Local digest

By Staff
Dec. 2, 2000
MCC holiday concert scheduled for Sunday
Residents can usher in the holidays with Meridian Community College's Ho-Ho-Ho-liday Concert Sunday at 3 p.m. in Ivy Hall Theater.
Bells will be jingling and snow will be falling when the MCC Chorus, the MCC Singers and the MCC Brass Choir roll out a lavish concert. This family program will feature a gift-bearing Santa, elves and a sleigh.
Northeast students announce memory tree'
Northeast Lauderdale Middle School students have established the first annual Christmas Memory Tree, dedicated in memory of family and friends who are no longer with us. For a donation of $10, which will help support the Student Activity Fund, a personalized Christmas ball and a light will be placed on the tree and a card will be placed beside the tree.
For information, call Amy Garrett or Bill Russell at 483-3532 or Betsy Garrett at 679-8523.
Southeast Lauderdale band to present concert
The Southeast Lauderdale High School Band will present a Christmas concert today at noon at Bonita Lakes Mall, in front of J.C. Penney. The band will also perform Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., at the Southeast High School Gym.
Hospice Care Foundation to host fund-raiser
A "Christmas Corner" fund-raiser sponsored by Hospice Care Foundation will be held today at the VFW Post #1493, Highway 16 East in Philadelphia. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.
Items featured include country crafts and quilting, antiques, home interiors and a bake sale. Admission is free with the purchase of a plate lunch or a $1 donation at the door.
Proceeds will furnish medicines and supplies for patients unable to afford them at Hospice Care Foundation.
FCA to meet at Blackwater Baptist Church
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will meet Sunday at 11 a.m. at Blackwater Baptist Church. The church is located on Highway 39 North in Kemper County.
The public is invited to attend the service and share refreshments afterwards. This event is being co-sponsored by the FCA chapters at Northeast Lauderdale High School and Kemper Academy. The guest speaker will be former Mississippi State football player Brian Hazelwood.
Main Street Meridian announces holiday events
Main Street Meridian announces the following line-up of upcoming holiday events.
Dec. 7, art exhibit opening night, Bonnie Busbee Art Frame &Gallery, 5 p.m.
Dec. 7, Meridian's tree-lighting ceremony, 5:30 p.m.; Christmas parade, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, Christmas fair with crafts, entertainment, food and beverages, Dumont Plaza downtown, 5 to 9 p.m. Free admission.
Dec. 8, Meridian Museum of Art art auction, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9, The "Nutcracker" by the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet Guild, 7 p.m., Temple Theatre
Dec. 14, St. Paul's Chamber Music Series "Brown Bag" concert, 12:05 p.m.
Dec. 14, "Men of Style: A Main Street Downtown Holiday Fantasy Men's Fashion Extravaganza," with entertainment, food and beverages showcasing downtown men's clothiers, 7 p.m., Temple Theatre ballroom. Admission is $5. Proceeds go to charity.
Dec. 22-23, Free movies for the kids, Temple Theatre, noon.
For more information, call the Main Street office at 484-6841.
Welcome center hosts open house
The Lauderdale County Welcome Center will host "The Season of Lights" at a Christmas open house Friday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is located on Interstate 20 West/Interstate 59 South in Toomsuba. The public is invited to attend.
J.C. Simmons to hold book-signing
J.C. Simmons, a native of Union, will sign copies of his two recent mystery-thriller novels, "Blood on the Vine" and "Blind Overlook," at Books-A-Million on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
MLT hosts Holiday Tour of Homes
Meridian Little Theatre volunteers will present the Holiday Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour. Homeowners featured this year include Danny and Linda Hill, Mark and Leslie Phillips, Ed and Rhonda Poole and Frank and Ricki Tucker.
Tickets are available at the following locations: Rhonda's Connection, Saxon's, Hart Hall, Point Rexall, Reflections and Great Southern National Bank's North Hills location.
For more information, call Mary Anne Catlett at 482-0325 and Kaye Dickson at 483-6406.
VFW Post No. 79 sets Dec. 15 date for Christmas party
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. No. 79 of Meridian will hold a Christmas dinner party Friday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. All members are invited to bring a dish and enjoy the fellowship; fried fish will be provided. Members are reminded that it's time to pay dues for 2001.
The VFW Post is located on Old Highway 80 West. For information, call Marvin Weir at 626-8128, Leroy Morse at 693-4422 or the VFW at 485-4042.
Agri-Center announces new riding hours
Until April 1, 2001, the Agri-Center will operate on a winter schedule. Hours for riding will be Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Open individual pleasure riding will be allowed (depending on arena availability) during those hours except for Thursdays which will be reserved for speed event practice.
There will be no charge unless arena lighting is required and then a $5 fee per horse will be charged. Anyone wishing to ride during the week, other than during the times above, must call 48 hours in advance to schedule the arena. These additional schedule times are not applicable on weekends or holidays.
The Agri-Center staff asks that you call before you come to ride. For more information, call 482-8498.
Christmas parade line-up changes location
The Kemper County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Christmas parade Monday, Dec. 4, in downtown DeKalb. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. There has been a change in the parade line-up. The new location is on Scooba Street and Philadelphia Road beginning at the Farm Bureau. Please enter by Philadelphia Road. There will be people there to direct you to the proper place. You must be in line by 5 p.m. to be judged.