Local Digest

By Staff
Central UM Church raising money for St. Jude
Central United Methodist Churches Children's Center will be raising funds this week for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Last year, the Children's Center raised more than $3,000 for St. Jude and hopes to exceed that this year.
On Wednesday, the children will hold a parade to celebrate the week's activities. The public is invited to come and watch the children as they "parade for a cure." The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Central UM Church, 1004 23rd Ave., and continue up to 9th Street.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to St. Jude may mail contributions to Central Children's Center, c/o St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302. Checks should be made payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Public invited to honor Southeast Elementary
Lauderdale County School District is inviting the public to attend a reception honoring Southeast Elementary School. The school is being named a New American School Model-National Demonstration Site by the Success For All Foundation. The event will be Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. at the Multi-purpose Building.
For more information call, Barbara Mayfield at 485-0836.
Today is deadline to register for LAWS classes
The Lauderdale Association of Women Shooters is taking applications for the 2001 Spring Handgun Safety Class. The class is taught by NRA certified firearms instructors and is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 17, 19 and 24. An April 21 session will be held at a private range.
Today is the deadline and the class tuition fee is $40. Each student receives individual attention from an NRA instructor at the range. Space is limited. For information, call 681-8575 or 485-5725.
Union celebrates National Library Week
Union Public Library is celebrating National Library Week this week with several events.
Works by the students of art instructor Mandy Feasel will be displayed all week. Story hour will be held Wednesday from 10-11 a.m., for children ages 3-5. A health screening by Laird Hospital staff will be conducted Thursday from 2-4 p.m. This week is also "fine-free" week. The public is invited to all these events.
Neshoba Cattlemen to meet Thursday
The Neshoba County Cattlemen's Association will meet Thursday at the Neshoba County Coliseum at 6:30 p.m.
Dow Chemicals and the Federal Land Bank will be sponsoring the meal and presenting the program. The officers and board of directors will discuss upcoming fund raising activity. Association members are asked to participate.
There is a scheduled association hamburger lunch on May 4. The cattlemen's association is raising funds to assist with the scholarship fund and other functions.
It is very important that you call in to pre-register by noon on Thursday if you plan to attend. Please call the Neshoba County Gin (656-3463), Neshoba County Co-Op (656-3501) or the Neshoba County Extension Office (656-4602).
Ride for a Cure' set for Saturday
The Alpha Phi Omega chapter at West Alabama University in Livingston, Ala., is sponsoring "Ride for a Cure" Saturday. Proceeds for this event or any funds raised for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi stay in Mississippi to be used for research and education of the 240,000 Mississippians who have this disease.
To join the bikers for "Ride for a Cure" to Bonita Lakes, contact Kyle Peterson at (205) 652-9053 or E-mail: rideforacure@hotmail.com The ride begins at 6 a.m. and will end at Bonita at noon.
Diabetes Foundation hosting Potluck Picnic'
The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi East Central Chapter is sponsoring a "Potluck Picnic" for their "Kids and Parents" Support Group.
The group will meet Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the grove at Bonita Lakes for picnic lunch. At noon the group will welcome the bikers from the University of West Alabama who are participating in the Alpha Phi Omega "Ride for a Cure."
In case of rain, plan to meet at Bonita at the same time and the group will go for pizza.
If your child has diabetes and you would like to be a part of "Kids and Parents" Support Group call, Leslie Lee Priester at the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 485-2388.
St. Patrick School holds rummage sale
St. Patrick School's Parent School Association will host an annual rummage sale Saturday, from 7 a.m. to noon, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Highway 19 North. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the school. For more information, call 482-6044.
March of Dimes to sponsor fish fry
A fish fry and car wash sponsored by the March of Dimes, "Kandice's Team," will be held Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Catfish plates prepared by cooks at the Back 40 restaurant will be sold for $6. For more information, call 693-5431.
Public invited to upcoming events
Check out these events, coming up in the next couple of weeks in East Central Mississippi:
Today and Wednesday Meridian Community College Faculty Association Book Sale from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the campus' Casteel Gallery. For information call, Dr. Angie Carraway, 1-800-MCC-THE-1.
Saturday and Sunday Annual Arts in the Park Festival held at Highland Park, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call, 485-1944 or 485-1122.
April 20-21 Ralph Morgan Rodeo held at Ralph Morgan Arena. Tickets: $9 adults, $6 children, 6:30 p.m. For information call, 679-8861.
April 21 The Central Mississippi Spring Review Pageant will be held at 4 p.m. at East Central Community College's Huff Auditorium. The entry fee is $35, photo fee is $10. Contestants should wear Sunday dresses. Registration deadline is April 16. For information, call 683-7985.
April 26 Main Event Business and Industry Expo held at Lauderdale County Agri-Center. For information call, 482-8498.
The staff of the Lauderdale County Agri-Center announces these upcoming events: 1) April 7 Longhorn Cattle Show; and 2) April 22-23 Hendrix Family Circus. For more information, call 482-8498.