Heritage Academy Corridor

 

When I first walked into this nearly 100 year old school, I was immediately taken back to my elementary school, which was probably of the same vintage. It wasn't hard to imagine students lining these halls.

School Auditorium

I was a volunteer for the 2012 Augusta Photo Festival and had the good fortune to assist with several of the photography workshops held at the Heritage Academy in downtown Augusta.

From 1916 to 2000, the facility was known as the Houghton School. After extensive renovation, the school was opened in 2007 as the Heritage Academy.

Heritage Academy is an independent school offering an education to children of diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, empowering them to become a positive influence. Heritage Academy has an intentional mission to the children of low-income families

Merry Christmas Everyone

The Nicest Present

by Joanna and Karl Fuchs

 

Under the tree the gifts enthrall,

But the nicest present of them all

Is filling our thoughts with those who care,

Wanting our Christmas joy to share.

 

To you, whom we're often thinking of,

We send our holiday joy and love.

Christmas Eve

The Night Before Christmas

By Clement C. Moore

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of midday to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they same,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

 

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blizen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.

 

His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself,

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

TO

ALL

AND

TO ALL

A GOOD NIGHT

 

 

 

 

 





Christmas Spirit

After the cards are written and mailed, the tree decorated, the wreath hung, the candles placed in the windows, the shopping done and the packages wrapped, I get into the Christmas spirit by popping the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol in the DVD player and when its over, the 1951 version with Alastair Sim as Scrooge.

Of all of the movie and tv renditions of this Christmas classic, these two are my favorites and the season is not complete until I've watched them both.

Some years ago in Paris, I picked up a copy of Un Chant de Noel. As a not-so-good student of the French language, I thought this familiar story would be an easy read and for the most part it is.

Tonight, I watched the 1938 version with French subtitles! A new tradition has been borne.