Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Local Authors to Appear at the Peachtree City Library

Saturday, January 15, 1:00 PM

The Friends of the Peachtree City Library association is pleased to announce that Carole Marsh and Steven Haner will read from and discuss their books. Following the program the authors will sign copies of their books and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.

Carole Marsh

Carole Marsh is the founder of Peachtree City’s Gallopade International and the author of the immensely popular Carole Marsh Mysteries, including “America’s National Mystery Book Series,” “Around the World in 80 Mysteries,” and “Masters of Disasters.” All of Carole’s mysteries not only provide entertainment and encourage reading, but also educate by targeting SAT vocabulary and including an Accelerated Reader Quiz. Her “State Stuff” brings the United States to life with books such as the “Jography of North Carolina” and the “Georgia Puzzle Book.” She addresses contemporary issues in “The Poor Little Pelican,” drawn from the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill. Her non-fiction books include her Students Civil War Series, the Native American Heritage series, , “Little Linguistics,” and the African-American Heritage collection, “Black Jazz, Pizzazz, and Razmatazz.”

Carole relates that after being born, the next significant event in her life was receiving a library card and trying to read all the books in the Children’s Section of the library.

Her first writing experience was a newspaper article. Some years later she decided to write a book and only a year later her first book, “The Missing Head Mystery” was ready. Carole elected to self-publish and Gallopade International was born. Since then, Carole has written and published thousands of books.

Carole and husband, Bob, make their home in Peachtree City. Carole’s children Michael and Michelle, manage Gallopade and are also local residents.

Steven Haner

Drawn from the wreckage of the author’s shattered dreams, "The Picture" leads through light and shadow to discover the message inside the mess...a message for every troubled heart: Hidden in plain view, the Hand of Providence weaves a golden thread of redemption that leads to the door of discovery and wonder. Into our hand, He places the key.

The inspiration that compelled Steven to write "The Picture" occurred some twenty years ago, when horror and wonder visited his sister. She suffered the loss of her first child at the end of term, but then gave birth to triplet boys before the year had passed. The dichotomy of feelings created by these events hammered Steven. Were “reason and rhyme” players in these events? Or was it simply a “quirk of fate”? Though he looked for and found no answer in reason, it was rhyme that helped him tell the tale, and a beautiful story began to unfold.

As a child, Steven Haner discovered an artistic talent that has remained with him through the twists and turns of his life, serving him well in a variety of endeavors. Leaving college early to pursue the lofty promises of a spiritual calling, he found instead, a wife, and the lesson that lofty promises come to those who turn their heart toward the lessons of love. Twenty-nine years of marriage and four children provided the opportunity—God provided the grace. It’s the ‘light and shadow’ inside his new book, "The Picture".

Steven Haner resides in Coweta County with his wife, Sandi, two of their four children, James and Kristin, their charge, Marius Cox, and miniature dachshund, Cassie.
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Monday, December 20, 2010

Walmart Gives $2,000 to Peachtree City ASP

 (L-R) ASP Site Coordinators Cheryl Lopez, Peeples Elementary; Christine Clark, Kedron Elementary; Jennifer Campbell, Peachtree City Elementary; Patty Rose, Crabapple Lane Elementary; Robert Beasley, Walmart store manager; Sandy Jensen, Oak Grove Elementary; Carolyn Davis, Huddleston Elementary; Carol Banks, Braelinn Elementary.

A total of $2,000 in Walmart Community Grant checks has been given to seven Peachtree City After School Programs (ASP).

The Walmart in Peachtree City presented the grants to programs at Braelinn, Crabapple Lane, Huddleston, Kedron, Oak Grove, Peachtree City, and Peeples elementary schools. Each program has its own plans for the money. Some sites will purchase art supplies, crafts, and playground equipment, while others will fund science and math programming. One site will use their funds to pay tuition for three children to attend ASP so that their single mom can keep her newfound job.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity the Peachtree City Walmart has extended to our programs. This money will be used to enhance student activity areas and to create an enjoyable environment for our students,” says Julia Simpson, director of ASP.

