11/05/06 - NNHS Newsletter - Samhain
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
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Newsletter has become a teaching tool as much as anything else.
Today's lesson will teach you about the Druid celebration of Samhain.
And why, you may ask? Because we are celebrating each other's
holidays and observances together - vicariously, at least, and because we
now have a Druid leader in our midst. Personally, before Domi
(O'Brien - '64 - of NH) joined us, I knew almost as much about Druids
and their customs as I did, say, neurosurgery. So, Sweetie-Pies, class
is in session. We don't need the disclaimer, do we? Our purpose here is not to convert anyone here, just to educate. |
HISTORY:
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/spiritsong/SamhainIntro.html:
| ..... Samhain, the most
mystical, magical night of the year. It is the night of the year when the
veil between the worlds is at it's thinnest, when the spirits of those who
have passed may once again walk with the living and when the wisdom of the
ancestors may be consulted by entering the otherworld. It is the 'between
time' at the end of the Celtic summer and just before the beginning of its
winter when the solid boundaries of past, present and future fade into wisps
of smoke making it the perfect time for prophecy and divination. It is the
time of endings and new beginnings in the eternal cycle of life, a time to
honor those that came before us and look with anticipation to those who will
light the way ahead. It is the third of the Pagan harvest festivals when the
last of the crops are taken in and stored for the winter. In much the same
way, what we have sown in our lives can be 'taken in' and reflected on as we
retreat inward. Samhain is not now, nor has it ever been, associated with anything evil or negative. It reaffirms the knowledge that physical death is merely an illusion veiling the reality of eternal life. It honors nature and the cycle of the seasons. It is the celebration of light over darkness. |
From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 10/12/06:
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..... I graduated from Keene State College (BA, MEd) and work full-time for
the state of NH and also teach Irish Gaelic for Comradh na Gaeilge of New
England, and run a small Druidic Association of North America
congregation..... |
From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 10/30/06:
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..... Of course, as a Druid, I celebrate Samhain, not Hallowe'en,
but by the figuring of various Druid groups it starts somewhere between
Nov 3 and 11 this year. I baked barmbreac, the traditional Samhain bread
(flour, yeast, honey, currants or raisins, nutmeg, milk, butter, and
tokens/omens for the coming year) for my Irish language class I teach on
Sunday afternoons for the Gaelic League and brought it in with fresh cider
(how unIrish-- it should, of course, be hard cider!) but I thought the
League would prefer not to have alcohol served at their classes. My Grove
(local congregation) has Lore Meeting (class on the meaning of the holiday
and a traditional tale or two for the season) on the 4th, followed by
potluck and fellowship meeting; on the 11th we'll be out in Francestown (
http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/francestown.html ) for
the seasonal ritual at the home of one of our members-- she and her
husband, both engineers, own a geodesic dome on 14 acres, a lovely setting
for outdoor services, with plenty of space indoors for the feast if the
weather is not favourable. Two years ago at Samhain when I went to give
silver to the well the first silver dollar bounced right off-- the water
had iced over during the first part of the service!.....
WOWZERS!!!
