The Highland Home School Band entertained its fans on Dec. 14 during its annual holiday concert.

It was a fun night for the community and filled everyone with the Christmas Spirit. Band Director David Turner used this opportunity to showcase the dedication of his students.

The concert began with the fifth grade, which just started band at the beginning of this year. They performed Good King Wenceslas and everyone's favorite, Jingle Bells. Even though they had only been practicing since August they have made great strides in these few months.

Members of the fifth grade band include, Ebony Brantley, Erica Carroll, Janiqua Colvin, Chad Edwards, Alicia Farris, Brittany Faulk, Christopher Franklin, Caitlyn Gafford, Loren Hoffman, Amanda Howlett, Khristen Jackson, Tyler Jordan, Rebecca Knighten, Haley Martin, Shawna McClellan, Aaron Rayburn, Kayla Rhodes, Kory Robinson, Tanisha Sankey, Audrey Scrushy, Audre Sidney, Brysen Smith, Candace Taylor, Kanisha Thompson, Shara White, and LaQuintin Williams.

The fifth graders appeared to be having a great deal of fun as they sang the lively tunes.

The sixth and seventh grade bands followed as they performed as a group. The sixth grade played Jolly Old St. Nicholas, the seventh grade performed O Come, All Ye Faithful and the two united to perform A Christmas Suite. They did a remarkable job.

Members of the sixth grade band include, Jessica Bell, Taylor Boyd, Shakenda Brundidge, Rebecca Carroll, Alainna Davis, Ulysses Davis, Mariko Dean, Molli Duke, Brittany Franklin, Brittany Fuller, James Garner, Kellie Holliday, BriAnca Huffman, Amy Mansnerus, Victoria Mason, Michael Norris, Karly Owens, Jodie Robinson, Adrion Shephard, Taylor Stacey and Kelsey Williams.

Seventh grade band members include, Kelsi Baker, Kayleigh Bynog, Jonathon Bynog, Cornika Gipson, Robert Massey, Amber MacKenzie, Krystal Nelson, Bobby Poitevint, Brittany Pouncey, Vanessa Smith, Carmen Thomas and Jennifer Thomason.

The grand finale was the Highland Home Symphonic Band. They were wonderful. They performed beautiful renditions of We Three Kings, Bell Carol Fantasy and The Nutcracker Suite, which proved to be a favorite of the audience.

The symphonic band consists of Amanda Best, Layla Davis, Jeremy Folmar, Natasha Harris, Emily Norris, Jennifer Strickland, Jessica Strickland, David Bell, Hope Bradley, Courtney Brown, David Brown, Ethan Brown, Sonya Brown, Tiffany Brown, Keisha Buskey, Blair Daugherty, Stephen Davis, Summer Davis, Sherman Deal, Corey Harris, John Massey, Nitika Matthews, Tan Mobley, Juliana Mullins, Keith Paulk, Jessica Pierce, Leanna Reeves, Darryl Shephard, Quanisha Sparks, Tasha Squires, Joshua Taylor, D'Erica Whatley and Jerrod Humphrey.

The symphonic band consists of eighth through twelfth grade. They should really be commended for the incredible job they did. All of these students worked very hard for this concert and their work really paid off for them, as well as for us. Mr. Turner did a remarkable job.

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There is sad news to report this week.

In last week's edition it was reported that Piney Woods Flea Market would be closing due to the owners having health difficulties. Sadly, Mr. Leonard Phillips died unexpectedly this week. They were wonderful members of the Lapine community. They attended Danielville Baptist Church.

Please keep Ms. Sylvia in your prayers, as well as other members of their family. We will miss him tremendously.

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The Lapine Community Center held their monthly supper this week. They had a potluck dinner, as well as exchanged Christmas Gifts. A great time was had by all.

Also, this week at the Community Center, the Boy Scouts decorated a Christmas tree to leave for the seniors. The children painted ornaments and put them on the tree. On Tuesday, a fiddle, flute, bass and a guitar were brought down to center. The seniors were able to examine the instruments and some even attempted to play.

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Here's a fun fact for this week.

Let's compare today's news with news of long ago. On Aug. 5, 1897, this was noted in a news article, which was strictly noted for young folks, "it is confessed that the women in Lapine are pretty, sweet, and social". In the next month of the same year, an article stated that smallpox was right above Lapine, but that everyone was almost vaccinated. The next year spoke of a business trip to Montgomery by G. D. Depriest, E. F. Morgan, and W. D. Pollard.

Mr. Morgan was noted to have brought back a sale of a fine drove of young mules. If only life was this simple now!

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Please continue to call or write me with any news or events that you might have. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy this magical time with your family and friends.

God bless everyone.

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If you have any comments, suggestions or information you would like to submit to this column, call Mrs. Wilson at

537-4511 or e-mail her at pen122@mon-cre.net