12/16/11 - NNHS Newsletter -
Holly Herald
“Then sing to the holly, the Christmas
holly, - Eliza
Cook, “The Christmas Holly” |
Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
We owe the theme of today's
Newsletter to
Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH
who sent me this BONUS VIDEO
on 12/05/11:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBaPkw2RsSM&feature=related - Holly Herald - Jethro Tull, 2003
Although traditional carols are easily recognized within it, the spirit of Ian Anderson's arrangement is so lively and unique, I opted to attach no midi.
Thanks,
Domi!
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
Happy Birthday today to
Betty Brockwell McClure ('58) of VA!
Happy Birthday tomorrow to
Tom Oxner
('65) of AR!
Happy Birthday this week to:
18 - James Strickland ('57);
19 - Durwood Adams ('57);
22 -
Kitty Norman Haskins ('57) of VA
AND
Dottie Pegram Daniels (NNHS /
George
Washington HS - '64) of WV
AND
Harry Barritt ('64) of VA AND
Dale Mueller ('64) of VA
AND
Bill Rash ('67) of VA;
23 -
Tom Flax ('64) of VA AND
Joyce Lawrence Cahoon ('65) of VA
AND
Holly Hill Campbell (Hampton Roads Academy - '72)
of VA!
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/thisday1216.htm:
|
Monday, Dec. 16, 1861 VEXATIOUS VALLANDIGHAM VIES FOR VOTES In one of the odder political actions of the early days of the War, Ohio’s Democratic congressman Clement Vallandigham introduced a resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The point of the resolution was to commend Captain Charles Wilkes of the USS San Jacinto for his actions in capturing the Confederate commissioners on the British mail ship “Trent.” The oddity comes from the fact that Vallandigham was a Peace Democrat, advocating negotiation or any other means to settle the dispute between North and South, short of war. Why he would wish to commend Wilkes’ hostile action--which had so infuriated the British that they were on the verge of war with the U.S. themselves--is unknown. The bill was referred to a committee for study and was never heard of again. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1862 FEDERALS FACE FALMOUTH FUTILITY In the aftermath of Fredericksburg, the defeated Union army completed its withdrawal across the pontoon bridges erected at such a tremendous cost just a few days earlier. Climbing back up the heights on their side of the river, and looking back at the heights opposite that they had tried six times to take, they proceeded on just as far as Falmouth and Stafford Heights. There the exhausted men stopped and set camp for the winter. The countryside was soon scoured of every piece of lumber, brick and anything which could be used to construct cabins or huts or at least fortify the flimsy tents for the winter. So much wood would be scavenged that trees died for miles around. When the spring rains of 1863 came, much valuable topsoil would wash away. The area would not recover its agricultural value for decades. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1863 CONFEDERATE COMMAND CHANGES CONDUCTED There was a major shuffling of commanders in the Western Theater of the Confederate States of America today. At the headquarters of the Army of Tennessee, Lt. Gen. William Hardee was out, Gen. Joseph Eggleston Johnston was in. Hardee’s appointment had only been a temporary one, filling after Bragg’s departure, anyway. Johnston’s departure from Brandon, Miss., left a vacancy at the head of the Army of Mississippi, which was filled by Gen. Leonidas Polk. One promotion was noted on the Union side of the field: John Buford, cavalryman, received a long-overdue promotion to Major General. It is good that this honor was not delayed any further, as six hours after the papers arrived, Buford died of typhoid fever in Washington, D.C. Friday, Dec. 16, 1864 TRIUMPHANT THOMAS TIMELY FOR TENNESSEANS Attack, Gen. George Thomas had been told for weeks. Go forth from Nashville and attack the Army of Tennessee, he was ordered. He had resisted until he felt his forces and supplies were sufficient, to the point where Gen. John “Black Jack” Logan was on a train today with orders to take over command from him. But yesterday the attack had come at last, and today it continued. First the right was pushed back. When they rallied and held, the Union cavalry swept around the Confederate left and threatened the rear of the lines. Finally the climax came, around three in the afternoon, as firing was almost continuous. The Confederate left could take no more and began withdrawing. The center soon followed, and finally the right wing was forced to follow. The Army of Tennessee effectively ceased to exist as a fighting force, and the threat to the Union hold on Kentucky and the Ohio River was ended. |
From
Glenn Dye
('60) of TX - 12/15/11 - "RE:
Mary, Did You Know?"