Thanks, Domi! |
From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 11/04/06 - "Samhain Graphics":
... Celts, including Druids, traditionally don't use pentagrams, but druid sigils or awens:
from neopagan.net/:
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The
Druid Sigil |
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The Druid Sigil is most often rendered as a circle with two vertical lines passing through it (see left). Frequently this is drawn, painted, embroidered, etc. as a wreath of leaves with two staves (or spears for the warrior types) passing through (see right). Twenty years back, a ceremonial tabbard was made with a tree in full | ||||
| leaf on the front and the Sigil on the back with its wreath and stavewood matching. I (Isaac Bonewits) always thought it would be nice to have more vestments that followed this pattern, changing the leaf colors or tree species for each season. | |||||
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Where did the Druid Sigil come from? Nobody knows for sure. It first became associated with Druidism in modern times by the founder of the Reformed Druids of North America, David Fisher, in 1963 c.e.. He claimed that it was a symbol of Druidism in general and the Earth Mother in particular. Some think he may have gotten the design from a hasty glance at a picture in Piggottâ's book The Druids, which showed the foundations of an old Roman-Celtic temple. Others think he may have gotten it from |
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some
Mesopagan Druid organization to which he may have belonged. However, with
the two lines running horizontally, the Druid Sigil is known to electricians
as the sign for a female plug/socket, and with the lines diagonal, it's an
old alchemical sign for oil, both concepts that could lead to some fruitful
meditations. |
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Regardless of its historical origins, I
(Isaac Bonewits) think that it is a
quintessentially female symbol and is thus psychologically powerful. For
political and metaphysical reasons, I(Isaac Bonewits) think it's important for members of a
religion that many folks erroneously assume is male-dominated to have
a constant reminder of the eternal power of the female force(s) of Nature.
As a magical sign, I've (Isaac Bonewits)
used the Druid Sigil for over thirty years as both a blessing symbol and as
a banishing sign. From a magical point of view, it is fully as powerful as a
pentagram, Seal of Solomon or cross, and meditation upon it will provide
many insights. The silver Druid Sigil on the left was made from (Isaac
Bonewits') design by Merlin of
Amulets by Merlin and is available from (him) for $US25.00
(includes postage & handling). While the Reformed Druids of North America and their immediate offshoots have kept the Druid Sigil as their primary organizational symbol, and many members of Ăr nDraĂocht FĂ©in: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) use it as well, other Neopagan and Mesopagan Druid groups have altered it or ignored it completely |
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The Mesopagan Druids have as their most common symbol the âAwenâ or âthree bars of light,â shown here (left) in the simplest form. The word âawenâ means |
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| âinspirationâ in Middle Welsh, and in Mesopagan Druidism it represents the primal sound and light caused by âtheâ Supreme Being pronouncing âHisâ name to create the universe. Mesopagan | |||||
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Druids have a great deal of metaphysical theory based on
this and related triplicities â most of it coming from the early Unitarian
preacher and prolific forger of ancient manuscripts,
Iolo Morganwyg (who pretty much created Mesopagan Druidry to begin
with).
The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids places the Awen inside a set of
three circles (right), representing Iolo's three âstages of existence.â
As you can see, some people use the Awen with and some without the three
dots symbolizing the Supreme Being (and some with a single dot). The word âawenâ is used by some modern Druids as a Celtic equivalent to the Sanscrit word âaum,â intoning it when doing trancework, thusly: âaah-ooo-enn...â from neopagan.net/ Domi |
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WOWZERONI!
Thanks for the lesson, Domi!  And from the same source you cited, I found the correct pronunciation: Samhain or Samhuinn is pronounced sow- (as in female pig) -en (with the neutral vowel sound) not Sam Hain because mh in the middle of an Irish word is a w sound (dont ask me why, its just Irish). |
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BIRTHDAYS - BELATED AND OTHERWISE:
Happy Belated Birthday to
John Clark ('57) of VA, whose birthday was Thursday! And a Very
Happy Belated Birthday to one of the most gorgeous men who ever asked me
out, 
Mike Jeffers ('61) of VA, whose birthday was yesterday.
Michael Darlin', are you really 64?!? My, my, my....
And today is a
special day for my old Magruder
School classmate,
Tomorrow we have a Twofer!
Marion Timberlake
Gitchel ('57) and my cousin (no, I can't prove it yet, but psychic
genealogy works quite well for me!) Many Happy Returns to
you all!
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From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 10/30/06 - "Night Time Tornado":
| This is a night
picture of a tornado that went through Sedalia, MO on March 10, 2006. |
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| If it hadn't been for
the lightning at the same time as the picture was shot, the massive tornado
funnel would not have been visible. When you hear a nighttime tornado
warning, take cover because you will never see it coming.
