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12/17/16 - NNHS Newsletter
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and
goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

- Calvin Coolidge
(04 July 1872 - 05 Jan 1933)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, 

   I think we could all use a boost of cheer about now, and what a happy sounding carol this is (which is really rather strange, as it's written in a minor mode, but it is what it is)!

BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDvEwC0wZ-I - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Kings College Cambridge, 2008

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCo3pH-6ZT0 - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Choirs of Bath and Winchester Cathedrals

BONUS #3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgl9zBjxZvA - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Callie and Colette

BONUS #4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies

BONUS #5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCYSITWpKIk - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Loreena McKennit  (Oh, looky - a pomegranate!)

BONUS #6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAesbViYYqM - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Jars of Clay

BONUS #7 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlsJD8RlhbI - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Annie Lennox

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Rest_You_Merry,_Gentlemen:

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen is an English traditional Christmas carol. It is in the Roxburghe Collection (iii. 452), and is listed as no. 394 in the Roud Folk Song Index. It is also known as Tidings of Comfort and Joy, and by variant incipits as Come All You Worthy Gentlemen;[1] God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; God Rest Ye, Merry Christians;[2] or God Rest You Merry People All.[3]

It is one of the oldest extant carols, dated to the 16th century or earlier.[4] The earliest known printed edition of the carol is in a broadsheet dated to c. 1760.[5] The traditional English melody is in the minor mode; the earliest printed edition of the melody appears to be in a parody, in the 1829 Facetiae of William Hone. It had been traditional and associated with the carol since at least the mid-18th century, when it was recorded by James Nares under the title "The old Christmas Carol".[6]

The carol is referred to in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, 1843: "... at the first sound of 'God bless you, merry gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!', Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost."

This carol also is featured in the second movement of the 1927 Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchinson.

The first recorded version is found in Three New Christmas Carols, dated c. 1760. Its first verse reads:

God rest you merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this Day.
To save poor souls from Satan's power,
Which long time had gone astray.
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.[7]

The transitive use of the verb rest in the sense "to keep, cause to continue to remain" is typical of 16th to 17th century language (the phrase rest you merry is recorded in the 1540s). Etymonline.com notes that the first line "often is mis-punctuated" as "God rest you, merry gentlemen" because in contemporary language, rest has lost its use "with a predicate adjective following and qualifying the object" (Century Dictionary). This is the case already in the 1775 variant, and is also reflected by Dicken's replacement of the verb rest by bless in his 1843 quote of the incipit as "God bless you, merry gentlemen". The adjective merry in Early Modern English had a wider sense of "pleasant; bountiful, prosperous".[8] Some variants give the pronoun in the first line as ye instead of you,[2] in a pseudo-archaism.[9]

A variant text was printed in 1775 in The Beauties of the Magazines, and Other Periodical Works, Selected for a Series of Years. This text was reproduced from the song-sheet bought from a caroller in the street.[10] This version is shown here alongside the version reported by W. B. Sandys (1833)[11] and the version adopted by Carols for Choirs, (OUP, 1961) which has become the de facto baseline reference in the UK.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

   Happy Birthday today to Norma Helmick Burks ('63) AND  Tom Oxner ('65) of AR!

   Happy Birthday tomorrow to James Strickland ('57)!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

19 - Durwood Adams ('57) AND   the late Suzie Bauz ('63) (deceased 11/03/14);

20 -   Ellen Carney Manson ('63) of SC;

21 - Ray Stinnette ('63) of VA;

22 -  Kitty Norman Haskins ('57) of VA AND Elliott Schlosser ('63) 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

24 - James Gay ('57) AND Ann W. Hutcheson ('57) AND   Malcolm Davis ('65) of VA AND Sandye Jordan Frost ('67) of NC!

   Many Happy Returns, One and All!

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

THIS DAY IN WWII:
December 17, 1939 - Battle of the River Plate – The Admiral Graf Spee was scuttled by Captain Hans Langsdorff outside Montevideo.

December 17, 1941 - Japanese forces landed in Northern Borneo.

December 17, 1943 - All Chinese were again permitted to become citizens of the United States with the repealing of the Act of 1882 and the introduction of the Magnuson Act.

December 17, 1944 - Battle of the Bulge – Malmedy massacre – American 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion POWs were shot by Waffen-SS Kampfgruppe Peiper.

