Georgia Family Wins Patch's Deck the House Contest

The Felix family from Dallas, GA, received thousands of votes to win Patch's Deck the House contest and $100,000 for their local school district.

For this year's Deck the House contest winners, the second time was the charm. Joseph Felix's home in Dallas, GA outshined the other 24 finalists to win the 2012 Deck the House contest and $100,000 for the Paulding County, GA, school district. After placing second in the nationwide voting in the 2011 contest, the Felix home received nearly 11,000 votes this year to finally win Deck the House. The home, with 100,000 computer animated holiday lights choreographed to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," received about 300 more votes than a home in Coventry, R.I., which finished in second place. No entries came from Richfield. Judging by the 80 comments on the Felixes' Deck the House submission, visiting the home has become a …

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Spartans Make it to State, Fuchs Leaves & Baseball Lights: Schools Year in Review

A look back at what happened in the world of Richfield schools in 2012.

Editor's Notebook

Richfield Patch Wishes All Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy holidays, and please take a moment to remember and honor the victims of the Newtown, CT, tragedy with a beautiful rendition of Silent Night by the New York City Children's Chorus.

From all of us here at Richfield Patch, we want to wish you Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. In that spirit, I felt personally compelled to take a moment and remember the victims of the Dec. 14 Newtown, CT, tragedy who will not be with their families today. We can remember by simply taking two minutes and watching this beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" by the New York City Children's Chorus. The choir sang the song to open the Dec. 15 episode of "Saturday Night Live" to honor the victims of the shooting. It's simply beautiful. I still find it unimaginable that there are 26 new angels—including 20 tiny ones—looking down on all of us today as we celebrate the holiday with our loved ones. Merry Christmas to you and yours, - Caitlin …

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Don’t Let Stress Ruin the Holidays: Tips on How to Relax

Here are some ways to unwind and relax during the frenzied holiday rush.

The holidays can be a time of great joy and fun memories, but they also bring stress with growing to-do lists and money concerns weighing us down. During this frenzied time, don’t forget to take time for yourself, whether that is a few minutes curled up on the couch with a book or a quick massage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota lists several keys to managing stress. Follow Richfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter Here are a few ways to unwind and recharge this holiday season: Read a good book Check out your local bookstore or hit Augsburg Park Library for the newest bestsellers or tried-and-true classics. Nothing beats cozying up in front of the fireplace with a book. Schedule dinner …

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Gift Ideas for Your Furry, Feathered Family Members

With pet ownership on the rise, more than half of pet owners are buying gifts for their pets this year.

Don’t forget your pets this holiday season. According to a survey by AP-Petside.com, more than half of American pet owners will buy gifts for their pets this holiday season, spending an average of $46 on their animals. And with pet ownership at its highest level in two decades, at 72.9 million, according to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey, chances are you are searching for a gift for your furry or feathered family member. AP-Petside.com says 68 percent of pets getting gifts will receive a toy, with 45 percent getting food or another treat, 8 percent getting new bedding, 6 percent clothing, 3 percent a leash, collar or harness, and 3 percent new grooming products. Follow Richfield Patch on…

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Best of 2012

Pillsbury Commons Trips Before the Finish Line: No. 2 Story of the Year

One of the most read and talked about topics in Richfield's recent history.

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the No. 2 story of the year. *** Pillsbury Commons. While it's a project that's long over, the mere mention of it can still evoke passionate discussions, sighs and grumbles among Richfield residents. The affordable housing complex, which was in the works for more than two years, was officially laid to rest in July after months of back and forth between the city and the developer, Ron Clark Construction & Design—and the city and residents. The most outspoken residents opposed the development, citing increases in traffic, …

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Fuchs Leaves, Spartans Make State & Baseball Lights Ignite Drama: Richfield Schools Year in Revew

A look back at what happened in the world of Richfield schools in 2012.

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. As far as schools went, there was plenty that happened in the last year: For the first time in Richfield history, the girls basketball team made it to the state championship in March. In fact, they made it to the final game, which they lost in a close battle to DeLaSalle. Then in a move that surprised much of the community, head coach LeeAnn Wise resigned as head coach in September. All of our coverage: After less than a year in his first principalship, Joshua Fuchs suddenly resigned as Richfield High School's lead administrator in May. However, …

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