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As we make our last minute preparations for Christmas this week, most of us will view the holiday as the way we've celebrated every year. There are Christmas parties, traditions, meals, fellowship, church dramas and cantatas, and of course, the gift giving.
Christmas in this country has not always been a big deal. There was even a time when some colonies actually outlawed the celebration of the holiday.
Right after the Revolutionary War, all things English were "out of style," and the holiday wasn't celebrated across the country.

It's kind of become a tradition to share my kid's letters to Santa. Corbin and Devin are actually old enough to somewhat do their own letters now (and they did) but I enjoy helping them so as is tradition, I'm sharing letters with you. Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS -- This photo originally published in The Graphic December 22, 1981. Students in Mrs. Harrison's Reading Class at Nashville Elementary School show off their gifts just before Christmas vacation.

Two Rocky Mount men were arrested last Wednesday and charged with breaking into a home.
Rocky Mount residents returned home on Wednesday, December 16 and discovered their home had been broken into and a gaming system and several games were missing.
According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, several persons of interest were located and questioned.

A second degree sexual offense was reported on 12/14/15 at 4230 Green Hills Road
A breaking, entering and larceny and injury to real property was reported on 12/14/15 at 2316 Briwig Road
A damage to personal property was reported on 12/14/15 at 11623 Old Smithfield Road
A possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of marijuana was reported on 12/14/15 at 7641 Southern Nash High Road

INCIDENTS
A simple physical assault was reported on 12/14/15 at Prestwick Drive, in the cul-de-sac near S. First Street
A possession of counterfeit money was reported on 12/17/15 at Just Save, 731 E Washington Street
An involuntary commitment was reported on 12/18/15 on Woodfield Drive

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from December 14 through 18.

Saturday, January 2 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Thorne's Chapel Baptist Church, 1624 Windsor Drive, Rocky Mount
Tuesday, January 5 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department, 7951 Red Oak Boulevard, Red Oak
Thursday, January 7 from 12 until 6 p.m. at Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 South Englewood Drive, Rocky Mount
Friday, January 8 from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 South Englewood Drive, Rocky Mount

Longtime Nash County Commissioner Lou Richardson (center) was honored by the Nash County Board in November for her service to the board. Richardson was elected in 1995 and filled the seat of her husband. Richardson has served on numerous committees and boards. Richardson received a framed copy of her service award by Nash County Commissioner Chair Fred Belfield (at right) and County Manager Zee Lamb (at left). Richardson's family was also on hand to celebrate her achievement.

Three Commissioners took their oaths of office at the Town of Red Oak's last regular board meeting in 2015 on December 7th. Tony Bennett and Bill Moore were re-elected to the board and will continue to serve in their current capacity. Craig New, who was appointed during the November meeting to temporarily fill one of the two vacant board seats, was also sworn in.
After the brief swearing in, the board approved a motion to split the cost of a phone line with Red Oak United Methodist Church.

Dear Santa,
I want the big t-rex and a Lego dinosaur t-rex. I want a shark and monster truck. I want cowboys Legos and Hot Wils. And I believe in you Santa and your elfs.
Caden Peck, 2nd grader
Coopers Elementary

Love is the greatest gift anyone can give. If you love your pet and wish to keep them healthier, you will spay or neuter your pet. It helps prevent cancer, besides making pets have less behavior problems. For example, it is seldom that a stray comes to the Shelter that is fixed! They go looking for love and adventure when unaltered!

Nash Community College recently announced the 2015 Ambassador Award recipient is Andrew Small, NCC Director of Instructional Media. Each year, the award is given to a full-time employee or group of employees who provide outstanding representation of the College in the community. Andrew Small serves as Executive Producer of Studio 67 and Chief Operator of the College's student run radio station, Big Bang Radio - WNIA 89.1 FM.
Since joining the College in 2010, Andrew Small has been an integral member of the marketing team, participating in numerous award-winning projects.

Southern Nash Middle School recently announced the results from the Canned Food Drive 2015. The school goal was set for 4,770 non-perishables; however, students surpassed every expectation by donating 7, 261 food items this year. The school held a Pep Rally to celebrate this success. At the Pep Rally, a team from each grade level used their donations to create a sculpture. The 7th grade team won the competition with their impressive Eiffel Tower (complete with the message "Pray 4 Paris"). The school averaged just over 9 non-perishable items per student.