  From Bill Lee (Warwick HS - '54) of NC - 12/16/10 - "December 17, 1944":

On the night of December 17, 1944, Pier 8, one of the largest covered piers on the Newport News waterfront caught fire and burned uncontrollably throughout the night; lighting up the sky for miles. A stiff breeze fanned the flames, and wind-borne sparks endangered nearby structures and piers, as well as private property outside the port area's security boundaries. Telephone calls from frightened citizens flooded the local newspaper office, but, incredibly, for twelve hours the military denied that there even was a fire!

The local fire department was allowed to enter the security perimeter to assist, but reporters and photographers were turned away at the gate. A resourceful Daily Press photographer went to the Warwick Hotel, the tallest and nearest public vantage point that overlooked the port area. Photos were taken and included in the next morning’s edition of the Daily Press, along with information gleaned from civilian dockworkers and firefighters.

Although completely destroyed, Pier 8 was rebuilt and back in use in only 75 days!

   YOWZERONI-WOWZERONI! Thank you again so very much for sharing this exciting story with us, Bill!

THIS DAY IN 1966:
Saturday, December 17, 1966 - Runner Yuko Arimori (有森 裕子) was born in Okayama, Japan.

Saturday, December 17, 1966 - Singer-songwriter and guitarist Tracy Byrd was born Tracy Lynn Byrd in Vidor, Texas.

Saturday, December 17, 1966 - The 23rd Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kristiina Ojuland, was born in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia.

From My Friend, Daniel, of UT - 12/15/14:

“He came into the world . . . clothed with double power---power to die, which He derived from His mother; and power to resist death, if He had so willed it, which He had inherited from His Father. Thus He had power both to live forever and also power to pass through the ordeal of death, that He might suffer it for all men, and come forth out of the grave to a newness of life-a resurrected being, to be clothed with immortality and eternal life, that all men might come forth out of the grave unto life eternal.”

-  Joseph F. Smith
(13 Nov 1838 - 19 Nov 1918)

    Thanks so much, Daniel!

FOR THE ARCHIVE:

   Do you recall a few days ago when I posted an exciting offer from the son of Mrs. Helen Hardy Shelton, Bob Shelton of Northern VA, for a few of her yearbooks? Do you further recall that I mentioned I had already gleefully jumped at the chance to have her copy of the 1951 Anchor?? Well, he sent he sent that outstanding volume to me a few days ago, so here's the first of many treats I gleaned from it!

   By the way, the 1950, 1952, and 1956 yearbooks are still looking for a happy home. With Bob's permission, I will be posting this offer on the NNHS Alumni Facebook page. Meanwhile, if you feel that happy home is with you, contact Bob directly:

Bob Shelton
Springfield, Va.

rsheltonrhs@aol.com

   Thank you again, Bob!
 
1951 Anchor, inside front cover 1951 Anchor, p. 70
Courtesy of Bob Shelton of Northern VA
Thanks so much, Bob!
12/17/16  12/17/16

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

     http://www.nnhs65.com/faculty.html

          http://www.nnhs65.com/teachers.html

               http://www.nnhs65.com/teach-Shelton.html - two new images!
“If you're gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.”

- Marilyn Monroe
(01 June 1926 - o5 Aug 1962)

  From George Helliesen ('61) of VA - 11/20/16 - "Four Legged Soldiers (#27 in a series of 30)":

  MORE WOWZERS! Thanks, George!
 
 

 From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 12/09/16 - "Are we having fun yet with Santa? (#7 in a series of 19)":

  Thanks, Shari!
 
 

BONUS CHRISTMAS STORY:

From My Friend, Tammy, of UT - 12/07/14 - "Daily Christmas Story (#17 in a Series of 24)":
This year I decided to share some of my favorite Christmas stories and quotes. It is a tradition in our family to read a Christmas story every night in December culminating with the Nativity on the 24th.

Christmas Story Day 17, The Wishing Star
 
The Wishing Star

 
Davey looked out the window at the falling snow. Usually he loved snow, but today he was sad. It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was so deep that it might ruin Christmas for Davey. Because of the snowstorm, Davey was afraid that his older brother Josh would never make it home for Christmas.
 
