“The time draws near the birth of Christ:
The moon is hid; the night is still;
The Christmas bells from hill to hill Answer each other in the mist”
-
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
(06 Aug 1809 - 06 Oct 1892)
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12/25/09 - NNHS Newsletter -
“The time draws near the birth of Christ:
The moon is hid; the night is still; -
Alfred, Lord Tennyson |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
Guess what?!? We
actually had a White Christmas here near St. Louis this morning! It's true,
really!
Okay, it was only a light dusting of snow, but it was sufficient to cover the
ground and turn everything white and beautiful!
I
hope that your Christmas was also white and beautiful!
Today we're revisiting the
Newsletter theme from exactly five years ago today, which was suggested for use
on Christmas Day at that time by our Wizard of Wonderment,
Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA.
Thanks
again, David!
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/12-25-04-NNHS-Merry-Christmas.html
BONUS #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBwyUpvQpJk - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Bing Crosby
BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMoyPL6lc9k - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - The Carpenters
BONUS #3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv2pBmWj7IA&NR=1 - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - instrumental
HOMEWORK:
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow:
On July 9, 1861,[67] a hot day, (his wife) Fanny was putting locks of her children's hair into an envelope and attempting to seal it with hot sealing wax while Longfellow took a nap.[68] Her dress suddenly caught fire, though it is unclear exactly how;[69] it may have been burning wax or a lighted candle which fell on her dress.[70] Longfellow, awoken from his nap, rushed to help her and threw a rug over her, though it was too small. He stifled the flames with his body as best he could, but she was already badly burned.[69] Over a half a century later, Longfellow's youngest daughter Annie explained the story differently, claiming that there was no candle or wax but that the fire started from a self-lighting match that had fallen on the floor.[61] In both versions of the story, however, Fanny was taken to her room to recover and a doctor was called. She was in and out of consciousness throughout the night and was administered ether. The next morning, July 10, 1861, she died shortly after 10 o'clock after requesting a cup of coffee.[71] Longfellow, in trying to save her, had burned himself badly enough that he was unable to attend her funeral.[72] His facial injuries caused him to stop shaving, thereafter wearing the beard which has become his trademark.[71]
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMoyPL6lc9k:
Longfellow wrote "Christmas Bells" on Christmas Day 1863 in the
midst of the American Civil War and the news of his son Charles Appleton
Longfellow having suffered wounds as a soldier in the Battle of New Hope Church,
VA during the Mine Run Campaign. Longfellow had suffered the great loss of his
wife Fanny two years prior to an accident with fire. His despair in the
following years was recorded in his journal.
The first Christmas after Fanny's death, Longfellow wrote, "How inexpressibly
sad are all holidays." A year after the incident, he wrote, "I can make no
record of these days. Better leave them wrapped in silence. Perhaps someday God
will give me peace."
Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a
lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded with a bullet
passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes.
The Christmas of 1863 was silent in Longfellow's journal.
Finally, on Christmas Day of 1864, he wrote the words of the poem, "Christmas
Bells." The reelection of Abraham Lincoln or the possible end of the terrible
war may have been the occasion for the poem. Lt. Charles Longfellow did not die
that Christmas, but lived. So, contrary to popular belief, the occasion of
writing that much loved Christmas carol was not due to Charles' death.
Longfellow's Christmas bells loudly proclaimed, "God is not dead."
PRAYER REQUESTS:
From
My Husband, Paul Harty (Bardolph HS, IL - '61) of IL - 12/24/09 - "Need some
serious prayer":
Carol,
Would you please put Jane Boggess' dad on the NNHS prayer roll for me? Thanks.
Your Doodler
Hello Paul,
I am asking if you would pray for my dad. He has been fighting
spinal cancer for the
last few years. Two days ago, Mom admitted Dad into the hospital for
diverticulosis. He is in ICU, with an infection and is out of it most of the
time. The doctors said surgery was the last resource as Dad might not make
it through the surgery, because of bleeding, low platelets,
low white blood cells and such because of the cancer. So pray that
Dad can get over the infection (peritonitis) and they can work on the
intestine with-out surgery.
I sincerely thank you for your prayers,
JaneB
YOWZERONI!
Certainly, Paul!
Tell Jane we're on the job!
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/requests-prayers.html
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 six 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!