ASP provides services to school age children within the school buildings where they attend day school; the program operates from the end of the school day until 6:30 p.m. Funding is through parent fees, grants and donations. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information about ASP, call 770-460-3990, ext. 255.

The Walmart Foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in communities including customers and associates through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteerism. The corporation’s philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally involves store associates in determining how Walmart Foundation dollars are used to support causes that are important to them.

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

FCHS Band and Kohl’s Support Angel Tree Program

Thanks to the Kohl’s Cares program and the Fayette County High School Band, high school students on the CARE (Children at Risk in Education) Angel Tree will have all of their Christmas wishes granted.

For the first time ever, the band decided to make their holiday concert a fundraiser for the Angel Tree. Students and parents were asked to bring clothing, toiletries, personal care items, gift cards and other requested gifts as donations.

Additionally, Kohl’s donated $500 to the Angel Tree plus another $500 to the Fayette County High School Band through its Kohl’s Cares program. A total of 10 employees from the Douglasville department store volunteered their time at the concert. Kohl’s Cares donates $100 to a nonprofit organization for each employee volunteer.

“This has all been just truly amazing. Although the economy is still bad, people have stepped forward to make donations and help our students and families in need. I cannot thank the Fayette County High School Band and Kohl’s enough,” says Karen Spangler, CARE coordinator and organizer of the Angel Tree project.

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Friday, December 17, 2010

University of West Georgia Students to Travel to Kagoshima, Japan in Exchange Program

Amanda Norman, Fayetteville, one of seven students traveling to Japan

A group of education majors from the University of West Georgia will take part in an exchange program that will take them to Japan and bring students from that country to UWG.

The seven students will travel to Kagoshima, on the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island, and stay for three weeks in May. They will study the culture of Japan, visit K-12 schools and attend classes taught in English at Kagoshima University, said Dr. Judy Butler, chair of the International Programs Committee for the College of Education.

“They are just wonderful hosts and this is a beautiful seaport,” Butler said. “We hope this will enlarge their view of other cultures.”

The Japanese students will arrive at the University of West Georgia in March and stay six weeks, Butler said.

The four UWG juniors making the trip are: Kelly Wolk, of Marietta; Jessica Scanlan, of Newnan; and Amber Rogers and Kathleen Fackler, both of LaGrange. 

The three seniors are: Amanda Norman, of Fayetteville; Whitney Johnson, of Carrollton; and LaCinda Adamson, of Bowdon.

“I’m really excited to experience something different,” said Wolk, who graduated from Pope High School in 2008. “It’s good to know what it’s like outside the U.S…. This will be three weeks of immersion in their culture.”

Dr. Walter Todd, director of the Japanese Exchange Program 2011 and a faculty member of UWG’s Leadership and Applied Instruction Department, and Dr. Tamra Ogletree, of Collaborative Support and Intervention, will accompany the students.

This is the second year that the University of West Georgia has sent exchange students to Japan, Butler said.

When the students return they will speak to classes about their trip. They will also complete several online assignments.

To participate, the students submitted applications to a selection committee and completed interviews.

School System and Fayette Holiday Helpers Thank Community for Generosity

Thanks to the generosity of the Fayette community, assistance from Fayette Holiday Helpers, local businesses, private citizens and employees of the Fayette County Public School System, all angels on the CARE (Children at Risk in Education) Angel Tree will have their wishes granted and then some.

Over 400 angels, representing students and their families who are in need, were part of this year’s Angel Tree project. Counselors at each school identified students who met the special requirements mandatory for inclusion: all adults in the household must be working or legitimately trying to find work, and the family’s combined income is not sufficient to make ends meet.

Angel requests are non-traditional and include basic need items such as clothing, blankets, space heaters, toiletries, and laundry detergent. While priority is given to meeting the basic need requests, donors do not stop there. Generally, they make sure that angels are also given some non-requested, fun items such as toys, bicycles and games.

