Local Digest

By Staff
Red Cross Center for tornado victims announce new location
The American Red Cross Service Centers opened to assist the victims of the recent tornado in Lauderdale county have been consolidated and relocated to the American Red Cross Key Chapter Office, 1711 24th Ave., Meridian. The center will be open from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Anyone who received damage during this storm should contact the service center as soon as possible at 482-1827.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.
Bonita Lakes Saddle Club to meet
The Bonita Lakes Saddle Club will meet tonight at Ole Farm Beef House (2115 Highway 39 North). The group plans to eat at 6 p.m. with a meeting to begin at 7 p.m. All members and prospective new members are invited to attend.
For more information, call 485-3079.
Transplant Support Group to meet
If you have had an organ transplant, if you or a family member are in need of an organ transplant, or if you want to learn more about organ transplantation and donation, the Meridian Transplant/Donor Support Group will meet Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center auditorium.
The meeting will begin at 3 p.m.
For more information, call James Laird, volunteer coordinator for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency at (800) 690-8878 or Robert Everette at 483-3800.
Meridian Youth Soccer holding registration
The Meridian Youth Soccer Organization is holding registration for its spring season, open to all children who were at least 4 years old on July 1, 2000.
Registration continues until Jan. 31. Applications may be picked up at Mr. Rodgers Donuts or Judge Little Sporting Goods.
For more information, call Sonja Rowell at 737-8068.
MHS Class of '86 plans reunion
The Meridian High School Class of 1986 is preparing for its 15th reunion. A meeting will be held on Jan. 13 at D.T. Grinders, 1600 24th Ave. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
It is important that all committee members attend this meeting. For more information, call Wanda Hudson Bouldin at 482-3344 or Kenneth Rue at 693-2354.
County offers help with limb removal
Residents who need help removing limbs and other debris caused by a Dec. 16 tornado should ask for help from county workers. This includes areas not in the county right-of-way.
The help is made possible because a state of emergency was declared in Lauderdale County.
For information, call the Lauderdale County Central Garage, 482-9797.
Junior Auxiliary sets date for charity ball
The Meridian Junior Auxiliary's annual charity ball will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Frank Cochran Center. Reservation Day will be Friday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church.
Tickets may be purchased from any Junior Auxiliary member. For more information, call 485-5170.
Mississippi Bluebirds to meet
Mississippi Bluebirds, an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society, will hold its annual meeting Jan. 20, at the Ranger station at Grenada Lake at 2 p.m. Featured speaker will be Vic Duvic of Jackson. All interested birders are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Tena Taylor, (662) 628-1625, E-mail: tenataylor@tycom.net
Jimmie Rodgers Museum temporarily closed
The Jimmie Rodgers Museum at Highland Park will be closed to visitors until March 15. However, group tours may be arranged by calling the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or (888) 868-7720.
MSO to present third concert
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present the third concert of the 40th anniversary season on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Meridian Community College's Ivy Hall Theatre. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
The concert, "American Influences," will feature guest artist Christopher Rex. A preconcert lecture led by Maestro Claire Fox Hillard begins at 7 p.m. in the Casteel Gallery in the MCC library.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15, $12 for seniors/military and $8 for students. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Fund established for Katrina Hodges
A fund has been established at BankPlus for Katrina Hodges who was seriously injured Dec. 16 when her home on Willow Lake Road was struck by a tornado.
Hodges is receiving treatment at the University Medical Center in Jackson and her injuries will require a number of surgeries. Co-workers at New South Ford have established the fund to help pay her medical expenses.
Learn to play bridge
The Mississippi Bridge Association and American Contract Bridge League will host duplicate bridge lessons after the Christmas holidays. Dr. Habib Bazyari will be the instructor. The classes will be held Thursdays from Jan. 11-Feb. 22, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., in the Meridian Room at Meridian Community College. To register, call 482-7445 by Jan. 10.
Boat ramp passes on sale now
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Year 2001 Annual Day Use Passes for boat ramps and beaches are on sale at Okatibbee Lake in Collinsville.
The passes are $25 and a duplicate pass may be purchased for $5 extra at the time of the original purchase. A vehicle license plate number is required for each pass purchased. Annual passes are not transferable.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 626-8431.
Annual passes are also available daily at Twiltley Branch Campground from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. For information, call 626-8068.