The swamp fort and a baby doll

It was just before Christmas, 1978, and I'd just seen the best, most beautiful, wonderful, magnificent doll in the history of ever at Gaylord's Discount Department Store. She was called "My Baby Beth." We shared the same name, so obviously we were meant to be together. My Baby Beth was destined to be my baby. She was blond and blue eyed and looked so soft and lovely inside her little Fisher-Price box. I was especially ...

December 24, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | News Columnists

CovNews interviews Santa Claus

Santa will be making his annual trip around the world this Saturday night. Most of us dream about such a journey, but Santa is working under time constraints with a fully loaded sleigh and just nine reindeer (now that Rudolph has joined his ranks). He sat down with the Covington News recently to answer questions about himself and his tricks of the trade.

December 23, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

Tip of the Week - Take care to not overspend

We're down to the wire with the arrival of Christmas in just seven days! The week before Christmas, we are more apt to overspend. You may have inadvertently left someone off our Christmas list or you didn't expect the cost of making your great aunt's divinity to be quite so high. (Pecans are expensive, y'all!)

December 18, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

Cereal, Santa and the Christmas parade

The paper received a few phone calls and letters regarding the use of the moniker "J-Man" in my last column. It was not my intention to offend anyone. If you were offended, I extend an invitation to take another look at my words. Perhaps you'll see the love, reverence, and wonder I expressed when referring to Jesus as the "J-Man."'

December 11, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | News Columnists

All you need is love... and wine

People tend to get a little preachy this time of year. Don't get me wrong. I love a good soap box as much as the next self- righteous mama, but see, I don't do the whole "put the Christ back in Christmas" busy-ness. I'm not a Christian, so for me, the holidays aren't a religious celebration. Okay, that's not entirely accurate. I love the holidays so very much that they are religious experiences in that I make merry like it's a sacred rite, a holy sacrament.

November 27, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | News Columnists

Mama Bee's Holiday Tip of the Week - Nov. 27

My favorite gifts are those that people have made themselves. Homemade gifts demonstrate caring, creativity, and passion. You don't have to be super crafty to pull together a meaningful (and frugal!) gift for your friends and family. Think about what you can do and go from there. Do you bake, cook, or scrapbook? Offer homemade cookies, soup, or a small book. Are you handy with a camera? Give a small framed print. Can you offer ...

November 27, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

New civic organization, “2 Cups of Kindness,” to hold first meeting

Newton County resident Dorothy Frazier-Piedrahita will be hosting an informational meeting for her new civic group, "2 Cups of Kindness," at the Porter Memorial Branch Library on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

November 13, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

I actually like ‘The Vampire Diaries’

It's not that I think I'm better than anyone else because I don't watch television. I just have all these views about what we watch for fun and education and, like most folks, I tend to get sucked into whatever happens to be on. It could be football (which I don't understand) or a cartoon (which I adore). I'm gonna watch it, because it's on. Plus, if you didn't already know it, I'm the queen ...

November 13, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | News Columnists

Don't take a chance on ‘Mama Mia!’

I have sat through and been in a lot of bad theater in my 40 years of livin'. There was my junior year in high school when I stumbled into a table and knocked a chess set over during a production of whatever God awful play my drama teacher had us performing. The chess pieces landed near a microphone and the resounding booms from those cascading plastic rooks and pawns echoed like death notes in ...

November 09, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | News Columnists

Mama Bee's Turkey Day Tip of the Week - Nov. 6

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends at your house this year? Suggest a potluck. If you provide the turkey, ask everyone else to bring a side dish. This strategy will definitely lower your costs! Not only is this a cost saving measure, but everyone will feel more involved in making the holiday meal special. You can always ask each person to bring his or her specialty and then, fill in the holes in the menu accordingly.

November 06, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

The times are a-changin'

This week's column was going to be all about the comically nefarious Bobby Sigman and "Signgate," but then I heard about something even more terrible than a 70-year-old man stealing his opponent's campaign signs.

October 30, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | Columnists

Musical Young family full of talent

The Youngs are like a lot of families here in Newton County. They like to play video games and go to movies. Of course, spending time with one another is a priority. But unlike most families, mom Chandra Currelley-Young is a professional singer and actress who might be out on tour in Tyler Perry's latest play and dad, Larry Young, is a professional in radio who can be heard on air. When their son, Agape, ...

October 28, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

Unwavering Faith: A Survivor's Story

Sylvia Shy isn't just a survivor. She's also a natural born storyteller whose message of hope and love captivates and deeply touches anyone who cares to listen. Shy, 57, has been sharing the story of her journey with cancer since 2002, when she was first diagnosed.

October 16, 2011 | Beth McAfee-Hallman | LOCAL

Tip of the Week - Oct. 16

The cooler fall weather means it's time for yard sales. You can save a bundle by shopping at yard sales and, while I love the thrill of the hunt when it comes to other people's junk coupled with the opportunity to make new friends, I sure like this new wave of virtual yard sales. Did you know you can shop at yard sales from the comfort of your own computer? There are many local communities ...