YOWZERONI-RINI, Shari! Tornados are one aspect of life in the Midwest which I definitely do not miss! Thanks, Lady!
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| Friday, March 10, 2006 | |||
From the
Valedictorian of the Class of 1965, Charles Braslow of the Virgin Islands -
10/30/06 - "
Ronnie Sanders":
| Dear Carol,
I was sorry to hear about Ronnie Sanders' passing. He lived near me in Hidenwood and was one of a contingent of Typhoons who lived up in Ferguson and Warwick territory. He was one day older than me so our Bar Mitzvahs were a week apart in February, 1961, when we were NNHS mice. His and my parents decided to have a joint Bar Mitzvah dance which I always resented because I didn't want to share the spotlight! My condolences to his family and, as always, thanks to you for keeping us all up to date. Charlie Braslow, NNHS '65 This is posted on Ronnie's Memorial Newsletter: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-27-06-NNHS-Ronnie-Sanders.html I did finish (maybe) updating many (but not all) of the other recent Memorial Newsletters: |
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/NNHS-Newsletters-2006.html
From
John London (Warwick HS - '57) of
VA
- 10/30/06 - "Reply to
Gloria Woolard Price
(Hampton HS - '65) of FL
- RE: Article on Gen. Graham":
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Is your cousin Vivian Fairbairn? My
sister, Nat Woolard Singleton (Hampton HS - '60), worked at Langley
when Vivian was secretary to the Deputy of Operations. Gen. Graham came in
and brought his own secretary, but at some point, he and Vivian fell in love
and got married. She had two young
boys at the time. |
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She is
indeed (my cousin). Unfortunately I saw "ViVi" and General Graham Sunday at
the funeral of Vivian's mother, Eva Lou Fox who passed away in
Hampton at the age of 101 on Friday, October 27, 2006.
Eva Lou Hunt Fox |
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Mrs. Fox (Aunt Eva to me) was a lifelong resident of the peninsula, a wonderful woman who was always to me the epitome of the "Gentile Southern Lady." Beloved by all who met her and a local historian who often kept me entranced by her stories of Hampton Roads, Yorktown and Williamsburg. I loved her and will sorely miss her. John London
John, I'm so sorry to
hear of your loss. What an amazing
woman your aunt must have been!
Thank you for sharing this with
us.
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From Steve Smith ('66) of
VA - 10/30/06 - "Thanks":
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Try this
from Xerox.
If you go to this web site, www.letssaythanks.com , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...
Stephen M. Smith, Esq.
THE
BRAIN INJURY LAW CENTER
TM
www.braininjurylawcenter.com
This is so nice, Steve! We may have run it a time (or maybe even two!) before you joined us, but that's just fine. It's one of those things which can't be offered too often.
Thanks, Sweetie!
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From Jerry Blanchard ('62) of VA - 10/31/06 - "God's Yellow Pages":
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Carol,
Hope this come through for you. I was sent this by a good friend. It is really Cool! Jerry Blanchard (Class of 62) of Va.
It's all covered!!!!!
This Had to Really
Take Some Effort to Set Up. It's a great reference.
WOWZERONI-RINI-ROONI, Jerry! This is incredible! You can even pick your own translation!!! That's it. I'm linking this to my personal webpage. It's just too cool to lose! http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat Thanks so much, Jerry!
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From George Helliesen ('61) of MI - 10/31/06 - "A Story to be Told":
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Carol,
First I want to thank you for your great
web site for us Typhoons. Your
newsletters make me both shed
tears and laugh at the lovely stories and pictures of our old friends and
some of the new friends that we are making. Just put out the word and
your loyal followers will help with the cost.
Thank
you, George!