A Honor Roll
Ryan Agan, Michael Alford, Estevan Alvarado-Hernandez, Katherine Bailon, Kamrynn Bakerman, Rebecca Barnes, Walker Bastian, Kylie Billups, Adrianna Blackmer, Lilly Boone, Haley Bowen, Daniel Bowers, Kyleigh Bragg, Aaron Bridges, Charles Brown, James Bulluck, Demoni Burroughs, Lynnlee Chafin, Victoria Chandler, Chet Christman, Katherine Cockrell, Margaret Collier, Katie Collins, Dalton Comisford, Abbygail Cook, Joseph Cook, Braeveon Cooper

A Honor Roll
Ernan Agustin Pascual, Julianna Airgood, Zollie Alford, Taylor Anderson, Layla Austin, Anna Baines, Jesse Barnes, Carson Beckham, Levy Brantley, Grayson Braswell, Eric Braxton, Avery Britt, Tyler Bunn, Alexis Campos-Martinez, Daniel Carter, Trinity Clanton, Lexie Collins, Kacey Cooper, Jasmine Covarrubias, Olivia Cruz, Greyson Curtis, Alexa Daniel, Maricela Diaz, Julian Dominguez, Anaiya Dunston, Enrique Espiritu-Dominguez, Kelly Fernandez, Matthew Foster, Katelynn Gardner, Rebecca Garlanger, Lily Gibson, Leah Gilliam, Tricia Glover, Andrea Gonzalez, Jada Grimes, Taylor Grissom

Reverend Richard Joyner was welcomed home after his trip to attend the CNN Heroes Awards Banquet in New York, NY.
Joyner, along with Garrie Moore, Executive Director, Conetoe Family Life Center, attended the star-studded award ceremony, where he was heralded as one of the top ten CNN Heroes of 2015. As a member of the top ten, Reverend Joyner had been in the running to be named CNN Hero of the Year, but Maggie Doyne from BlinkNow, a Nepalese organization, took home the top honor.

On a beautiful, winter morning Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship. It was the fourth Sunday in Advent and the theme was 'Love'. The Advent reading was led by Doug and Cheryl Hayes, with Doug lighting the last candle in the wreath. The altar flower arrangement for the month of December was given by Bob and Fran Bunn in memory of Jeff Nelson, son of Bill and Dorothy Nelson.

Merry Christmas Graphic Readers.
Due to my computer being sick with a bug and me having to use my iPhone, there will be no Aventon news, but I will share a Christmas memory. After Thanksgiving, Ben would give me money to do my Christmas shopping. I can still see him and hear him as he gave me the check; "make it last Jo!" I love simple, little memories; they are so precious or should I say priceless.

Come Christmas: An Advent Prayer
Zechariah, do you believe in this word you have heard from the angel? For from the womb of your wife will come the introduction to the redemption of children forever.
Elizabeth! I hope you will receive and hearten your cousin; she is anxious and she needs the encouragement you can provide.

Women in Action of Red Oak Baptist Church met at the church on Tuesday, December 15. They enjoyed a Christmas supper followed by the program. The group donated Christmas gifts for a family at My Sister's House. They enjoy participating in this Adopt-a-Family program each year at Christmas.
Congratulations to Nate James and Jordan Widgeon who were united in marriage on Saturday, December 19! Nate is the Associate Pastor/Minister of Youth and Children at Red Oak Baptist Church.

A Honor Roll
Gabriel Asbell, Allison Baker, Elliot Boone, Carson Browder, Mary Elizabeth Buck, Isabella Calderon, Dwayne Colmes, Eden Curtiss, Olivia Daugtridge, David Daughtry, Logan Driver, Macy Floyd, Linster Frazier, Elizabeth Gall, Anna Gaynor, John Hamm, Elizabeth Harris, Myah Harrison, Majala Henderson, Marcus Howard, Tatum Janke, Cryshantah Johnson, Ja'Lynn Johnson, Layali Kasem, Diamond Kinard, Caroline Land, Jenna Lavely Jacob Lindsey

A Honor Roll
Mesiah Evans, Fabiola Fabian Plascencia, Cierra Mcknight-Sykes, Erykah Pittman, Aisha Qatabi

A Honor Roll
Dimarian Deans, Elliana Harris, Zaire Lawrence-Penn

Christmas means many things to me. Christmas means Santa coming to my house to give my family presents. Christmas means getting together with my family and having a wonderful time. Christmas means my elf on the shelf coming to watch me and my siblings. Christmas means to celebrate Jesus' birth. Christmas means baking cookies and decorating them with my mom and little sister. Christmas means building gingerbread houses with my mom and little sister. Christmas means to love. Christmas is all about spreading the joy of Jesus and remembering the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

Taylor McIntrye
3rd Grade
Swift Creek Elementary