Appreciation expressed for tour success

The 22nd Beta Sigma Phi Christmas Tour of Homes was a huge success again this year. One of the patrons commented to me that the tour gets better each year. We could not have such a quality tour without the help of the many volunteers and homeowners who open up their homes to share with North Augusta.

The sorority would like to thank Coldwater Creek for providing the fashions for the brunch and fashion show; Mint Julep for the food that was served; First Baptist Church for allowing us to use the fellowship hall. Also, we want to thank the four business that sold tickets for both events: Jim Bush Florist, North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, CommuniGraphics and Parks Pharmacy.

The tour would not be a success without the help of Phyllis Britt at The (North Augusta) Star, that puts a picture of each home and information regarding ticket purchase in the paper each week.

This is really a community effort and it pays off with the proceeds going to North Augusta High School seniors, School Wish List for N.A. teachers, North Augusta Boxing Club and other charities.

Merry Christmas,

Linda Smiley, Publicity

Beta Sigma Phi

Kids more important than 'political correctness'

I would like to applaud Carl Langley's recent letter concerning political correctness. This stuff is happening locally and affecting the quality of education for Aiken County students. Our district continues to bus students all over town in the interest of fairness and diversity.

With diesel fuel close to $3 per gallon, it would make more sense to draw zoning lines based on neighborhoods and efficient transportation routes. The money wasted on transportation costs could be used to improve classroom instruction. This is not California, and we don't answer to the ACLU and ACORN. Contact your local school board member and tell them to save money and redraw the attendance zones based on common sense, not Communist propaganda.

We are beyond the race issue now; it is 2009, not 1969.

Robert Snell

Aiken