Today, many Christians around Georgia will celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and reflection. Ash Wednesday is also, of course, the day after Mardi Gras. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece is here with a brief history of how the South’s celebrations of Mardi Gras reach back to ancient times.

 “Few people can have done more than James Flannery to deserve recognition from Ireland for their work on behalf of Irish culture.”

When “it’s the thought that counts” meets “times are tough,” a natural result is the homemade gift. Personally, I sincerely enjoy a thoughtful, homemade gift and am eager to make thoughtful, homemade gifts for others.

In the Holiday Traditions: Community post, I mentioned our live Christmas tree. Going to get it is a traditional event that leaves my son clapping and cheering while the tree is hoisted onto the car.

Fall is my family’s favorite holiday season, and as such it is full of must-have traditions. We have to go to our favorite pumpkin farm where my son gets to have any pumpkin he can carry (a rule that I’m certain we’ll need to amend before he’s 12),