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 By  Staff Reports Published 
2:42 pm Thursday, December 6, 2001

Local Digest

By Staff
Dec. 6, 2001
Meridian Children's Chorus to perform tonight
The Meridian Children's Chorus, with guest harpist Sally Wood, will perform "Dancing Day" by John Rutter at 6 p.m. tonight at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Wood also will perform other Christmas favorites.
Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. For information, call Vivian Hurley at 693-7910 or Joel Johnson at 485-6964.
Harley Owners Group sponsoring a Toy Run'
The Twin States Chapter of Harley Owners Group is sponsoring a "Toy Run" on Saturday.
All participants should meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Harley Davison dealership, 410 B St. in Meridian. The ride will leave at 1 p.m. Every rider is asked to bring a new toy, for either a boy or girl, which will be donated to needy children in the Meridian area.
All motorcycles are invited, from cruisers to dirt bikes. The only requirement is that the bikes be street legal. For information call, J.B. Griffith at 681-6171
Weems sponsors depression workshop
Education seminar set for today
Church presents singing Santa
A singing Santa live puppet show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday 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'
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 at 6 p.m. Friday. 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 at 3 p.m. Saturday. "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.
Loeb's sponsors Hope for Christmas' fund-raiser
Loeb's clothing store in Meridian will sponsor "Hope for Christmas" on Saturday, a fund-raiser for Hope Village for Children. The event will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 2209 Front St. in Meridian. A percentage of that day's sales will benefit Hope Village. Drawings will be held for a lunch for two with actress Sela Ward, an autographed picture of Ward, an autographed "Once and Again" script and an autographed "Once and Again" poster.
For information, call Robert Loeb at 482-4004.
Beauty pageant to benefit Toys for Tots
A beauty pageant benefiting Toys for Tots will be held Sunday at Holiday Inn in Meridian. Children up to 18 years old can participate. There is a $10 entry fee and each participant must bring a new toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Sunday dresses only, no formal attire. For information, call (601) 932-0574.
Silverleaf Manor hosts open house
Silverleaf Manor will host a "Holiday Hospitality Open House" from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Elizabeth Bridwell at 483-4566.
Patriotic Christmas festival set for downtown
A downtown patriotic Christmas festival is set for 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 13 at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian. Patriotic and Christmas music will be presented. Crafts and gifts for the holidays will be on sale. Food and beverages will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Make-A-Wish to meet in Meridian
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi will hold its monthly Meridian Volunteer Luncheon from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 13 at Rush Medical Group, 6th floor board room.
Reservations need to be made by Dec. 12 to Lynn Conerly at (800)-819-4072.
An orientation session will be held from 11:30-11:45 a.m. for new volunteers.
4th annual Christmas luminary ceremony set
The 4th Annual Christmas luminaries at Lake Ross Collins in Collinsville is set for Dec. 15. The lighting spectacular will begin at 6 p.m. In case of rain the event will be held the next night.
Charity bridge game set for Dec. 15
The Red, White and Blue Bridge Bash charity bridge game will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 at Meridian Duplicate Bridge Club.
Proceeds will benefit the Sept. 11 Disaster Relief Funds. The club is at 2316 14th St. in Meridian. For information, call 679-8466.
The game is sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League and the ACBL Charity Foundation.
Telephone Pioneers' cookbooks on sale
Kitchen knives and Bell's Best Cookbooks from the Telephone Pioneers, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in addition to the newly arrived No. 4 cookbook will be on sale until Dec. 15. Cookbooks can be purchased from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lauderdale Habitat for Humanity office, 1001 29th Ave.; all funds benefit local charities and schools. For information, call 485-2995.
NAMI to conduct family education classes
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Mississippi will offer free education classes beginning in January for family members of people with schizophrenia, manic depression, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder.
The 12-class course offers illness information, medication review, communication/coping skills, self-care/support and services. For details or to register, call (800)-357-0388.
Wesley House offers Christmas assistance
Anyone needing help during Christmas this year because of job loss or other personal emergency may apply through today at the Wesley House. Although the deadline for Christmas applications has passed, executive director Nell Grissom has extended the deadline because of the number of plant and business closings in East Mississippi in recent months. The hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 485-4736.

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