Local Digest

By Staff
MSO to present fourth concert Saturday
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present the fourth concert of the 40th anniversary season on Saturday. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. in the Emma McCain Theater at Ivy Hall, on the campus of Meridian Community College.
A pre-concert lecture by Maestro Claire Fox Hillard and guest artist Miroslav Loncar begins at 7 p.m. at MCC's Casteel Gallery. The concert is entitled "The Splendor of Spain." Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15; $12 for seniors/military; and $8 for students. Children under 12 are free.
For more information, call 693-2224 or e-mail: mdnsymph@mississippi.net.
Battle of Bulge ceremony to be held Saturday
Camp Shelby will be the setting Saturday for the dedication of a memorial to veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering and Miss Mississippi Christy May are scheduled to be on hand for the event.
The public is invited to attend. Limited seating will be provided so please bring your own lawn chair. The event is sponsored by the Mississippi Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Veterans.
For information, call John Thrash at 483-2276.
Spaghetti plates on sale Friday
Spaghetti plates will be on sale Friday at Highland Park from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The plates are $5 and will include spaghetti, salad, a vegetable and bread. The proceeds will benefit International Miss Youth Development Scholarship Program. For more information, call Lesia Scruggs 485-5830.
MSU-Meridian closed for Spring Break
The Meridian Campus of Mississippi State University will be closed until Monday at 8 a.m. for Spring Break holidays. During this time no classes will be held and administrative offices will be closed. The building will be open and manned by security during limited hours, however, for students who wish to use the computer labs or go to the university bookstore. Bookstore hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Building hours during Spring Break are:
Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Classes will resume on Monday. Advising and pre-registration for the 2001 summer and fall semesters is March 27-April 12 by appointment. Additional information is available on the MSU-Meridian Web site at http://www.msstate.edu/meridian.
Council on Aging to hold meeting
The next meeting of the Lauderdale County Council on Aging will be held Friday at 2 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss an addition to the bylaws. May is Older Americans Month, and several events will be held during the month for Lauderdale County residents 55 years of age and older.
For more information, call 485-1812.
VFW to participate in Community Day
Members of Meridian's VFW post will participate in Community Day Saturday at Bonita Lakes Mall. Community Day runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. VFW personnel will be on hand to help register new members, and explain Buddy Poppie donations and the Smoke-eaters program.
Veterans need to bring their DD214 or discharge papers. For more information, call Marvin Weir at 626-8128.
Red Cross hosting CPR classes
March is American Red Cross month and the local Key Chapter will host a CPR class Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Meeting Place at Bonita Lakes Mall. Participants will receive certification in adult CPR and will receive a voucher for infant and child certification at a later date.
Preregistration will be accepted before March 14 for a $25 fee. Late registration is $30 and is available the day of the event from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The course is open to anyone 13 years of age or older. Registration is limited to 35 participants.
For information, call 485-5151.
Public invited to upcoming events
Check out these events, coming up in the next couple of weeks in East Central Mississippi:
Friday-Sunday Monster Truck Show at Lauderdale County Agri-Center. For information, call 482-8498.
Friday The Bible Echoes will perform at the Hamasa Temple Shrine Theater. For information, call 693-1361.
March 23-25 The Sandy Ridge Bluegrass Camp and Jam will be held at Sandy Ridge Park. For information, call 693-2996 or 482-0421.
March 24 The Miss Hospitality program will be held at Merrehope. For information, call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001.
March 31 Queen City Speedway presents the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Race. For information, call 485-0201.
March 31 Martin Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fund Raiser. Chicken plates on sale at 10 a.m. for $5 donation. Craft sale begins at 9 a.m. Antiques, gel candles, baskets, wood crafts and more. For information, call Robin at 737-5968 or Rae at 737-5333.
LIFE organization holding fund-raiser
Living Independence for Everyone has opened a satellite office in Meridian. LIFE is a non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities. Their budget is supported by donations and fund-raisers. On July 4, they will hold a raffle for a mink coat and an oak daybed. Tickets are $1. For information, call the local LIFE office at 485-7999 or visit them at 2440 North Hills St.
American Business Women to hold meeting
The Pinnacle Chapter of the American Business Women's Association will hold a meeting March 27 at Western Sizzlin' Restaurant, 1100 N. Frontage Road. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
Robbie Hales of The Liberty Shop will present a "Spring Fling." Members and guests should order their dinner as they arrive. The waitresses will serve dinner at 6 p.m. Hales has put several outfits together to give the working woman a first-hand preview of spring fashions.
Guests are welcome. For more information, call Dot Davidson at 644-3592 or 485-4942, or Pattie Robinson at 583-7518 or 581-8613.
Newton County Relay for Life' set
This year the Newton County division of the American Cancer Society will host the annual "Relay for Life" on Friday, June 1, at East Central Community College in Decatur. There will be entertainment, food and games. The next team captains' meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on April 10, at Newton Regional Hospital. For information, call Cassandra Holsen, Melissa McCumbs or Lisa Roebuck at 683-2031.
EMCC offers parenting workshop
The staff of East Mississippi Community College is offering a series of parenting workshops, at 11 a.m. each Wednesday, on the Scooba Campus.
The program, called Right from Birth, teaches parents how to provide their children with the necessary skills and foundation for future learning and success in school. The series revolves around a collection of 15-minute videotapes that include interviews with noted scientists, physicians and educators in the field of childhood development.
Right from Birth is sponsored by Mississippi Educational Television, the Department of Human Services and the EMCC Special Populations program. Mary M. Smith, counselor with the Special Populations program, is the on-site facilitator for the workshops.
For more information, call Mary Smith at (662) 476-5089.