When Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton Jr. isn’t taking care of community business, you’ll find this star soccer coach with his 16 & under girl’s soccer team that plays out of McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA. On Nov. 12 the YMCA celebrated the accomplishments of its volunteers at the annual volunteer dinner. It is no surprise to those who know him that Bruton was named Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations Bill!

Bill and his wife Lauri have two children and live in Marietta.

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On Oct. 20, Lily McNeel celebrated a Spooktacular 14th birthday. Seventy-five of her closest friends from McClure Middle School danced the night away in the garage of her home that was decorated as a haunted house.

Lily is the daughter of Peggy and Morgan McNeel. She has two sisters Mallie and Megan.

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On Nov. 10, K Mike Whittle, Unique Floral Designs, 156 Church St. (off the Marietta Square) hosted its annual Christmas Open House. Guests enjoyed food, fun, and gifts as well as inspiration for wonderful decorating ideas. Santa even made a visit.

Among those enjoying pre-holiday cheer were Dianne and Bill Cooper; Linda Flournoy; Chris Furman and daughter Grayson; Linda Hillshire; Nancy and Alec Joiner; Scott, Sara, Emma, Claire and Matthew Jordan; Paula Price; and Sandy Raffety and grandson Kyle.

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Keheley Elementary School students and staff members honored U.S. veterans the week of Nov. 9 with a variety of special activities and events.

On Nov. 8 and 9 the school community hosted Veterans Day traditional turkey and dressing holiday meal prepared by the Keheley cafeteria. Fourth- and fifth-grade students made a banner and table decorations for the luncheon. The PTA assisted with welcoming families, decorating the tables, and paying for the meals of Keheley family members who are veterans. Many other students’ family members also joined students for lunch.

The school decorated its lobby and hallways with military uniforms, medals, and photos. All grade level students were given the opportunity to send in pictures of their family members who are Veterans. The kindergarten classes presented a special program featuring patriotic music.

All grade level students were encouraged to write a letter to a currently deployed service person through a local radio station’s “Big Thank You.” Fourth-grade teacher Beth Midkiff collected more than 300 letters that will be sent to deployed veterans. Fifth-grade students also wrote questions and interviewed a veteran as a part of a class project.

Kehely is located 1985 Kemp Road, Marietta, 30066. Liz Jackson is principal.

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.