Local Digest

By Staff
United Blood Services holding blood drive
Untied Blood Services is still experiencing a serious shortage of blood. There will be a blood drive Friday, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Wal-Mart on Highway 19 North. The Bloodmobile will be stationed in the parking lot.
Anyone who hasn't given blood in the past 56 days is encouraged to donate. Platelets for cancer patients are especially needed. Donors will receive a "Life-Saver" T-shirt and a pizza coupon.
Donors may also visit the UBS office, at 1115 25th Ave., from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Spring Fest set for Saturday
Oakland Heights United Methodist Church's annual Spring Fest will be held Saturday, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the church parking lot.
A rummage sale, bake sale and beverage wagon will be featured during the day event. The church is located on Highway 19 North across Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Fund-raiser set for Traci Alsup
A fund-raiser for Traci Alsup will be held Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., behind Gulf Coast Seafood, next door to Chicken Basket on Front Street Extension.
Chicken and barbecue rib plates will be sold for $5. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 for a chance to win a five-pound box of shrimp and five gift baskets. All proceeds will go to help defray medical expenses. Alsup, injured in an car accident, is recovering at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
For information, call Donna at 485-2076 or Lettie at 485-6966.
Wechsler Center hosts membership drive
Members of the Wechsler Community Arts Center Association will sponsor a membership drive Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The center is located at 3015 15th St. in Meridian.
Daughters of Elks hold fish fry
The members of R.B. Matthews Temple No. 739, Daughters of Elk, will hold their annual yard sale and fish fry Saturday at the lodge.
The yard sale will run from 7 a.m. to noon; the fish fry will begin at 10 a.m.
The public is invited to attend. The lodge is located at 1423 34th Ave. in Meridian. For information or to place orders, call 485-9390.
Collinsville to host Lively Arts Festival
Collinsville's 13th Annual Lively Arts Festival will be held Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Activities include arts and crafts, ball games, coke toss, various food and game booths and much more. Chicken plates will be available at 11 a.m. Live entertainment is also planned. All activities will be held around the old Collinsville School.
Weems to hold yard sale fund-raiser
Weems Community Mental Health Center will hold a yard sale Saturday at the Weems Community Mental Health Center, 1415 College Drive in Meridian. The event will run from 7 a.m. – noon. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Swim association plans rummage sale
The Meridian Swim Association will hold its annual rummage sale Saturday at the old location of Bonnie Jeans, next to Rite Aid in Broadmoor Shopping Center. The sale will run from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. This event is held every year to raise money to buy equipment for the summer swim season. For more information, call Teresa Lisenbe at 483-8724 or Brenda Moody at 485-7931.
St. Patrick School presents MayFest 2001
St. Patrick School will hold MayFest 2001 Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the school. There will be food, raffles, games, hay rides, a silent auction and live entertainment. The school is located at 2700 Davis St. in Meridian. For information, call 482-6044.
MSO to present final concert of season
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present the fifth and final concert of the 40th Anniversary Season Saturday at 8 p.m. The concert will be held in the Emma McCain Theatre at Meridian Community College. The concert is entitled "40th Anniversary Grand Finale." For information, call 693-2224 or e-mail mdnsymph@mississippi.net.
Super Stop Stompers to host fish fry
The Super Stop Stompers will sponsor a fish fry and bake sale Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Super Stop main office at 5625 Old Highway 80 West. Each carry-out plate will have fish, french fries, coleslaw, roll and drink for $6. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Tickets can be purchased at any Super Stop store, or call 483-8291 to order your tickets by phone.
Public invited to upcoming events
The public is invited to these upcoming events:
Mississippi Mule Festival and Pull Saturday at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. Competition begins at 9 a.m. Tickets are $3 for adults and children over 6. For information, call Grace Robb at 659-7965 or Jerry Hamrick at 727-3193.
Mississippi Minority Caucus n May 8-10 at Holiday Inn Express and Union Station. For information, call Jimmie Smith at 482-9746.
Redistricting hearings A public hearing on the state's congressional redistricting efforts is scheduled for May 19, at 5 p.m., at Meridian Community College.
The Annual Motorcycle "Run for the Wall" May 21 passing through Meridian in route to Washington, D.C., for a Memorial Day celebration. For information, call Don Stringer at (601) 957-9900 or (601) 824-9356.
Memorial Day Memorial Day Services will be held May 28 at 10 a.m. at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in downtown Meridian.
May is Older Americans Month
The Lauderdale County Council on Aging will celebrating Older Americans Month with various activities:
May 9 Seniors Walk-A-Thon at Bonita Lakes Mall, sign-in time is 7:45 a.m.
May 9 Pingpong Tournament, Senior Citizens Center, 2 p.m.
May 11 Games Day, Senior Citizens Center, 1-4 p.m.
May 15 Bowling Tournament, Dixie Bowl Lanes, reservations appreciated, 1 p.m.
May 16, Pool Tournament, Senior Citizens Center, 2 p.m.
May 18, Cake Walk, Senior Citizens Center, 2 p.m.
For information, call 485-1812. The Center is located at 3300 32nd Ave. in Meridian.
Student artwork on display
Three area schools will showcase students' artwork during the month of May at Bonita Lakes Mall. Participating schools include Kemper County High School, Newton High School and Crestwood Elementary in Meridian.
Crestwood Elementary's art will be on display May 1-11; Kemper County High will display May 7-15; and Newton High will showcase May 15-18.