Any kind of Christmas tree becomes magical when the lights are turned on. I remember when I was a child the fun we had when we went out to look for a tree to cut for Christmas. The tree looked beautiful until we put it up in the living room. Then we saw all the bare spots, the flat side, or the crooked top, and were disappointed until we put the lights on. Then the tree was beautiful again even on an old scraggly pine. Well, we do have a beautiful tree under the gazebo. A small crowd gathered under the gazebo last Thursday night for the dedication. Carolyn Gammon recognized those who had given donations and made this gazebo possible. Those who made generous donations were Mrs. Evelyn Rambo, Tommy Rambo, Greg Garrett, and the Tignall Homemakers Club. Sherri Bowers played the keyboard while some of the crowd sang popular Christmas carols and the others hummed along. The moon was shining brightly and everyone enjoyed the cool brisk air. Then the crowd meandered to the lunchroom for cookies and hot chocolate and that's when the storm came. We appreciate all those who came out for this occasion and especially Mrs. Evelyn Rambo and Tommy Rambo who came all the way from Greenwood, S.C., for this special time. ƒScott, Kathy, and Stacey Ware were joined by Karen and Price Rogers and attended the Falcons game Sunday. I'm sure they were excited that the right team won. ƒBetty Nix of Clarkesville and Johnny Smallwood of Alto visited Sunday with Peggy and Donald Ware and Mary Ann Williams. ƒKay Tyler spent Wednesday night of last week with the Greg Tyler family in Hoschton. She attended the dinner theater at First Baptist Church of Winder that night where her granddaughter, Sydney Tyler, had a part in the play. ƒMargaret Fortson attended the 11th birthday celebration Saturday for her great-nephew, Levi Brown, son of David and Paula Brown in Hartwell. After the party Margaret spent Saturday and Sunday nights with Otis and Martha Ann Fortson in Anderson, S.C. On Saturday night they attended the "Singing Christmas Tree" at the New Prospect Baptist Church in Anderson. ƒOn a recent Saturday, a group who attended Massey Business College in Atlanta met in Winder for their annual birthday celebration of Leida Finch of Winder whose birthday was in November, and Mary Will Denard whose birthday is in January. Those meeting at the Golden Corral for lunch to celebrate other than Mary Will and Leida were Nancy Hilley, Douglas and Lillian Sykes, Reba Bunn; and those dropping by that afternoon were Robbie Tanner, Teresa Saggus, and Tanner Bridges. ƒMr. and Mrs. Todd Bradley celebrated the 21st birthday of their son, Kason Bradley, at Logan's Road House. Kason's grandmother, Mary Ann Williams, accompanied them. ƒMyles and Brooke Dawson hosted a Christmas party for their young couples Sunday School Class last Wednesday night. Those enjoying this party at the Dawson home other than Myles and Brooke were their teacher and her husband, Ann and Bud Harrison; Josh and Lacey Fincher, Randy and Susie Weaver, Scott and Kathy Ware, Genna Grimaud, and Julie Fincher. ƒMyles and Brooke Dawson, Whitney, Jordan, and Molly went to Grovetown Tuesday night to see the Lights of the South. Esther Dawson joined the family. I hear Jordan wasn't too thrilled with Santa Claus. I remember when my nephews, Jeff and Greg Tyler, were about three years old, they were taken to see Santa. There was a long line of childred and most of them were crying and didn't want to talk to Santa. Jeff and Greg got tired of waiting in line so the two of them just broke in line and climbed up onto Santa's lap and lifted up his beard to take a look under there. Those two weren't afraid of anything or anyone. ƒSome people might be interested to know that Scott Jewell is stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, and has been there for two years. This is not a good time of the year to be there, I'm sure. We are proud to announce that Scott has been promoted to personnel manager of his base. ƒAttending the Christmas cantata at Second Baptist Church in Thomson Saturday night from the Beulah area were Pat Mack, Faye Durham, Celeste Adams, Mary Webster, and Louise Harper. ƒCharles and Mary Broadenax, Pat Mack, and Mary Webster enjoyed the Christmas Story at the theater in Elberton one night last week. ƒLeon and Linda Aycock and Otis and Pat Callaway attended the Elbert County steer and heifer show Saturday night where their grandson, Greg, received two first prizes and a grand champion and fourth place in showmanship. On Sunday they all went to the Bulldawg Showdown at the University of Georgia in Athens where in the class competition, Greg won a third and fourth