Alert the Secret Service! The Obamas aren't the only ones with party crashers! Two unknowns waltzed right in the front door at the home of Maxine and Don Lillie as they hosted their annual Bunko party on Dec. 18.

Fifty invited guests mingled with the party crashers Ramona and Bob Blaha. Ramona wore a striking red dress and Bob a business suit. When "Sgt." Tripp Weeks apprehended the two the Lillies, revealed it was all a hoax orchestrated by their son-in-law, Tom Ratajczak, and son, Thom Lillie. The newcomers really did have an invitation and the crowd recommended their immediate release.

Rheena and Chairman Russ Lutterbie were also newcomers to the group. Bunko followed with handblown ornaments by Thom Lillie given as prizes. Guests also received a commemorative 100 years crystal icicle.

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Carole Kell recently conducted her annual Southern Christmas Breakfast complete with homemade biscuits, gravy, pork chops and cheese grits - and of course, it began with peach blossoms.

In attendance were Alice and Glenn Brock, Debbie and Charlie Butler, Carolyn and Doug Chaffins, Liz Cole, Sue Hanson, Anna and Johnny Johnson, and Terri and Earl Reece.

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Deb and Mike Gerace, recently retired music teacher and band director of the Walker School, hosted a holiday gathering for the music alumni who stay in touch with them as Facebook friends.

Each guest once participated in Mike's bands or Deb's bell choir and madrigal chorus, but their interests now range from teaching Russian to social services abroad, theater, other languages and studies, opera and composing.

Attendees included: Ashley Burton, JP Cheek, Laura Anne Cotney, Kaitie Hilburn, Turo (Trizz) Holmes, Eryn Killian, Tina Matarrese, Liz McConnaughey, Collette McLeroy and Kate White.

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Bill and Babe Byrne conducted their 7th Annual Atkins Family Christmas Celebration at their Rockmart farm on Dec. 5.

The highlight was sitting around the fire pit, designated as the Gene Atkins Fire Pit since he suggested it several years ago, toasting marshmallows and singing Christmas carols.

Attending were Bill and Jennifer Atkins; Chip, Ruth Ann, Will and Tate Atkins; Dan, Paige, Erie, Ryder and Tanner Post; Gene and Harriett Atkins; Kim, Kim (boy and girl), Gena, Emily and Sam Curl; Hope, Hyden and Harrison Langston; Charlene and Bob Gill; Bart and Bailey Gill, Christy Griswell; Candy and Dylan Cook; Gary, Anne, Austin and Hannah Atkins along with a few other friends.

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Fashion spotlight of the week: Here's the big BUZZ! Seen the week of Christmas at Real Resultz Fitness on Canton Road bee-ing fit was my favorite Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket: No. 21, B-back, Jonathan Dwyer. (Dwyer is a graduate of Kell High School.)



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) 425-7122.