“We couldn’t do this each year without the generosity of our community and organizations like Fayette Holiday Helpers. Thanks to all of the donations from churches, businesses, civic organizations and individuals, many children and their families will have a merrier holiday season. I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for making these angel wishes come true,” says Karen Spangler, the school system’s CARE coordinator.

Although the Angel Tree project is seasonal, the needs for students and their families are not. The CARE program assists those in need all year long by helping with After School Program tuition scholarships, extra curricular program fees, and various activity dues so that all students can feel a sense of inclusion and take full advantage of their school experiences. To make a donation, contact Spangler at spangler.karen@fcboe.org or call 770-460-3990.

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North Fayette Students Remember Soldiers at Christmas

Sweet treats and holiday cheer are on their way to brighten soldiers’ holidays in Afghanistan thanks to students in the After School Program (ASP) at North Fayette Elementary.

The students wanted to show appreciation for one of their own, Jimi Moutrie, who is serving in the US Army in Afghanistan and will be spending Christmas there this year. Jimi is the son of fifth grade teacher Kendra Brown and regularly visits the ASP program when he is home on leave.

“The students wanted to show their appreciation to our soldiers for their bravery in Afghanistan by preparing a box full of treats and greeting cards to send to them,” says Margie Bennett, the school’s ASP site coordinator.

The students sent enough treats and cards for Jimi to share with his fellow troops.

This is the second time North Fayette ASP students have sent gifts to Afghanistan this year. Projects like these are part of the ASP model that emphasizes not only extended learning, but also character building through citizenship, leadership and community service.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Eight J C Booth Students Arrested for Alleged Gang Offenses

While most students at J C Booth Middle School in Fayette County were busy working on exams and looking forward to the holidays, the Peachtree City Police Department arrested eight female students for alleged gang related offenses.

While the charges are unclear at the moment, it was reported in a letter sent home by the J C Booth Middle School Administration that one of the charges filed was for "carrying a weapon on school property."

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McIntosh High School Piano Player Selected for State’s Highest Honor

Only one student in the entire state can play piano for the All State Jazz Band.

In January, Gerand McDowell will take to the stage in Savannah to give the performance of a lifetime as the chosen piano player for the band, which will play a concert during the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference January 27-29.

McDowell, who attends McIntosh High, is the only student from the school ever chosen for the band. He is also the only student in Fayette County to make this year’s cut.

Among the pieces McDowell and the band will perform include “Milestones” by Miles Davis, “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, and “Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie.

In preparation for the concert, McDowell will learn under the direction of Rodney T. Whitaker, an internationally renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist, who is the Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Cafeteria Manager Wins Milk Cooler for School

Whitewater High School Cafeteria Manager Katherine Denfeld’s participation in “Strive for 35˚,” a milk temperature survey sponsored by the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc., has scored a new milk cooler for the school.

The purpose of the survey was to encourage food service professionals to test the temperature of their milk to ensure that it is being served between 35˚ and 40˚ F. Milk tastes best and has a longer shelf life when stored between these temperatures. Shelf life is shortened by 50 percent for every 5-degree increase in temperature over 40˚F.

The survey required four separate temperature checks using a calibrated thermometer from various locations inside each of the school’s milk coolers throughout one lunch period. Some reasons why milk may not be at the correct temperature include overloading the milk cooler, a malfunctioning cooler or leaving the lid of the cooler open between lunch periods.

By taking part in the survey, Denfeld is ensuring that Whitewater High students will choose milk by serving it the way it tastes best. Dairy foods, such as milk, supply three of the five nutrients children and adolescents need: calcium, potassium and magnesium.

