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12/08/07 - NNHS Newsletter -
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

"But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round...
as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of,
in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent
to open their shut-up hearts freely."

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
(7 Feb 1812 - 9 June 1870)

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

I do hope your various holiday preparations - whatever it is you happen to be personally celebrating - are proceeding more smoothly than mine! GIGGLES!!!

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS:
Tomorrow, Shirley Smith Langston ('57) will be celebrating her birthday, followed by Glen Davenport ('63) of VA on Monday! Wednesday brings us another Birthday Three-fer! Marcus C. Higgins ('65) of AZ, Tom Norris (Hampton HS - '73), AND My #2 Daughter-in-Law, Bethany Winona Harty (Siuslaw HS, OR - '94) of OH will all be having big days! On Thursday, so will Kay Davis Smith ('57), and on Friday, Elizabeth Mitchell Hedgepeth ('57) will as well! Then on Saturday we'll have another Two-Fer! Jewell Hamner Crowe ('57) and Buster Vest ('63) of VA will both be observing their birthdays then!

Many Happy Regards to all of y'all!

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

From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 12/04/07 - Tuesday":

Health tips

Title: You Wont Believe It Unless You try It. I Guarantee It.

Years ago, I fractured my ribs. If this has ever happened to you, the pain is so severe that if someone walks near you, you will actually scream. I had to go on disability and take pain medication that did not help. My good friend told me to boil some comfrey plants chopped up and strained and while still hot take a rag and dip into the hot solution and apply to the hurt. Within 1 day my hurt was almost completely gone. Just recently I took some Comfrey to one of my coworkers because her back was hurting so bad and she tried it and couldn’t thank me enough, don’t ever turn your nose up at anything unless you have given it a try. I know that your body is going to say, why didn’t you do this before.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Words of Encouragement Story Editor:
by Joseph Hili Joyce Schowalter
Gozo, Malta

I live in the island nation of Malta. When I was young and attending the secondary school in the late 50's, I had to study by the light of a kerosene lamp. Since there was no electric service in our area, we had no electricity at home. When finally the electricity passed our house, in 1961, I called a local electrician to come and install electricity in our house. He promised to come, but he never did it.

I was so frustrated that I went to a hardware store, bought all the material necessary to wire two rooms, and from my knowledge I installed them myself.

Then I applied to get the electrical meter. The day the meter installer came, I was so frightened that he might tell me to take everything away because it was not a good installation. His helper, who was always with him just to carry his tools, looked at me and said, "Bravo, bravo, good work. You will pass the exam".

These words were so encouraging for me that I decided to continue installing electricity in all of our house. Then my neighbors asked me to install electricity for them also. I made many mistakes, but from them I learned a lot.

In the meantime, I began to take evening classes in electricity, to get the relevant certificates to be licensed. Eventually, I got them.

Then, instead of continuing to study for a common clerk typist, which I had planned to do before, I became a professional electrician. I took big contracts until I retired.

In about 1997, I was returning home from an urgent electrical repair request from a farmer who had given me two big melons to take home. I once again saw the gentleman who had told me "bravo" 45 years ago. He was standing with his son waiting on a bus-stage.

I stopped to give them a lift, which he accepted. I offered him a melon and told him that it was as a reward for what he had said to me 45 years ago. I told him he had changed my entire route of life.

He answered that he didn't remember anything about that encounter, but he was very happy to hear it, and thanked me heartily. I told him that it was I who had to thank him.

I always remember him and mention this story frequently, for he changed my life completely.

Ah, the power of the spoken word! Thanks so much, Shari!

From Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 12/06/07 - "What a beautiful newsletter!!!":

I too love Christmas...I am on a "high" for the whole month of December...shopping used to "get me" until I learned to just do it all year...if I am on a vacation or out in the shops at any time during the year and see something that "reminds me of someone" I pick it up and tuck it away...no I do not lose it or forget that I have it...around December 1 I get out all the little goodies and put them on the bed and see who I have nothing for...the kids are good at giving me a list...my husband and I prefer travel to expensive gifts...so we focus on other people at Christmas time. I play the piano at several nursing homes during the Christmas season...it feels good to see the looks of love and gratitude given by the elderly folks who live there. I sing in my church's Christmas Cantata (this year it will be during the morning worship service on the 16th). Sometimes I take cookies or other treats for them. We also attend musical programs and one evening in December just ride around to look at the lights...we both grew up taking rides as a form of family fun...sadly there are not too many places where you can just go riding and meander...because everyone is in a hurry...and you are on a freeway very quickly or a main thoroughfare...