Carol,
Did not know if you knew or not that Michael
English and his family are
from Wallace, N.C. He and his brother Biney
English along with their
father sang in a group together called The Singing
Samaritans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NgVpWV4sEs - Mary Did You Know - Michael English
WOWZERS!
No, I did not know that! Thanks so much, Glenn!
|
From My Husband, Paul Harty (Bardolph HS, IL - '61) of
NC - 12/14/11 AND
From Norris Perry (Warwick HS - '59) of VA - 12/15/11 - "The best Christmas
video I've seen":
This is great, you'll love it!! Merry
Christmas!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ki8EcnVbd-Q
OHHH, I do love it,
Guys, thank you so much!
|
http://www.mrfood.com/Cheesecakes/Tasty-Toffee-Cheesecake-2148/ml/1 - Tasty Toffee Cheesecake - "When I can't quite make up my mind between cookies, candy, or cheesecake...it doesn't matter! With this one, I don't have to choose!"
http://www.mrfood.com/Pie/Chocolate-Silk-Pie-2092/ml/1 - Chocolate Silk Pie - "When you're talking about fabric, silk has always been considered among the finest and most elegant. When you're talking about pie...well, try this one and see if you see any similarity."
http://www.mrfood.com/Pie/Black-Bottom-Pie-From-Mr-Food/ml/1 - Black Bottom Pie - "Make this special treat tonight! Black Bottom Pie is a delicious pie-within-a-brownie that's perfect for anybody with an extreme sweet tooth!"
"The Story of Christmas Spiders"
In a quiet cottage
in the woods lived a gentle widow and her eight children. The widow
worked very hard to keep her children warm and well-fed, but money
was not plentiful. When the air grew crisp, and the snow began to
fall, the widow knew Christmas was coming. But instead of feeling
joyful as the holiday approached, she felt sadness and sorrow. She
knew that she did not have enough money to buy her children any
gifts to open on Christmas morning.
"I cannot afford new toys or books," she thought, walking home
through the woods one night. "What will I give my children?"
On Christmas Eve
the family ate their simple Christmas dinner together, and the widow
tried to conceal her worries. After tucking her excited children
snugly into bed, she pulled her chair close to the fire and tried to
erase the visions of their little disappointed faces from her mind.
After all, what fun is Christmas morning without gifts to open?
"Perhaps a Christmas tree would make my children happy," the widow
sighed.
She put on her coat and hat and walked through the woods in search
of the right tree. She chose a small but beautiful evergreen,
chopped it down with her husband's ax, and brought it to the
cottage.
For hours, the widow carefully decorated the fragrant tree branches
with colorful fruits, bits of ribbon, and Christmas cookies. Then
she blew out her candle and went to bed, hoping the tree would make
her children's empty Christmas a little bit brighter.
While the tired widow slept, tiny spiders crept from the cracks and
corners of the cottage. They had watched her hard at work,
decorating the tree for her children. Onto the branches they jumped,
spinning delicate strands of silky web which gracefully covered the
small tree from trunk to top. It was a beautiful sight.
When the family awoke on Christmas morning, they could not believe
their eyes. The webs of silk had been turned into pure silver,
covering the tree with dazzling brightness! During the night, Santa
Claus had come with gifts for the children and saw the tree covered
with spiderwebs. He smiled as he saw how happy the spiders were, but
knew how heartbroken the widow would be if she saw her tree covered
with spiderwebs. So he turned the silky webs into pure, shining
silver. The next morning, as the widow watched her children sing and
dance around the beautiful shining tree, she knew it would be a
wonderful Christmas after all!
From that day forward, people have hung strands of shiny silver
tinsel on their Christmas trees in honor of the poor widow and her
tiny Christmas spiders.