“And I have such a special present for him!” Davey said to himself. “If only he could get here!" With his best crayons, Davey had drawn a picture of the barn on their farm. He was going to give it to Josh for Christmas to hang in his room at college. Davey turned away from the window with a sigh.

Just then, Dad called, “How about some help shoveling the driveway? We’re going to try to make it into town to finish our Christmas shopping. We also have to buy our tree, don’t forget.”

Davey ran to get his boots and coat. He followed Dad out into the snow. Davey picked up his small shovel and set to work, while Dad used his bigger one. Helping Dad shovel the snow made Davey feel better.
 
Soon, Davey and Dad and Mom were on their way to town. Because of the snow, they had to drive slowly. “I brought my picture for Josh with me,” Davey said as they rode along. “Maybe I can find a frame to fit it when we get to the store.” “Good idea,” said Mom. “I’ll help you look.”

When they got to town, they went to the Christmas tree lot. Davey was the first one out of the car. He ran over to a beautiful, glossy, tall tree. “Look at this one!” he shouted to Mom and Dad. “Josh will love this tree!” Then he remembered. Josh probably wouldn’t be home at all. Davey felt sad again.

Mom and Dad came over to see the tree Davey had found. “That’s a great tree, Davey,” said Dad with a smile. “I think you’re right. It’s the one we should get.” Mom added, “And even if Josh doesn’t get here to see it, he’d still be happy we have such a beautiful tree.”
 
Later, at the store, Mom took Davey to the counter where picture frames were sold. Davey looked at all the frames. Finally he said, “I like this wooden one. It reminds me of the wooden barn in my picture.”

The wooden frame was just the right size for his picture. Davey was very pleased. “I’m getting this just in case Josh makes it home for Christmas,” he said. Mom patted him on the shoulder. “I know how much you want Josh to be here tonight,” she said, “but it is still snowing hard. I really don’t think hell make it. So you mustn’t be too disappointed.”

“At least I can wish he’d come,” Davey said. As they were about to leave the store, Davey saw a crowd of people. “What are all those people looking at?” Davey wondered. He ran to get a closer look. Looking around the man in front of him, Davey could see what was at the center of the crowd. It was Santa! Children were sitting on Santa’s lap and talking to him. “Can we get in line, please, Dad?” begged Davey.
 
“Well, we’re kind of in a hurry. We need to be back home before the snow gets too deep,” said Dad. “But since this is Santa, I guess we can spare the time.”

Davey gave Dad a big thank-you hug and ran to get in line. It seemed to take forever, but at last it was his turn. When Davey climbed up on Santa’s lap, Santa said, “Well, well, and what would you like for Christmas?”

“I wish my brother Josh could get home for Christmas,” Davey said. “But the snow is so deep that Mom and Dad don’t think he can make it.”

“I don’t usually deliver people on Christmas Eve, just toys,” said Santa. “But I’ll tell you what. Tonight, before you go to sleep, make your wish on the biggest, brightest star in the sky. That’s the Wishing Star.”

“Will it really work?” Davey asked Santa. “Well, you never can tell about wishes, so I don’t make any guarantees,” said Santa. “But it surely doesn’t hurt to try!”
 

On the way home in the car, Davey saw that the snow was coming down harder and harder. When he and Mom and Dad were almost to the house, Davey talked about Santa’s Wishing Star. “We all make wishes every now and then,” said Mom, “but sometimes they just can’t come true.”

“I’m going to try, anyway,” insisted Davey. That night after dinner, Dad put the Christmas tree in its stand, and Mom and Davey joined him in decorating it with colored lights and balls and lots of tinsel. While they were working, Davey thought sadly, “It would be so great if Josh were here to see our beautiful tree.” Dad put a golden angel on the very top. “I think this is the best tree we’ve ever had!” he exclaimed.
 
Davey went over to the window and looked out. The snow had stopped falling. And there, right overhead, was a star Davey had never seen before. It was big and bright and sparkling. It was the biggest and brightest star in the sky, just as Santa had said.

Davey looked at the star and said, “Wishing Star, please let my Christmas wish come true. I wish that Josh would come home tonight, so we can all be together for Christmas.” Then Davey closed his eyes and wished as hard as he could.
 
Too soon, Davey heard Mom’s voice. “Time for bed, little one. If you go right to sleep, it will be Christmas morning before you know it.”

