There were families traveling to and from Petrey during the Christmas holidays, as far away as Fort Worth, Texas; Orlando, Fla. and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Snow for Christmas was an unexpected bonus in Texas, and the wind chill factor in Orlando was 38, which was pretty severe for Florida.

Curtis and Nancy Petrey traveled to Fort Worth on Dec. 21 and Valeta Spradley left the same day for Orlando. The Petrey's trip was 720 miles by car and they returned the day after Christmas. Valeta flew back today.

The Petreys visited their daughter Susan and grandson Zachary, who were moving into a new house in a new subdivision in north Fort Worth. Nancy and Curtis helped them move.

Spradley visited her daughter, Carole Hinshaw, in Orlando. On Christmas Day, Valeta, Carol and her son Kevin drove down to Madeira Beach in St. Petersburg to join Darren and Maria Hinshaw for Christmas dinner at the home of Diane Kotsaftis, Maria's mother.

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Don and Peggy Hermeling's entire family had Christmas dinner at the home of Linda Bryan in Greenville. Linda is the mother of Patrick Bryan, the husband of Donna, who is the Hermelings' daughter. Their son Danny visited from Mobile.

Phillip and Kathy Swindle hosted Christmas dinner for their daughters, J.J. from Tallahassee and Sabrina and Sabrina's friend, Donnie Nichols.

Maynard and Valera Rolling entertained their family on Christmas Eve. Those attending were Wayne and Vicki Rolling of Luverne and their sons Hunter and Justin; Hunter's fianc/, Emily Bryant of Elba; Danny and Linda Reynolds of Petrey and their son Chris and their grandchild Madison; Stephanie Reynolds Forte; Rickey Forte, Danny and Lisa Rolling of Luverne and their children Brandon and Brandi.

Lawrence and Margaret Petrey hosted their family for Christmas dinner.

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Kay Petrey returned home last Thursday after spending 10 days in the Crenshaw Community Hospital. She and Ronald hosted Scott and Laura Elliott and their family for dinner on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Day, Ronald and Kay entertained all their family, including Kay's sisters from California and Prattville and her nephew from Clearwater, Fla.

Preston Owens, son of Paige and Tenise Owens, and grandson of Ronald and Kay Petrey, celebrate his third birthday and had a party last Sunday at the Owens' home in Luverne, which was attended by all the family.

Kay is happy to report that she is now back at her beloved job of caregiver for her baby grandsons, Coleman and Logan Owens. The four-month-old twins are healthy and have doubled their birth weight, proud grandmother Kay says.

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Petrey Church of Christ held its fourth Sunday singing on Dec. 26.

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Next Tuesday are two important meetings that may help set the course for the new year, the countywide Mayors' Prayer Breakfast in Luverne at the Harrison Cultural Center from 7 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. and the Petrey Town Council to be held at 7 p.m. at the Petrey Community Center.

Residents are encouraged to attend these important meetings.

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Reporting the community news is a privilege, and, hopefully, will be a means of drawing the residents of Petrey together through shared joys and sorrows.

Vance Havner quipped, "Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic."

This quote comes from a best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, p. 275).

Outside of the Bible, this book may have helped change more lives than any other in our time.

Consider reading it as part of your New Year's resolutions!

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If you have any comments, suggestions or information you would like to submit to this

column, call Mrs. Petrey at

335-6700.