A tip of the hat to Jim Slattery, director of golf at Belleair Country Club, on being selected North Florida PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year 2006 ... Jacqui Zahralban is drum major of this year's award-winning Countryside High School Golden Cougar Band of Pride. Katie Mess is assistant drum major. Guard captains are Tamika Martinez and Katelyn Heineken. This year's band officers are Devin Lynch, president; Rene Amaya, first vice president; Zay Louis, second vice president; and Forrest Kattner, secretary ... It's good to see the Bakers and Hardwicks back in town ... Anna Smith enjoyed Thanksgiving with relatives in Kentucky ... Naples (Fla.) was Vera Bouchard's destination over the recent holiday ... Members of the YACs (Young Alpha Chis) of Eta Sigma Eta alumnae chapter of Alpha Chi Omega recently hosted a Christmas party, complete with Santa Claus, for the children at The Haven (spouse abuse shelter operated by Religious Community Services) ... The Largo Woman's Club held its annual Christmas Party at the Highland Recreation Complex earlier this week. Hostesses were Rosemary LeMaire, Joyce Paquette, Edith Ford and Leona Yerges ... Congratulations and best wishes to George and Arlene Wich, who will be celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary on December 10. Belated anniversary congrats go out to Allen and Emily McMullen, Harris and Sally Brown, Rich and Renee Smith, Bruce and Kathy Roberts, Richard and Edna Snyder. All celebrated their special day within the past two weeks. It was anniversay #63 for the McMullens. The Smiths have been married 15 years ... Did you know Margie Kiehl, Mary Nystrom, Molly Sperandio, Priscilla O'Kelley, Tom Shanahan, Paul White and Steven Barber turn a year older today, December 7? ... Hope you remembered the birthdays of Nicole Nystrom and Sabrina Smith yesterday ... Bring out the cake and ice cream tomorrow for Ginger Andren, Addie Lou Gilchrist, Brett Braciak, Jerry Fulmer, Rita Young, Shawn Hiers, Jamie Sargent, Michelle Shultz, Roger Vaughn and Ryan Mathews ... Saturday brings the birthdays of Dawn Reese, Sophie Pratt, Clark Carnaby, Loretta Scott, Sarah Mattheus, Joyce Davis, Rich Sherman, Barbara Giraldi, Kathryn Busby and Cynthia Laitinen ... Be sure to wish Alberta Maltby, Jean Gibson, Hallie Muller, Holly May, Matthew Long, Diane Hosman, Doris Graham, Charles Kilgore, Madison Hatchett, Kristin Ford and Garrett Fisher all the best on their special day, Sunday ... Al MacKenzie, Barbara Weber and Amy Skicewicz have birthdays coming up on Monday ... "Happy Birthday" wishes are in order on Tuesday for Jessica Stima, Mary Lou Korporal, Shirley Lippert, Doris Hinson, John Lowe, Carmen Taitt, Robert Williamsm Rick Walker, Marion Smith, Steve Anastasia and Linda Taylor ... You still have time to get cards in the mail by Wednesday to Deborah Kynes, John Orr, Holly Brodsky, Eva Brinkman, Janet Hoppe, Chris Crowley and Leslie Hunt ... Just learned the birthdays of the following persons have recently come and gone: Erin Williams, Judy McDaniel, Kelly Verrastro, Elizabeth Morgan, Sandy Luke, Sis Doney, Martha Carland, Joe Gill and Jim Brunsgaard ... According to Lisa Cook, envelopes for mailing letters first came into general use in England in 1849 ... Best wishes to one and all for a beautiful holiday season!