MERRY CHRISTMAS

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. Monticello and Jasper County are in the Christmas spirit, and it is evident by recent happenings around the county. Last week, Piedmont Academy held its elementary musical (top photo), and Santa Claus came to visit Shady Dale, arriving on the fire truck Saturday afternoon before a community dinner and silent auction. The community club sponsors the visit from St. Nick each year, along with the dinner. The city buys the meat for the dinner and families bring side dishes. This year, several firefighters were recognized including Fire Chief Sean Brown, and firefighters Rusty Bullard, Bill English, and Christine Hamilton.

Also, Londa Champion and Larissa Ruark were recognized for the volunteer efforts with the Shady Dale Community Club. The silent auction raised more than $1,000 for the community club which takes care of the parks in Shady Dale and other activities around town. Also on Saturday, the “Polar Express” visited Forsyth Street where Tricia Armistead hosted a fund raiser for the ML&J fund. Children could visit with Santa and ride the train, and each received a goodie bag. Ms. Armistead had lots of help including that from elves Sharon Pennebaker, Ann Gay, and (not pictured) Sara Calies. The “elves” collected cash to accompany the gifts that were donated. Girl Scouts helped with the fund raiser, making all the goodie bags and helping things run smoothly Saturday.

See more from the Polar Express on Page 2 of today’s newspaper, and read about Piedmont’s musical program on page 9 of today’s paper. Santa will visit the Bank of Monticello this Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, and he will be at the Snap’n Turtle Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Again we ask our readers to submit their photos of Christmas lights or visits with Santa for use in a future edition. E-mail to news@themonticellonews.com or bring to 237 West Washington Street.