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12/28/05 - NNHS Newsletter
Third Day of Hanukkah

Wishing you and those you love
all the good fortunes of life,
health, happiness and peace
throughout the New Year.

Best Wishes at Hanukkah!

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

Today is the third full day of Hanukkah!

On a less celebratory note, it's also the 53rd Anniversary of the NNHS Great Fire:

12-28-52-GREAT-FIRE.html

NEWBIES:

1. Dustin Baker (Norview HS - '65) of MA - 12/27/05

Hi, Dusty! It's great to have you with us! (Dusty and I were at Old Dominion together.) I added you
to our strangely mis-named Alumni List:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/alumni-list.html

I can't believe that I can't remember your birthday, but what can you do? There's nothing much I can do, because I do believe that once brain cells disappear, there're never seen or heard from again, but if you'll forgive my patchy memory and send me your birthday, I'll add your name there as well:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

And another thing I can't remember is the Norview mascot. If you'll tell us your school colors and logo, we'll see what we can do about adding them to your posts.

Wait a minute! What am I thinking?!? Norview High is still open!

http://ww2.nps.k12.va.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=368

PILOTS!!! The Norview Pilots! And it looks as though your colors are Navy and White! But, uhhhh, I still don't know how the logo looks...... Or was it in that site somewhere and I missed it? And has it been altered in the last forty-eleven years anyway?!?

Thanks, Dusty!

From Bill Campbell ('54) of VA - 12/23/05 - "200th Birthday":

(This is one of those pieces of email that was lost in cyber-space for a few days, and only just
reappeared. I do not understand that. I'd like to know where they are all that time. I picture them
landing on a mountaintop in Tibet, being perused by monks who are left to ponder their meaning
before they return them to us over treacherous narrow mountain passes.....

Hi Carol.

Thank you for sharing with us the fact that 12/23 is the 200th birthday of Joseph Smith. My wife and I remember this because today is also Holly's 52nd birthday (she attended Hampton Roads Academy, Class of '72, and it is also our 32nd wedding anniversary.

Super! I added her to the Birthday Page (OOOPS - We'll need her maiden name!)

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/Happy-Birthday.html

Happy Un-Birthday, Holly, and a Happy Belated Anniversary to you both!

We live near a Mormon (chapel), and the young folks who are doing their 2 year missions are always in the neighborhood. I enjoy talking with them, and I try very hard not to try to convert them to my religion, which is 'non-denominationalism'. But, I always tell them how proud I am of them because of their strong convictions, and I am also proud of you for initiating and maintaining this website.

COOL BEANS! Thanks!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's not our fault that this is five days late!!! Ummm - we should keep Christmas in our hearts all year???

Bill C. ('54)

P.S. I am going to find my '54 Anchor and send you a scan of my senior picture, so that you can include it with my letters.

Oh, COOL!!! Thanks! That way they'll all be uniform! You know how obsessive I am! WILD GIGGLES!!!!

Thanks again, Bill - Happy New Year!

From Me ('65) of NC - 12/27/05:

Tried as I might, I was unable to locate any traditional Hanukkah recipes by anyone you'd know personally. So I have a double compromise: Here's a link to some Hanukkah recipes: http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/hanukkah/recipes.htm And here are some recipes by some familiar names:

COCOA NUTTY COFFEE CAKE	CRESCENT YEAST COFFEE CAKE	LEMON PARFAIT PIE	SCOTCH CAKE
Mrs. J. L. Levinson (Selma) - mother of Ilene Levinson Lieberman - ('65) of Israel	Mrs. Ira Hirshman (Lee) - mother of Mike Hirshman ('65) of CO and Janet Hirshman ('68) of VA	Mrs. Franklin O. Blechman (Marie) - mother of Judith Blechman ('57); Libby Blechman David ('61) of VA; and Frank Blechman ('65) of Northern VA	Mrs. Sol Ellenson (Bernice) - mother of Harron Ellenson ('65) of MA, and aunt of Rabbi David Ellenson ('65) of NY
p. 166	p. 171	p. 185	p. 222
As soon as I find myself in a cooking mode again, I'm going to try some of these myself! These were all taken from Always in Good Taste, collected by the Hampton Roads Section of the National Council of Jewish Women in August, 1972. "I bought it on eBay!"

From Jimmy Hines ('64) of Northern VA - 12/27/05:

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Carol!

