Check out our December newsletter!
And Why 1957 Was the Greatest Year Ever for Christmas Music WHAT DOES ‘NOEL’ MEAN, ANYWAY?
As I started thinking about Christmas, I was paralyzed by a single thought: What does “Noel” mean, anyway? I’ve sung that Christmas carol my whole life and never thought about it.
that was quiet. The triumphant chorus of the carol leads us to spread the good news, “Noel, Born is the King of Israel!”
Christmas Music Peaked In 1957
It means more than I thought, as I discovered in an illuminating article on crosswalk.com .
Abrupt pivot, but speaking of spreadin’ the news, if you want a Christmas album for the ages, check out the 1957 masterpiece “A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra.” It includes “The First Noel,” but check out his take on “Jingle Bells.” It swings. Even my teenagers like it. If you want a version of “The First Noel” that could have thrown the Grinch into cardiac arrest, pull up Elvis’ version from his 1957 prize, “Elvis’ Christmas Album.” For what it’s worth, this is the best-selling Christmas album of all time, with worldwide sales of over 20 million.
The word “noel” is actually rooted in three languages, each of which holds a different meaning:
• The French word Nouvelles means “news.” • The old English word Nowel means “shout of joy.” • The Latin root Natalis means “birth.” The carol had its origins in 1200s France with different lyrics. It became popular in the 1800s after it was first published in 1823 by William B. Sandys in “Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern .” The first line magnificently captures all three meanings. “The First Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.” The angels share the best news ever as they appear in a joyous multitude announcing Jesus’s birth to the shepherds, which Luke describes as ending in “Glory to God in the highest.” No one can think
Listen to these albums and tell me who did it better because I need to know.
And spread the Good News. The world needs it now more than ever.
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HOW THE GRINCH STOLE OUR HEARTS Behind the Timeless Christmas Tale The TV special contains nine total musical numbers, the most famous featuring lyrics only Dr. Seuss could have written. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is a hilariously clever song and a highlight of the program. The filmmakers also secured a big win in the voice talents of horror movie legend Boris Karloff, who provided an alternatingly sneering and tender tone to the production. Thanks to its full animation technique featuring 25,000 drawings, Variety says “The Grinch” may have been the most expensive television special made until that time. Later, Hollywood upped the ante with a live-action adaptation in 2000 and an animated full-length film in 2018. Both movies were box office successes, but neither has overtaken the 26-minute TV special as our favorite way to enjoy the Grinch. Why does the Grinch endure? Dr. Seuss based the character on himself, so it may be that there’s a little bit of the Grinch in all of us. Unlike that other well-known holiday-hater Ebenezer Scrooge, he gives those who aren’t full of Christmas cheer a favorable mascot. The Grinch’s wild schemes and comical complaints are more fun than menacing, and his story produces a reliably happy ending. As its greatest gift, an annual viewing can leave even the most hardened Grinch feeling as if their own heart has grown a size or two.
As regularly as Rudolph does, the Grinch appears on our television screens every December. Despite his negative attitude and nefarious intentions, the protagonist of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” remains a family favorite more than 50 years after the animated TV special first aired. The Grinch’s transformation into a cultural icon began with a 1957 children’s book. Author Dr. Seuss had recently experienced great success with “The Cat in the Hat” and was a hot commodity. He published “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” later that same year, and the black-and- white book was an instant smash. The story might have ended there if Dr. Seuss had his way. Dr. Seuss was protective of his creations and didn’t trust them in anyone else’s hands, but his filmmaker friend, Chuck Jones, eventually persuaded him to reconsider. Still, the story required some changes. Jones assigned the Grinch his signature green color, and the Grinch’s dog, Max, was given a more prominent role to increase the special’s runtime. But the songs were the most important of all.
Testimonial
“I remember distinctly my first conversation with Rob. I was overwhelmed with his kindness, compassion, sympathy, and most importantly, his wisdom. I was impressed that he even called me after hours with updates on my case. I knew Rob had many cases more important than mine, I truly felt like I was his only client. He is very dedicated to his clients and we all appreciate him. I would highly recommend Rob Usry.”
–Brandy C.
