News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 12/2/03   PUBLIC INVITED TO VIEW COLUMBIA THEATRE ORNAMENTS THURSDAY       HAMMOND -- Tangipahoa Parish school children have crafted approximately 200 ornaments in the shape of musical instruments to decorate the Christmas tree in the downtown Hammond lobby of Southeastern Louisiana University's Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.       The young artists, as well as other community children and adults, are invited to view the tree and enjoy refreshments from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, said Columbia director Donna Gay Anderson.       "The tree is just beautiful," Anderson said. "We are so pleased and grateful for the students' efforts. Feel free to bring your camera and take a picture in front of the tree if you wish!"       Following the theme "The Gift of Music," students created ornaments out of clay, paper, pipe cleaners and other media. Participating schools included St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Natalbany Elementary, Holy Ghost School, the Southeastern Lab School, Nesom Middle School, Independence Middle School and the Sacred Heart and Chef home-school organizations.        "We are going to make this artistic partnership with our schools a holiday tradition at the Columbia," Anderson said. Return to News Releases