This is from a trumpet playing friend of mine who served in the US Army,  and with whom I play 
in Alte Kameraden and the City of Fairfax Band:

"I appreciated receiving this from a retired Air Force family member and
wanted to share it with my fellow veterans and service members at this
special time of year. Happy New Year to All!"

By the way, I cannot imagine any uncomfortable-ness in supporting friends' beliefs, and thank you 
again for including all in your efforts - and for that you get a dozen .

(wonder if they will go through?)

   Your dozen red roses made through just fine, Sweetie!  Thank you so much!

   Actually, I'd better clarify that.  It wasn't so much that I was being supportive of other religions; it was 
the fact that we were discussing and acknowledging religions at all that made some people 
uncomfortable.

   Once we began "rebuilding" the peninsula, the old churches and synagogues were naturally included:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/our-places-worship.html

   And just as naturally, memories and discussions of a religious nature arose.  As I said, it just became 
too stressful to ignore them and pretend that they didn't exist.  Because they are such a part of us, and 
as we're all one big family - well, it's just easier, more educational, and more fun now that we celebrate 
them openly.

I got to visit with    Thommy (Rowell Snead) &    Charlie (Snead - both '64 - 
of NC) at Charlie's parents' house in NN yesterday. It was great to see them all!

   Well, isn't that wonderful?!?  I'm not sure why I get such a glow from hearing of old 
friends visiting with one another again, but it's almost as if I'm there myself.

Happy New Year to you'n your'n...Jimmy

   GIGGLES!!!  Thank you, Jimmy!  I usually don't publish pieces that are this long, but as it's so 
very special and so dear to my heart for so many reasons, I couldn't resist.

A CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

"No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

"My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

"I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

"I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

"Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget

"To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

"For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

"Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Author Unknown

WOWZERS. Thank you so much, Jimmy-Luv - and Happy New Year!!! (And yes, of course I'm wiping tears from my cheeks! Crying is what I do best - next to laughing, that is!)

From Dustin Baker (Norview HS - '65) of MA - 12/27/05 - "Dreidles":

It's true that most dreidles carry the Hebrew initials for "a great miracle happened THERE" but most people may not know that in Israel the dreidles carry the initials for "a great miracle happened HERE". The game is the same, though.

Just a thought,

Dustin

Norview H.S. 65

Well, that certainly makes sense! Thanks, Dusty! And Happy Hanukkah!

From Fred Field ('45) of CA - 12/27/05 - "About Spoonbread":

Hello Carol, Tue. Dec. 27, 05

How well I remember spoonbread. I have tried without much success to describe it to friends here in California.

"In the Tidewater you really do eat it with a spoon. Some fancy families even had tiny spoons for the purpose. It wouldn't be proper to try to eat it with a fork. If you could it would mean the cook had got it too dry (or he might think that you were implying that he had).

"Spoonbread is a steamed or wet bread. I understand that one of the Chinese breads is similar, but probably made from rice flour.

"We always had spoonbread with fish - most commonly broiled blue fish, fried flounder, or boiled salt mackerel. Proper service would be in a small side bowl. Most diners would add an additional dab of butter and some would sprinkle on a little pepper. I always wondered how a little paprika would do - but back there you don't tamper with traditions. You don't build a ranch house in Williamsburg!

That would make sense; it sounds like a great combination. It was never served with fish in our home because my father was terribly allergic to seafood. I do however, have a vivid memory of having lunch with my mama and aunts in Miller and Rhodes Tea Room in Richmond when I was three years old. I was allowed to choose from the menu myself. (I learned to read at the age of three. Yes, I've always been weird.) To everyone's astonishment, I chose the blue fish. I thought it sounded so beautiful, it must taste wonderful. I was right!

"Spoonbread was a specialty for Sunday dinner at the Warwick Hotel in Newport News.

"The corn meal had to be from white corn and preferably fine ground.

"Also, I only remember it being baked in a deep ceramic bowl. Never in a flat pan. The idea is to keep it wet.

"And no - we ain't talking about grits."

Noooo, but I love those, too! Mmmmmmm........

Happy holidays, Fred

Thanks so much, Fred! Happy New Year!

From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 12/27/05 - "Christmas Pics":

I am taking the pics.. but here is the rest of my wonderful family on Christmas Day! Chera and husband Adrian, and John (Howard - '66) with our 3 little women.
		What a beautiful family! Thank you so much for sharing these, Cheryl! I've posted them on the News link: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/news.html http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/news-2005.html
Adrian and Chera Hope	John Howard and His Lovely Daughters
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2005
Happy New Year Typhoons and Cheryl (White) Wilson (John Marshall HS - '64 - of VA)! Peace & Blessing, Cheryl Thanks again, Lady!