Also, wanted to call to your attention and
to the attention of some of my colleagues from NNHS
about two books that I have recently written and may be purchased from
Apollo Press in Newport News which is owned by one of our 1961
classmates, John Taylor. Both books are used extensively by
colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and are excellent if I may
say so myself. My first book, Forty Years After Therapy, One Man's Story,
is an autobiography and deals with being a severe stutterer from ages two
through retirement. The book has a lot of stories that happened in NNHS.
The second book is more of an upper level college text and deals with therapy for the older severe stutterer. An introduction to the texts may be viewed on http://www.stutteringtherapybyhelliesen.com. I've spent my professional career being a speech pathologist, university and college teacher and section head, and clinic director, and public school administrator. It's a great life when you can help yourself and others.
Just another story from one of the old
Typhoons.
Take care and keep up the great work!!!
George Helliesen, Class of 61
WOWZERONI-RINI-ROONI, George! This is amazing! Thanks so much, George!
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From Norm Covert ('61) of MD - 10/31/06:
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Health concerns kept me from attending the
Class of '61's 45-year reunion this summer, but your great work,
the webserver, plus photography from
Jack ('61) and
Edna (Whitcomb - '65) Harrison (of VA) and others made me miss the
gathering even more. I have spent hours catching up on the
newsletters.
Oh, isn't that fun?!?
Your latest production
made me think of so many Halloweens in NN's safe
neighborhoods. Tonight's expedition
by my grandchildren will start here with the eldest escorting the
three-year-old. They always give me my choice from the bounty.
I send warmest wishes to you and my classmates, especially those from the
band and The Beacon. Keep up the great
work.
Norm Covert (NNHS '61)
Frederick, MD
Thanks so
much, Norm! |
From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 11/02/06 - "An animation - Come Together":
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http://www.planetvids.com/html/Come-Together-Music-Video.html
This is a rather hypnotic
look back at the Beatles. Thanks, Shari!
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Also From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 11/02/06 - "Fun game IF you find time":
http://www.unoriginal.co.uk/air-hockey.html Gets harder each round I didn't even attempt this one for several reasons, Shari. Obviously, I'm always a bit short on time, and my video "unskills" are exceeded only by my amazing athletic ineptitude. But thanks, Lady! |
From Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA -
11/02/06 - "Your Age by Eating Out:
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Neat!
YOUR AGE BY
EATING OUT
WOWZERS!!! That's amazing!!!
Okay, don't y'all tell me how this works. I'm still just a
kid, you know, and I'm tying to keep it that way! Thanks, Wayne Honey!
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From Me ('65) of NC - 11/02/06 - "Pal Bottling Company":
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I spotted this cute little Pal bottle cap up for auction on eBay.
Well, what else could I do?!? It certainly brightened this page,
didn't it? Well, I like it,
anyway. Of course, I'm partial to the entire Our Old Stomping
Grounds section.
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From One of my
Famous Marines - 
Herb Hice of MI, who
served in the Pacific Theater
during WWII - 11/03/06
- "Dear Carol, "Here is A Thought for Today ":
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Dear Carol,
I think of you often and I wonder if you are in a good mood ???
Herbie
Darlin', I am always in a good mood!
I try to keep a positive attitude and it works for me. Don't get me wrong; I am not a Pollyanna as I do have my off times. I try not to dwell on them. That's when I take time to smell the ROSES (that's my favorite expression). Here is a thought to make your day more delightful. Your Friend, Herbie
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Thanks so
much, Sweetie! This is a sobering thought!
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From Jimmy Hines ('64) of Northern VA - 11/03/06:
| Carol, Carol, Carol... Thank you...Thank you...Thank you...now please remember...we humans can type only one letter at a time...we can take only one breath at a time-and no one else can do that for us...I appreciate your honoring everyone past and present...Please take good care of yourself as you do this great work... Jimmy Hi, Sweetie! Where have you been?!? I haven't heard from you in a hundred years or so! I thought surely you'd holler when I put your happy smile up on last week's Newsletter, but not a one of the twelve of you guys even acknowledged it! I was bracing myself for an even dozen rounds of, "What are you doing NOW, You Crazy Woman?!?" http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-25-06-NNHS-The-Shadow-of-Your-Smile.html Ah, well, c'est la vie!
