To the editor: A week ago, the people of Covington came together for a magical evening of holiday fun, Twilights at Chimney Park. The event was a community effort of many businesses and organizations coming together to give Covington a free, family-time, holiday experience. As co-chairs, we would like to thank those who participated in this event.

Many hands help prepare the park. Tony Skinner and Newton County Parks and Recreation Commission cleaned summer undergrowth and ground up the vegetation. Volunteers from Oxford College through Hands on Newton and Girl Scout Troop 576 strung lights and more lights. New lighting features were added by Southern Heartland Art Gallery, The Service Guild, Covington Garden Club, Satsuki Garden Club, Covington/Conyers Cycle Club and Washington Community Center. Many more lights were added courtesy of Newton Electric. Thanks also go to our our lighting engineer, Fred Franklin from Franklin Restorations.

The Covington Lion’s Club had a bonfire for making s’mores. The Oxford Lions served up popcorn and the Kiwanis Club poured hot cider. Members of FONP roasted hotdogs which were paid for in part by a donation from United Bank.

Christmas trees were donated by Berry Christmas Tree Farm and Worthington Tree Farms. They were decorated with natural and recycled materials by students from Newton High School, Alcovy High School, Veterans Memorial Middle School, Ficquett Elementary School, Rocky Plains Elementary School and Palmer Stone Elementary School. Gift certificates of a $100 and $50 dollars were given to Veterans and Rocky Plains Schools for the most creative trees.

Thanks also to performers Abigail Coggin of the Arts Association of Newton County, the Oxford Youth Singers, The Praise Band from FUMC, and students from Eastside High School and Ficquett Elementary School. A check has been donated to Eastside chorus by Charles Harris of Harris Band Instruments and to Fiquett by FONP.

Thanks also to Main Street Covington, WSCC Young Legends, and Heartland Woman’s Club. A special thank you goes to the City of Covington and the park’s wonderful volunteers for your continued support. As you can see it does take a community! Thank you all!