lucky you - your browser doesnt play annoying midis

	12/19/09 - NNHS Newsletter - Carol of the Bells “When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow, we hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago, and etched on vacant places are half-forgotten faces of friends we used to cherish, and loves we used to know.” - Ella Wheeler Wilcox (05 Nov 1850 - 30 Oct 1919)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, 

   Today's Newsletter theme is being revisited from exactly four years ago today, but with different graphics:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/12-19-05-NNHS-Carol-of-the-Bells.html

BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrx-4Awe70 - Carol of the Bells - Celtic Woman in concert, 2007

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQfUgeJxpS0 - Carol of the Bells - Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert, Nov. 18, 2007

BONUS #3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvNmOc1QirY - Carol of the Bells - Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 2008

From http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/carol_of_the_bells_notes.htm:

"The Ukraine region of the former Soviet Union has been frequently misunderstood. Although for centuries it was more than large enough to be an independent medium-sized nation, which it now is, and had a language, alphabet, and culture distinct from the dominant Russians, the Ukrainians were often mistakenly labeled 'Russians.' This miscomprehension affected all sectors of their civilization, including the one famous contribution to the literature of carols to emanate from the Ukraine.

"The music for the very popular holiday song, 'Carol of the Bells,' was created by the Ukraine's most popular composer, Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych (1877-1921). Despite being born in Ukraine, living in Ukraine, and largely working with Ukrainian music, Leontovych and his works are more than occasionally called 'Russian.' The composition from which 'Carol of the Bells' was derived, the choral work Shchedryk, which was first performed by students at Kiev University in December 1916, has not been exempted from the mislabeling. But the Ukrainians, from one perspective, have had the last laugh in this cultural comedy of errors, for by far the best-known carol music to originate in any portion of the former Soviet Union was Leontovych's brilliant musical portrayal of the sounds of Christmas bells.

"Only 20 years after its composition, the music from Shchedryk was converted into a carol halfway around the world. Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978), a composer, lyricist, and conductor who worked with Arturo Toscanini on NBC radio, adapted Leontovych's music and added some lyrics....

"Since the synthesis of 'Carol of the Bells' in 1936, the song, also known as 'Ukrainian Carol,' has increasingly become a part of the celebration of Christmas in the United States....."

- William Studwell, The Christmas Carol Reader

PRAYER REQUEST:

     From Me ('65) of IL - 12/13/09 (altered for date and repeated):

   I feel strongly impressed today to ask your fervent prayers on behalf of five people whose issues have not been mentioned here before. What I'm actually requesting is Five Christmas Miracles, as the various problems all need to find a resolution by New Year's Eve. I know that's only twelve days away now, but I also know among us there are some Mighty Prayer Warriors, and I would deeply appreciate your efforts, as I'm sure would they! Thank you all so very much - and Merry Christmas!

REMINDER FOR LAST-MINUTE SHOPPERS:

 From Mark Friedman ('65) of VA - 11/05/09:

AT MARK FRIEDMAN’S JEWELERS IN YORKTOWN I AM GIVING A 20% DISCOUNT ON ALL MERCHANDISE IN STOCK FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND 15% OFF ON JEWELRY REPAIRS TO ALL THE NNHS CLASSMATES.

BEST REGARDS,

MARK

   WHOO-HOO! Thanks, Mark!

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

   Happy Birthday today to Durwood Adams ('57)!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

22 -   Kitty Norman Haskins ('57) of VA 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   Sandye Jordan Murray ('67) of VA!

25 -   Patsy Bloxom Meider ('57) of NC AND Doug Dickinson ('69) of VA AND     Anica Thomas Penrod (Pine Forest HS, NC - '97) of NC!

   Many Happy Returns to You All!

December 19, 1941 - Adolf Hitler became Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the German Army.

Saturday, December 19, 1964 - Basketball player Arvydas Sabonis was born in Kaunas, Lithuania SSR - USSR.

Saturday, December 19, 1964 - Actress Béatrice Dalle was born in Brest, Finistère, France.

  From Al Farber ('64) of GA - 12/18/09 - "holiday season":

  HOPE all have a  HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON....  TYPHOONs FOREVER      

                AL

   Thank you so much, Al! I do, too!  

From http://www.selfgrowth.com - 12/16/09 - "Conflict":

I'm never short of an opinion. My colleague remarked that I was unusually forthright in board meetings, disagreeing with the chair openly on several occasions. I've never been one to balk or pander to others because of rank; I believe whole-heartedly that every individual has something to offer debate, regardless of experience, position, or job title.

Apparently this opinion is not shared by others, as I learned recently in a strategic review meeting.