place, and in the Jackpot Steer Show he won a first, a second, and a grand champion. Greg doesn't just stand up there and win prizes for having pretty cows, he works very hard every day and earns these prizes. ƒWilbur and Ouida Maney enjoyed the performance Sunday of the 30th annual "Singing Christmas Tree" at the Abilene Baptist Church in Evans. ƒThe ladies of the Tignall Assisted Living attended the Christmas program at Raytown Baptist Church Saturday night. ƒOwen Hilley spent Wednesday night of last week with his grandparents, David and Nancy Hilley. Amanda Hilley, Owen's mom, brought him and met them on Thursday in Elberton for him to return home to Commerce. ƒWe extend sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Monty Browning. Mrs. Browning's mother passed away on December 5 and the funeral was on December 9. Those from Mallorysville Baptist Church attending the funeral of Mrs. Ella Mae Kelly at Sandy Springs, S.C., were Rev. Donnie Berry, Neal Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Denard, and Mr. and Mrs. David Hilley. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are members of Mallorysville Baptist Church. ƒWe also extend sincere sympathy to the family of Jasper Johnson whose funeral was last Friday at Beulah Baptist Church. He is survived by his sons, William Johnson and Randall Johnson, and daughter, Debra Jordan.

ƒThe town of Tignall was also saddened by the death of Gary Green who passed away December 8. We extend sympathy to his mom, Clara Green; his daughter, Tara Green of Canton, S.C.; his sisters, Joyce Green Jennings of Flat Rock, N.C., and Patsy Green Hagood of Canton, N.C.; and a brother, Danny Green of Bethel, N.C. ƒWe also extend sympathy to the family of Nettie Hunt who lived in Sparta when she died but had lived in Tignall for many years and was a member of Independence United Methodist Church. ƒLet's keep the following people in our prayers: Billie Ann Smith who had foot surgery, but is still not doing well; Pat Bobo who had eye surgery; Christine Burton who has shingles; and Rev. Albert Huyck We are glad to hear that Patsy Epps is doing much better. ƒRev. Albert Huyck called to say that he and Eudora really appreciated the Tignall Baptist Youth Group led by Carol McTier and Ann Harrison who came and raked their leaves for them. He said there were a dozen or more young people who worked on their yard since they are unable to do the work themselves. I understand the youth group raked leaves in several yards of shut-ins from the church family. It's nice to hear good things about our young people. ƒ Pole Branch Missionary Baptist Church honored their pastor, Rev. Joe Glaze, his wife Diana and daughter Kennedy for six years of faithful service to the church Sunday, December 14. Pastor Glaze's special guests included Rev. James McIver of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Rayle who was the guest speaker; the dynamic male choir of Pleasant Grove; and several members of Pleasant Grove and surrounding churches. Also in attendance were many friends and family members of Pastor Glaze. Rev. McIver delivered a soul-stirring sermon titled "Watch, Pray, and Live Holy." Byron Bowman of Augusta was the master of ceremonies for this occasion and did a great job. ƒBeulah Baptist Church will have its Christmas program Sunday morning, December 21, with a Christmas meal afterwards. ƒThe Tignall Baptist Church Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 9, was enjoyed by about 40 senior adults. Everyone seemed to have the spirit of the Christmas season especially with the musical talent of the guest, Stephanie Greene of Thomson. She presented Christmas music with her beautiful voice. The Tignall Baptist Youth Group presented goody treat bags for each senior member present. ƒThe Adult Choir of Tignall Baptist Church will present a program of special Christmas music Sunday morning, December 21, On the Sunday night at 6 p.m., the Kids Alive Choir will present its Christmas Musical. Following the Kids Alive performance there will be a churchwide Christmas fellowship. Everyone needs to bring your favorite finger foods. ƒIf anyone needs a last minute gift for someone, the North Wilkes Steering Committee has some cookbooks, "Tignall's Famous Recipes, Past and Present." The committee also has Tignall ornaments for sale. These make great gifts. Just call Carolyn Gammon at 706-285-2736 or Gloria Ware at 706- 285-2058 to get one of these cookbooks or ornaments. ƒSome of us are still upset about not having a daily paper to read, but I heard a quote by Mark Twain: "If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." I'd rather be misinformed.