Director Tonya Dewyne Jefferson describes the production as magical, musical, and comical with modern touches.

Visitors who enter the school's front doors are immediately drawn to the explosion of color straight ahead. Three proud Welch parents -- all of whom happen to be award-winning artists -- were recently commissioned by the Welch Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to create a mural to decorate a section of the school's main hallway.

The program was started by ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher Lisa Roberts and was originally set for four weeks, but after viewing the content, principal Valerie Mathura was impressed enough to allow the girls to meet on a monthly basis.

Visitors embark on the "Jolly Trolley" or drive through in their vehicles to enjoy more than a dozen scenes including Snowflake Valley, a winter wonderland filled with enormous snowflakes and thousands of white lights, Magical Christmas Garden with a 24-foot wreath entrance and Santa's Workshop, showcasing animated lighted versions of Santa's elves making toys.

Masterworks to perform Christmas favorites

The cast is laughing and having fun and yelling suggestions for lines and twists during rehearsals. Backstage gags are turning into special touches to enhance scenes. Jefferson has adapted the classic story and it's a big plus for the audience.

To purchase a wreath, stop by Market Day on the Court Square in downtown Newnan on Saturday, Dec. 6. Also, while supplies last, walk-in sales will be accepted in the Ag Building at the Coweta Fairgrounds, 275 Pine Rd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week of December 1-6.

It is easy to telephone, e-mail or text a message of thanks but a handwritten note makes it obvious to the gift sender that the recipient has the desire to take the extra step of appreciation.

Baked Onions

The featured ingredient of Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, with its luxurious nutty flavor and chewy texture, is long grain wild rice.

The season of party snacks has almost arrived. Cookbook author A.J. Rathbun shares 50 simple recipes in "Party Snacks!" ($12.95 from Harvard Common Press).

Warm weather lingered -- stretching summer beyond all reason. Then it turned cool. I would love to say that the colorful leaves announced autumn's arrival for Lynn and me, but it actually was the death of our furnace.

Tickets for the concert are $20 general admission; $15 children, students, seniors, armed forces, police and firefighters; and $5 for the photo opportunity with the Christmas Fairy. Tickets are available for sale at the Voices website www.VoicesOnline.com, or through Brown Paper Tickets (24/7 Ticket Ordering Hotline: 800-838-3006.) Tickets can also be purchased at Scott's Bookstore on the Court Square in Newnan.

"Coweta Collects," which features works from the private collections of the Patrons of the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, continues this week.

Historic Senoia celebrates the holidays

Each team executed a precision pattern to appropriate music for their theme. With only a few riders ever competing in drill team competition, both teams came away with awards in three different categories. The Ghost Riders placed fourth in the Theme 4-H category, fifth in the Quad-Youth category, and sixth in the Quad-Open.

Souns is an informal, hands-on literacy program that introduces letter-sound knowledge to children during their most language sensitive period. Rotary International is committed to promoting literacy, both in the community and in the world. The Rotary Club of Newnan is thrilled to be making a difference for the children in Coweta County.

Customers and the general public are invited to bring canned food items to the store in return for "Diamond Point Certificates," said owners Ray and Linda Dubose.

That was the year she received a book that surprised her -- David Kahn's "Seizing the Enigma: The Race to Break the German U-Boat Codes."

The organization has several committee positions that need volunteers, too. Workers are needed to help with fundraising, computer entry, chaperoning and heavy lifting.

We began the project partly because we knew their stories would delight our readers. But we also realized that World War II veterans were passing away nationwide at a rate of more than 1,200 per day -- and that if we didn't tell these stories now, many would be lost forever.

Santa will light up the Sharpsburg business district at the tree lighting ceremony from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the downtown merchants said.

The race will begin and end at the Greenville Street Park. The fun kicks off at 8 a.m.

For 15 years, Valerie has generously shared her talents and enthusiasm to provide outstanding children's programs to the citizens of Coweta County.

Coonsworth Caesar Octavian enjoyed the show held at the Gwinnett Civic Center Nov. 1-2. "That was my very first cat show and his first show too," said Copson.