‘History Rocks!’: Sonny Perdue celebrates America’s 250th at Allatoona High | Sheriff’s annual Santa On Wheels donates thousands of toys | 100+ wreaths placed at veteran tombstones at Kennesaw cemetery

 MDJ Script/ Top Stories for December 17th 

Publish Date:  December 17th 

 

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From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

  

Today is Wednesday, December 17th and Happy Birthday to Eugene Levy 

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. ‘History Rocks!’: Sonny Perdue celebrates America’s 250th at Allatoona High
2. Sheriff’s annual Santa On Wheels donates thousands of toys
3. 100+ wreaths placed at veteran tombstones at Kennesaw cemetery

 

Plus, Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

 

BREAK: INGLES 7 

STORY 1: ‘History Rocks!’: Sonny Perdue celebrates America’s 250th at Allatoona High 

  Allatoona High kicked off the buzz for America’s 250th birthday this week with a visit from the U.S. Department of Education’s “History Rocks! Trail to Independence” tour. And yes, former Gov. Sonny Perdue was there, rallying students to think big about the next 250 years. 

“America doesn’t stay great by accident,” Perdue told the crowd. “It takes work—your work. Education is what keeps democracy alive.” 

The event wasn’t just speeches. Students played history-themed games like “E Pluribus Unum” and a patriotic spin on “Family Feud.” 

Cobb Superintendent Chris Ragsdale called it “tremendous,” reminiscing about celebrating the bicentennial as a kid in 1976. Full circle, indeed. 

STORY 2: Sheriff’s annual Santa On Wheels donates thousands of toys 

Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens and his team brought some serious holiday magic to Mableton schools on Saturday with their fourth annual Santa On Wheels toy drive. 

Over 1,600 toys were handed out at Lindley and Floyd middle schools, turning the day into a Christmas wonderland for families in need. “Seeing those kids’ smiles—it’s everything,” Owens said. “Times are tough, but this? This is why we do it.” 

Owens, dressed as Santa (with Mrs. Claus by his side), posed for photos and handed out gifts, while Christmas music played and kids lined up for presents—and even a chance to win a bike. 

STORY 3: 100+ wreaths placed at veteran tombstones at Kennesaw cemetery 

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, Kennesaw City Cemetery became a quiet, reverent place of remembrance. Volunteers—city officials, Scouts, families—gathered to lay wreaths on the graves of 139 veterans as part of the Wreaths Across America campaign. 

Each headstone, marked with an American flag, received a wreath. Volunteers paused, saluted, and reflected. “This is Christmas,” said Mayor Derek Easterling, a Navy veteran. “We honor them because they gave everything for our freedom.&rdqu