On December 21, The News-Reporter will publish its annual Christmas Tree Babies edition featuring children born to Wilkes County families during 2006 whose announcements appeared in The News-Reporter. Qualifying families are invited to be a part of it.

Pictures will be made by Mercer Harris at his studio on Friday, December 1, from 9 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Parents should call The News- Reporter at 678-2636 to set up an appointment. If arrangements are not made through The News-Reporter, the child's photo will not be included on the Christmas Tree pages. The deadline for making appointments is Monday, November 27, at 5 p.m.

The $25 charge will not only help to defray printing costs but will provide parents with a copy of the photograph used in the paper plus three copies of The News-Reporter. For $15 more, an additional color photo package which includes one 5x7, one 4x5, and four wallet-size photographs will be available. Additional 8x10s, 5x7s, and wallets can be ordered at the time pictures are made. Other packages will be available as well.

Because it may not be possible for some to attend the photo session, other photos may be accepted. Submitted photos must be professional quality and at least 4x5 inches in size. Printouts of digital photos are

not acceptable but digital picture files may be allowed if of sufficient resolution (must be at least 300 dpi at the size to be printed on the Christmas tree). If photos are not made by Mercer Harris Photography, the cost for participation will be $40 due to additional production and preparation requirements. Parents submitting photos made by Mercer Harris Photography anytime other than the December 1st sitting will be required to pay the regular $25 charge to The News-Reporter. When any special arrangement is made, The News-Reporter will not place a child's name on the Christmas Tree list until the fee is paid and the photo is submitted and approved. We reserve the right to reject any submitted photos.

Also, there is room for only 44 babies on the two trees. The News- Reporter will give first priority to children born in Wilkes County (whose birth announcement appeared in the newspaper) and will accept their appointments first. After November 13th, out-of-county babies (whose birth announcement appeared in the newspaper) with Wilkes County grandparents may be given appointments on a first-comefirst served basis. Once the trees are full, no others will be accepted and there can be no exception.

For additional information, contact The News-Reporter at 678- 2636.