Vicksburg resident selected to help decorate White House for Christmas

Published 2:17 pm Monday, November 11, 2019

Mary Hallberg has signed on for a big job.

She has been invited to Washington D.C. to help decorate the White House for Christmas.

Hallberg was notified on Nov. 4 that she had been selected, and from Nov. 25 through 27 she will be one of the more than 100 volunteers assisting in adorning the “People’s House” for the holidays.

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“I was so excited and shocked,” Hallberg said, after finding out she was selected.

Hallberg had known about the White House Christmas decorating program for years, she said, and had even watched an HGTV special on it, but had just never taken the time to submit an application.

But this summer, she decided to follow through by submitting a request and filling out a questionnaire that was available online.

Hallberg, who is not a professional decorator or floral designer, which is not required for the program, she said, is just very patriotic.

“My dad is a veteran, my two brothers are veterans, I have one nephew who is in Afghanistan now and have another who served in Afghanistan last year, so this is a really big deal for me personally,” she said.

While it is an honor to be chosen, Hallberg said, volunteers are responsible for their own expenses.

However, breakfasts and lunches are provided for the volunteers during the 3-day stint as well as some transportation. Hallberg said her husband, Walter, will be traveling with her.

The Vicksburg resident is not sure exactly what room or area of the White House she will be asked to help with.

“We won’t get assignments until we get there, but I did learn by watching last year’s HGTV special they put you in groups named by reindeer. At least that’s what they did last year,” Hallberg said.

In addition to serving as a volunteer decorator, Hallberg said, she was looking forward to being in the White House.

“I have been there before, but it’s been a long time,” she said. “This will be a very big privilege for me to be there and it is an honor that I was selected to do this. I’m appreciative for the opportunity.”

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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