Davey hung his stocking by the fireplace. He kissed Mom and Dad and started up the stairs to his room.

Just then, the three of them heard a sound outside the front door. “Who could that be?” asked Dad. Suddenly the door flew open, and there was Josh! Davey raced to the door, flung his arms around his brother, and gave him the biggest hug he could manage. Josh had made it home after all. Davey’s Christmas wish had come true!

Later that night, when Davey was finally in bed, he looked out his window. Sure enough, the Wishing Star was still high in the sky. “Thank you, Wishing Star,” he whispered. “I knew you could do it. You’ve made this my best Christmas ever!”

  Thank you so very much, Tammy!

BONUS CHRISTMAS CROCHET PATTERN:

http://freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/penguins-free-crochet-pattern.html - Donna Collinsworth's Two Little Penguins

BONUS CHRISTMAS RECIPES:

   From Me ('65) of NC - 12/16/15:

Chocolate Éclair Cake
1 box graham crackers
2 (3-oz.) pkgs. instant French Vanilla pudding		 9-oz. Cool Whip
3 cups milk
  
   Butter a 9"x13" pan.  Line bottom of pan with graham crackers.  Mix milk and pudding together, then fold in whipped topping.  Spread half of filling on crackers, add another layer of crackers, then the rest of the filling mixture.  Top with a layer of crackers                                           

Chocolate Topping - OUTSTANDING!


   Bring to boil, cook one minute, and remove from heat:


1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 (1/2 stick) butter (NO margarine!)
1 tsp. vanilla
   
     Pour over cake.  Chill.  
 

http://www.mrfood.com/Pie/Gingersnap-Streusel-Pumpkin-Pie-5209/ml/1 - Gingersnap Streusel Pumpkin Pie - "The secret ingredients to this sweet, golden creation are the honey-roasted almonds and the cinnamon. That's all we're saying, though, because we don't wanna give the warm taste away too much. We promise you'll enjoy!"

http://www.mrfood.com/Cakes/Christmas-Crunch-Cake-3102/ml/1 - Christmas Crunch Cake - "Your holiday gathering will be extra special and extra easy, when you start with a store-bought cake and fancy it up with your own homemade frosting and garnishes. Our Christmas Crunch Cake will do you proud!"

http://www.mrfood.com/Pie/Peppermint-Pie-4921/ml/1 - Peppermint Pie - "Wanna know the not-so-secret recipe in this Peppermint Pie? You got it, it's peppermint and boy-oh-boy is it incredible in this dessert! Yum-my!"

FINALLY:

From www.ajokeaday.com - 12/16/16:

Eighty-year-old Bessie burst into the recreation room of the retirement home.

She held her clenched fist in the air and announced, "Anyone who can guess what's in my hand can take me out to dinner tonight!"

A witty elderly gentleman in the rear shouted out, "An elephant?"

Bessie thought a minute and replied, "Close enough!"

DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 - 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.

PRAYER ROLL:

http://www.nnhs65.com/requests-prayers.html - updated 12/12/16

 BLOG:

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

   Y'all take good 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
910-584-8802

"Never underestimate
the power of a drop
in the bucket."

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! 



God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics
of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the
gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols.
 
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
 
 

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" midi courtesy of http://www.abcsoffaith.com/html/sound7.html - 12/03/05

 "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" lyrics and history courtesy of http://www.carols.org.uk/god_rest_ye_merry_gentlemen.htm - 12/17/05

Additional History available at http://www.cvc.org/christmas/godrestye.htm - 12/17/05

Image of Carolers courtesy of http://rugbyweek.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-at-rugby-returns-saturday.html - 12/16/12

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!

Animated Dancing Teddy courtesy of Sandi Bateman Chestnut ('65) of VA - 03/08/11
Thanks, Sandi!

Animated Ringing Christmas Bell clip art (designed by Art Holden) courtesy of http://www.animationfactory.com - 12/08/05

Animated BOO-HOO courtesy of Glenn Dye ('60) of TX - 08/28/09
Thanks, Glenn!

Jeffrey Holman's Image "A Drop in the Bucket" courtesy of https://tearsfromalonelygod.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/a-drop-in-the-bucket/ - 05/23/16

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