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Houston flatlij djourtutl SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006 Family takes a road trip We usually don’t find ourselves travel ing very far over the Thanksgiving holiday, but last weekend our family headed to the north Georgia mountains for a family wed ding. It was a long trip for a 6- year-old, a 21 month old and a pregnant mommy, but we all did well. Nobody threw a tantrum, not even my hus band. It’s a pretty good sign that your family doesn’t go very many places when your older son oohs and aahs over the tall buildings in Atlanta, and your younger son sounds like the sena tor from Massachusetts each time a vehicle drives by on the interstate. “Cah! Cah!” he exclaimed, pointing out his window at each passing Honda or Ford. And we all looked like a bunch of hicks as we pointed at the planes as they zoomed overhead after taking off at the Atlanta airport. We won dered if our cousin, the flight attendant, was in one of the great silver jet liners streak ing across the sky, defying gravity as it disap peared on the hori zon. W e passed the time count ing water towers in the land scape (we Sherri Martin The Front Porch got to 18 before the game got old) and looking for the Christmas decorations that are popping up everywhere. And riding in a car is prime nap time for the toddler and me. My older son was very excited to see the moun tains, and it was fun for all of us to see somewhere dif ferent. It was a nice change of pace from our routine. “Look at that house! Look at that tower! I wonder what it is?” we discussed as we rode along. My older son proclaimed he wanted to see a moose in the mountains. We explained that there are no moose (meese? mooses?) in the north Georgia mountains, but then lo and behold there was a huge statue of one standing guard in the middle of town. Guess mom and dad don’t know everything. The area is beautiful around Ellijay, so clean and spread out. The buildings look neat and well-planned and the houses are show cases. We had a hard time deciding which was our favorite style. My equilibrium, on the other hand, had a hard time keeping up with the twists and turns on the mountain roads. I think even the baby got a little drunk as we made our way up to the cabin where the wedding was, and as we left the next day. We enjoyed our time with family, then had an unevent ful ride home, except for having to detour off of 1-75, which had become very con gested with other holiday travelers. My son wasn’t entirely sure his dad knew where he was going as we took the back roads home. He called my mother to tell her we were on our way home and told her, “We’re in the middle of nowhere!” But we made it home, to our own middle of nowhere. To our own little resort in the woods, minus the twists and turns to get there. Our “cah” is parked in our drive and our lives are better for the experience and the time spent together. Perry veterans honored by DAR Special to the Journal The Gen. Daniel Stewart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently recognized two sis ters living Perry for their efforts as medical staff dur ing World War 11. Elizabeth Tabor, Chapter Regent, said “the recogni tion was a long time in com ing.” According to data and photos complied by the National Archives, “WAC (Woman’s Army Corps) performed 155 different jobs, The Army believed that each new WAC recruit reduced by one the number of men to be drafted to fill the quotas of the Army.” Sarah Short Chapman joined the WAC Dec 2, 1944, and received officers train ing at Fort Oglethorpe, near Ringgold in North Georgia. From training she was transferred to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, .. HolWayHappenings Today 10 a.m. Warner Robins 49th Annual Christmas parade begins at the inter section—©t-North Houston Road and Watson Blvd., and proceeds east to City Hall. For more information, call the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce, 922-8585. 7:30 a.m. Perry’s Christmas at the Crossroads begins with The Mahala Club and the Perry Kiwanis Club hosting a Breakfast with Santa in the old lunch room behind the Houston County Board of Education Building. Pictures with Santa will be taken. 10 a.m. Jingle Bell Jog, one mile and 5K Fun Run sponsored by Houston Healthcare Complex, down town Perry. A Christmas at the Crossroads event. 2 p.m. Perry Christmas Parade, sponsored by Houston Springs, begins. This year’s parade will fol low a downtown route from Washington Street to Main Street. The parade will be followed by downtown visits from Santa Claus and cast members of “The Christmas Carol.” A Christmas at the Crossroads event. 3 p.m: Live music festival with five bands on Carroll Street. Will continue until 9:30 p.m. A 1 fresco dining at The Swanson Restaurant. Reservations required. A Christmas at the Crossroads event. Button mashing Many southern expressions have replaced my north ern expressions since my move to Georgia 15 years ago. Among them are “mash ing but tons” replac i n g “press ing but tons,” “cut ting lights off and on” Jane Winston The Left Rail replacing “turning the lights off and on” and “carrying someone here or there” replacing “taking someone here or there.” Lifestyle Colo. On graduation as an X-ray technician, she was transferred to Camp Robinson, near Little Rock, Ark. She worked in the hos pital there as a member of the WAC Detachment 1861 Service Command Unit Regimental Hospital. Chapman was discharged, Oct. 20, 1945, at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Margery Short Zerko joined the Medical Corps, of U.S. Army in July of 1942 at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio Texas. At Brookes General Hospital she received training as a physical therapist for a year. Upon completion she was inducted in the Army as a second lieutenant. In July of 1944, Zerko’s experiences led her to Normandy, where the hos pital and quarters were set up in tents. WACs landed on the beach at Normandy. 5:30 p.m. Mini- Nutcracker presentation by the International City Ballet, Perry High School Auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. 