Such blessed fun! Thanks, Jean!

From Linda May Bond Crayton ('66) of VA - 12/06/07 - "Ms Bonkers":

Hi Carol,

Your update of Buster Vest ('63 - of VA) is indeed nice but I'm wondering WHAT you're trying to tell us with the old yearbook picture......

Enlarge it and see.......

Linda May

OH, CRUM!!! (I wonder just how many months that has been linked to the wrong image...) Thanks for telling me, Linda May! (Sorry about that, Buster; it's all fixed now!)

From Sepi Dinwiddie Prichard ('58) of NC - 12/06/07 - " Glenn Dye ('60 - of TX) and Carol, how could you forget all those members of the class of '57 that have Birthdays in December ?????":

For Glenn Dye ('60) of TX....

Joan, one of the women in my Bible study recently had a pacemaker installed. Kinda' makes you thing of a dishwasher or a new muffler, that word installed. That was on a Friday about two months ago, she missed the following Thursday Bible study, but the next week she was back and looked extremely healthy. We fussed over her as women are prone to do, and she said, "Would you please stop ! All I had was a pacemaker installed and my sister visited last week and that's why I didn't make it to Bible study. This woman also has Muscular Dystrophy, With out prayers, and your faith You are going to be just fine. You've got my prayers. Are you getting it before or after Christmas ? Joan calls it her "helper" !

Dimples aka Sepi

Thank you, Sepi! I passed your note on to Glenn.

Carol, forgetting my older brothers and sisters Birthdays ? Wassa matta ? Oh, wait, the Christmas Crazies. Well, I understand; I used to have them until I realized it was Jesus' Birthday and all the extra stuff I was doing wasn't necessary. Gift wrap ? now gift bags and tissue paper. All that extra baking, we don't need it, can't eat it all and it gets stale in a matter of days. Looking for a fresh tree? Quit looking, go to the closest big Box store or drug store and see what they have for under $15 bucks, pre-lit. It will look great when you decorate it, no matter how much it costs. Less old tradition, more NEW tradition, less emphasis on trees, decorations, gifts, cooking, running, we are not perfect, never will be. Let's make more time for the One that is Perfect. He wants to see what's in our hearts, not in our yards. Or if the bow on that package is in the right place. Christmas has become a frenzy of consumerism, not a Celebration of the day we have designated as Jesus' Birthday. Must we continue to push ourselves to the limit, to prove to ourselves we CAN do it all ? I think not. We must pay attention to Our Lord on His Birthday the same as His Mother did, she tended to Him, not the wreath on the entrance to the manger. I suppose you all 'get' what I am trying to convey. Ease up, relax, savor your peace of mind, it's a precious thing to have. Don't get robbed, this year.

To my dear friends that graduated in the class of '57 and have Birthdays in December....HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Dimples aka Sepi

Well, actually, Lady, I didn't 'zactly forget those birthdays. That was the first day I had ever received them.....

And Christmas presents? They're not really an option this year..... If I can't make them myself, I'm going through my possessions looking for all those, "May I have this when you're dead?" items, and passing them along to my children now - while I'm only half-dead.

Years ago I wearied of the waste of Christmas wrapping papers, and made large festive sturdy cloth gift bags for each person. No mess, no bother, no waste.

http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat/12-96.jpg

One can always talk me out of cooking and baking with hardly any effort whatsoever.

But I do so love the decorating.......

Thanks, Dimples! Merry Christmas!

From Eva Ellis Madagan ('61) of FL - 12/06/07 - "from my house to yours":

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Have a great day!

Thanks so much, Eva! And the same to you, too!

From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 12/06/07 - "Re: 12/06/07 - Happy St. Nicholas Day!":

When I was a child in Germany in the 1950's, St. Nicholas Day was a BIG deal. Children eagerly put their boots on the doorstep, knowing that in the morning there would be good things in them: packaged gingerbread/lebkuchen, candies, a precious orange or two, a small toy or game, perhaps a new scarf and/or gloves, a hoped-for book...