From Linda Lane Lane ('64) of VA (visiting in FL) - 12/27/05 - Greetings":

Hi Carol,

Happy Holidays.

LINDA-LINDA!!! There you are! Do you realize that it's been so long since we heard from you that I hadn't even scanned in your senior portrait until just now?!? That means it was mid-October, and you were about to depart on a grand trip to some exciting destination.......

It is still rather cool here in the Tampa Bay area but much warmer than Williamsburg. The aches and pain seem to be less in the warmer climate except for those rainy days. My grandchildren have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with their school plays and musical presentations. My grandson, Pea Pod, is 8 and a lot on the chubby side. He was selected to be a Shepherd in the annual school drama of Christ birth. I never realized how tall he was until he tried to stand up inside the manger and his head almost went through the gauze top. Luckily, the pastor's son was the one to upset the manger this year when he pulled on the side wall to get up and it all came tumbling down. All the actors were fine and continued on with their program.

You're a hoot, Lady!

My granddaughter Sarah, pulled out her two upper front teeth a week before Christmas. Last year it was the bottom ones. Next year, they will all be crooked.

YOWZERS!!! Pulled them out?!? YIKES - the pain!!!

I have enjoyed feasting on the fresh strawberries, tangerines and vegetables that are plentiful this time of year as we are close to Plant City. Wish I could send you some of each to taste.

This past year has brought a lot of emotions, both happy and sad as I have read with anticipation each new edition of the Newsletter. Carol, you are so special for bringing this to us. I hope I never get too old to enjoy reminiscing of the wonderful times we have shared together. Each time someone new signs in, I can hardly wait to read their memories of times past.

Isn't that just so exciting?!? I feel the same way! Each one brings an stimulating new perspective!

I pray the New Year will bring you good health and some much needed rest to enjoy the return of your sons ( Joshua - Hillsboro HS - IL - '97, and

Dale - American School - IL - '02).

Love,

Linda L. Lane

mumuml3@aol.com

We are becoming very excited about that! Adrienne has even begun at last to clean and organize that bedroom. We know it's in here somewhere under all this clutter........

And we are planning to have some fun with those guys! We spoke with them both on the phone on Christmas Day, which was a real treat in and of itself!

Thanks, Linda! It's wonderful to hear from you again! I've missed you.

From Bill Hobbs ('66) of Northern VA - 12/27/05 - "Buckroe Park Picture":

I am thrilled so many enjoyed the picture I forwarded to you last week. I apologize to Captain Dave (Spriggs - '64 - of VA) for not investigating the facts more thoroughly, but that's the way I received it from my Sis (Debbie - '71 - of VA). I do happen to be familiar with her source (a most respectable fellow) and have tasked her to authenticate the label of "1946". Unfortunately he is vacationing somewhere.
		I will follow up on this and let you know as I too am interested, and have been studying this as Al (Simms - '60 - of VA) suggested via enlargement. The only conclusion thus far is that my first car, a 1953 Hudson Hornet is definitely not in the photo. That will be super, Bill! When we have the date pinned down more exactly, I will at long last double post the image.
Buckroe Beach and Amusement Park

Before I became a Typhoon (1961), I grew up in Hampton attending Sinclair, Copeland Park, Phoebus and John B. Cary elementary schools and Buckroe Jr. High. With the beach and park within walking distance I spent much time there. With all the comments I've read on the picture this has whisked me back to the past and brought to my remembrance such enjoyable times. Priceless. Typhoon(s) Forever, Bill Hobbs Why, Billy, I never knew that! I always thought you had attended - um, uh, well, one of those other elementary schools! I had no idea! But you're right - the time travel and the memories evoked by this fabulous image have been totally captivating! Thanks again - and Happy New Year!

Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! Y'all stay happy - and take care of each other!
TYPHOONS FOREVER!

Love to all, Carol

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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

"I only have two kinds of days: happy and hysterically happy."

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Chanuka Medley

“Chanuka Medley” midi courtesy of http://www.jr.co.il/music/midi/jewish.htm - 12/26/05

Image of Hanukkah Gift Basket courtesy of http://www.giftbasketsbysharon.atfreeweb.com/christmas.htm - 12/26/05

Gold Star of David clip art used to form Divider Line courtesy of http://www.wisegorilla.com/images/jewish/ - 12/26/05

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