Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will be holding its 9th Annual Beautillion Awards Program at Rochelle Middle School Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Each year the fraternity sponsors the program to encourage young men to embrace the necessary skills that will enhance their future potential to become productive and extraordinary citizens of their respective communities and professions. Pictured from left to right are Beautillion Belles; Cinthia Ogbaugo, Erykah Cooke, Keisha Best, Jasmine Battle, and LaRachel Sutton. In the back row are 2013 Beaus; Martavus Grady, Quan Taylor, Rodney Aytch, 2012 King, Marquise Dixon and Terek Southerland. Tickets are available at the door and from any Beautillion candidate. Donation is $10.
Home solutions: Make room for guests during the holidays
Make the guest room, bathroom, and powder room guest-ready by giving the rooms a thorough cleaning to remove old papers and magazines, clutter, dust, grime, mold, and mildew. Once that is done, here are some other things you can do to insure that your guests are cozy and comfortable.
In the bedroom:
Spend the night in your own guest room. It’s the best way to find out if it is comfortable and equipped with what a guest will need. Essentials include a good reading lamp, a box of tissues, an alarm clock, a nightlight, a mirror, and a sound machine. A small fan can double as a sound machine and air circulator.
Be sure all bed linens are clean and in good condition. Replace anything that is worn, including pillows and mattress covers.
Clean out the closet and add empty hangers so guests have a place to hang their clothes. An over-the-door hook makes it easy to hang a few items quickly.
Some guests like to unpack completely, while others prefer to live out of their suitcases. Prepare for both options by providing an empty drawer and a flat surface for the suitcase.
Leave an extra blanket out so guests don’t have to go searching if they get chilly in the middle of the night.
A vase with fresh flowers is a very nice touch to welcome guests.
A small bowl of fruit will give your guests some food to munch on.
In the bath and powder room:
Paper towels and disposable hand towels cut down on laundry and are more sanitary than having everyone use a common towel. Decorative towels in the powder room add a special touch for the holidays.
If your extra bath towels and washcloths have been stashed in the back of the linen closet, revive them by laundering.
Stock a small basket with travel-size toiletries your guests may need, such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and new toothbrushes.
Replace used soap with new bars. Restock liquid soap dispensers.
Leave extra rolls of toilet paper out in plain sight – or be sure your guests know where you store them. Your guests will thank you for these extra touches of your hospitality.
Trudy W. Pickett is extension family and consumer agent at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Center, 1791 N.C. 11/55. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or trudy_pickett@ncsu.edu.