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Rep Matt Ramsey, D.A. King to Speak on Immigration Reform Tuesday Night

December 14, 2010: Immigration reform educational meeting. Learn about the immigration reform bill to be considered by the 2011 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Free Event

When: Tuesday evening, 12/14/10 @ 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM. Where: Whitewater Creek Amenities Center (upstairs Redwine room), 165 Birkdale Drive, Fayetteville. Birkdale Drive is the entrance to the Whitewater Creek Golf Course on Redwine Road, Fayetteville.

Speakers:

Matt Ramsey serves as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Immigration Reform. He is the state representative for district 72 and has served as Chair of the Crimes Against Children and Illegal Substances Committee of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. Representative Ramsey was appointed by Governor Perdue to serve as one of his Administration's House Floor Leaders.

D.A. King is President of the American Resistance Foundation and the Dustin Inman Society. Mr. King is a nationally known immigration expert and has appeared numerous times before Congress, the Georgia General Assembly and on many local and national
radio and television programs.

Each of the speakers will address the audience and then participate in a question and answer period.

Sponsors:

Fayette-Coweta 912 Patriots, Greater Fayette Republican Women's Club, Fayette County Tea Party, South Atlanta Tea Party and the Senoia Tea Party Patriots. For more information call Jim Richter @ 770-632-9618 or email: fc912p@gmail.com.

Payless Shoes and Holiday Helpers Grant Wishes of Angels

Helen Rickman of Fayette Holiday Helpers (left) and Karen Spangler with the school system’s CARE program accepted the donation of 150 gift coupons at the Payless Shoe Source in Fayetteville from store manager Johnathan Dennis.

Thanks to Payless Shoe Source in Fayetteville and Helen Rickman of Fayette Holiday Helpers, 150 students in need of shoes on the CARE (Children at Risk in Education) Angel Tree will have their requests granted.

The 2010 Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program is a grass roots campaign to deliver $1.2 million in free shoes to children of families in need. Fayette Holiday Helpers was one of the nonprofits selected to receive gift coupons redeemable for children’s shoes; each gift coupon is worth $15. Fayette Holiday Helpers, which assists with the CARE Angel Tree project each year, donated all 150 gift coupons to help fulfill the wishes of Fayette County’s public school students. This marks the third year that Payless Shoe Source has provided the gift coupons.

“This is unprecedented. I cannot thank Payless and Holiday Helpers enough for their support. We have many children who are going to be thrilled to receive a new pair of shoes,” says Karen Spangler, the school system’s CARE coordinator.

The CARE Angel Tree project is designed to help working families struggling to make ends meet provide basic needs for their children. The tree fulfills nontraditional needs such as clothing, after school program scholarships, eyeglasses and dental work. All adults in the household must be employed in order for students to qualify for the program.

Photo source:  Fayette County Board of Education

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

Two Fayette County Residents Earn Master’s Degrees from Clayton State

Two individuals from Fayette County recently graduated from Clayton State University with master’s degrees.

Fayetteville’s Barbara James, a teacher at Rising Starr Middle School and the first recipient (in 2008) of the Clayton State University Retirees Association Scholarship, has earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. An additional story on James will be forthcoming next week.

Peachtree City’s Nicholas Ross Cushnie earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics, one of the first two master’s degrees awarded from the University’s College of Information and Mathematical Sciences.

A total of 20 individuals will receive master’s degrees from Clayton State at the Dec. 10, Fall 2010 Hooding Ceremony. A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Fayetteville Police Arrest former Zaxby’s employee for 2007 Armed Robbery of Zaxby’s store.

The Fayetteville Police arrested Erika Tiggs, a former Zaxby’s employee, for her part in an armed robbery which had occurred at the Fayetteville Zaxby’s. On August 6, 2007, two suspects entered the Zaxby’s store on GA Hwy 85, forced the employees into a cooler and robbed the store of approximately $2000.00 in cash.

Police obtained evidence at the scene which was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime lab to determine if there was DNA present. Detectives received notification from the GBI that there was DNA present. Detectives then obtained DNA from Tiggs, who had been identified as a suspect early in the investigation.

