Holiday Happenings at Callaway Gardens
Horizons in Hemophilia, January 2013
Kim Wilson, Camp and Activities Coordinator
More than 100 families attended the Holiday Happenings at Callaway Gardens in late November to celebrate the holiday season together. They networked with other families and enjoyed a wonderful day together.
Upon arrival at Callaway Gardens, families checked in with the HoG staff at the Mountain Creek Inn, then had the rest of the day to play until it was time for the evening programs. During the day, families were able to visit the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Center, Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Overlook Garden, Discovery Bicycle Trail, Pioneer Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, and the nature trails. 
Everyone enjoyed a buffet dinner in the ballrooms at the Mountain Creek Inn. Jeff Cornett, HoG's Director of Training, Research and Advocacy, gave a presentation about the research projects HoG is funding at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Emory University in Atlanta. You can read more about these projects in Jeff’s article from the December newsletter.
While their parents were listening to Jeff, more than 100 children and teens (ages 5-18) made holiday arts and crafts. Some of the projects were candy cane reindeer ornaments, foam shaped holiday ornaments, foam turkeys, plastic ornaments filled with sequins and glitter, paper snowflakes, and holiday greeting cards. We worked hard to spread glitter and holiday cheer throughout the room.
Later in the evening, everyone enjoyed a tour through “Fantasy in Lights” at Callaway Gardens. The ride through the lights was magical. We traveled through a wintery merry land as our cheeks got nice and rosy, and comfy and cozy were we. We sang holiday carols, enjoyed a beautiful ride in an open air trolley, and were dazzled by holiday scene after holiday scene crafted out of millions of lights. This was a fun way to get in the holiday spirit. We had a wonderful time together and I look forward to seeing all of you at future events!