I trust all of you had a wonderful Christmas. My family and I did. There was fun, food, and laughter at "Grandmother's" house with friends and family getting together, exchanging gifts, excitement on children's faces on Christmas morning as they eagerly opened presents, and to see what Santa had brought them. When there are little ones around it's so much fun. Our grandson, Tanner Barnett, ended up in the hospital in Athens during Christmas. He is much better now and at home. Happy new year to all of you. I hope God will be ever near you in our troubled world. If we ever needed a helping hand from our Lord, it is now. So, put your trust in Him and He will see you through another year. Mrs. Jenelle Newsome joined Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Newsome and Anna of Martinez and spent Christmas with Rev. and Mrs. Jimmy Newsome and other relatives in Vero Beach, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Shank of Lexington, S.C., spent Christmas with Mrs. Hal Shank. Holiday visitors of Mrs. Sara Huff were Russell Goldman of Doraville; Randy Goldman, Connie Johnson and Misty of Lincolnton; Cassie Goldman, Bryson, Mitch Taylor, Linda Standard and Peyton. Aubrye Walker and friends, Haley and Heather, of Athens, spent a recent weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Keith Standard. Rebecca Phillips of Conyers; Greg Phillips of North Augusta; and Stephanie Haynes, Chip and Skyla of Washington visited Mr. and Mrs. Richard Phillips during the holidays. Mrs. Sara Huff, Mrs. Linda Standard, Peyton Standard, and Russell Goldman enjoyed services at Bethel United Methodist Church recently. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Standard of Rayle; Peyton Standard of Augusta; Russell Goldman of Doraville; and Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Ansley Jr. visited Mr. and Mrs. Keith Standard during the holidays. Visitors of Miss Grace Dunaway and Alex Dunaway were Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Dunnaway, Mrs. Louise Burt, Mrs. Flora Ann McGill, Linda Standard, and Bobbie Thornton. Trudy Ingram and Doris Appelt of Thomson spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Gus Turpin in Ft. Myers, Fla. Mrs. Lucille Turpin's holiday guests were Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Davenport and Tyler, Marvin Davenport, Linda McDonald, all of Hayesville, N.C.; Mr. and Mrs. David Ingram and Erin of Flowery Branch, Paul Ingram of Smyrna; Mr. and Mrs. Adam Harper and Mason of Monroe; Mrs. Rhonda Ingram Shedd of Monroe, and a friend (their husbands are serving in Iraq); Mrs. Florence Ingram, Mrs. Billy Glenn, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Ingram, Mrs. Lona Chesnut, and Roy, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ryll, Calley and Connor, Mr. and Mrs. David Burke, and Elizabeth Dunnaway. Roy Chesnut Jr. visited his father, Roy Chesnut, in Macon the past weekend. Mitch Taylor, Cassie Goldman and Bryson spent Sunday and Monday with her mother, Deane Johnson in Hull. Our holiday visitors were our children, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Gaines, Tanner Barnett, Trace Newsome of Winterville, Shannon Thomason, Taylor McAvoy, and Burt Newsome. All of our family gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wallace in Lincoln County and joined other family members for our Christmas on Sunday a week before Christmas. We had a wonderful time. G.B. and I joined our other immediate family for supper with Shannon Thomason, Taylor McAvoy, and friend, Wes Butler, in Danburg Christmas Day. Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Standard for New Year's weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Chris Standard, Hunter and Mason of Denham Springs, La.; Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Ansley Jr., Mrs. Sara Huff, Cassie Goldman and Bryson. Sherry Newsome dropped in Saturday to see the new babies in their families. Sherry Newsome visited residents of Wilkes Health Care Center recently, taking gift bags from Ebenezer Baptist Church's Homebound Committee. She also visited Tina Van Hart Saturday. Happy birthday to all who are celebrating birthdays. Genna Grimaud had one Sunday, December 31, and Jean N. Casey celebrated one December 30. Prayer concerns include Leonard Fain, Natalie (Lily Davis' grandchild), Elizabeth Lindsey, Michelle Smith Walker, Margaret Hegge, Tim Jackson, Barry Bailey, Gary Rogers, Willie Dallas, Mrs. Willie Ruth Freeman, Teresa Echols Bray, Karin Lindsey, Bennie and Rita Thurmond, Dr. and Mrs. Weems Pennington, Charles Elam, Bill Niemann, Miriam Richards, Mrs. Pete Strother, Mrs. Lois South, Mrs. Dot Shank, Mrs. Lucy McCorkle, Henry Wallace, Mrs. Mona Hall, Linda Albea, Bob Kirkland, Dorothy Whitener, Warren and Lois Nunn, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lee, Mrs. Maude Griffith, Mrs. Ethel Harris, Linda Nash Hughes, all the elderly, all our youth, our country and its leaders, the Hamilton family, the family of Rev. Pierce Norman, and all who have lost loved ones. We express our sympathy to each family. I wish each of you a very happy new year and remember to trust God. In answer to the question, what do we think about the Department of Transportation (DOT) leaving Aonia off the map: we all know we're here in a great community with good friends and neighbors, a wonderful church with great people and good leaders. Everyone knows that the DOT doesn't always make the best decisions and they do make plenty of mistakes. Just look around the county at our roads.