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/requests-prayers.html
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:
Happy
Christmas Birthday today to
Patsy Bloxom Meider ('57) of NC
AND
Doug Dickinson ('69) of VA!
Happy Birthday this week to:
27 -
Anita Morgan Becker ('66) of VA;
29 - Roy Tate ('57);
30 - William Gwynn ('57)
AND
Ron Miller ('59) of NC
AND (if Plaxo
is to be believed)
Carole Althaus Tanenhaus ('65) of MD
AND Sarah Stewart Vance ('69) of VA;
31 - Pat Floyd Pride ('62) of VA
AND
Susie Overton Jones ('63) of VA
AND (again,
if Plaxo is to be believed)
David Rosenwasser
('64) of MO;
01 - Gloria Hand Burns ('57)
!
Many Happy Returns to You All!
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html
THIS DAY IN WWII:
December 25, 1941 - Admiral Chester W Nimitz arrived at Pearl Harbor to assume command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
December 25, 1941 -
The
Battle of Hong Kong ended, beginning the
Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong.
THIS DAY IN 1964:
Friday, December 25, 1964 - Footballer Gary McAllister was born in Newarthill, Motherwell, Scotland.
Friday, December 25, 1964 - Music video director and editor Tim Royes (d. 13 Aug 2007 in New York City) was born.
Friday, December 25, 1964 - Musician (Saint Etienne), filmmaker, and journalist Bob Stanley was born in Horsham, Sussex.
From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 12/23/09 - "The 2nd Verse":
The 2nd Verse
We were singing Christmas songs in a staff meeting at our family business. We
have a devotional service before the business portion starts. The current song
was "Joy to the World."
Everyone chimed in heartily as we sang the first verse.
Then the second verse began.
Bright energetic voices changed into muffled and muted hums and babbling. My
mother was standing beside me. Only her voice punched through the disharmonious
ramblings of the crowd. She knew every word and sang it strong and clear. It is
also amazing how one person who truly knows punches through the confusion.
I didn't know the second verse along with the rest of the crowd, but mother has
always been different. It was a MountainWings Moment.
Most of us know the first verse. Few of us know beyond the surface and the
general knowledge of the crowd. It is true with Joy to the World. It is true
with true joy.
That which separates you from the crowd is always deeper than the surface.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Joy to the World by Pastor Isaac Watts (1719)
That which separates you from the crowd is always deeper than the surface.
~A MountainWings Original~
Thank
you, Shari!
I so enjoyed this story!
Speaking of which.....
From
Me
('65) of IL - 12/25/09 - "Once a Weirdo, Always.....":
You all know how weird I am, but lest you think I became that way later in life, I shall tell you now that I think I actually arrived here on earth that way.
When I was three years old I taught myself to read. When I was five years old, I was given (in the weeks just before Christmas) a large wonderful paperback collection of sheet music to all the best loved Christmas carols. With the help of that booklet, I taught myself to read music, and memorized all the words to all the verses of those carols - including Joy to the World and today's selection, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I remember them all still to this day, and that knowledge has enriched my soul immeasurably (and has been very convenient as my vision has faded over the years).
From the Head Flagtwirler of 1965,
Janice
McCain Rose of VA -
12/24/09 - "snow for Christmas":
Merry Christmas Carol.....
For all of those who want to see snow for Christmas, I've attached three photos taken last weekend @ my new home celebrating our Family Christmas.....I think it snowed 20+ inches....and then of course, drifts were much deeper. The snow is still here....and will be for some time.
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WOWZERS!
How pretty!
Thanks, Janice!
The other
day
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midnight sledding with my kids |
view of front of house |
my deck full of snow |
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She said there was in excess of two feet on the ground with the promise of
20" more!
From
My Husband, Paul Harty (Bardolph HS, IL - '61) of IL - 12/24/09 - "BRILLIANT
Christmas Video":
YOU MUST WATCH THIS; IT'S GREAT.
You MUST NOT pass this one by:
http://video.telegraph.co.uk/services/player/bcpid1529569286?bctid=5524339001
BRILLIANT, Dools?!?
Well, yes, I suppose it is - but it's also weirdly creepy - like that old cartoon show with the moving human lips super-imposed on the drawings! Thanks, Paul!
From Norris Perry (Warwick HS - '59) of VA - 12/24/09 - "Thousands Gather to Protest Global Warming... !":
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!
