SPLINTERS

TENNESSEE VALLEY WOODWORKERS DEC 1989

OH THOSE SONGS OF DECEMBER.. .MUSIC TO MY FROZEN EARS:

YES, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL; THE CHILL OF THE SHOP IS SPITEFUL.

OH, THOSE SCRAPS OF WOOD FOR TURNING; THEY FEEL MUCH BETTER BURNING.

WOULDN’T THE OLD SHOP, BE MUCH NEATER IF WE ONLY HAD A HEATER.

OLD SANTA’S ELFS WOULD BE SINGING A DIFFERENT TUNE IF THE WEATHER WAS AS WARM AS JUNE.

OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO THINK THOSE THOUGHTS OF MAY

WON’T THE CHILDREN STAND IN AWE AT THE SIGHT OF MY BRAND NEW TABLE SAW.

OH, I COULDN’T BE PROUTER OF MY BRAND NEW ROUTER

YES, IT’S DECEMBER AGAIN, AND TIME TO WRAP UP OUR ANNUAL “Toys FOR TOTS” PROGRAM. BRAVE THE CHILL OF THE SHOP, AND BRIGHTEN UP THE HOLIDAYS FOR SOME LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN.

AS USUAL, WE’LL BE COLLECTING UP ANY TOYS, SHOPMADE OR STORE— BOUGHT, AT OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GATHERING. ( MORE ABOUT THE

PARTY LATER ) JUDY DAVIS AND SUSAN CHURCH WILL BE DISTRIBUTING

TO THE TOYS PROGRAMS IN FRANKLIN AND COFFEE COUNTIES. PLEASE

BRING YOUR TOYS IN CARDBOARD BOXES IF POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE

DISTRIBUTION MUCH EASIER.

THIS TRADITION HAS BECOME ANOTHER MEMORABLE PART OF THE CHRISTMAS

SEASON. ANY SIMPLE TOYS ARE WELCOME. DON’T FORGET THOSE GIL TOYS TOO.

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

THIS YEAR OUR GATHERING WILL BE AT THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE

NAZARENE FELLOWSHIP HALL IN DECHERD. [ SEE ATTACHED MAP ] NOTE

THAT WE WILL BE STARTING AT 6:00. A HALF HOUR EARLIER THAN

USUAL. THAT’S TUESDAY EVENING~, DECEMBER 19. THIS WILL BE A

COVERED DISH—POTLUCK EVENT. IF IT’S ANYTHING LIKE THE PICNIC, MY

APPETITE IS READY NOW. FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND SPOUSES ARE

ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. LONG LOST MEMBERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO

COME SHARE THE FELLOWSHIP. THERE’S NO NEED TO BRING A TOY, JUST

JOIN IN THE FUN. THE CLUB WILL BE PROVIDING PAPER PLATES,

UTENSILS, ICE AND DRINKS AND HAM. OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO RICHARD

GULLEY FOR ARRANGING THE USE OF THE FELLOWSHIP HALL. WE’VE JUST

GROWN TOO LARGE FOR THE HOUSE.

SPEAKING OF FUN.. .WE’LL BE JOINED BY PAUL PYLE AND THE AWALT

RAMBLERS. THIS IS THE SAME FINE GROUP OF ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIANS

THAT PROVIDED US WITH ENTERTAINMENT LAST YEAR. DON’T MISS

IT...WE’LL BE LOOKING FOR YOU.

December 14, 1989

By: Jan Moye

‘Twas the night before Christmas and out in the shop,

Bill was a stirrin’ and had me on the hop.

The Christmas orders were filled, but the kids sleds.we FORGOT!

Chips were a flyin’, our patience grew thin

with sawdust in our hair and paint on my chin.

Bill was in his nail apron and I had my eye on the clock!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

while visions of sleds of red and green danced in their heads.

The paint needed stirring; with the clock it was a race

And I literally saw red as it spilled all over the place.

“Fret thee not. We’ll make it yet!” quoth Bill

as he tossed a nail set my way.

“Not with help like mine.” I grumbled in dismay.

“The nails on my two left thumbs are all I’ve set today.”

It was cold and frosty, our teeth were a chatterin’

When out in the driveway we heard such a clatterin’

We rushed to the window wondering, “Who’s here?”

When what to our sawdust -- filled eyes did appear

but 4 pickup trucks and 3 cars all filled with tools and gear.

It can’t be, but it is -- helpers galore,

Why, there’s Jack and Tom and Susan, Phil, Gina, Ricky and a score more.

Oh, it’s wonderful, fabulous, marvelous, of course,

that the Tennessee Valley Woodworkers turned out in force.

Straight to the workshop, swiftly they came.

Thankfully, we greeted each one by their name.

Just like elves to the rescue, lively and quick,

they bailed us out before we got sick.

Such hammering and sawing and sanding you’ve never seen.

And in no time at all, there sat two sleds of red and green.

Along about midnight, quiet as a mouse,

So as not to wake the children, I crept into the house.

Out of the pantry and down from the shelf

came cocoa and sugar and cookies I had baked myself.

Back out to the shop with the refreshments I flew

and we all enjoyed them an hour or two.

Then Bill wondered aloud about how they knew;

I told him this story, wonderful and true.

Earlier that evening the telephone rang,

It was Jack Townsend himself, one and the same.

“Merry Christmas!” He said. “How are you folks tonight?”

And sadly and quickly I told him of our plight.

Though my poem is fiction, I applaud this troupe,

For it personifies the loving and giving spirit shown by this group.

You’ll hear us exclaim as we drive away this night,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”