Saturday, November 17, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ – Creatively decorated rooms are nothing unusual for

houses on the Friends of the Library’s annual Christmas Tour of

Homes.

But Colleen Garfield, whose house at 214 Linton Ave. is on

the Dec. 2 tour, has given a room at her home a special twist

this year.

Recently, Garfield invited local schools to decorate Christmas

trees in her home in memory of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks.

&uot;It’s a good way to show patriotism,&uot; Garfield said.

&uot;After all, the events of Sept. 11 have been on everyone’s

mind.&uot;

And schools have responded in a big way.

West Primary first graders made paper flags with their names

attached, as well as blue stars and candy canes.

McLaurin Elementary’s fourth through sixth grades sent Garfield

blue stars, candy canes and a paper chain in red, white and blue

to decorate their tree. On each link was the name of a victim

of the World Trade Center attack.

Trinity Episcopal Day School’s kindergarten through fourth

graders and 10th- through 12th- grade art students were encouraged

to use their creativity to express their feelings.

&uot;I let them use their own ideas, colors and designs,&uot;

said Trinity art teacher Susan Adams. Adams accompanied several

students to Garfield’s house Friday morning to decorate that school’s

tree.

And the decorating is not over yet, for Cathedral’s first-

through seventh-grade students have also made decorations. Their

tree should be decorated Monday, Garfield said.

On Friday morning, Adams County Christian School third graders

were at Garfield’s house decorating that school’s tree.

Decorations made by first through sixth graders included red,

white and blue angels and a chain of patriotic gingerbread men.

The latter, said teacher Ginger Moffett, symbolizes American unity.

Moffett said that for her third grade class, which saw the

events of Sept. 11 on television, the activity was a way to express

their feelings about the attacks.

&uot;It makes them appreciate America more,&uot; Moffett

said, wearing the same type of red, white and blue school shirt

as her students.

And the importance of the activity was not lost on her students.

&uot;It’s for the people at the World Trade Center,&uot; said

Russell Gordon, 8.

Children need a way to express feelings they have experienced

since Sept. 11, &uot;feelings they’ve never had before,&uot;

Garfield said. &uot;And it’s a way to help the library and make

the tour interesting.&uot;

&uot;I got so excited when I found out she was planning this,&uot;

said Gwen Moreton of the Friends of the Library. &uot;It was

totally her idea, and I think it’s a good one.&uot;