By Staff
July 29, 2001
You might not know it, but August is going to be a busy month.
Kristi Mueller, who helps me keep "Connections" between the ditches, did a little research on the Internet to see what was happening this month, and boy did we learn some things.
Did you know that it is Foot Month, National Catfish Month, National Golf Month, National Parks Month and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month?
The first week of August is International Clown Week and World Breastfeeding Week. The second week of the month is Elvis Week and National Smile Week. The fourth week is Be Kind to Humankind Week.
There are several special days. Those special days are Coast Guard Day, Aug. 4; Atomic Bomb Day and Sister's Day, Aug. 5; Family Day, Aug. 12; International Left-Handers' Day, Aug. 13; Elvis' death, Aug. 16; National Aviation Day, Aug. 19; National Homeless Animals Day, Aug. 20, and Women's Equality Day, Aug. 26.
Got anymore ideas for a special day, week, or month? Looks like anything is possible.
Lifetime living
I've always heard about the Lifetime Quest and the Arts and Letters Series at Meridian Community College, but never really knew much about it until I visited with Michele Thames Wednesday.
Thames, who used to work in the city of Meridian's Mainstreet Program, is the coordinator of Lifetime Quest Center, and the Arts and Letters Series falls under her as well.
Senior adults in this area should really look into Lifetime Quest. There are many benefits such as use of the MCC library and various discounts.
Lifetime Quest members can "audit" classes at Meridian Community College. That means they can attend classes and participate with the students, but they don't get college credit and don't have to take any of the tests.
But the center also offers daytime, overnight and tours to foreign countries, as well. For example, one trip slated for later this year is to visit Italy. They have a couple of overnight trips planned to Nashville and Memphis, as well.
The travel rates basically cover the cost of the trip. It sounds like a lot of fun. For more information, call 484-8696.
Meanwhile, Thames tells me the Arts and Letters Series has a busy schedule of events lined up. Three noted Southern authors are coming in to talk about their books and other things, including Kathryn Tucker Windham, the author of "13 Mississippi Ghost Stories".
New Stage Theater will be coming in for a production of "The Red Rose" on Nov. 1. This play is the classic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Elliott Street will also be putting on one of his plays as well. Also, there is a "Great Books Reading and Discussion Group" that meets each month.
Cleaning out the notebook
A quick followup on last week's Connections story about the Hope for Children.
They have many needs as they get ready to open in October, and are looking for help from volunteers. As of Wednesday, the office had received more than 20 calls, and a couple of people have come by. If you would be interested in volunteering to help them with 553-8660.
The tryouts for the Meridian Little Theatre's upcoming production of "Annie" are set for Aug. 5-7, starting at 7 p.m. each night.
Tryouts for the role of Annie and the orphans will be Aug. 5, while the other roles are set for Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.