While we're on the subject of the holidays, Newton County's kickoff to Christmas, the Lighting of the Courthouse on Thursday, was a fantastic way to celebrate the season.

It was a family affair, an enjoyable excursion for all ages.

Small-town values are still important here, and that was evident in the crowd of children on the square. It's a rare pleasure to hear "yes ma'am," or excuse me, please," outside of a rerun of "The Andy Griffith Show."

Rudeness seems to run rampant in so much of our social interactions these days. Thanks, parents, for passing on a bit of civility.