Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 25 December '85 ^

Could She Go Through • The Anxiety Once Again?

In the quiet of the evening, she and her husband were sitting in their favorite easy chairs — he reading the newspaper, she crocheting the finishing

touches on a coverlet for the new grandchild expected any time now — possibly on Christmas day, only a week away. The telephone rang. It

was the choir director of their church. She said, "I have a big favor to ask, and please, please don't say no! Janet was rushed to the hospital today and is having an emergency appendectomy and won't be able to play for Christmas. Will you do it for us. please. Peg?" Peg said "Give me a few minutes to catch my breath. I'll call you back." SHE TURNED TO her husband and said, "Joe. they want me to play the organ for the Christmas Eve services. Janet is in the hospital." Joe said. "Well, Peg, it's up to you. You did it for ' years and probably know everything on the program s by heart. But only if you feel like it!" > She sat again in her easy chair and looked at her hands with their arthritic - nodules spreading from finger to finger. When pressures had become too great and her specialist advised her to take it easy because of a heart that behaved erratically on occasion. ("Relax," he said, "Play only when you feel like it! "), she decided to regretfully to retire. Janet, her successor, was a young, vigorous woman, an enthusiastic, excellent musician and organist, but at the moment undergoing surgery. PEG'S MIND traveled back, back, back to the beginning, when, as a 10-year-old, her feet barely reached the pedals of the beautiful organ whose pipes seemed to rise above her through the roof, into the sky. She could still hear the voice of her old German music professor as he urged her on, his "vun, two, tree" echoing through the huge organ loft. She wondered : Could she go through it once again, the anxiety, the need for perfection, each time the tension as of an "opening night"? She prayed a while for guidance, then went to the telephone. •Til do it" she said. ON CHRISTMAS EYE feet at the ready and swell. Peg whispered to the organ whose heart sometimes beat erratically and whose voice occasionally cracked. "Please don't fail me. old friend'" She looked about her and remembered part of the old psalm: "1 have loved, oh Lord, the beauty of thy house, the place where thy glory dwelleth." In the distance a little bell tinkled. The church became hushed and dark, except for the light of the Drug Talk Scheduled WILDWOOD - The next meeting of the Interested Parents, Students and Teachers Organization will be held 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Wildwood High School in the library. Guest speaker will be Edward Olwell from Junction Drug and Alcohol Abuse Center. This program will focus on how to get help and learn more about drug and alcohol abuse.

candle-bearers who led the solemn and reverent procession slowly up the aisle, over to the Nativity scene where the infant Jesus figure was laid gently into its cradle of straw. Suddenly every light in the church came on. It was time! The choir director raised her hands, the organ music rose sweet and clear, the voices of the choir and congregation blended in a beautiful surge of sound. And as her fingers ran swiftly and surely over the keys, she thought of the new grandson, born only hours before. Her heart filled with love, peace and joy, and she said gratefully. Lord, it is good for us to be here! Dorothea Cooper writes "The Golden Edge" from North Wildwood "when the spirit moves me."

For Cat Lovers Of all the pictures we have seen of that first holy Christmas morn Farm animals are grouped about the little Infant newlyborn: The friendly cow, the fuzzy lamb, the wandering goat and generous sheep Breathe softly on the Little Babe and gently warm Him in His sleep. Yet surely there in Bethlehem a cuddly feline must have dwelt. Though never has a puss been shown amongst the group that humbly knelt, I like to feel that in the night, when all was still and none was near, A cat stepped softly to the crib and purred his love into Baby's ear. — Dorothea F. Cooper Mil. S.H. HENDERSON 1980 - America Cud Grand Champion 1981- Cover Of ' Official Karate 1985 - Ptilla. Karate Championship Grand Champion 1985 - America Cup international Team competition 1st Place 4116 PARK BLVD. WILDWOOD N.J. call 465-7749 N0W!! Spocemaker Microwave Oven Fits Over Your Range MB ELECTRONIC H COT>0LS Model JVM IX) • Replaces existing range hood. • Built-in exhaust (an with cooktop light. • Extra wide 1.0 cu. ft. oven cavity ONLY • Time Cook up to 99 minutes. ^ ' • 10 power levels • Up to 12-Hour Delay Start. GE. We bring good things to life. J I ee^fLM" ' "" DtL,,ERy - eJa Ir&JHE ' 'kialuTIM a Ml 1# a • REVOLVING CHARGE ✓ hill K Hi IIVP ACCOSTS AVAILABLE LU1II IX llal a niWij . REMOVE ULU APPLIANCE North Wildwood -~r 522-1421 " - ask for details

I ' pil; Wishing V You H Peace • Joy § I and || Happiness § f§ Throughout I .a53F ?! i Holiday gg

KaaaaapnngnnnnpggEanagna^ g 'Siee (Ae UitU jj 1 V •%&***— I 1 ' °*y' s Tennis s I \ Lessons § S vlbC - v eSS0",, V&Lnffl// Stroke analysis, strategy. 6 | 1 strokes. serve | § caH Mr, . — """"Give a gift | Tony FittipakK 10 50mt0ne S j 48 Highs Beach Road, Dias Creek ' 486-5727^9^ j

IMtl f^r t tR ® m JO M I I B YOUR SAVINGS INSURED m p. yl y* . ' m TO $100,000 ^ ESTABLISHED 1919 '522-5115 When you join our Christmas Club, you're doing yourself a favor. It's smart planning, plain and simple. You can be sure you won't be caught short next year. 5% OUR GIFT TO YOU! OPEN A PERPETUAL CHRISTMAS CLUB WITH... Saving AND LOAN ASSOCIATION