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WILD GIGGLES!
Thank
you,
Norris!
Merry Christmas to you, too! |
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From Ed Nichols ('62) of Northern VA -
12/24/09 - "Merry Christmas":
Hi Carol.
Wishing you and your Family a warm and blessed Christmas.....
Your friend, Ed Nichols
Thanks
so much, Eddie!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
ABBREVIATED ALERT:
From Jane
Chambers of VA - 07/01/09 - "CNC BOOK BROCHURE & AD":
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/CNC-CNU/brochure(2).pdf
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/CNC-CNU/CNC-Memories-Book-219390602.pdf
Contact Dr. Chambers at cncmemories61_71@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Jane!
FINALLY:
From ArcaMax Jokes - 12/24/09:
Married Couple
A young couple got married and
left on their honeymoon. When they got back, the bride immediately called her
mother.
"Well," said her mother, "so - how was the honeymoon?"
"Oh, mama," she replied, "the honeymoon was wonderful! So romantic..."
Suddenly she burst out crying. "But, mama, as soon as we returned Sam started
using the most horrible language - things I'd never heard before! I mean, all
these awful 4-letter words! You've got to come get me and take me home... PLEASE
MAMA!"
"Sarah, Sarah," her mother said, "calm down! Tell me, what could be so awful?
WHAT 4-letter words?"
"Please don't make me tell you, mama," wept the daughter, "I'm so embarrassed -
they're just too awful! COME GET ME, PLEASE !!!"
"Darling, baby, you must tell me what has you so upset... Tell your mother these
horrible 4-letter words!"
Still sobbing, the bride said, "Oh, mama...words like: Dust, Wash, Iron,
Cook..."
*************
Never Sick
Grandma Jones from the valley had never experienced a sick day in her life, so
she didn't take it kindly when a bad case of the mulligrubs sent her to the
hospital for observation.
By the time a pair of husky interns got Grandma tucked into bed, she had managed
to complain about everything: the temperature, the lights, the skimpy gown, the
food and the mattress, especially, the mattress.
Suddenly, Grandma spotted a small plastic item with a button, attached to a
cord. "What's that?" she demanded.
"If you need anything in the middle of the night, Grandma," said one of the
interns, "just press that button."
"What does it do, ring a bell?" she asked.
"No, it turns on a light in the hall for the nurse on duty," the intern replied.
"A light in the hall?" responded Grandma. "Look, I'm the sick one around here.
If the night nurse needs a light on in the hall, she can get up and switch it on
herself."
DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7, 2010 - The NNHS Class of 1970 will hold its 40-Year Reunion. Saturday night will be at the Kiln Creek Golf & Country Club. For details, contact Carol Comer Cutler at ca23comerww@aol.com or visit the reunion website at NNHS1970Reunion.myevent.com - CLASS OF 19702. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 6, 7, and 8, 2010 - The NNHS Class of 1960 will hold its 50-Year Reunion at the Marriott Newport News at City Center. For details, contact Karen Weinstein Witte at kwitte@tampabay.rr.com - CLASS OF 1960
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PRAYER ROLL: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/requests-prayers.html - updated 12/25/09 |
BLOG: http://nnhs.wordpress.com/ - updated 08/04/09 |
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.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley
Harty
618-530-9092
I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day
Words by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(27 Feb 1807 – 24 Mar 1882), 1863
Music by John Baptiste Calkin (16 Mar 1827 - 15 Apr 1905), 1870's
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" midi courtesy of
http://www.ilovewavs.com/Holidays/Xmas/Midi/midi.htm,Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
Ornament Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/christ-htm/lines-christ16.htm - 12/18/04
Animated Tiny
Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of
Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of
VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!
Pine Forest High School (NC) Trojans Logo clip art courtesy of http://www.pfhs.ccs.k12.nc.us/alumni.htm - 05/19/07
Army Seal clip art courtesy of
Al Farber ('64) of GA - 05/24/06 (still missing...)
Thanks, Al!
Replaced by Norm Covert ('61) of MD - 02/09/09
Thanks, Norm!
John Marshall High School's Justice Scale clip art courtesy of
Cheryl White Wilson (JMHS - '64) of VA - 10/13/05 (replaced 02/23/09)
Thanks, Cheryl!
