A Charles Town Christmas

Ed note: I wrote this several years ago. It is copied with changes from Clement C, Moore’s famous Poem. I love Charles Town and can at times picture it at its beginnings. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year.
James P. Whipple
Editor of the Charles Town Crier.

T’was the night before Christmas and all through Charles Town not a creature was stirring not even a horse.

The stockings were hung by the merchants with care, in hopes that Santa would soon be there.

The children were all snuggled warm in their beds with dreams of presents spinning their heads.

Ma in her wool nightgown and I in my cap had just settled down for a short winters nap. Out on Washington Street there rose such a clatter that I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash to open the shutters and through open the sash.

The snow covered streets were bright from the moon light and there standing by Charles and Washington Streets was a sleigh with eight reindeer. There was a little old man who was lively and quick who jumped from the sleigh, I knew in a moment it must be Santa.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his feet. His clothing was all tarnished with ash and soot. A bundle of toys he had on his back, he looked like a peddler just opening his sack. His face was broad with a beard that was as white as the snow; his belly was round and shook like a bowl full of jelly when ever he laughed.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know that I had nothing to fear. He went straight to work, flying from roof top to roof top, disappearing in one chimney and climbing out another, quick as a wink his work was complete.

With a nod of his head and a pipe in his teeth he seemed to be saying “I’ve done a good job.”

Suddenly he sprang to his sled and whistled and shouted “On Dancer, Donner and Blitzen.” The wind from the sled caused the new fallen snow to swirl.

I herd him shout as he flew out of sight “Merry Christmas to Charles Town and to all a good night.”
James P. Whipple
This poem is borrowed from The Night before Christmas by Clement C, Moore.

Early Christmas for President Obama

President Barack Obama speaks with the press after House vote on First Responders Health Bill.

In a turn around that only happens in movies President Obama wrapped up a long two years in Washington. The President rejoiced in his victory with a lame duck congress. National security, tax cuts and Justice in the civil rights movement brought his day to an end. By the time he boarded Air Force One for his home in Hawaii people were no longer talking about the mid terms election, they were talking of Obama success as President.
Obama spoke on the same day that he found enough allies in both parties to get Senate ratification of a nuclear arms treaty with Russia, a vote watched around the world as a test of international security and presidential clout. He also signed landmark legislation to allow gays to serve openly in the military, calling himself overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. And that was on top of other achievements, including a hard-fought deal to extend tax cuts and unemployment insurance even as it piled on more debt, a broad food security bill, a trade deal with South Korea and declarations of progress in the widening war in Afghanistan. Over the objection of some Republicans the Senate passed a Health Bill for the first responders of 2000. A lot of the fireman and police officers as well as those working at the World Trade Center Have become ill over the years.
The day started with the senate passing the arms control treaty with Russia. It ended when the House by a 260 vote to 70 passed the Health bill for the First Responders.
The Senate on Wednesday ratified an arms control treaty with Russia that reins in the nuclear weapons that could plunge the world into doomsday war. Thirteen Republicans broke with their top two leaders and joined 56 Democrats and two independents in providing the necessary two-thirds vote to approve the treaty. The vote was 71-26, with Obama praised the strong bipartisan vote for a treaty he described as the most significant arms control pact in nearly two decades.
The President ended his day with a press conference. When ask about the wins that he “Racked up” the president told those present “This was a win for the American people. Obama said “Well, look, as I said right after the midterm elections, we took a shellacking. And I take responsibility for that. But I think what’s happened over the last several weeks is not a victory for me, it’s a victory for the American people. And the lesson I hope that everybody takes from this is that it’s possible for Democrats and Republicans to have principled disagreements; to have some lengthy arguments but to I think that we’re still going to have disagreements in terms of spending priorities. It’s vital for us to make investments in education and research and development -- all those things that create an innovative economy -- while at the same time cutting those programs that just aren’t working. And there are going to be debates between the parties on those issues.But what we’ve shown is that we don’t have to agree on a hundred percent to get things done that enhance the lives of families all across America. And if we can sustain that spirit, then regardless of how the politics play out in 2012, the American people will be better for it. And that’s my ultimate goal. When ask if he thought the 2011 new congress where the Republicans will control the house would be hard to work with he said that the was encouraged that they might work to gather on issues. “We both have issues that will need solving, “the President said. The president then flew off to spend Christmas with his family in Hawaii and congress ended the second session of the US Congress for 2010.
James P. Whipple
12/22/10

News Briefs

Notice of Date and Location Change

Please be advised that the December 29, 2010 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting has been relocated to the Charles Town Library meeting room at 200 East Washington Street, at the side entrance on Samuel Street in Charles Town, West Virginia. This meeting replaces the regularly scheduled Board of Zoning Appeals meeting that was canceled on December 16th due to inclement weather.


