Local Digest

By Staff
Nov. 20, 2001
Meridian's Christmas tree lighting set for Nov. 29
The city of Meridian's official Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at City Hall on Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. The Barber Shop Chorus will perform.
The 2001 Holiday Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with bands, floats, the Budweiser Clydesdales from St. Louis, Mo., the Coca-Cola Truck and, of course, Santa Claus.
Volunteers from Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church will be serving free hot chocolate at three downtown locations City Hall, the Doughboy Monument and Dumont Plaza.
Blood drive set for Wednesday
It's football tailgate party time Wednesday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the United Blood Services in Meridian. Donors will be treated to chili and cokes and will receive a football T-shirt. The UBS office is located at 1115 25th Ave. For more information, call 482-2482.
Wednesday is deadline for Hospitality Award
The deadline to submit nominations for the 4th Annual Jewell Allison Hospitality Award is Wednesday. Nominees must be full-time employees at a local hotel or motel who have worked in the hospitality industry for at least five years. For information, call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001.
Crimes Against the Elderly' seminar to be held Nov. 27
The Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging and the Metropolitan Crime Commission will present a one-day training program Nov. 27 for law enforcement officers, criminal justice personnel and TRIAD representatives.
The program, focusing on crimes against the elderly, will be held from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at East Central Community College in Decatur.
There is no charge. Agencies wishing to send representatives should contact the council at (601) 987-3083 or the Metropolitan Crime Commission at (601) 968-9999.
Medicare seminar set for Nov. 28
The program is sponsored by Rush Senior Health Center and Rush Foundation Hospital. The center is at 5009 Highway 493. Seating is limited; pre-register by calling 484-6180.
Enterprise VFD holds fund-raiser
The Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service will sell spaghetti plates Dec. 1, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., at the Enterprise fire station. Plates are $4. Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for the fire department.
MLT invites children to have Breakfast with Santa'
The Meridian Little Theatre will present "Breakfast With Santa" on Dec. 1, from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. The cost is $5 per child and includes breakfast and a picture with the jolly old elf. For reservations and information, call 482-6371 or 659-9956.
Kemper County hosts parade
The Kemper County Chamber of Commerce will host this year's Christmas parade "God Bless America" on Dec. 3. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. in downtown DeKalb. Floats will compete in three categories: civic, commercial and non-commercial.
Applications are due by Nov. 30. For information, call Juanice Evans at (601) 743-2754 or 485-6487.
Church presents singing Santa
A singing Santa live puppet show will take place Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., at First Assembly of God. Tickets are $3 and all proceeds benefit Hope Village for Children. The event is sponsored by WPRN FM-107.7, First Assembly of God and Will Print.
The church is at 1929 Highway 19 North. For information, call Sylvia Thornhill at 679-5700.
Clarke County hosts Creative Christmas'
On the same day, a Beef Promotion Day will take place. Steak plates will be sold for $6.50 each.
Creative Christmas in Clarke County and Beef Promotion Day are sponsored by the Clarke County Homemaker Volunteers and Mississippi State University Extension Service of Clarke County. For information, call 776-3951.
Decatur to hold Christmas parade
The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Christmas parade Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, civic organizations and others are invited to participate.
For more information, call Mark Buntyn at 635-2292.
Hickory hosts Christmas parade
Hickory Christmas Parade 2001, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. "An American Christmas" is this year's theme. Hickory native James Mitchell will be the parade's grand marshal. For more information about entries, call 646-5439 or 646-9496.
AARP Tax Aide seeks volunteers
The AARP Tax Aide service is seeking volunteers to help senior citizens file tax returns. Volunteers will be required to complete training to do taxes the second week of January at Trustmark Bank.
Trainees will help file tax forms beginning in February, meeting with senior citizens from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Library and Fridays at Trustmark Bank on Highway 19. To volunteer, please call 679-1564.