Friday evening people from all over Cobb County gathered for The Gala on the Square, a glamorous black-tie party, that was the culmination of the City's yearlong celebration of its 175th Anniversary.

Organized in conjunction with the Marietta Pilgrimage A Christmas Tour of Homes, the party in the Marietta Square drew 700 guests clad from head-to-toe in their party finery. Still Swinging, The Les Still Big Band played big band music and added glamour and elegance to the highly anticipated evening.

For Marietta, this party traditionally marks the beginning of the Yuletide party season - so if the rest of the season's parties are as good as this one, it will be a grand season indeed.

Among those celebrating: Ellen and Clay Carmack, Grif Chalfant, Tracy and Mark Cole, Teri and Steve Cole, Ginger and Sam Collier, Marcelle and Bill David, Angela and Hank Dupre, Ruthie Dupre, Linda Flournoy, Jennifer and Charles Gay, Channie and Paul Gilreath, Carey Kennedy and Jim Glover, Michelle and Will Goodman, Martina Goscha, Christi and Chuck Hodges, Nancy Ingram Jordan, Elaine and Greg Lucas, Lisa and Mark Kasoff, Kelley and Steve Lee, Brenda and Jack Lyle, Dan McCall, Peggy and Morgan McNeel, Vicki and Bill Poston, Angela and Clif Poston, Melissa and Chris Poston, Brennan and Kurt Rinehimer, Susan Tucker, Joanne and Bob Walsh and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

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It takes a Village to ring in the Holiday Season - at least that's the scene at the west Cobb neighborhood, The Village at Barrett Greene. Bells rang early at the neighborhood entrance when Village elves scurried about hanging beautiful boughs and lighting trees. Santa's elves included Shirley and Jack Demarest, Barbara and Ray Cobb, Judy and Harry Dupre, Rich and Nancy Kuusela and Virgil and Cathi Reece.

On Dec. 1, the Bunco Babes hosted by Jan Elmore, Gwen Paul, Patsy Thomas and Tricia Pridemore conducted their annual holiday celebration for all the ladies' groups of the Village at the Pridemore home where they enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner, exchanged presents and brought gifts for MUST Ministries.

On Dec. 6 the annual Village holiday party was conducted at the home of Dee Stoll where Santa, who looked amazingly like resident Randy Whitten, made his appearance. Villagers feasted on fantastic appetizers and delicious desserts; shared wonderful fellowship with old and new neighbors and began looking forward to the wonderful holiday season.

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 @bell south.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-7122.