Hello everyone, Happy Holidays to you. Wow, didn’t this year go by fast? Almost time to hear the longstanding tradition of the New Years Eve Whitmire fire whistle. Yep, at midnight, along with the whistle, comes the pop of fireworks as our pets twirl in a circle and howl along with the first opening note. Of course our cats have been known to back flip off the furniture, scramble to the bedroom and listen to the whistle under the bed. Just like I have been know to digress each year on this subject. This topic allows me to bring up another word, along with fire whistle is civil defense whistle. Although it sounds more like a loud horn or siren, my parents, grandparents along with a lot of other folks in town referred to the fire and rescue sounder the civil defense whistle. Maybe this term came about as in the fifties when folks were learning about and building bomb shelters in their back yards. Something to think about, huh?

Gottrocks the Birthday Fairy has texted the birthdays, so let’s send out our wishes before we digress again. Happy birthday to Eleanor “Miss Pete” Lawson, Audrey “Auwdra” and her son Derrick Gilliam, Dorothy Harrison, Lon Gambrell, Burley DeeJay Book Bookman, Gloria Werts, Donna Gilliam and LaDonna Baker. In special memory of my Dad, T. E. “Red” Fowler Jr. and grandmother, Mrs. Lusk Fowler.

We send our best feel good wishes to former Whitmire resident Nelven Kelly. On a sad note, we send our best wishes and sympathy to the families of Mrs. Bessie Vanlue Sanders. Mrs. Sanders was predeceased by her husband Wil, and her son Edward. She is survived by her brother Robert Vanlue of Whitmire, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. In November members of her family celebrated her 94th birthday with her at White Oak Manor. He nieces include Nancy Gail Sartor and Wanda Vanlue of Whitmire.

In recent news, a Maybinton–Whitmire community family lost all of their possessions in a house fire just days before Christmas. The fire happened Dec. 21, according to Whitmire Volunteer Fire Department Chief Micheal Thomas. Chief Thomas added several volunteers have helped set up a fund to help the family. Clothes, and toys were donated but the family also needs household items, cookware, bedding, and furniture. Three adults, two males and one female, and three children ages 1-5 still need additional clothing. If you’re interested in making a donation, you can contact Chief Thomas at 803-271-6379 or e-mail him at mpthomas00@gmail. He will give you the sizes and type of items and where to drop them off.

We want send our congratulations to WCS girls tennis team. The team, along with Coach Adams, have had a great year and three players s have been recognized as all region. Haley Hughes, D.J. Norton and Rebecca Glymph.

Whitmire residents say thank you to county council member Edgar Baker for serving eight years on Newberry County Council. Also, the Town of Whitmire recently presented a plaque for service to outgoing Mayor Tim Carroll. Carroll served as a council member for 10 years and Mayor for 10 years. Mayor-elect Billy Hollingsworth along with council members Clay Bodie, Debbie Harris and myself will take the oath of office Jan. 3 at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Alright readers, getting ready to bring in the new year, Gottrocks and Garabund are in this night celebration together and both tell me it deadline time. In closing, I say, send us your news bits, photos to: news2assie@yahoo.com.