But alright, I'll take care of myself.
Thanks, Jimmy!
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From Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA to the Class of 1964 - 10/15/06 - "NNHS 60TH
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION":
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Fellow Classmates.
I wanted to thank all of you for attending our
Birthday Celebration. I hope that you had a memorable evening.
I also hope that you took lots of candid photos of
your classmates, of Ms. Kanter ... and of
"THE KING".
I know that those who could not attend (and other
NNHS classes) would love to see all of your
photos. The best way to make that happen is to let Carol Buckley Harty
('65 - of NC) place them on the NNHS Web Page.
And, the best way to do that is to send them all to me, so that I can
archive them to my hard drive before sending them along to Carol.
You can attach them to e-mails, if you wish, but I
can handle any media.
For e-mails, send them to:
nnhs64@cox.net
For "snail mail" send them to: NNHS CLASS OF
1964, P.O. BOX 6387, Norfolk VA 23508-0387
It was great seeing all of you.
TYPHOONS FOREVER,
Dave Spriggs
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Thank you, Brown Eyes!
Your new section is accessible both from the new
Site Map
and from the
Reunion Page.I have made zero progress on the new arrivals, but here's what I've posted so far: 
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-14-06-64-60th-B-Day-ARS.html
- seven more images
coming soon.......
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/10-14-06-64-60th-B-Day-TAF.html
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From Me ('65) of NC - 10/31/05 - "REUNION IMAGES!":
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More images just arrived! Unfortunately, I haven't posted them yet either, but here are the latest:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/REUNION-PICTURES-2006.html
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/FRIDAY-NIGHT-2006.html |
REUNION REMINDERS:
Reunion information is ALWAYS posted very near the top on the front page, and on the Reunion Page section:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-page.html
Henceforth, it will be repeated
here, lest you forget:
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The NNHS Class of 1957 will hold its Holiday Party on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at the Omni Hotel, Newport News, VA. Forms and reservations are due by Monday, December 4, 2006. |
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The NNHS Class of 1962 will hold its 45-Year Reunion on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 21, 22 and 23, 2007 at the Point Plaza Suites, 950 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601. Suites will be available that will include breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
Visit Brenda's 1962 Web Page: AND CHECK THIS WEB PAGE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION - 10/21/06:http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/reunion-62-planning-mtgs.html |
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The
NNHS Class of 1957 is planning its 50-Year Class Reunion, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 7, 8 and 9, 2007 at the Omni Hotel in Newport News, VA. More details to follow! |
The NNHS Class of 1958 is planning its 50th Anniversary Reunion, Friday and Saturday, May 16 -17, 2008. The Noble Gathering More details to
follow! |
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From David Whitley ('67) of VA - 09/22/06 - "T-Shirts" (#12 in a series of 12):
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Don't let the dates on these entries confuse you. Needless to say, I have a plethora of notes from all over - including Halloween images from several of y'all - which are not included herein. If I was "a bit behind" before, now I'm really - well, "nevermind"! GIGGLES!!! Y'all take care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe! |
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
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Carol Buckley
Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
Realms of the Haunting
"Realms of the Haunting" midi courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/9621/halwen1.htm - 11/04/06
Samhain Title Graphic clip art courtesy of http://www.nucleus.com/~darr/HOLYSMOKE.HTML - 11/04/06
Druid Sigel clip
art courtesy of
http://www.neopagan.net/
at the suggestion of Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 11/04/06
Thanks, Domi!
Animated Fire Divider Line clip art courtesy of
http://www.worldfiredepartments.com/animations/lines.htm - 07/06/04
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
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
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 also courtesy of Al
Farber ('64) of GA - 05/24/06
Thanks again, Al!
