12/23/04 - NNHS Newsletter - White Christmas

"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings,
all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."

- Bing Crosby

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

   I don't know about the weather where you most likely are, but here in Fayetteville a White Christmas had been predicted, but has
been cancelled, presumably due to lack of interest. 

   Happy Birthday today to Tom Flax ('64) of VA!

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

From Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 12/16/04:

(Hear Bing sing "White Christmas" himself...)

And this is an even better rendition, but it is a Real Audio file:
http://cgi.kbs.co.kr/cgi/ram/mod/pop/p057528.ra

   This link seems to be temperamental - it may or may not work for you....

   Thanks, David - it gives a nice, warm glow!

From  Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 12/22/04 - 12/23/04:

 
Wednesday, December 22, 2004  
Site of the former Hampton Burger Chef - 3755 Kecoughtan Road Carol .... the condos are the 'now' shot of B&M. Here is the now shot
of Rendezvous at 1612 Kecoughtan, just down from Bill's (Barbeque).		  

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/burger-chef.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/B-M-Drive-In.html

   I was going to create the Rendezvous page now, as well as several others that Tom sent me, but I  have a rather "interesting"
headache right now, so I think I'll wait until such time as I can think straight.  Let's just say that he has some nice surprises for y'all.
Sorry about the oxygen to brain problem.......

OTHER UPDATES:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/old-stomping.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/benson-phillips.html - brand new page

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 12/22/04:

Hi, Carol:
Nice addition to Our Old Stomping Grounds. Benson-Phillips also operated two plants, maybe more. One was located
at the "Small Boat Harbor" on Terminal Avenue and the other was located adjacent to the railroad tracks between Jefferson
Avenue at the intersection of the overpass that would take you to the James River Bridge in one direction and Mercury
Boulevard in the other direction. I remember the traffic circle was very near the entrance to this plant before that circle was
eliminated. Back then Mercury Boulevard was know as Military Highway.
Porter Phillips Booker, ('57) of VA was related to Mr. E. K. Phillips, Sr. He was truly one of the "Captains of Industry"
on the Virginia Peninsula.
Always, Adonis

   Thanks, Adonis!  I just knew you would know more about this firm!

 

From Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 12/22/04:

Small detail in reference to the original name of Mercury Boulevard ... the original name was Military ROAD ... not
HIGHWAY. Military Highway was and still is in Norfolk/Chesapeake. That name caused a lot of confusion and was often
called "Highway" in error.

At least it was not as confusing as the original name of Pembroke Ave. The part that ran through the original city
of Hampton (pre-1952 consolidation) was Mallory Avenue (N. King Street east to Hampton Creek at Elizabeth City County
line) and Mallory Avenue West in Elizabeth City County (from N. King to N. Back River Road). Past that to the NN city line
was called 39th Street Extension or "Super Highway". Mallory Avenue became Hampton Avenue from Hampton Creek to Fox
Hill Road (now Old Buckroe Road) when it crossed the Elizabeth City County line, then the name changed to Hampton-Buckroe
Road from there to Buckroe. Over 100 road names required changing when Hampton, Phoebus, and Elizabeth City County
consolidated in 1952.

(Gee ... just think how confusing it would have been if Hampton had consolidated with NN and Warwick in '58???)

Happy Holidays to all ...

Tom

   YOWZERS!  Thanks, Babe - and Happy Holidays to you, too!

Again from Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 12/22/04:

I stand corrected, it was Military Road, not Military Highway. Maybe Captain Dave (Spriggs - '64 - of VA) can identify the
name of the Railroad Overpass between Warwick Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue that ran to the traffic circle near Newmarket.
Joe

   Perhaps he can.  Mon Capitan? 

   Thanks, Adonis!

From Jennie Sheppard ('62) of NC - 12/21/04:

Yes, I do have a certificate in genealogy from BYU and I loved every minute of the college courses I took  
to achieve that!  I am still doing genealogy research for others....just sent a report to a client in Cherry
Valley, AR and another in Wilmington, NC.  This hobby (turned second career) is my lifeline and I know
I'm Blessed for it.....I get help from those ancestors I'm seeking.  Others may think I'm daffy but I expect
you will understand what I mean and that I'm not bonkers after all! 
Happy Holidays everyone......Jennifer - Typhoons forever. 

   Thanks, Jennie!  My #2 daughter-in-law, Bethany, also holds a genealogy certificate from BYU.  Of course, with four
children under eight, this is probably not the time in her life she will do the majority of her research.  On the other hand, I
did the bulk of my family history work when my seven children were young, so I could be wrong.  Had I not done it then,
when I had easy access to libraries and serving on staff at a Family History Center for 15 years, and while I had time (as
opposed to now!), and while I had a complete working brain (most certainly as opposed to now!) , I would never have been
able to accomplish all that I did.

   And yes, I know exactly what you mean - on both counts!  GIGGLES!

   Merry Christmas, Jennie!

From Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 12/21/04:

Your church music sounds wonderful...
Thank you for the beautiful Coventry Carol midi...we had a series of readings and songs beginning with "Come to us, Lord"
and ending with the "Hallelujah Chorus" (sang about 8 songs total...men sang "Hark the Herald, women sang "Infant Holy",
also sang "Carol of the Bells, "The Holly and the Ivy", "Christmas Lullaby", "Star Carol, etc.  (We have about 20 choir
members total).  We wear black skirts or pants, white blouses/shirts, and red vests/sweaters/blazers or whatever (actually
nobody wears whatever)!  It was fun. We were accompanied by piano, flute, and pennywhistle on different pieces.  Then
at 6:30 we sang again at Blythewold, a mansion in Bristol, RI, which is all decorated beautifully for Christmas and it is more
of a "sing-along" but we did some of the cantata songs and then "all joined in".  Then we went to our choir director's house
for a Christmas party. We leave for VA tomorrow, not looking forward to the drive...but our mothers will be thrilled!  
    
Carol you won't believe this, but with the help of a friend I recently located my old college room mate, Karen Hutson
Hampton, and we talked on the phone after about 39 years!  And even more unbelievable...she lives in Harwood's Mill
(near Yorktown) in the same neighborhood as my sister-in-law and brother in law and my nephew and his wife!   She has
lived there for 17 years and when we go to their house, we drive right by her house!  What a Christmas gift!  Merry
Christmas to all!

   Thanks, Jean!  And of course, Dave (Spriggs - '64 of VA) deserves the thanks for that Coventry Carol midi, as well as today's
version of White Christmas.  As you know, he's simply the best.  (Thanks again, David!)

   Your cantata and sing-along sound beautiful.  I wish I could have seen them. 

   I hope your long trip was enjoyable.  Sometimes the excitement alone compensates for the rigors of travel - well, it often does
for me, anyway - but then I'm still just a kid!  WILD GIGGLES!!!

   What a great story about your roommate!  Such fun you must be having!  Merry Christmas, Jean!

From Rip Collins ('65) of TN and Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA - 12/22/04:

Season's Greetings!  This is fun.
  
http://ww10.e-tractions.com/snowglobe/globe.htm

   Yes, it certainly is!  Thanks, Fellas - Merry Christmas!

From Janice McCain Rose ('65) of VA - 12/22/04:

A Christmas card you'll enjoy:

http://198.30.217.62/

   OOOH, how pretty and such fun!  Don't stop too fun, or you'll miss hearing the Ashland University Choir (Ashland, OH)
singing to you! And if you're not too rushed and stressed out to take a few moments to stop everything and enjoy it, it's
quite peaceful.  I highly recommend it!  Thanks, Janice - and Merry Christmas!

From My Friend, Judy, in IL - 12/22/04:

Click on the link below to view this unique greeting card

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0279309843

   WOWZERS!   How neat!  Thanks. Judy!  Merry Christmas!

From Evelyn Fryer Keller Fish ('58) of TX - 12/22/04:

Hi Carol,
 
Have been meaning to write to you after the email on line about Steve Corum's dad - Benton - and the lady he had
seen for I believe 18 years.  I was soooo pleased to know that.  The Corums lived next to Bucky (Keller -'58) and me
in the Stuart Gardens apartments on Jeb's Place when Our Susan was just a little girl.  We loved Benton, Lib, and
Steve!!  I kept in touch with them for years, even after Lib died.  Steve and I still communicate at Christmas - and I was
so happy to hear from Steve several days ago ----- but it is really making me feel old to know that he is starting to plan
retirement!!!   I agree with all of you ---- he is GOOD LOOKING.!!!
 
Also, Nancy Bigger Alligood ('56 of VA) is with us again this Christmas in Fort Worth.  This is the 3rd New Year's
Eve in a row that she has spent with us.  We will leave here tomorrow and go to daughter, Susan, and husband Dan's
lake house in east TX.  We have SNOW here in Ft Worth - it is beautiful.
 
To Pam (Smith Arnold - '65 of VA), Nancy's cousin: Nancy arrived safely.  Nancy told me about your
finding her on line - and that ya'll have had nice lunches together.  She is sooooo happy that you two have Connected!!!   
Carol, your website facilitated their union.  Thank you for all your good work - I love to read the newsletters even though 
all of the people in your class are MUCH YOUNGER THAN ME!!!!! 
 
 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!
 
Typhoon Forever.  (good idea Brownie)              

 Evelyn

   How wonderful that you and Steve stay in touch - and that Nancy is visiting with you!  I've mentioned this before, but possibly not
lately.  My dear mother, the Baba, used to really mourn that I had lost contact with practically every single one of my old friends.  She
had kept in touch with hers for her entire life.  She tried so hard to get me to reconnect with people, but the few efforts I made were
unsuccessful, and after Rose Woodard Groff died on Oct. 14, 1984, that meant the only schoolmate with whom I still maintained
contact -  and that was only yearly - was Frank Blechman ('65) in Northern VA.  (Hi, Frank!)