Detectives were recently notified that the DNA sample from Tiggs matched the sample obtained from evidence at the scene. Detectives received an arrest warrant and took Tiggs into custody this morning at her job, without incident.

In July of this year, three other suspects pled guilty to robbing a Zaxby’s employee in a separate incident that had occurred on February 9, 2009. Fayetteville Police are investigating the possibility that the two incidents are related. Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to contact Detective Scott Israel at the Fayetteville Police Department (770) 719-4223.

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Fayetteville Cops Spread Christmas Cheer

On Saturday, December 4, 2010, the Fayetteville Police conducted the 7th annual “Christmas with the Police”.  Four Fayetteville families, with a total of 17 children, were treated to a day of fun, food and gifts.

The families were chosen based on recommendations from the Fayette County Board of Education the Department of Family and Children’s Services and an interview with Fayetteville Police Officers. Detective Lieutenant Debbie Chambers, who initiated the program back in 2003, stated “this is a way for the department to give back to a community that is very supportive of its law enforcement”. Chambers also recognizes that because of the current economic situation, Christmas would not have been as cheerful for the children.

Chambers stated the program would not have been possible without the support of the Fayetteville business community including Wal-Mart, Stevi B’s Pizza, Dixieland Fun Park, Chick-Fil-A, the Red Hat Society, the Fayette Civitans, Fayetteville Main Street, B&R United Public Safety Supply, Dr. Rick Verdin, DDS and the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers. Chambers also stated many private citizens made financial donations to the program.

Chambers stated the program will continue as long as the support remains as strong as it has. Anyone who may want to contribute to the Christmas with Police program is encouraged to contact Detective Chambers at (770) 719-4215.

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Charity Concert Nets Largest Donation Yet

A free charity concert sponsored by local school choirs raised over $2,600 in donations for the Joseph Sams School.

Choirs from Cleveland Elementary, Inman Elementary, Fayetteville Intermediate, Bennett’s Mill Middle, Fayette Middle and Fayette County High, along with the high school’s wind ensemble, collected the concert’s largest donation in its 5-year history, and more than doubled what was raised last year.

The concert was held December 4 at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church. All of the proceeds raised directly benefit the Joseph Sams School. This marks the second consecutive year the special needs school has been the concert’s benefactor.

“We really like the idea of a local charity because, as it turns out, many members of the audience have friends or family who have been impacted by the school. Many people came up after the concert telling us stories of children they know who have been influenced by the Sams School,” says Christina Owens, music teacher/chorus director at Fayetteville Intermediate.

The idea for the concert originally began five years ago with Lisa Howe, assistant principal of Fayetteville Intermediate who was teaching music at Cleveland Elementary at the time, retired Fayette County High Band Director Kenny Beard and Fayette County High Choral Director Richard Prouty.
They wanted to find a way to give back to the community and involve the schools that feed into Fayette County High.

“I presented the idea to our cluster during the music teacher’s meeting in the fall of 2005. I told everyone that I wanted this to be a concert that gave back to the community and also that I wanted the donations to help support a children’s charity,” says Prouty.

In previous years, the concert collected toys for Toys for Tots. Last year marked the first time the concert collected monetary donations for the Joseph Sams School. Organizers are not sure if the concert will benefit the school next year, but they plan to stay with local charities.

“The concert is a great experience for our students. It helps them learn compassion and giving at a young age,” Owens comments.

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Wednesday, December 08, 2010

December 9 Holiday Band Concert Benefits CARE

For the first time ever, the Fayette County High School Band holiday concert will benefit high school students in need.

The band has partnered with the school system’s CARE (Children at Risk in Education) program to help fulfill requests from high school students on the program’s Angel Tree. School counselors recommend students for the Angel Tree if they and their families are in need of financial assistance. Parents must work or be actively looking for work in order for students to qualify.

Groups and individuals who sponsor angels tend to gravitate toward younger students, often leaving behind those at the high school level. That’s why Dr. Myra Rhoden, the school’s band director, decided to turn the concert into a benefit to collect items for students at all five of the county’s high schools.

