Please come join them for a Dutch Treat Brunch featuring a lot of 'War Stories' and maybe a lie or two. Everyone is welcome so bring your wife, husband, boy friend, girl friend, class mate, school friend or whomever you choose." Please RSVP to Bill Roady at duckbill1@verizon.net or call him at 757-595-0716 so they have a head count. 4. Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, 2012 - Class of 1962 - 50-Year Reunion - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hampton on the Water. More information after the Holidays. Meetings are second Tuesday of each month. CONTACT: Brenda Amos Williams at typhoonmom@juno.com |
PRAYER ROLL: http://www.nnhs65.com/requests-prayers.html - updated 10/22/11 |
BLOG: http://nnhs.wordpress.com/ - updated 03/13/11 |
Please find a few minutes of your busy
schedule to support
Thank you so much!
Carol Buckley Harty 7020 Lure Court Fayetteville, NC 28311-9309 915-780-3048 |
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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!
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Words by Christina Rossetti (05 Dec 1830 – 29 Dec 1894), before1872 Music by Gustav Holst (21 Sept 1874 – 25 May 1934), 1906
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day, Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" midi (sequenced by David Cooke) courtesy of http://www.classicalmidiconnection.com/cmc/xmas.html - 01/02/06
"In the Bleak Midwinter" lyrics courtesy of http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/n/intbleak.htm - 01/02/06
"In the Bleak Midwinter" calligraphy courtesy of http://www.thecalligrapher.co.uk/gallery%20page%209.htm - 01/02/06
Snowflake Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.graphics-by-celeste.com/holiday_graphics/winter.html - 12/01/04
Animated Tiny
Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of
Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of
VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!
Coast Guard Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/SealsEmblems/USCG.htm - 10/03/07
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
Animated Dancing Elephant courtesy of Sandi Bateman Chestnut ('65) of VA -
03/08/11
Thanks, Sandi!
Animated Fat Frog courtesy of
Wayne
Stokes ('65) of VA - 07/16/08
Thanks, Wayne!
Animated Ringing Christmas Bell clip art (designed by Art Holden) courtesy of http://www.animationfactory.com - 12/08/05
NNHS65 Home Page Banner created by
my #5 Son, Nathaniel Harty (Hillsboro HS, IL - '97) of IL - 06/06/02
Thanks, Nathaniel!