After St. Nicholas Day children became very secretive, working on home and handmade presents, a new embroidered apron for Mutti, a knitted scarf or a hand-carved pipe for Vatti, something for Grossmutter und Grossvater (embroidered handkerchiefs and woodcarvings were usual; an ambitious grandchild might embroider pillowcases or tablecloths, or make hand-made lace), a carefully carved tiddley-winks game for little bruder, a hand-stitched rag doll for kleine schwester. Everyone knew that the tree would suddenly be there Christmas morning, decorated, delivered by St. Nicholas to cheer the baby Jesus, and a lucky child might find a special doll or a bicycle under it, along with the expected new hat, gloves, scarf, woolen socks and/or sweater not received on St. Nicholas Day, and perhaps more candy, cookies, etc.. One friend of mine, to the envy of us all, found a violin with her name on it under the Tannenbaum. We were less envious when we discovered she had lessons scheduled once a week, and practice daily.

Domi

I love it when we hear true and real experiences! Thanks so much, Domi!

From Christine Wilson Starkman ('68) of CA - 12/07/07 - "December Dilemma":

Dear Carol,

Thanks to Domi (O'Brien - '64 - of NH) for the fascinating history of "The Tree." By nature, I am inclusive rather than exclusive, so I am all for celebrating life, nature, and diversity. The greatest gifts we can give each other this season--and all seasons--are generosity of spirit and the gift of understanding. These are rare and precious gifts that, perhaps, should be much less rare. If we "stand up" for anything, let's stand up for these!

I echo Glenn Dye's ('60 - of TX) wishes for us all for kindness, generosity, and love.

Happy Hannukah,

Chris

Thanks so much, Chris! I agree with you wholeheartedly! That's why I so appreciated the "Letter from Jesus" selection from my niece, Shari, of VA which appeared in the Sleigh Ride edition on 12/03/07!

Happy Hanukkah, Lady!

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 12/07/07:

Hi, Carol:

Please send along my thanks to all of those TYPHOON who responded to my music question. I enjoyed reading their replies to the pressing question.

After reading the message from Bill Black ('66) of GA, I immediately logged on to the iTunes server to grab a copy of the two songs he mentioned by Anne Murray and Sara Hickman. What a major disappointment! iTunes did not have these songs in their library. Guess I will have to make my way to Barnes and Noble to purchase a CD.

We had the pleasure of being entertained by Anne Murray at the Valley Forge Music Fair, and she is a first-class entertainer with a lot of class. I love her rendition of "I Can See Arkansas" and "A Little Good News Today" for they seem to have been written for her to sing.

TYPHOON Regards,

Joe Madagan ('57) of FL

Thanks, Adonis - it was great fun!

From Colin Faison ('58) of VA - 12/07/07 - "To Glenn Dye ('60 - of TX)":

Good day to you, Glenn; sorry to hear about your need for a pacemaker. But just a short note to let you know you are not alone; I have had a pacemaker since 1995. My pacemaker was installed for the same reason, a slow heart.

Before I got my pacemaker, when I went to work, I could only work for about 1/2 hour before I felt like I had been at work for many hours. I was so tired that it was all that I could do to keep working. Since my pacemaker was installed, it was a whole new life to me. I still get tired, ( getting older has its problems), but have been working regular ever since (and still am working 40-48 hour weeks). It is not a fountain of youth, but it does restore a normal life back to you. Have had the same pacemaker and it, and I , am still going strong.

This time of year I am so glad for the level of life that the pacemaker gave me back. I wish you the best and wanted you to know that getting a pacemaker will help you enjoy life that much more. The small amount of convenience and pain you might have will be greatly outdone by your new lease on life. Just think of yourself as a "bionic man". Thats how I think of mine; my bionics.

Your fellow Typhooner,
Colin Faison

Class of 58

Thank you, Colin! I passed your note on to Glenn.

From Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 12/07/07 - "Wonderful newsletter...":

Even though I cannot think about war for more than two nanoseconds...

I love Anne Murray also...my favorite is "Can I have this dance (for the rest of my life)?"

Going to the ballet tonight to see Copellia!

Love, Jean

Well, Jean, in your position as a Naval officer's mother, I shouldn't wonder! I'm so glad you were able to attend the ballet! How exciting! Thanks for letting us know!

From Kathy Cooper ('70) of VA - 12/07/07 - "RE: 12/07/07 - Pearl Harbor Day Plus 66 Years":

Wow, what pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Kathy

Aren't they breathtaking on twelve different levels?!? I'm glad you appreciated them, Kathy! As devastatingly tragic as that day was, it's one we must never forget.