“In this economic climate, many high schoolers are supporting themselves and/or helping support their families. Other groups that send in toys and clothing for younger children often forget many of these students. We want to assist the high school students who fall into this category,” says Rhoden.

Band parents and students are being asked to donate items for both boys and girls that will be given as Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree project. Requested items that have been identified by CARE are as follows: coats (may be gently used), socks and underwear, scented lotions/perfumes, toiletries, jewelry, gift cards, CDs, canned goods, and any item a teen-aged child would like to receive as a gift.

“It is amazing about the absolute miracles that are happening for this project,” says Karen Spangler, CARE coordinator and organizer of the Angel Tree. “I want to thank Dr. Rhoden and the Fayette County High School Band for being a part of those miracles.”

If you would like to help, contact Fayette County High School at 770-460-3540. The band’s holiday concert is scheduled for December 9 at the school.

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WordMaster Competitors of McIntosh Earn National Honors

The WordMasters Challenge team at McIntosh High is ranked 10th in the nation after the first meet held in October.

A total of 83 students from Andrea Lakly and Jane Edwards’ Advanced Placement (AP) Literature classes were among the 15,285 seniors and 146 teams participating in the challenge, a national competition for students in grades 9-12 that encourages close reading of many different kinds of prose and poetry.

Not only is McIntosh ranked 10th nationally, but senior Ashley Gibson also earned a perfect score in the meet and placed among the 85 highest scoring 12th graders in the country.

The Challenge’s reading material uses language skillfully to convey layers and shades of meaning not always apparent to students on a first or casual reading. Reading materials and questions are similar to those on AP exams. Challenges are done at school; students compete with others in their grade level.

There are four challenges a year, October, December, February, and April. After all four meets, the 25 most outstanding high schools and approximately 100 individual student winners are recognized.

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Thursday, December 02, 2010

Fayette County School-Level Teachers of the Year Announced

The first step toward finding Fayette’s 2011 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) is complete.

Last month teachers at all 29 schools voted for the person they thought most deserved to be their school’s TOTY. These school-level nominees are now competing to become one of three finalists who will be selected as the county’s overall winner.

They will fill out a comprehensive application explaining their teaching philosophy, why they chose to become a teacher, what they can do to better the profession, and their thoughts and solutions on issues facing today’s educators. Three judges, a retired Fayette County teacher, a retired Fayette County principal, and last year’s Fayette County Teacher of the Year, will read and independently rate each application. The three finalists will be announced late January or early February 2011.
Here are the school-level nominees:

(Elementary)
Katie Salisbury, Braelinn
Kimberlee Wright, Brooks
Tarkesia Williamson, Cleveland
Michelle Mayne, Crabapple Lane
Roberta Haren, Fayetteville Intermediate
Jane Williams, Hood Avenue Primary
Andi McPeak, Huddleston
Charlie Harper, Inman
Cheri Brooks, Kedron
Cheryl Busby, North Fayette
Karen Eller, Oak Grove
Justine Van Nimwegen, Peachtree City
Jennifer Stadelmeyer, Peeples
Nicole Williams, Robert J. Burch
Sherri Harris, Sara Harp Minter
Nicole (Nikki) Mosley, Spring Hill
Johnna Davis, Tyrone

(Middle)
Scott Ashmore, Bennett’s Mill
Aimee Gumerson, Fayette
Monica Reckley, Flat Rock
Jeff Eller, J.C. Booth
Susan Stohrer, Rising Starr
Julie Lunceford, Whitewater

(High)
Margo Wimbish, Alternative
Tim Miller, Fayette County
Shelley Dowse, McIntosh
Keelan Seabolt, Sandy Creek
Jonathan Winkjer, Starr’s Mill
Krystin Glover, Whitewater

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Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Weekends December 4 - 19

Santa visiting Peachtree City neighborhoods on a Fire Engine, collecting donations for the PTC Fire Department Food Drive

A visit from jolly old St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve is heralded by sleigh bells, but Santa will be making the rounds early in Peachtree City to a chorus of sirens, courtesy of the Peachtree City Fire Department and Volunteer Firefighters Association. Each year, the firefighters stand in for Santa’s elves to escort Mr. Kringle through Peachtree City neighborhoods, collecting canned goods for local needy families (and helping Santa double check that naughty and nice list).

Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth said, “With the tough economic times, local food pantries are running low on supplies. We want to help make sure everyone has enough to eat this holiday season, and are proud that Santa takes time out of his busy December to make the food drive fun for the community.”

The department will escort Santa, on board a Fire Engine, around town for the first three weekends in December. Area residents are invited to come out, wave, and donate non-perishable food items if they are able. The route includes virtually every neighborhood in Peachtree City,

The detailed list of neighborhoods and dates is available online at www.peachtree-city.org/santa, but Santa will follow the general route outlined below.

Santa’s Route in Peachtree City

On Saturday, December 4, Santa will arrive at the very northern end of Peachtree City at about 9:00 a.m., starting with the neighborhoods around Ardenlee and Belvedere, over to Georgian Park and Regents Park, then down Peachtree Parkway North to finish up in the neighborhoods off Walt Banks Road at around 4:00 p.m.

Saturday evening, Santa will be at City Hall Plaza at around 7:00 p.m. for the tree lighting portion of the annual Hometown Holiday celebration.

At noon on Sunday, December 5, Santa will start out in the neighborhoods along Flat Creek Road, then visit the neighborhoods around Peachtree Crossing, then head down Stevens Entry to the Bridlepath and Windgate area, and back up Robinson Road by 6:00 p.m.

The following weekend, Santa will begin Saturday, December 11, at 9:00 a.m. in the Blue Smoke Trail area, then proceed to the neighborhoods around Kedron Drive, down Pinegate, over to Wisdom Road, and end at Blueberry Hill at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 12, at noon will find him along MacDuff Parkway, followed by Planterra Ridge, then over to Clover Reach, Hip Pocket, and the neighborhoods off McIntosh Trail west and around Booth Middle School.

Santa’s final weekend will kick off on Saturday, December 18, heading south on Peachtree Parkway from Crosstown Road, looping around Braelinn Road, then heading over to Holly Grove Road before heading back up Robinson Road to the Estates and Village on the Green by 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, December 19, Santa will start out at noon at Camp Creek Estates on Robinson, head over McIntosh Trail, down the Parkway, then east on Crosstown to Cameron Trail. He’ll head back down Robinson, including Robinson Woods and Bradford Estates, to the neighborhoods on Ebenezer. Finally, he’ll head through The Marks to the neighborhoods off Log House, ending at 6:00 p.m. at Prestwick.

Residents who miss Santa during his visit may drop off a food item at one of Peachtree City’s Fire Stations. The department is also collecting new, unwrapped toys for local distribution by Toys for Tots.

Tree is a Chart Topper at Noel November

Huddleston Elementary School’s After School Program “Topping the Charts” Christmas tree was a big hit at Noel November, taking second place at the annual fundraiser.

The 1950s themed tree featured spinning toy ornaments dangling from its branches along with CDs painted to resemble old 45-rpm records. A poodle skirt with finger-knitted poodle-clip dogs decorated the bottom.

After school programs at Robert J. Burch Elementary and Fayetteville Intermediate also had trees at the event. Proceeds benefitted The Joseph Sams School, the Breast Cancer Survivors Network, Embracing Military Families, and Promise Place.

“Community service is one of the components of the After School Program philosophy,” says Julia Simpson, the program director. “We know that out-of–school time is as important to children’s growth and development as time spent in the classroom. The after school curriculum is designed to compliment the educational component with a focus on character, health and fitness, and, most importantly, extended learning. This project enabled us to be part of a community effort to help others.”

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