Manchin: Absences won’t happen again
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin D, WV reporters this past Tuesday that he takes totally responsibility for not being in the Senate this last weekend. The Newly elected senator decided to attend a family function last Saturday, which meant he missed two key Senate votes. Manchin also said "adjustments" will be made when future conflicts arise.
Speaking during a teleconference to reporters across the state Manchin said he'd made a commitment to his children and grandchildren more than a year ago to hold their Christmas celebration on Dec. 18.
"Saturday was our Christmas and Saturday night was our Christmas dinner," said Manchin, adding that he returned to work in Washington for Sunday's votes.
Sen. Manchin was elected to the seat of the late Robert Byrd this past November.


Settlement reached in AB&C suit
AB&C Group workers are close to a settlement with AB&C Group. The workers did not receive their last pay checks when the facilities closed down. Thanks to a settlement reached this past week the workers are closer to a $1.17 million settlement. Approximately 500 to 600 former employees will be impacted by this settlement.
The settlement was filed in U.S. District Court in Martinsburg on Dec. 17. A total of settlement of $1,171,031.60 is being sought, according to the document filed. The case is now in the hands of federal district judge John Preston Bailey. The judge will set a date for an allocation hearing.


Council to continue with Potomac Street project
The Harpers Ferry Town Council met with Jefferson County employee Kirk Davis. The purpose of the meeting is to work out details of the town’s Potomac Street Project. The project aims to restore and revitalize parts of Potomac Street in Harpers Ferry's historic Lower Town district. Davis, who is the county's capital projects manager, will work with the town in a number of ways to help see the project to completion over an approximate 18-month period, spending between six and eight hours per week on the project.
Compiled by James P. Whipple

OOH Presents Southern Hospitality

The Old Opera House, which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary (1911-2011), is proud to present the first show of the 2011 season. The show is entitled Southern Hospitality and was written by three people; Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. This is the third and final play of a trilogy. The other two have also been performed at the OOH are Dearly Beloved and Christmas Belles. The play has started rehearsals and will be performed in February 2011 the dates of the show are Feb. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13.
The play is directed by Steve Brewer and the all star cast includes; Ellen Nichols, Ashley Snow, Beth Hood, Angela Williams, Christine Brewer, Robin Tatina, Bettina Fiery,
Keith Shifflett, Will Heyser, J D Wine, Michael Morsberger, and Richard Hamstead.
For reservations call (304) 725-4420 or email us at http://www.oldoperahouse.org/. Or address is Old Opera House Theatre Company. 204 N George Street, Charles Town, WV 25414

Art Exhibit Announced

SUMMIT POINT, WV, December 23, 2010. The South Jefferson Public Library at 49 Church Street, Summit Point, WV, is pleased to announce an exhibit of paintings by Summit Point artist Patricia Georgarakis which started 12 December 2010 and will run to January 28, 2011. This exhibit is the twenty-ninth in the Art in the Library series highlighting the talents of local artists. Unless the meeting room is in use, the exhibit can be viewed during library hours: Monday through Thursday 10-7, Saturdays 10-5, and Sundays 1-5. The library is closed Fridays.
Ms. Georgarakis has been painting icons for about 50 years. Iconography consists of paintings on wood of figures and scenes having historical and religious significance. Painted with a vivid background field of blue or gold, they often tell the history of a saint, depicting the personality of the saint and showing the person in a glorified state. Her first public icons were commissioned by St. Constantine and St. Helen churches in Washington D.C. She has painted many icons for other churches and individuals over the years, including clients in New Jersey, Florida, and Greece. Many are particularly appropriate for the Christmas season.
For more information, please visit our web site at http://sojeffersonlibrary.com/ or e-mail cmasonwhf@aol.com.

Supporting The Nation’s Veterans

(NAPSI)-Veterans make an important sacrifice for the nation, so you may well wonder what you can do in return.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can help:
1. Be a Good Neighbor
Be aware of the needs of your neighbors, friends and co-workers. Care packages and letters are important, but helping could be just as easy as doing chores for the military spouse down the street or visiting with a veteran at your local VFW.
2. Get Involved
Join organizations like ServiceNation and volunteer your time to participate in service projects designed to support soldiers across the country. You can visit www. missionserve.org to find a military-focused service project in your area.
3. Make a Donation
There are so many great non-profits that serve the military-from organizations such as Operation Homefront, which provides assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors, to the American Red Cross, which connects members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis.
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation recently announced a five-year, $10 million commitment to organizations that serve the veteran and military communities, placing a special emphasis on supporting job readiness and training programs.
The company funds nonprofits that assist veterans in their pursuit of higher education and enable veterans to more easily reintegrate into civilian life.
Walmart is actively engaged in job recruitment of former military personnel and is a charter member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program.
To date, the company has hired more than 300 junior military officers into store and corporate positions.
Walmart was recognized in the top 2 percent of veteran-friendly companies by G.I. Jobs Top 100 Military Friendly Employers.
To honor the military, the company donated $100,000 to support the New York City Veterans Day Parade.
For more information, visit www.walmartstores.com/veterans.