Dear Editor,

A heart-felt “Thank You” goes out to Covington and the surrounding communities in Newton and Rockdale counties for their support of “Twilights at Chimney Park,” which was held Sunday, Dec. 6. If smiles, giggles and expressions of awe on the faces of children and adults are indications of success, this year’s “Twilights” was that and more!

“Twilights at Chimney Park” is an annual community event hosted the first Sunday in December by Friends of Newton Parks, a nonprofit organization that is tasked with the development of Chimney Park, located at 8201 Hazlebrand Road behind the Newton County Health Building.

The park is strung with thousands of lights of all colors and shapes creating unique lighted features that making the woodland park come alive. School chorus groups sing, and refreshments, including hot dogs and s’mores, are served throughout the evening. Santa and Mrs. Claus are special guests so the little ones can deliver their wish lists directly to the old gent.

Community events are not successful without community support, and Twilights is no exception. This year’s event attracted more than 2,000 visitors! During the course of the year, thousands more enjoy the features installed at Chimney Park that make it accessible to children and adults of all ages and abilities, including the trailhead for the Eastside Trail.

This holiday festival relies on a vast network of community volunteers. These volunteers come from civic groups, local businesses, schools and individuals willing to dedicate their time to a worthy cause. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Friends of Newton Parks, I would like to offer publicly our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the following groups:

Covington Lions Club; Oxford Lions Club; Covington Kiwanis; Satsuki Garden Club; Covington Garden Club; Heartland Woman’s Club; Pilot Club; Newton County Recreation Commission; Covington Police Explorer’s; Boy Scout Troup 222; CAAC Delta Sigma Theta Youth Development; Newton County Special Olympics Equestrian Team; School Choruses from Clements Middle, Live Oak Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Fairview Elementary, West Newton Elementary, Newton County Theme School and Montessori School of Covington; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Journey Church Youth Group; Oxford College Volunteers; United Bank; Kohl’s Cares Associates; EMC Security; and Tony and Mary Alice Johnson (Santa and Ms. Clause).

There are far too many individual volunteers to mention in this letter, but we do want to express appreciation for those supporters who step up each and every time we issue the call. For those who helped out for the first time this year, we hope you will continue to serve. Chimney Park is known as “A Park with Heart,” and its success is because of the caring hearts of everyone who contributes to the park through the donation of time, talents, resources and attendance at our special events.

Sincerely,

Melvin Allen
FONP, Chair