I was told with different words but with clear meaning: "shut up buttercup and respect your elders."

I do not take kindly to being told to pipe down, I can assure you! The blood boiled in my face and I sat seething in my chair.

Now I've learned a thing or two about what not to do, and this helped me a lot as I fumed, steam lifting my shirt collar.

Here's what NOT to do:

1. Do not let your emotions speak for you.
I was severely peeved at this point; had I let rip with what was screaming in my head, all the others would have heard were my feelings, red and raw. Plus they would be distracted by wiping the spittle from their eye.

The thing to do at this point is to feel the feelings fully, on my own, without vomiting these in a messy explosion. Once I'd let the storm dissipate, I could look more rationally at what the issue was, and how I'd like to present my side of the argument.

2. Resist the urge to want to win the war then and there.
Having been told to get back in my box and then patronized with a deferential pat on the knee, I was ripe for a fight. However I am quite certain had I insisted on crossing swords, then I would have come off the worst - losing both my dignity and perhaps the esteem of my peers.

Taking the long view on the issue is far more effective than wanting to score points in a tit for tat battle of semantics. Knowing the ultimate outcome I wanted - to make effective long lasting change to an educational program - was far more important than arguing over the effectiveness of past programs. You can't change other people's view of the past; you are better off shaping a compelling vision of the future and inviting them to join you.

3. Don't dismiss other people's opinions because they've pi**ed you off.
I may have been insulted and irritated, but this does not mean the others did not have a valid opinion. Taking a step back and asking, "Is there anything I can learn from this?"

As it turns out I had actually missed a key strategic point my colleague was making and that I agreed with. I was very glad not to have had pressed my argument more forcefully, only to realise later I had missed the point. Phew!

4. Mind your language.
This is an obvious one - avoid swearing or insulting your peers. Here's a less obvious one - be careful how you express your point of view. I have a tendency to use colorful, vivid language to make a point. I think this is my Canadian background seeping through. However, other people may not appreciate being told they 'need a fire lit under their a**' when a simple phrase like, 'focused motivation' would be more appropriate. Ahem.

5. Don't forget - you're all on the same team and ultimately want the same outcome.
I heard Chris Howard, personal development guru, describe this as 'chunking up' an argument until you get to the place where you realize you want the same thing. Then you can work down again around the issue where the differences come up, seeking common ground and a compromise. This can help take the sting out of disagreement and reassert respect.

Lastly, the basic common denominator is about respect. No matter if I was patronized, denigrated, or dismissed, I can still be a leader and respect my colleague, agreeing to disagree, and conceding our differences.

I can always take out my frustration in the gym. It's hard to be angry when you're lathered in a pool of sweat on the step machine.

 

From ArcaMax Jokes - 12/18/09:

Mistletoe At The Airport

It was slightly before Christmas. The trip went reasonably well, and he was ready to go back. The airport on the other end had turned a tacky red and green, and loudspeakers blared annoying elevator renditions of cherished Christmas carols.

Being someone who took Christmas very seriously, and being slightly tired, he was not in a particularly good mood.

Going to check in his luggage (which, for some reason, had become one suitcase with entirely new clothes), he saw hanging mistletoe. Not real mistletoe, but very cheap plastic with red paint on some of the rounder parts and green paint on some of the flatter and pointier parts, that could be taken for mistletoe only in a very Picasso sort of way.

With a considerable degree of irritation and nowhere else to vent it, he said to the attendant, "Even if I were not married, I would not want to kiss you under such a ghastly mockery of mistletoe."

"Sir, look more closely at where the mistletoe is."

(pause)

"Ok, I see that it's above the luggage scale, which is the place you'd have to step forward for a kiss."

"That's not why it's there."

(pause)

"Ok, I give up. Why is it there?"

"It's there so you can kiss your luggage goodbye."

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

Nearsighted

A nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher.

The note read: Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.

Failing to observe the punctuation, he startled his audience by announcing: Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

   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
 

Carol of the Bells

Lyrics and Music: Adapted by Peter J. Wilhousky, copyright 1936,
from original by Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych, 1916
 

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air

Oh, how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas

On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home

Ding, dong, ding, dong.

"Carol of the Bells" midi courtesy of http://www.christiananswers.net/midimenu.html - 11/26/05

"Carol of the Bells" lyrics courtesy of http://www.christmas-carols.net/carols/carol-of-bells.html - 12/19/05

Christmas Bells title clip art courtesy of http://www.christmasgifts.com/christmasclipart07v.html - 12/25/09 (sic)

 Gold Bells and Branch and Bells Divider Lines clip art courtesy of http://d21c.com/AnnesPlace/Xmas5.html - 12/18/04