A Piggly Wiggly Christmas by Robert Dalby

When the new First Lady of Second Creek, Gaylie Girl Dunbar, approaches her new husband, Mayor Hale Dunbar, with a civic project involving Christmas caroling around the historic town square, all the local church choirs quickly sign up for the big event.


But when an electrical fire devastates the square's beautiful old buildings a week before Christmas, everything is thrown into chaos. It falls to the town's indefatigable army of matrons-the Nitwitts-to find a way to revive the holiday spirit and raise money to rebuild. It will take a miracle... But it's Christmas in Second Creek, where everyday miracles are a way of life.

I read several reviews of this book which described it as charming, quirky, humerous, and heartwarming - all apt descriptions.  "Charming" describes the town and it's picturesque square. This is one of those stories that draws you in for a leisurely stay, and leaves you sad that you have to return to reality at the end.

The "quirky" part comes for the characters. I seriously want to be a Nitwitt, even though I'm not quite old enough to qualify.  These women are a red-hat group on crack, or at least too much sweet tea.  I especially love their names - Gaylie Girl, Witsie, Novie, Denver Lee - and they make me want to join them for a drink, some chit-chat and dancing.

"Heartwarming" defines the Nitwitts' lovely Christmas celebration on the square, and their determination when tragedy strikes.  This is the forth entry in the Piggly Wiggly series.  I highly recommend them all - but if you haven't read the others and you want to jump in here for the holiday elements, go ahead.  I'm betting you'll want to return to Second Creek.