Lori Katherine Walker, L, receives the Opal Ward Jones Scholarship at the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences Donor-Scholar Awards Ceremony held earlier this month. Walker, a senior nutrition science and dietetics major, is the daughter of Bruce and Jennifer Walker of Fayetteville. She is shown with Family and Consumer Sciences Dean Laura Jolly. Photo/Special.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has awarded scholarships to 100 students with cystic fibrosis (CF) including Brooks, Ga. resident Nicholas Pettis.

The 100 SolvayCARES scholarships were awarded to every eligible applicant this year in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the scholarship program, which supports students pursuing any form of education beyond the high school level.

Krysta Nick, 2006 Fayette Idol Winner in the under 13 year old category, was presented with top honors recently by Georgia Country Music and Gospel Association in Dalton, Ga. She was awarded Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year where whe also co-opened for Chris Young, 2006 Nashville Star winner.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School’s well-known Taizé choir is offering a unique prayer service at Mercy on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. This annual event reunites past and present members of the choir in a one-hour meditative prayer in the spirit of Taizé. The Mercy auditorium will be transformed into a sanctuary illuminated by hundreds of candles and focused on images that depict the arrival of Christ in this Advent season.

The Fayette Society of Fine Art exhibited their annual art show last month at the historic train depot in Fayetteville. Beautiful original pieces were on display from several of Fayette's local artists. Prize winners included Dan Garcia's "Paco" in colored pencil for Best of Show; Julie Nestor's "Eyelight" in photography in first place; Pam Green's "Buckley" in acrylic in second place; and Donna Parker's "Old Barn" in watercolor in third place. Sandy Holcolm was voted for the People's choice award with "Field of Poppies" in oil. Other items sold were giclees, prints and cards. Fayette Society of Fine Art meets the second Monday of each month at Heritage Bank on Jeff Davis at 7 p.m. for a short business meeting and an art demonstration. The society always welcomes visitors. Photo/Special.

Georgia Southern University graduate student Danielle Baumgart, of Fayetteville, Ga., was recently inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Leadership Honor Society at Georgia Southern University.

Notables 12-12-07

• Wilkins graduates from Army ROTC leadership course

Alvin K. Wilkins has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. The ROTC cadet has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. The 33 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course. Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve. He is the son of Alvin K. and June D. Wilkins of Brandon Mill Creek, Fayetteville, Ga.

With 43,000 lights, including 16,000 lights making up an 11 foot tall “mega tree,” Art Carpenter’s Christmas light show is a wonder to behold. Synched with both classic and modern Christmas tunes, the show runs for about 15 minutes and will delight audiences young and old.

The Peachtree City Fire Department’s annual “Santa Run” will continue this weekend.

Santa, atop his trusty fire engine, will visit Peachtree City neighborhoods during the weekends of Dec. 8 and 9 and Dec. 15 and 16.

Locals help save homeless pets

By Freddy Burdeshaw

Special to The Citizen

While many families include their pets in the holiday festivities of the season – pet photos with Santa, family portraits to be sent out with Christmas cards and more – there are thousands of unwanted and homeless animals who won’t be blessed with holiday cheer this season. A couple local residents, however, are among those helping to fix that by finding homes for dogs and cats.

John Trinquero and Daniel Plante were recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award given to Scouts. To become an Eagle Scout, the young men have fulfilled service projects, and demonstrated outdoor skills and leadership abilities. The completion of their individual service projects earned these Scouts with the honor that only about 5 percent achieve.

Mayor Harold Logsdon presented a 40 year anniversary proclamation to the Rotary Club of Peachtree City during a recent city council meeting at City Hall. Many Rotarians were in attendance for this special occasion including some of the club's early members.

The 2007 Cattle Barons’ Ball earned a total $146,700 last month for the local office of the American Cancer Society, bringing the ball’s five-year total to nearly $800,000.

Jacqueline Fawaz, an instructional paraprofessional at Spring Hill Elementary School of Fayette County Schools, has been selected to receive a PAGE Support Personnel Scholarship.

High Noon Toastmasters vice president of education JD Dirkschnider welcomes Anthony Bullock, L, and Shanikwa Williams, R, as new members to the group. The High Noon Toastmasters meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Lafayette Learning Center in Fayetteville, Ga., Bldg. B, room 208 at 12 p.m. For more info, visit www.highnoonfayetteville.org. Photo/Special.

