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TIDINGS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

December, 2000
VOLUME V
ISSUE XII

Christmas at the Lake

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Lake,
The shrimp were a'scurrying, being chased by a hake!
The gondolier rowed, on his boat with great care,
In hopes that the weather, would still remain fair.

The fish in the shallows, and boat master in his cap,
Had just settled down, for a long winters nap.
When out on the water, there rose such a clatter,
We all dropped our nets, to see what was the matter.

The moon on the breast, of the tides now so low,
Gave a luster of mid-day, to mud flats below.
When what to my wondering eyes should delight,
But red and green lights, on a fountain so bright.

The feathered geese, so lively and quick,
Oh my goodness, they're chasing Saint Nick!
More rapid than eagles these birds they did fly
Then he whistled and shouted: "Don't Santa deny."

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen,
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen.
To the top of the boathouse, to the crumbling wall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all.

As water from the storm drains does fly,
When it meets with an obstacle, splashes so high!
So all round the columns, his coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of volunteers, and trash bags too!

And then in a twinkling, I certainly heard,
The cackling and cawing, of each little bird.
As I ran for my camera, away with a dash,
Into the water, St. Nicholas came with a splash.
But he wore a wetsuit, from his head to his foot,

And all round about, wasn't a trace there of soot.
Many gifts for the Lake, he carried in his sack,
Of things to delight, there wasn't a lack.

Good things he did sprinkle, like the Fairyland Fairy,
The City was delighted, and began to make merry.
New wetlands to be, and a plan to be master,
A bulkhead wall, made not of plaster.

More money for fountains, a new path for Jerry,
And steelhead in the Lake, old Santa did not tarry.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to the Council,
And told them at once, the Lake stocking to fill.

And shaking a fish, from out of his hat,
He said to the birds, now don't get too fat.
He leaped into a rowboat, and said with a quiver,
To the Ladies of the Lake, this present I'll deliver.

But I heard him exclaim, as he rowed out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

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