This month, Jennifer and Bill Atkins probably felt like they were caught in the fervor of a whirlwind like that in the “Wizard of Oz”! Jennifer hosted her annual fall festival for her children and grandchildren at her Smyrna home. The screened porch was filled fall decorations and the fireplace kept everyone warm while they decorated cupcakes and pumpkins, ate pizza and played games — all in costume, of course.

Enjoying the festivities were Ari, Tanner and Ryder Post along with their mother, Paige; great-grandmother Shirley attended with son-in-law Buddy Warren; Emily and Jake Warren and their boys, Westen and Wyatt; Will and Tate Atkins and their mom, Ruth Ann; aunt Stacy Yarbrough and uncle Justin Yarbrough. A few four-legged friends showed up — Coco, Pressley, Jordan and Mollie — who enjoyed frolicking and barking at everyone.

The Atkins enjoyed another big day when friends, family and politicians gathered at Howard’s Deli to honor Bill Atkins who had the Windy Hill Bridge over Interstate 75 named for him. Sen. Steve Thompson, who introduced the legislation, was in attendance along with Bill Byrne who emceed the program. Dr. Richard Walker (Jennifer and Bill’s pastor from Macland Baptist Church) gave the invocation. And the fun didn’t stop there.

Next, Jennifer and Bill flew to Boston where they spent a few days and then caught a cruise ship up the east coast for a week. The trip ended in Nova Scotia, where they barely beat the snowstorm that fell on Boston. The Atkinses are now preparing for Thanksgiving at their lodge in Sky Valley.

***The 1956 class of Sprayberry High School celebrated its 55th reunion recently at the Bay Breeze Restaurant on Canton Highway. Sixty classmates and guests enjoyed meeting and greeting each other followed with dinner and dessert. The room was appropriately decorated in school colors of yellow and black and Sprayberry mascot, the Yellow Jacket, was very visible throughout the festivities.

Linda Lord Miller who made sure a good time was had by all chaired the committee. Others members included Louise Elder Crapps, Robert Ellison, Shirley Gaddis Jordon, Janet Manner Newman, Sybil NeSmith Parr, Margie Keener Romans, Becky Moon Shultz, Ann Fowler Tillery and Modene Ledford Worley.

The 1956 class holds the distinct honor of being the first class to spend all four years at the “old” Sprayberry, then located on “the 4 Lane” (now part of The Walker School campus.) SHS is located today at 2525 Sandy Plains Road at the intersection of Piedmont Road.

***Fashion spotlight of the week: Seen at a party for the arts in an figure flattering floral wrap dress (think Diane Von Furstenberg) —Karen Smith, an easy pick.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit@bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-8106.