Local Digest

By Staff
Queen City truck stop sponsors blood drive today
The Queen City Truck Stop/Magnolia Restaurant will sponsor a blood drive today from noon to 4 p.m. The United Blood Services bloodmobile will be in the parking lot, at 5502 North Frontage Road.
UBS officials report that there is a serious blood shortage locally as the holidays approach. Donors will receive a T-Shirt and coupons from the restaurant.
For more information, call Jane Smith of UBS at 482-2482, or Ted Burton of Queen City at 482-0233.
J.C. Simmons holds 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 today from noon until 3 p.m.
MLT hosts Holiday Tour of Homes
Meridian Little Theatre volunteers will present the Holiday Tour of Homes Sunday 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.
The Lauderdale County "Dumpster Dogs" Humane Society will hold a meeting Dec. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the board room on the first floor at the Raymond P. Davis Courthouse Annex.
The public is invited to attend.
Northeast students to hold candlelight vigil
The Northeast Lauderdale High School Student Activist Team will sponsor a candlelight vigil Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The program will be held in the multi-purpose gym.
The team is a division of the MADD Mississippi Youth Advisory Council. Their purpose is to increase student awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. The public is invited to attend.
SE Lauderdale band to perform
The Southeast Lauderdale High School Band will present a Christmas concert Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., at the Southeast High School Gym.
Meridian Children's Chorus to present Christmas concert
The Meridian Children's Chorus will present Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and other Christmas favorites on Dec. 14, at 6 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The chorus will be accompanied by harpist Sally Wood of Baton Rouge.
The concert is open to the public at no charge and children are welcome.
The Meridian Children's Chorus is a non-profit choir open by audition to young people in grades 3 to 12. For more information or to schedule an audition, call 693-7910.
VFW Post No. 79 sets date for party
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 79 of Meridian will hold a Christmas dinner party 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.
Northeast Lauderdale 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.
Boat ramp passes on sale now
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Year 2001 Annual Day Use Passes for boat ramps and beaches are on sale at Okatibbee Lake in Collinsville.
The passes are $25 and a duplicate pass may be purchased for $5 extra at the time of the original purchase. A vehicle license plate number is required for each pass purchased. Annual passes are not transferable.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 626-8431.
Annual passes are also available daily at Twiltley Branch Campground from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. For information, call 626-8068.
Main Street Meridian announces holiday events
Main Street Meridian announces the following line-up of upcoming holiday events.
Today, 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.
Public riding closed at Agri-Center
The staff of the Lauderdale County Agri-Center management regretfully announces that public riding is temporarily closed, and apologizes for any inconvenience. An announcement will be made at a later date if riding is resumed. For more information, call 482-8498.
Type O negative blood needed
United Blood Service of Mississippi needs 75 donors a day to meet the daily needs of hospital patients. Blood donations have decreased over the last four months while demand from local hospitals has been heavy. As a result, no units of Type O Negative are on the shelves now.
The staff at Meridian's UBS Center understands the demands on people's time during the holiday season and will be happy to make appointments at times convenient for individual donors.
The center is located at 1115 25th Ave. For more information, call 482-2482.