BRIEFS

DAYTON RINGS IN XMAS SEASON DAYTON - All are invited to join the Dayton community on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving for a Homespun Holiday Celebration during the town's annual Christmas Kickoff featuring classic Main Street shopping, Christmas Light bus tours, holiday barrel tasting, Friday night Lighted Parade and Fireworks, and tours of some of Dayton's new businesses.

Children (and their parents) can take a mule-drawn wagon hay ride through the streets of Dayton both Friday and Saturday, and Friday evening enjoy a new lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m., followed by the famous downtown winter fireworks display at 7 p.m. behind the backdrop of the oldest courthouse in the state. Music on Main Street will be provided by roving minstrels. And many businesses will be holding open houses with special activities, including live music, art displays, and special sales.

Santa will be stationed on Main Street both Friday and Saturday for free visits with kids. Pictures are available or you may take your own.

For a complete schedule of events and visitor information, please visit www.historicdayton.com or call 1-800-882- 6299.

HOMETOWN XMAS DRAWS NEAR

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg's 25th Annual Hometown Christmas is coming soon. Tickets have been distributed to local merchants. For every $5 you spend at a local shop, you will receive a ticket to sign and place in a Christmas Container. Ticket holders must be present at Town Hall for the drawing on the afternoon of Dec. 5 to receive a gift.

The schedule is as follows: Dec. 4 - Turkey Bingo starting at 4 at Town Hall. Sponsored by Legion Auxilary; Dec. 5th - At Town Hall, vendors will be selling their wares and crafts from noon to 3:30 p.m., music will be provided by Waitsburg music departments, drawing for gifts and prizes donated by area merchants will be held at 3:30 p.m., the Chili Feed will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall sponsored by the Commercial Club, and a lighted parade will start at the north end of Main Street at 5 p.m.

Anyone interested should call Ruth Peterson at 337-8849.

COMMUNITY SERVES HOLIDAY DINNER

PRESCOTT - Prescott's 6th annual community holiday dinner will take place Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning at 4:30 with kids crafts. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and local cowboy singers Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue will perform at 7 p.m. with traditional western tunes and holiday caroling. Turkey, ham, and all the fixings plus beverages will be served. Admission is free. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

WAITSBURG HONORS STUDENTS

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg High School recognized students with a grade point average of 3.25 and above in the first term of 2010.

Seniors making honor roll included Alyssa Hafen, John Montgomery and Megan Withers, each with a 4.0. Other honor roll seniors included Ashley Wilson, Casey Cates, Christy Poirier, Dru Somers, Eric Lienhard, Genesis Pearson, Kasmira Grende, Rachel Reedy, Rachelle Oseth, Taylor Moon, Timothy Hofer, and Tre Hazelbaker.

Juniors with a 4.0 GPA were Fletcher Baker and Kayla Huxoll. Other juniors making honor roll were Jessica Guay, Luisa Sorroche, Ronnie Hulce, Taylor Doepker, and Zachary Bartlow.

WHS sophomores with a 4.0 GPA were Seth Deal and Samantha Moss. Other sophomores making honor roll were Alex Leathers, Benjamin Shafer, Cheyenne Frohreich, Dakota Baker, Damien Johnson, Elizabeth Xaudaro, Hannah Helms, Jennifer Nichols, Jessica Foxe, Katy Hofer, Krystal Harris, Logan Dozier, Madeleine Witt, Rosindee Thompson, Samantha Henze, Tyrell McGee, and Zacharie Brown.

The WHS freshman with a 4.0 GPA in the first term was Nicholas Pearson. Other freshman making honor roll were Chad Pearson, Emily Wilson, Heidi Miller, John Moser, Kendra Roberts, Kyle Dozier, Meara Baker, Nathan Bartlow, Rebekah Adams, and Will Garcia.

Waitsburg Elementary School honored four youth with Student of the Month in October including Leena Baker in 4th grade, Robert Walsh in 5th grade, Chloe Pearson in 5th grade, and Mckenzie Forney in 4th grade.

SOBER UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WALLA WALLA - Thanksgiving takes on a special meaning this year as the holiday Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign officially launches that day. Between Nov. 25 and Jan. 2, local law enforcement will conduct extra DUI patrols throughout Walla Walla County to rid the roads of impaired drivers during the holiday season.

The average blood alcohol level of people arrested in Washington for DUI is about .14, which is nearly twice the legal limit of .08.

At this time of year especially, law enforcement statewide advise all holiday party-goers to designate a sober driver, take a taxi or choose not to drink alcohol because if you drive hammered, you will get nailed.

In 2009 there were 41,006 people charged with DUIs in Washington.

RESERVE FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER

WAITSBURG - Don't forget that reservations for the Waitsburg Community Thanksgiving Dinner should be called in by Nov. 19 and no later than the 21st. If you need to have a meal delivered, you must leave your name, phone number and address when making reservations. Reservations are made by calling any of the following numbers: Pastor Bret Moser, 337-6589, Pastor Mike Ferrians, 337-8898, Barb Abbey, 337-8860, or Arrah Lee Wilson, 337-6480.