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	12/16/17 - NNHS Newsletter - O Little Town of Bethlehem “Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.” - Lucinda Franks

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

   Today's Christmas carol, soft and gentle, is one of my very favorites.

BONUS #1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rL_8W3oRU - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Nat King Cole

BONUS #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dz-rcYf-Yo&NR=1 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - beautifully gentle instrumental version, with equally nice visuals

BONUS #3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQKwZRR4mcI - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Frank Sinatra, 1948

BONUS #4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj2fwME46GM - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, 2012

BONUS #5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPMDD8fGeA - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Sarah McLachlan

BONUS #6 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1BIuOSS7KM - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Jim Reeves

BONUS #7 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sStkm00UODY - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Barbra Streisand

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS:

   Happy Birthday today to   Betty Brockwell McClure ('58) of MA!

   Happy Birthday tomorrow to Norma Helmick Burks ('63) AND  Tom Oxner ('65) of AR!

   Happy Birthday this week to:

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THIS DAY IN WWII: December 16, 1938 - Adolf Hitler instituted the Cross of Honor of the German Mother. December 16, 1941 - World War II: Japanese forces occupy Miri, Sarawak. December 16, 1942 - Holocaust: Porajmos – Heinrich Himmler ordered that Roma candidates for extermination be deported to Auschwitz. December 16, 1944 - The Battle of the Bulge began with the surprise offensive of three German armies through the Ardennes forest. http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/7-8/7-8_CONT.HTM   http://www.battleofthebulge.org/ http://www.criba.be/

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THIS DAY IN 1967:

Saturday, December 16, 1967 - Sprinter and sportscaster Donovan Bailey was born in Manchester, Jamaica. Saturday, December 16, 1967 - Decathlete Indrek Kaseorg was born in Tartu, Estonia. Saturday, December 16, 1967 - Actress Miranda Otto was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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From My Friend, Susan, of NC - 12/15/15:
 

“Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas.” - Thomas S. Monson (b. 21 Aug 1927)

    Thanks so much, Susan!

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From Joan Lauterbach Krause ('60) of VA - 12/16/17:

		Thank you, Joan!

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 From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 12/15/17:
 

		Thanks, Domi!

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“I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.” - Joe E. Lewis (12 Jan 1902 - 04 June 1971)

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BONUS CHRISTMAS STORY:
 From Carol Collier Sparrow ('63) of VA - 12/08/09 - "Adventure With Grandma":
 

*Adventure With Grandma* I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go." "Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's. I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I replied shyly. "It's .... for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote on the package, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95. =============================== He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.

  Thank you so very much, Carol!

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BONUS CHRISTMAS GIFT CROCHET PATTERNS: Three Tone Hat - "Enjoy working this creative stitch pattern with the perfect face-framing striped brim. Crochet it to give as gifts in colors to please them or in colors that just feel good to you." Bright Striped Wristers - "Try a daring color to brighten up a trendy pair of wristers. Only you will know how easily they were crocheted and how practical they are in keeping hands warm and fingers free to do more crocheting!" Puppy Mug Hug - "Here's a clever, crocheted mug hug that is a fun gift for animal lovers of any age. It will encourage kids to drink their milk or keep drinks warm for older folks. Made with easy-care yarn, you can wash it often and it will stay looking great."

 From Joyce Lawrence Cahoon ('65) of VA - 12/15/09 - "Brittle":
 

Nut Brittle 2 sticks butter 1 cup sugar 1/3  cup light corn syrup 2 teaspoons honey 3 cups nuts (any kind or mix them, it's all good!!) Spread a long piece of foil out on your counter top (about 20 inches long.)  Spray very lightly with cooking spray (any brand will do).   Melt butter in large saucepan.  Stir in sugar and stir till dissolved.  Add honey, syrup and nuts.  Now set your timer for 12 minutes and stir often or continuously till the time is up.  Pour mixture out  and spread quickly and very thin.  Let cool 5 minutes, then score with a sharp knife.  When completely cooled (about 1 hour, break into desired size pieces.  Make sure it is thoroughly cooled before storing in containers or it will stick together.  Store on a cool area.  Really easy recipe!!  Joyce Cahoon

OH, YUM! Thanks again, Joyce!