From Bill Campbell ('54) of VA - 12/08/07 - " Glenn Dye's 12/7/07 Post of Statler Brothers":

Carol, please tell Glenn thanks for posting this clip of the Statler Brothers singing "There's A Man In Here". What a powerful thing it is. If you think that you are too old or too tough to cry, just click on this clip and see if you are.

Yes, hon, there is sound to it. Keep trying, turn up the volume, and, if you can't get it, come up here and I will play it for you. What a powerful message. Thanks, Glenn and Carol.

Bill Campbell

Williamsburg, VA

Well, CRUM! Neither one of our computers will pick up that sound! ARGHHH!!!!

"That don't make no sense, Everett!"

I may have to come to Williamsburg yet! Thanks, Sweetie!

HOLIDAY REUNION NEWS:

The NNHS Class of 1958 Holiday Gathering will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 6:00 PM
(Dinner at 7:00 PM) at Mike's Place, An Irish Pub, (757-599-5500) 458 Warwick Village Shopping Center, (Hilton Village,
across from the Cedar Lane entrance to the Mariners' Museum), Newport News, VA 23601-3240.
CONTACT: Jwdvt@aol.com

The NNHS Class of 1957 Holiday Party will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 6:00 PM
at Angelo's (Route 17), Newport News, VA.
CONTACT: Pabletz@aol.com

DATES TO REMEMBER:

1. Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 6:00 PM - Class of 1958 Holiday Party - Mike O'Neal's (Warwick Village Shopping Center, Hilton Village, across from the Cedar Lane entrance to the Mariners' Museum) - NNHS CLASS OF 1958

2. Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 6:00 PM - Class of 1957 Holiday Party - Angelo's (Route 17) - NNHS CLASS OF 1957

3. Friday and Saturday, May 16 - 17, 2008 - NNHS CLASS OF 1958

From Glenn Dye ('60) of TX - 11/28/07 - "Feel good - AAAHHH!" (#5 in a series of 10):

Have a great week!

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God!

Get serious once in a while...

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Thanks so much, Glenn! I love these images - and the advice is great!

If all goes well, I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Lexington, VA to celebrate an early Christmas with Dale (Harty - Hillsboro HS, IL / American School, IL - '02 - of VA) and Diana (Lyons Harty - Portsmouth HS, NH / Eastlake HS, CA - '05 - of VA), and to bring Adrienne (Harty - Hillsboro HS, IL / American School, IL - of NC) back home to be with us.

Please - hold any images you had thought to share with me until after I return on Tuesday, lest I faint from the prospect of the workload backlog upon my return. Thanks so much!

There's much more to come - next time! Meanwhile, Happy Hanukkah, Good Yule - and Merry Christmas!

Y'all take 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
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

(The Christmas Song)

Words and music by Mel Torme and R. Wells


Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

"The Christmas Song" midi courtesy of http://www.jump-gate.com/christmas/midi.html - 12/02/06

"The Christmas Song" lyrics courtesy of http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/%7Eai251/xcarol.html - 12/02/06

Animated Christmas Tree clip art courtesy of Judy Bowermaster of IL - 12/25/05
Thanks, Judy!

Pine Rope Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.holidaygraphics.com/christmas/graphics/page9.html - 12/18/04

Animated Tiny Birthday Cake clip art courtesy of Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 08/31/05
Thanks, Sarah Sugah!

Air Force Seal clip art courtesy of http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/milsongs.htm - 07/07/06

Crab clip art courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/agent99bm/ - 10/02/05

Siuslaw High School Viking Logo clip art courtesy of http://www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/shs/index.php - 05/27/07

Animated Clunking Smiley clip art courtesy of John Murden ('60) of VA - 09/21/06
Thanks, John!

Marine Corps Seal clip art courtesy of Herbert Hice of MI - one of my Famous Marines who served in the South Pacific during WWII.
Thanks, Herbie!

Army Seal clip art courtesy of Al Farber ('64) of GA - 05/24/06
Thanks, Al!

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

Hillsboro Topper (Band Version) clip art courtesy of http://www.hillsboroschools.net/schools/hhs/activities/music2/Band/bio.html - 06/07/08
Thanks, Mark!

American School Logo courtesy of http://www.americanschoolofcorr.com/grads.asp - 09/05/06

Eastlake High School Logo courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/ehslearningcenter/ - 10/17/07

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