Bright Starts has chosen Cathy Gailey of Fayetteville, Ga. as one of eight inspirational mothers who has overcome breast cancer and used the opportunity to model positive lessons to all, especially her children. Gailey and the seven other “Pink Power Moms” converged in Atlanta for a weekend of wellness and pampering. Since Gailey was the only local winner, they picked her up in a limo and then ushered her and the others to Emeril’s for dinner. The next day Gailey and her daughter Brittany were treated to a day at the spa. Next they were recognized at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Pink Tie Ball. In addition, Gailey was also featured in a national advertising campaign, with her inspirational story shared throughout the world. A donation of $1,500 to the breast cancer charity of her choice, Bikers Riding for Awareness (BRA), was given in her name.

For 12 years Promise Place, the Council on Domestic Violence serving Fayette, Pike, Upson and Spalding counties, has been reaching Fayette County teens before they start dating through their Teen Dating Violence program.

Georgia State Senator Ronnie Chance was recently honored by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution for his unyielding support of the United States Constitution. Chance also presented the chapter with a proclamation signed by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, in which the governor thanked the DAR for their support in teaching Georgians about the U.S. Constitution. Pictured sitting (l-r) are: Sara Goza, Alice Mallory and Mary Jane Sams. Standing (l-r) are: Carol Key, Sara Germano, Anita Davis, Susan Sloan, Chance, regent Betty Harrah, Nancy Collins, Natalie Davis and Rachel Colbert. Photo/Special.

John Christ, POW/MIA project officer of the American Legion Fayette County Post 105, L, presents a certificate of recognition to John Lynch, manager of the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House, Fayetteville, for their year-round display of the POW/MIA flag, shown flying in the background. Photo/David Niebes.

Fayette Middle School principal Sharlene Patterson and special education teacher Rob Griffin congratulate Craig Sage, an Eagle Scout candidate, on a job well done. Randy Sage completely renovated the special needs corridor courtyard at Fayette Middle School for his public service project. He is the son of Nancy and Randy Sage of Fayetteville. Photo/Special.

Two Fayetteville residents were among those who departed from Atlanta's Fort Gillem for Cairo, Egypt to participate in a U.S. Central Command training exercise.

St.Andrew's in-the-Pines Episcopal Church’s annual Christmas Bazaar committee members Betty Johnson, L, of Peachtree City, and Julia Brewer, of Sharpsburg, examine items to be offered in the Golden Elephant Sale. The annual fund raiser takes place Dec. 8 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the parish hall of the Peachtree City church. The event also includes juried arts and crafts, a bake sale and cookies with Santa. All proceeds benefit the pre-school and outreach programs. For more information, call 770-487-8415. Photo/Special.

University of Georgia undergraduate David Mitchell of Fayetteville is part of a group of 24 freshmen and sophomores selected to participate in a research apprentice program sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) during the 2007-2008 academic year.

The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department recently announced the selection of Debbie Parrish, therapeutic coordinator, as the recipient of the 2007 Therapeutic Professional of the Year award. Parrish received this award on Nov. 7 at the annual Georgia Parks and Recreation Conference held at Jekyll Island.

April Ford of Peachtree City, a freshman at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, has been selected to participate in one of the most prestigious organizations on campus, the ABAC Ambassadors.

Peachtree City Elementary School third grade teacher Stormy Myers, the Red Ribbon Week chairperson, goes over a reading lesson with students Caleb Minor, Jeffrey Magee, Duncan Farrell and Gisselle Roman. Students at the school recently pledged to make live drug-free during Red Ribbon Week. Students participated in a variety of fun activities in order to raise awareness about making healthy life choices. All students were invited to wear red clothing on November 12 to show support for Red Ribbon Week. Photo/Amanda White.

The fourth grade enrichment students from Sara Harp Minter Elementary enjoyed a field trip to Dahlonega, Ga. recently as a part of their Gold Rush unit. Students toured the Consolidated Gold Mines and panned for gold, and, in the afternoon, students toured the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Photo/Julie Reynolds.

• Hixson graduates from basic military training

Air Force Airman Gissele M. Hixson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the daughter of Della Hixson of Fayetteville, Ga., and granddaughter of Blanche Hixson of Columbus, Ga. Hixson is a 2007 graduate of Fayette County High School, Fayetteville.

The Southern Crescent Chorale’s 2007-2008 concert series marks their sixth season and promises to deliver a variety of performances for the enrichment of the Southern Crescent community. Holding an important place in our vibrant arts community, the chorale is conducted by renowned choral director Janice Folsom. Concerts are planned at venues throughout the region and will include dynamic performances of a major choral work, along with other classical works and Broadway favorites. With national-caliber voices and a challenging selection of material, the Southern Crescent Chorale has established a reputation and following that continues to grow with every performance.

Local teens named youth entrepreneurs of the year

Ambition and risk-taking are qualities that greatly aid entrepreneurship. The Starr's Mill High School students who founded the special events music company, DJ Phelix, have put these and other talents to good use to make this local business a smashing success.