About the Cover Photographer
Mark Gammill was born in the Mississippi Delta region. He majored in Graphic Design at Mississippi State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in June, 1999. After graduation, Mark moved to Douglasville, GA and began his career at a large advertising agency in Norcross, GA. He accepted a position as Head of Marketing and Design at DeNyse Signs, one of the largest sign companies in the Southeast. Mark built up his freelance design business and then launched his own company, FirmDesign, Inc. (www.firmdesign.com), in 2006. Under Mark’s leadership, the business has grown from 10 major accounts to well over 200 clients in a wide variety of industries, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.
Mark also expresses his creativity and artistic talent in many related fields. He and his wife, Kelly co-own Dance Academy West (www.danceacademywest.com), West Georgia’s premier dance school.
He is also passionate about guitar, pottery, and photography. He has been a professional photographer since 2004, and enjoys photographing Dance Academy West’s annual dance concerts, as well as families, children, and corporate headshots.
On the Cover
The Felix Family
The Felix family, Joey, Jenny, Joe, Abbie and Mary Beth all share a love for Christmas and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year, and during the month of November, they prep, plan and put up the over 70,000 lights and displays, with 184 channels of computer animation, and a whole lot of amps for their annual Christmas lights extravaganza.
The Felix’s are residents of Dallas and have lived in Paulding for the past seven years. Joey is originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania and Jenny was born and raised in Mableton. They met while teaching at the same school, and have been married for nine years. Their three children are Joe who is 8 years old and in 3rd grade and their twins Abbie and Mary Beth who are 6 years old and in Kindergarten. In addition, they have four cats and two dogs. Their cat, Bella, decided she was not going to be left out and sat right down for her cover shoot.
Joey is a 6th grade Social Studies teacher at East Paulding Middle School. He says he loves being around the children, interacting with them and trying to make a difference in young people’s lives. Jenny teaches 6, 7, and 8th grade PE at Lost Mountain Middle School. She says she enjoys seeing the “aha moment” – the moment when a student has mastered a skilled they have been working on.
Joey and Jenny have been decorating their home since 2000, although they have only been computer animated since 2006. When asked about the inspiration to put up more than a few Christmas lights, Joey says, “I have a deep love for Christmas, I always have. Some of my fondest memories as a child were pulling out the decorations, putting up the tree, and stringing the lights. I think what inspires me the most to put up more lights is the memories that I am creating for my children and everyone else that comes to view the light display.” Jenny says her inspiration is, “Seeing people’s reactions when they come to view the display. For one month a year we get a chance to make Christmas a little extra special for others.”
To take on a job of this magnitude, they begin to put up lights toward the end of October. It takes about three to four weeks to set up, and they spend an average of four to six hours daily setting up the display. Although they also spend countless hours throughout the year making new items for the display, working on new and current displays, and sequencing the songs which they use for the show. They are very grateful to the many neighbors and friends who have helped them through the years with putting up the lights.
Although Joey doesn’t have a favorite display, his favorite thing is the ability to animate the lights and have them “dance” with the music. For those who know Jenny, guessing her favorite display is easy. She is a huge fan of Elton John, so her favorite is the big talking Elton John head.
The Felix’s live in Oliver Place Subdivision off Dallas-Acworth Highway. Display hours are from 6pm-10:30pm Sunday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday 6pm-11:30pm with extended hours the week of Christmas. They accept donations for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. While driving through, tune your radio to 100.9FM and listen to the lights! You can visit their website at www.felixfamilylights.com or email them directly for directions felixfamilylight@bellsouth.net.
**SPECIAL NOTE** Please join the Felix’s for the weekend of December 17th through 19th. This special weekend is being set aside to raise money for a local family. The Shannon family lives in Seven Hills. Their four year old son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. For this weekend, all monies raised are being donated to the family to help them during the holidays. To view Nicholas’ carepage go to http://www.carepages.com/carepages/nsjourney.