Local Digest

By Staff
Frank Cochran Center presents Carousel of Cats'
The Azalea Trail Cat Fanciers and the Cat Fanciers Association will present "Carousel of Cats" a one-day cat show today at the Frank Cochran Center in Highland Park.
Pedigree cats of all types will be on display and judged by CFA standards. Judging begins at 9 a.m. and continues throughout the day.
Admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for children 6 and under and seniors over 60.
Library celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday
The Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss with a special program today "Dr. Seuss on the Loose."
Children of all ages are invited to participate in the program from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Stories will be read by volunteers from Americorps.
The library is located at 2517 Seventh St. For information, call 693-6771.
Salvation Army Thrift Store open
The Salvation Army's "Sally's Attic" Thrift Store is hosting a "Spectacular Sale" from 9 a.m-2 p.m. today. The store is in Acme Plaza on Front Street Extension.
All proceeds will go to The Salvation Army Missionaries and Mexico Orphanages. There will be a bake sale, hot dogs and cokes. Door prizes will be given away.
SWAT rally set for Sunday
Students Working Against Tobacco will rally at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Praise and Deliverance Christian Center.
The center is at 612 Archusa Ave., Highway 45 North, in Quitman. Children in grades four through six are invited to attend. Snacks will be provided.
Oakland Heights Lodge hosts business meeting
Oakland Heights Masonic Lodge No. 577 will hold its regular business meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. For additional information, call David Stokes, 485-5989.
Neshoba County Cattlemen's Association to meet
The Neshoba County Cattlemen's Association will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Neshoba County Coliseum. The deadline to preregister is noon on Thursday. A steak dinner will be served.
For more information call the Neshoba County Gin at 656-3463, the Neshoba County Co-Op at 656-3501 or the Neshoba County Extension Office at 656-4602.
Lauderdale County Humane Society to meet
The Lauderdale County Humane Society will hold its monthly meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Bonita Lakes Mall Meeting Place, located just outside of McRae's.
If you have a heart for animals and are looking for ways to get involved with the community, become a Humane Society volunteer. For more details, call Humane Society president Stephanie Lee at 679-1919; vice president Cathy Long at 483-4673 or volunteer Tommy White at 693-3433.
The group meets the first Thursday of each month.
Historic Clarke County sponsors Country Breakfast
Members of Historic Clarke County will hold a Country Ham Breakfast on Friday from 6:30 a.m.-noon at the Quitman Depot.
Tickets are $5 a plate and are available from members of the Historic Clarke County and at Traweek's Books Store.
For information, contact Bea and Dick Reynolds at 776-3843 or Helen Ann Beeman at 776-6196. Proceeds will fund a variety of proposed historic tourism attractions in Quitman.
Deadline nearing for Miss Hospitality program
Applications are being accepted through Friday for the 2002 Miss Hospitality Program. Applicants must be high school graduates; never have married or have children; and be at least age 18 but not older than 24 by July 24.
The Miss Hospitality Program will be in the form of a tea at Merrehope on March 23. The competition consists of an interview, a short speech and black dress competition.
The winner will represent Meridian and Lauderdale County throughout the year as a goodwill ambassador and travel to Hattiesburg July 21-27 for the state competition.
Applications may be obtained by calling the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or stopping by the office at 212 Constitution Ave.
Newton Hospital sponsors talent showcase
Newton Regional Hospital will sponsor a talent showcase at 2 p.m. on March 9 to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2002. The show will be in Huff Auditorium at East Central Community College in Decatur.
The entry fee is $25. Entry forms may be picked up at the hospital or obtained by calling Michael Miller at 683-0325 or 635-2509.
Newton Historical and Genealogical Society to meet
The Newton County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting at 10 a.m. on March 9. The group will meet in the Magnolia Room at East Central Community College in Decatur.
Annual dues are $12 for individuals and $18 for households. For information, contact Dr. Harold Graham at 635-4553 or e-mail hgraham@nexband.com.
Registration set for Parks and Recreation classes
Registration for spring session classes offered by the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department will be March 11, with the first classes set for March 25. For a complete list of classes, visit the Web site at www.meridianms.org or call 485-1805.
MSU to offer training course
The Mississippi State University Extension Service will conduct a private pesticide applicator training class March 12 at 6:30 p.m. The class will be in the Lauderdale County Extension auditorium, on the fifth floor of the Raymond P. Davis Annex.
The workshop is intended for agricultural producers in the livestock, forestry and commercial vegetables fields who need certification to purchase restricted use pesticides.
The program is free, but participants must be landowners or growers of agricultural products. For more information or to preregister, call the Lauderdale County Extension Service at 484-9764.
Selma Pilgrimage set for March 15-17
The Historic Selma, Ala., Pilgrimage and Antique Show will be March 15-17 and will include tours of Kenan's Mill, built in the 1850s, Parke-Soppet-Russell-Wyatt House (1859), the Bruner House (1892) and the Powell House (1906), along with Hamilton House (1896), the Dallas Academy Building (1844) and Sturdivant Hall (1853).
There will be twilight tours of Old Live Oak Cemetery, along with an antique show and sale, craft demonstrations, antique car show and an art exhibit.
Group discounts and tour guides are available. For ticket information, call Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce (800) 45-SELMA or 334-875-7241.
Ballroom dancing chapter forming in Meridian
The United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association is interested in establishing a chapter especially for "beginner" social or recreational ballroom dancers in the Meridian area.
The purpose is to create opportunities for affordable ballroom dancing in each local community and to educate the public regarding the physical, mental and social benefits of engaging in a regular program ballroom dancing.
For more information about helping form the chapter, call (800) 447-9047; e-mail USABDACENT@aol.com; or write to USABDA, P.O. Box 128, New Freedom, PA 17349.
Jackson to host Exotic Bird Fair
The 8th Semi-Annual Central Mississippi Exotic Bird Fair and Supply Sale is coming back to Jackson and features canaries, cockatiels, conures, finches, Macaws and African Greys.
The fair will be open to the public March 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and March 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Admission is $3. For more information, contact Carri at (901) 878-1307, or visit www.birdshow.com.