Mistletoe Market returns to the Guild

DALTON, Ga. — The Creative Arts Guild is bringing back the Mistletoe Market on Friday and Saturday just in time for holiday shopping. Shoppers are invited to drop in and browse the array of gifts in the Guild’s Jonas Hall as the Guild celebrates the holiday season with a special selection of handmade works by artisan vendors including painter Paula Plott Gregg, Judy Presley of Iron Horse Designs, potters Mary and Dan DeFoor, stoneware by Susan Blalock, Candace Murray’s “Quilts by Studio 940,” wood-turner Greg Blalock, jeweler Valerie Silva and more. Light refreshments will be served during both days.Friday is also December’s Artist Reception featuring two ongoing exhibits. You’ll find Kevin Bates’ large, eye-grabbing works — “Better a Big Face Than a Big Head” — in Gallery Five20. And “Dalton Are You With Us?,” a commemorative exhibit evoking memories of Dalton, will provide a backdrop for Mistletoe Market in Jonas Hall. The market is open on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact gallery director Savannah Thomas at savannaht@creativeartsguild.org or 706-279-3129.

Leonard to be Inducted into National Hall of Fame

TIFTON, Ga. — Woody Leonard, the former band director at Tift County High School (TCHS) and Director of Bands at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), will be inducted into the National High School Band Directors Hall of Fame at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 in Valdosta. Leonard’s induction into the Hall of Fame will be a part of the Azalea Winds Christmas Concert to be held at the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority Senior Center located at 1360 East Park Ave., in Valdosta.  Leonard is a member of the Azalea Winds and will conduct one of the numbers during the concert. There is no charge for admission. Leonard, served as the band director at TCHS from 1986-2005, Dalton High School from 1980-81, and Cook Middle School from 2008-15.  He was also the assistant band director at Lowndes High School in 1976-79 and 1981-86 as well as serving as a graduate assistant with the Auburn University band program from 1979-80. His tenure at ABAC was from 2007-12.

Angel Tree set up at Mayo Thriftway

MAYO — The season of giving has started in Mayo. The Lafayette Angel Tree has been set up at Mayo Thriftway. The angels on the tree have a list of gifts for children who are outpatients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville. For those wanting to give, pick an angel off the tree, purchase the gifts on the angel and bring back to Mayo Thriftway with the angel attached. Money can be donated to purchase gifts as well. Organizer Gloria Johnson suggests the person choose an angel, place the money and angel in a sealed envelope and give to an employee of Mayo Thriftway. The gifts or donations must be turned in by Wednesday, Dec. 19. If there are any questions contact organizer Gloria Johnson 386-208-9432 or 386-294-1294.