Local Digest

By Staff
Gospel singing to benefit King's Academy
A gospel singing is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Way. The event will feature Carl Fitzgerald, "The Last Call" Gospel Trio, the Crystal River Quartet and a few solo guests will perform. The public in invited to the concert, and all donations will be given to King's Academy. For more information, call 693-2816.
Class of 1981 to hold class meeting
Meridian High School class of 1981 will hold a class meeting Sunday at 5 p.m. at the residence of Charles Moore, 619 65th Avenue. All class members are asked to be present and on time for business of importance.
For more information, call Charles Moore at 601-693-5218 or Mattie Gordon at 601-483-4089.
MCC announces upcoming events
Look for these events sponsored by Meridian Community College in the month of January:
Friday The play, "Pedestrian Crossing," will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Ivy Theater. For more information, call Elliott Street at 484-8640.
Sunday Casteel Gallery opening from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The mixed media works of Charles Crossley will be on exhibit.
Saturday, Jan. 27, Boy Scout Merit Badge University from 8 a.m.-noon. Boy Scouts will work on earning different badges from archery to woodworking with MCC faculty and staff members serving as instructors. Classes will be held on different sites on the MCC campus. For more information, call Shirley Nell Goodman at 484-8781.
Mississippi Academy of Sciences annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences will meet Feb. 8-9 at the Ramada Inn and Convention Center in Tupelo. Presentations by established scientists, science educators and students will offer an opportunity for people in all sciences, science education, private industry and government to discuss and exchange ideas.
For more information, call the Mississippi Academy of Sciences at 601-977-0627.
Red Cross announces need for O+ and O-
The Red Cross is asking people to donate blood at the United Blood Services at 1115 25th Ave. Because of the increased usage of blood by the hospitals and the decrease in donations, there is a critical need for blood. All types are needed, especially O+ and O-.
For more information, call 482-2482.
Disaster center announces new location
Two centers opened by the American Red Cross Service have been consolidated and relocated to the American Red Cross Key Chapter Office, 1711 24th Ave. in Meridian. The center will be open from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money. Anyone who received damage during the Dec. 16 tornado should contact the service center as soon as possible at 482-1827.
Timber tax fundamentals class
Mississippi State University Extension is holding a forestry short course on Timber Tax Fundamentals. The course will be taught on interactive video at Neshoba Central High School.
The course will be held on Jan. 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. For more information, call 656-4602.
Girl Scouts taking cookie orders
It's that time of year again. Be on the lookout for your favorite Girl Scout cookies or try the new flavor, the Aloha Chip. Girl Scouts will be taking orders through Jan. 23; cookies will be delivered Feb. 17-March 4.
Girl Scout cookies can be purchased through your local Girl Scout troop, or by calling the Meridian Girl Scout office at 693-2903.
Mississippi Bluebirds to hold meeting
The Mississippi Bluebirds, an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society, will hold its annual meeting Jan. 20 at the Ranger Station at Grenada Lake. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m.
The featured speaker will be Vic Duvic of Jackson. All interested birders are welcomed to attend. For more information, call Tena Taylor at (662) 628-1625 or e-mail tenataylor@tycom.net.
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.
County offers help with limb removal
Residents who need help removing limbs and other debris caused by a Dec. 16 tornado can ask for clean-up help from county workers. The help is made possible because a state of emergency was declared in Lauderdale County, and includes areas not in the county right-of-way.
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.
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.
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.