Ross and Louise Maynard greeted the holiday season on December 7 with their 58th annual Christmas Open House at their home on Euell Saggus Road in Danburg.

The beautiful day brought a host of friends and family from Tampa, Fla., Augusta, Oakwood, Norcross, Greensboro, Rayle, Lincolnton, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Ellijay, Kennesaw, Murryville, Doraville, Lithia Springs, Appling, Washington and neighbors from Danburg.

Hosting the party with the Maynards was their daughter and her husband, Renae and David Hein, who arrived on Thursday; their son and his wife, Ray and Rita Maynard who arrived on Sunday; life-long friend, Bill Leinmiller and wife, Mary, of Ellijay; and neighbors, Mike and Patricia Lindsey of Danburg and Kennesaw and Pat Bass of Danburg.

One of the highlights was the opening of the recently-restored 1700s house on the property that will be used as a guest house. The new fireplaces, built of old bricks salvaged many years ago from historic Washington buildings, heated the house with welcome and cheery fires.

The main house had trees in every room decorated in matching colors of each room. The living room Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments that have been on the Maynard trees for 57 years. Music was provided by a Victrola Talking Machine that had belonged to Mr. Maynard's grandmother. Some of the records used dated back to the early 1900s.

The dining room was furnished with family primitives from the late 1800s. The pie safe and many pieces of pottery were from grandparents of the Maynards.

The bedroom furniture included a wash stand with a bowl and pitcher that was also a family piece.

The sitting room featured quilts that dated back three generations. The Christmas tree was complete with a train running around the base. The early Bromby rocker and cotton basket on the front porch welcomed everyone.

To the delight of the guests, the indoor swimming pool featured a canoe filled with a snowman amid a profusion of poinsettias and a Christmas tree.

The dining room table was filled with desserts. In addition to the desserts prepared by Mrs. Maynard, guests enjoyed Rita's Pumpkin Roll, Mary's Carrot Cake, Jean's Carmelized Pecans, Patricia's Oatmeal Cookies, Steve's Fudge, Pat's Kumquat Cake, Liz's Pecan Pie, and Oleta's Chocolate Cake.

The men especially enjoyed the Model T Museum hosted by family and friends which included five Model T cars and a restored 1952 Chevy pickup truck.

The afternoon was filled with friends and family welcoming the holiday season and enjoying the bounty of decadent desserts.