-- By Stephanie Herbek
From http://www.SelfGrowth.com - 12/12/11 - "7 Holiday Stress Strategies":
Never Let 'em See You Sweat:
7 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress By Sharon Sayler
|
From
http://www.FlyLady.net
-
12/15/11 - "Food For Thought: Eat, Drink and Be Merry":
Dear Friends, This weekend I had a dinner party for some friends who are getting married next weekend. I've known them for awhile, needless to say, the joy of the upcoming nuptials was more than a welcome occasion to have them over and completely celebrate their happiness. I'm in the process of losing some body clutter with a very focused approach, but took time off from that pursuit to focus on this special occasion, on my friends and to make them a special meal. This is the preamble for repeating something I wrote long ago that bears repeating. Here you go: A long time ago, when my daughter was about 6 or 7, I took her to a children's birthday party. It was pretty typical--games, lots of junky food, birthday cake and ice cream. I couldn't even tell you the name of the child the party was for or anything about it except I remember this one poor little kid who was just miserable. Her mom, doing her best to do the right thing, wouldn't let this child eat the hot dogs, chips or any of the other junk. She gave him a whole-wheat muffin while the other kids snarfed down gobs of cake and ice cream. I joked with the other mothers about how I'll be trying to get my daughter off the ceiling with a spatula later on from all the sugar. But curiosity got the best of me as I watched this mom argue with her child and watch her like a hawk during the entire party--being a nutritionist, I was convinced she had some sort of serious allergy. Turns out this mom had never let her child eat anything other than organic, wholesome foods and there were no exceptions--ever. She was horrified to find out I was a nutritionist and even more horrified when she spied my child inhaling her third hot dog. "How can you let her eat like that?" she asked. I said, "She doesn't. Just for today. Today is special, it's a birthday party and we do things differently on holidays and birthdays." She didn't
understand, but I'm hoping you will. |
From
http://www.FlyLady.net
-
12/15/11 - "Thank You for Day 31 BabyStep":
Dear FlyLady, This morning I read what you had in mind for me on this Day 31 of your BabySteps. I always prided myself on not being prone to emotional outburst and pathos, but I must admit my stomach was churning a bit when I opened my Internet browser on my very last BabyStep page. Before reading, I let my gaze rest on my kitchen, with its shiny sink and its beautiful uncluttered countertops; on my living room, where the only thing out of place on the floor is my cat AzraĂelle basking in the sun; on my dining room, where the kids are playing Lego at the table, because there is space on the table, and they are playing with all those Lego pieces I gathered while rescuing one room or another. From the basement comes the sound of my washing machine. My bed is made, and I am dressed to my shoes. As I've been doing for 31 days, I first reviewed the morning and before bedtime routines you made me integrate in my life. It was a bit special this morning; I had the feeling of achieving a milestone, of having finished something, and I was somewhat shocked when I realized all that I do now. Before knowing you, my house was a real "capharnaĂĽm" (excuse my French!). I was seriously suffering from the Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome and I was telling myself that it would be thus until the last day of my life, that it was simply my nature and my destiny, unless I packed everything and moved out. After reading my routines, impressed, I read your advice for this Day 31. Against my will, but without any real surprise, I felt tears come to my eyes. You don't say much today, only a few sentences about the need to not worry if I don't understand the rest of your method all at once, right now. You encourage me to keep going, one step at a time, at my own pace. In other words, you ask me to stop being too demanding on myself. You hit a sensitive spot, and you know it. What I read from your message is that perfection is not of this world, and that perfection is not necessary for me to be proud of myself. And when I raise my eyes to look around my house, I know you're right. It is by pure chance that our paths crossed, dear FlyLady. There is one word that comes often in your writings, and I believe it applies to the crucial moment where I discovered your existence: you coming into my life and the life of my family truly was a blessing. Thank you, FlyLady, thank you from all my heart. Gaby Isabelle FlyLady here: All I want to do is help you find the same peace I found one BabyStep at a time. The 31 Days of Beginner BabySteps is your guide to learning how to make routines, habits, BabySteps and decluttering work for you! http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/ |
From
http://www.FlyLady.net
-
12/15/11 - "Pampering #14":
Dear FlyLady, I pampered myself by finally asking for help when I really needed it! What a blessing that is, finally admitting I'm NOT PERFECT and can't do everything alone! Flying in CO ------------------------------------------- Dear FlyLady It has been very interesting to me to see how many Flyers have been pampering themselves by attending to their teeth. That was my focus too. I treated myself to some whitening toothpaste - and used it! It has worked wonders in removing plaque!! I saw the dentist a couple of days ago, and he says I should consider having my 7 crowns/caps replaced as they are all but worn out. It's the first time he has suggested it might be worthwhile doing such extensive work!! Are the two events connected? Who knows, but I feel my pampering has paid off, and I can look forward to a lovely smile (once I have saved up!!), and, coincidentally, "go for 7"! Jenny (Trying to fly in the UK) ---------------------------------------------------------- Kelly here: Our habit this month is pampering. This is a busy time of year, but it is so important that you take a little time just for yourself! |
FINALLY:
From http://www.ajokeaday.com - 12/15/11:
|
DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - 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. 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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Holly Herald
Recorded by Jethro Tull, 1977
Holly Image courtesy of http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/?cat=477 - 12/12/07
Holly Bar Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines-christ7.htm - 12/17/05
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 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!