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ACHIEVING A BIG WIN: Electrocution Settlement for Cash and Future Medical Care
Our client, Rich, was electrocuted in a terrible Spartanburg work accident, and he suffered severe injuries. While he was lucky that he hadn’t been burned to a crisp in an instant, his life changed forever. His whole body felt it, leaving him stunned. His hands, fingers, feet, and toes were numb. As he recovered his senses, his right foot erupted in searing pain. His sock had a burned hole in it with black edges. Removing it revealed a burn on his right foot, and he had a burn on his right hand the size of a nickel, plus burns on his fingertips. Another burn shot from his right wrist up to his elbow where it looked like paint from the gutter had seared into his arm. Rich underwent almost two years of extensive medical treatments that included hospitalization for an infected foot burn and visits to orthopedists, a neurologist, and pain management specialists. By the time he reached maximum medical improvement, and we could try to settle his case, Rich was still plagued by intense pain and unending
numbness/tingling. He required the maximum dose of the nerve pain drug Lyrica. The pain doctor described Rich’s pain as a huge distraction — making it incredibly difficult to do daily activities and complete work — and the neurologist concluded that Rich suffered permanent nerve damage to both hands and feet. Rich’s primary goal for his case was to obtain future medical care for his work injuries. In response, the workers’ compensation insurance company offered roughly $45,000. The insurance company felt that it “should cover him until he gets Social Security disability.” Here at the office, we filed for a hearing with the Commission, seeking permanent and total disability benefits — this required mediation. But at mediation, we dug our heels into the ground and informed the mediator we wouldn’t settle without the insurance company agreeing to provide future medical care. Sensing the truth of our assertion, the insurance company agreed. We spent the rest of the mediation hammering out a financial settlement, finally accepting $95,000.
Past outcomes don’t guarantee future results. Every case is different, and all cases depend on unique facts and laws.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Good News
No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
Inspired by TheFoodieAffair.com
Ingredients
• 1 cup powdered sugar • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp softened butter • 1 lb white chocolate candy coating
Directions 1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and softened butter. Mix until evenly combined. 3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until firm. 4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate candy coating in increments of 30 seconds, stirring occasionally until smooth. 5. In the same bowl, use skewers to dip peanut butter balls into the chocolate before placing them on a lined cookie sheet so they can harden. 6. Chill until ready and then serve!
–Luke 2.8-14
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
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INSIDE this issue 1. What Does ‘Noel’ Mean?
1
2
2. You’re a Mainstay, Mr. Grinch
2. Testimonial
3
3. A Big Win
3. No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
4
4. These Bugs Love Takeout Containers
If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email Rob@bhollandlawfirm.com .
THESE ‘SUPERWORMS’ COULD SAVE OUR PLANET
Meet the Bugs With a Taste for Plastic
Hundreds of years after you die and decompose, the Styrofoam takeout containers you used for last night’s Thai food will still linger in the landfill. Scientists estimate it takes thousands of years for Styrofoam (aka polystyrene) to break down when buried under other trash. Even in direct sunlight, the process takes decades! This is a huge pollution problem — but a tiny bug may be able to solve it. On the other side of the globe, at the University of Queensland in Australia, researchers are keeping a tank full of pets that may save us all from our plastic waste: Zophobas morio , aka the “giant mealworm” or “superworm.”
the University of Queensland, told Science Daily. “The breakdown products from this reaction can then be used by other microbes to create high-value compounds such as bioplastics.” Not only did the worms in the Queensland study eat the Styrofoam, but they actually gained weight from a healthy diet of takeout containers. Their ability to digest plastic is likely thanks to the gut bacteria Dr. Rinke mentioned. If we can grow and control these bacteria, we may be able to set it loose in landfills and turn our trash into something more useful. Superworms haven’t saved us yet — in fact, we usually use the 2-inch brown bugs as food for pet lizards and birds — but it’s about time we put their true potential to work. Fortunately, scientists like Dr. Rinke are on the case.
In the wild, superworms are scavengers that will munch on anything from animals to apples. But in captivity, researchers have found another food they love: Styrofoam.
“Our team is very excited to push the science to make it happen,” he said.
“Superworms are like mini recycling plants, shredding the polystyrene with
their mouths and then feeding it to the bacteria in their gut,” Dr. Chris Rinke, the leader of the superworm experiment at
To see the superworms in action, head to YouTube.com and search “superworm plastic.”
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