   My mama died on Feb. 15, 1999 at almost 91 years of age.  The first time I heard from any of my old friends from forty-eleven years
before was on Dec. 31, 1999.  Now, you can look at this and think, "Awwww - poor Baba!  She never knew!"  I personally think that she
is finally in a place where she can engineer and arrange such things - and enjoy them immensely.  Just look at where I am now!  I
certainly never could have envisioned all that has happened in these past five years!  (See Jennie's note above...)

   We're so glad you're with us, Evelyn!  I've decided that age is really a figment of our imaginations, and we can be as old as we
want to be at any particular moment.  Sunday evening I had a gal who's 32 (and should have known better) tell me she thought that
I was in my 40's.  Hey, at 57, that works for me!  WILDEST GIGGLES!!!  Thanks - and Merry Christmas!

Also from Janice McCain Rose ('65) of VA - 12/22/04:

HOW TO START YOUR DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

1. Open a new file in your PC.
2. Name it "Housework."
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN
5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?"
6. Answer calmly, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly....
7. Feel better?
8. House work all done!!

smiles
:-)

   OH, yeah, I could use this feature to great advantage right about now!  GIGGLES!!!  Thanks, Janice!  Although a friend of mine
just brought us over a plate of cookies, and thanks to having company for dinner last night, my home looked so nice I was able
to invite her in to see my gorgeous ice blue, silver and white Christmas tree, and even show her Paul's Santa Claus collection
in the dining room without either of us fainting at the sight of the mess!  Perhaps there's hope for me yet........

From  Tom Norris (HHS - '73) of VA - 12/23/04:

Hi Carol .... while I was out yesterday I found a '68 Warwick yearbook in an antique shop. While it was a bit pricey
to buy just for pictures, it does have a nice "then" picture of Tarey Drive In building. One of my friends at work
graduated in '68 ... I will see him at North Anna on Jan 3rd when I go back to work. He has that book and I will ask him
to get a scan of it.

Hugs .....

da babe

   COOL BEANS!  Thanks, Babe!  We'll look forward to it.

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 12/23/04:

Hi, Carol:
I loved the observation of Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI in her 12/18/04 message. She apparently does not realize
the difficulties associated with being an Adonis and living in Florida with all the wild boar herds roaming this area. Exchanging
emails with Cap'n Dave (Spriggs - '64 of VA) regarding USS Forrestal and the downed pilot is a relief from the
dangers imposed by the life threatening wild boars.


Besides, who every said guys cannot multi-task? Check out the little Popcorn Trees in this photo, that are sure to amaze and
delight our family and guest over the coming week. The popcorn was a-poppin' in the trusty microwave oven while Cap'n Dave
and I were doing our duty in solving the mystery of the downed pilot.
This is a variation of a Popcorn Cake that Eva (Ellis Madagan- '61) of FL loves to make each year about this time.
Of course there is popcorn, add a few Virginia peanuts, a few spicy gum drops, and mix in melted marshmallows, and you have
a cake when placed in a bundt pan, or in this case little paper solo drinking cups to acquire the shape of a tree. Let them set up
overnight and you have a delightful and easy to fix treat for your guest and family.
Always,
Renaissance Adonis

   My, my, my - aren't they adorable!  I'm impressed, Adonis!  Thanks for showing them to us!

   I hope you're all continuing to have a blessed holiday season, and that your stresses may be few and your joys many.

   Y'all take care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER!

                          Love to all, Carol

==============================================

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."

==============================================

 

White Christmas
 http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/pennvalley/biology/lewis/crosby/whitxmas.htm 

- Irving Berlin, 1941
http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/pennvalley/biology/lewis/crosby/berlin.htm

(Recorded by Bing Crosby, 1942)
"'White Christmas' is Bing's largest selling recording and the largest selling Christmas single of all time -- more than 30 million copies sold.
'White Christmas' also won the Academy Award for best song of 1942...
Jack Kapp, Bing's record producer, thought the opening verse would be meaningless
outside the film and persuaded Bing not to record it. He never did."

The sun is shining
The grass is green
The orange and palm trees sway.
I've never seen such a day
In Beverly Hills LA.
But it's December the 24th
And I am longing to be up North.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the treetops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may all your Christmases be white.

“White Christmas” midi courtesy of http://www.gospel2motown.com/midi/xmas.htm,
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs (’64) of VA – 12/16/04.
Thanks, Dave!

“White Christmas” lyrics courtesy of
http://www.santaland.com/dynamic.html?content=http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/pennvalley/biology/lewis/crosby/wxmas.html - 12/21/03

 Starry Night clip art courtesy of http://www.patswebgraphics.com/christmas/xmas-p1.html - 12/18/04

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

Bing Crosby quotation courtesy of Kevin Eikenberry (kevin@discian.com) of IN at http://powerquotes.net - 12/22/04

Back to NNHS Newsletters

Return to NNHS Class of 1965