Local Digest

By Staff
Test your child's hearing today
May is "Better Hearing and Speech Month" and the Meridian Speech and Hearing Center will offer free hearing screenings for children 5 or older today from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. The center is located at 2203 Highway 39 North, Suite A. For information, call 483-8121.
Thursday is Arthritis Action Day
Arthritis Action Day will be held Thursday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at Frank Cochran Center in Highland Park. Speakers will present information on "Reducing your Risk for Osteoarthritis" and "Prevention and Control of Osteoporosis." Bone density screenings and arthritis risk assessments will be offered. For information, call the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 844-8400.
Chamber Music finale Thursday
Carey Smith &Friends will be featured Thursday in the season finale of the St. Paul Chamber Music Series. The afternoon concert will be held at 12:05 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Admission is free. The church is located at 1116 23rd Ave.
Softball tourney benefits Relay
The Newton County Relay for Life Men's Softball Tournament will be held Saturday at Decatur Youth Ballfield. There will be a $250 non-refundable entrance fee for each team, and prizes will awarded. The entry deadline is Friday. For information, call Gayle Duett or Lisa Stephens at 635-2321.
MCCSA presents community awards
Multi-County Community Service Agency will present its annual "Community Action Day" awards May 24 at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus. The banquet and ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Janice Broome Brooks, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend. For ticket information, call 483-4838 or (800) 898-0659.
Hamasa Shriners to hold dance
The Parade Marshal Unit of Hamasa Shrine Temple will sponsor a dance May 26 honoring the memory of the late Raymond Davis, who was a parade marshal for many years.
The dance will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available from any member of the Parade Marshal Unit, the Hamasa Temple Recorders office or Peavey's Melody Music. For information, call 483-3274.
Fish fry benefits Relay for Life
Trustmark National Bank will hold a fish fry May 31 to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Plates are $6 and include fried fish, french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, dessert and a drink.
Volunteers will serve lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The bank is located at 700 23rd Ave. To order in advance, call Neil Henry at 693-9750 or Robin Shelton at 693-9733.
Hickory Day set for June 9
Hickory Day will be held June 9 in Hickory's downtown park. Events include shopping booths, antique cars, entertainment, games and a children's corner. The event is sponsored by the Greater Hickory Chamber of Commerce. For information, call 646-9496 or 646-2211.
Public invited to attend
The public is invited to these upcoming events:
Redistricting hearings A public hearing on the state's congressional redistricting efforts is scheduled for Saturday, at 5 p.m., at Meridian Community College.
The Annual Motorcycle "Run for the Wall" May 21 passing through Meridian in route to Washington, D.C., for a Memorial Day celebration. For information, call Don Stringer at (601) 957-9900 or (601) 824-9356.
Memorial Day  Memorial Day Services will be held May 28 at 10 a.m. at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in downtown Meridian.
May is Older Americans Month
The Lauderdale County Council on Aging will celebrating Older Americans Month with various activities:
Wednesday Pool Tournament, Senior Citizens Center, 2 p.m.
Friday Cake Walk, Senior Citizens Center, 2 p.m.
For information, call 485-1812. The center is located at 3300 32nd Ave. in Meridian.
Student artwork on display at mall
Three area schools are showcasing students' artwork during the month of May at Bonita Lakes Mall. Participating schools include Kemper County High School, Newton High School and Crestwood Elementary in Meridian. Crestwood Elementary's art will be on display through Friday. Kemper County High students will be featured through May 15. Newton High School artwork will be showcased May 15-18.
Girl Scout camp opens June 10
Gulf Pines Girl Scouts will sponsor a summer resident camp at Camp Merridale on Causeyville Road from June 10-July 13. Girls will attend camp for one-week sessions. Activities will include horseback riding, pottery, ceramics, arts and crafts, swimming and canoeing. To find out more, call 693-2903 or visit the Girl Scout office at 307 24th Ave. South in Meridian.
Volunteers needed for State Games
State Games of Mississippi needs volunteers to help at the 2001 Games, scheduled for June 15-17 and June 21-24 in Meridian. For volunteer applications and schedules, call State Games of Mississippi at (800) 482-0205 or e-mail stgamiss@aol.com.
Children's Chorus holding auditions
The Meridian Children's Chorus is holding auditions for the 2001-02 season. The chorus is open by audition to young people in grades three-12 from Meridian and the surrounding areas. Next year the chorus will travel to Canterbury and London, England. For more information or to schedule an audition, call 693-7910.
Poems sought from area bards
The Friendly Poets Society is offering a $1,000 grand prize in its Poetry Competition 2001. The competition is open to anyone and there is no entry fee. A total of 28 prizes valued at more than $3,000 will be awarded.
The contest seeks poems on any subject, using any style, with a life-affirming inspirational theme. The deadline for entering is June 15.
To enter, send one poem of 20 lines or less to: Lavender Augulis, Poetry Contest, 12244 Park View Lane, Fishers, IN 46038, or enter online at www.friendlypoets.com.