6 -7:30 p.m. Lighting of the Tree at Henderson Village. The opening event of Henderson Village’s 12 Days of Christmas celebration will feature caroling and choirs as well as special appear ance by Capitol record ing artist Aslyn, who was booked to sing at the light ing of the Macy’s Christmas Tree and Celebration. Hot spiced apple cider will be served. Santa will arrive by fire truck in time for the lighting of the tree. Costumed actors from The Perry Players production of The Christmas Carol will stop in to lend to the holiday cheer. There is no charge to attend. 7 p.m. The children’s and adults’ choirs of First Baptist Church will present a musical play, “The Gospel According to Scrooge.” A nursery will be provided and there is no admission charge. The church is locat ed at 1135 Watson Blvd., in Warner Robins. Sunday 2:30 p.m. Old Fashioned Christmas Tea at The Front Porch on Carroll Street. Reservations required. A Christmas at the Crossroads event. 6:30 p.m. Christmas at Well, I must say that today I Lad my fill of “mashing buttons,” and I was borderline wanting to mash someone in the mouth! I began the morn ing with a cup of coffee in front of my computer in my black robe (covered with white cat hair), early, as I had many “desktop” missions to accomplish. My on-line banking account needed attention in the form of removing my late husband’s name from the account. I count ed: four transfers, 35 min utes of listening to eleva tor music, six “sorry we don’t recognize that word, in response to ‘you may enter the numbers or say the See WINSTON, page fC —"... UL Contributed Sara Short Chapman and Elizabeth Short Zerko were recently honored by the DAR, From left, Marti Bloodworth, Zerko, Chapman and Elizabeth Tabor. This picture was taken during the DAR Chapter’s recent tour of the Evergreen Cemetery in Perry. In all, more than 200 Army nurses lost their lives during World War 11. There were more than 100,000 the Crossroads: Carol and Candlelight Community Christmas Program, sponsored by the Perry Ministerial Association, at the old courthouse square in downtown Perry. The service will be followed by the lighting of the 900 block of Carroll Street, one shop at a time. A live nativity scene is planned at Perry United Methodist Church. The children’s choir will sing and hot chocolate and cookies will be served. A Christmas at the Crossroads event. 7 p.m. The children’s and adults’ choirs of First Baptist Church will present a musical play, “The Gospel According to Scrooge.” A nursery will be provided and there is no admission charge. The church is locat ed at 1135 Watson Blvd., in Warner Robins. Thursday 12 p.m. Gene Salyer will present a Christmas musical program at the Primetime luncheon for senior citizens at Perry United Methodist Church. The cost of the lun cheon is $5. Reservations must be made by Dec. 5. Call the church office, 987- 1852. Friday 8 p.m. The Perry Players will present Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” at the Perry Players Community Theater, 900 Main Street, Perry. To be followed by The Ocmulgee Chapter of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution recently honored three Eagles Scouts from Boy Scout troop 566. The scouts were honored for their outstanding achievement. From left, Cecil Palmer and Robert Cruthirds with Eagle Scouts Jeremy Hauck and Adam Hartman. Not shown is Eagle Scout Clint Miller. Troop 566 is sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church. women in uniform at this time. Zerko served two years and was there on VJ. DAY the celebration of the downtown carolers from several Perry church choirs. A Christmas at the Crossroads event. Dec. 9 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Trolley Rides through Perry’s historic down town area, starting at the New Perry Hotel. $5. A Christmas at the Crossroads Event. 6:30 p.m. A Memorial Service at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Perry for all parents in the area who have lost a child. Clergy from many churches will participate. Sponsored by the Perry Ministerial Association. 7 p.m. The Adult Choir of Perry Presbyterian Church with String Quartet, will present “A Choral Celebration of Christmas” in the church sanctu ary. The program includes choral anthems for the Christmas season, as well as familiar congregational carols. Perry Presbyterian Church is located at 1111 Second Street in Perry. Phone: 987-1403. Dec. 15 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. “Walk through Bethlehem” at Shirley Hills Baptist Church. A re-enactment in costume, with live animals, of life in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. This event attracts thou sands each year. Free. Dec. 16 Eagle Scouts honored BECTION c Surrender of Japan, which took place Aug. 14, 1945. Zerko was discharged in Oct 20, 1945 at Fort Bragg N.C. 8:30 -10;30 a.m. Photos and Breakfast with Santa at The Swanson, with Forever Young Photography. 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. “Walk through Bethlehem” at Shir ley Hills Baptist Church. A re-enactment in costume, with live animals, of life in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. This event attracts thou sands each year. Free. Dec. 17 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. “Walk through Bethlehem” at Shir ley Hills Baptist Church. A re-enactment in costume, with live animals, of life in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. This event attracts thou sands each year. Free. Dec. 19 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Holiday Line Dance Party hosted by Houston Healthcare Complex at the Perry Art Center, 1121 Macon Road, Perry. Shirley Thompson, Senior Care Line Dance instructor will be DJ. Bring your own refreshments. Dec. 24 9 a.m., 11 a.m. Center Stage for Christ pres ents “Jesus 8.C.” at the Christmas Eve morning service at Perry United Methodist Church Send information about events for this holiday calendar to cperkins@evansnewspapers. com or call Charlotte Perkins at 987-1823, Ext. 234.