On a trip to the mall in Athens, I noticed that everyone seems to be trying to help the economy. I don’t know whether people are buying, but they certainly are buying gas because the traffic is quite heavy as usual for this time of year. Nothing destroys the Christmas spirit faster than looking for a parking place. . I enjoyed reading A Cajun Night Before Christmas to the second graders at Washington-Wilkes Primary School Tuesday, December 15. Those children really had the Christmas spirit. .Dave and Tody Derrick had as guests from Thursday through the weekend, Jeff and Mandy Derrick, Mary Beth and Noah of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. They came especially for the graduation of their daughter, Sallie Derrick, at the University of Georgia in Athens Friday. Sallie is the granddaughter of Dave and Tody. They are very proud of her. .Tony and Marion Hammond hosted a friends' get-together last Thursday. Those enjoying a soup supper with the Hammonds were David and Sue Morgan, David and Nancy Hilley, Ralph and Mary Will Denard, Curtis and Robbie Tanner, Layton and Gloria Harris, and Bobby and Vivie Ann Wilson. .O'Neal and Celeste Adams went to Ranger, stopping in Bethlehem to pick up Amanda and Abby Range, and spent the weekend with Joe and Kimberly Coots, Connor and Chase. Billy Range joined the family later during the weekend. .Enjoying the family Christmas gettogether last Saturday night at the home of Layton and Gloria Harris were their children and grandchildren; Jacob and Dylan Harris of Cleveland; Tracey and Aubree' Harris of Elberton; Tracy and Marti Harris, Evan Harris and Myra Scarborough, also of Elberton; Taylor Harris of Bradley, S.C.; Laken Harris of Abbeville, S.C.; Derrick Harris, Justin Harris, Roy and Lindsey Andrews, all of Tignall. .John Kennedy is home after having been in intensive care at Emory Hospital with aneurisms. Let's keep him in our prayers. .We extend sincere sympathy to Louise Smith whose sister, Anne Wilson Brown Kimsey of Blue Ridge, passed away last week. .Sam Levenson once said, "The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent." How true! I had my grandchildren with me Wednesday afternoon after school and they always want a snack. Kara and Kaci begged me to take them to McDonald's to get an ice cream. I told them that Curt would probably not want to go in because he had on pajamas since they had pajama day at the elementary school. Kara said, "Look, Mimi, Curt is nine years old, about to be 10 . . . he can stay in the car!" .Merry Christmas and remember the gifts of time and love are two ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.