Gov, Jim Douglas will be having an inaugural ball Jan. 5 at the Sheraton in South Burlington. Semi-formal attire. Proceeds to the Vermont Military Family Assistance Fund Inc. $40 tickets. Canned goods collected for the food bank.

I read somewhere that New York's Gov.-elect Elliot Spitzer will be having Natalie Merchant sing at his inaugural.

Clearly, we do things simpler in Vermont. The invitations say: "Music for Dancing." Haven't heard of that group.

- Terri Hallenbeck