Perry, GA-The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce held a press conference Tuesday morning to unveil a flurry of plans for the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Dogwood Festival scheduled for April 13th and 14th.  Details included a Dogwood Tree Planting Project, the addition of a DockDog Competition during the two day Arts and Crafts Show in Downtown Perry, a Hot Air Balloon Rally at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, and ten sanctioned events being produced during the two day festival.  Chamber officials also unveiled the Official Art for the 25th Annual Dogwood Festival as well as a new logo and website design.

HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Special Olympics Winter Games will be held Jan. 18, 2013, 9:30 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m. at Veterans High School in the gym.  About 150 students in grades six through 12 have signed up to participate in the basketball competition.  The event will begin with a short program welcoming the student athletes, parents and teachers, followed by an introduction of each school.

This is the first time the school system will hold the Winter Olympics.  The event will allow student athletes the opportunity to qualify for the State Winter Special Olympics Games which will be held Jan. 25 - 27, 2013, in Atlanta.  About 20 Houston County youth will qualify for the state event during the local games. 

When not competing, the students will enjoy “Fun City” upstairs in the gym.  There will be face painting, arts and crafts and more for the young student athletes. 

The Westfield School Varsity and B-Team cheerleading squads helped spread the Christmas spirit with patients and their families at The Children's Hospital in Macon.