Local Digest

By Staff
Nov. 27, 2001
All blood type donors needed
The United Blood Services of Mississippi is in critical need of all blood types.
During the holidays, with highway accidents and emergency surgeries, someone needs blood every three seconds. That's on top of the need created by other medical procedures.
Local officials encourage you to stop by the Meridian center located at 1115 25th Ave. to donate.
Medicare seminar held Wednesday
The program is sponsored by Rush Senior Health Center and Rush Foundation Hospital. The center is at 5009 Highway 493. Seating is limited; pre-register by calling 484-6180.
City tree lighting ceremony Thursday
The city of Meridian's official Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at City Hall on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The Barber Shop Chorus will perform.
The 2001 Holiday Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with bands, floats, the Budweiser Clydesdales from St. Louis, Mo., the Coca-Cola Truck and Santa Claus.
Volunteers from Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church will be serving free hot chocolate at three downtown locations City Hall, the Doughboy Monument and Dumont Plaza.
Enterprise VFD holds fund-raiser
The Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service will sell spaghetti plates Saturday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., at the Enterprise fire station. Plates are $4. Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for the fire department.
MLT invites children to have Breakfast with Santa'
The Meridian Little Theatre will present "Breakfast With Santa" Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. The cost is $5 per child and includes breakfast and a picture with Santa. For reservations or information, call 482-6371 or 659-9956.
Kemper County hosts parade
The Kemper County Chamber of Commerce will host this year's Christmas parade "God Bless America" on Monday. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. in downtown DeKalb. Floats will compete in three categories: civic, commercial and non-commercial.
Applications are due by Friday. For information, call Juanice Evans at (601) 743-2754 or 485-6487.
Church presents singing Santa
A singing Santa live puppet show will take place Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., at First Assembly of God. Tickets are $3 and all proceeds benefit Hope Village for Children. The event is sponsored by WPRN FM-107.7, First Assembly of God and Will Print.
The church is at 1929 Highway 19 North. For information, call Sylvia Thornhill at 679-5700.
Clarke County hosts Creative Christmas'
On the same day, a Beef Promotion Day will take place. Steak plates will be sold for $6.50 each.
Creative Christmas in Clarke County and Beef Promotion Day are sponsored by the Clarke County Homemaker Volunteers and Mississippi State University Extension Service of Clarke County. For information, call 776-3951.
Decatur to hold Christmas parade
The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Christmas parade Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, civic organizations and others are invited to participate.
For more information, call Mark Buntyn at 635-2292.
Hickory hosts Christmas parade
Hickory Christmas Parade 2001, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. "An American Christmas" is this year's theme. Hickory native James Mitchell will be the parade's grand marshal. For more information about entries, call 646-5439 or 646-9496.
Loeb's sponsoring Hope for Christmas' fund-raiser
Loeb's clothing store in Meridian will sponsor "Hope for Christmas" a fund-raiser for Hope Village for Children.
The event will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 8. A percentage of that day's sales will benefit Hope Village. Drawings will be held for a lunch for two with actress Sela Ward, an autographed picture of Ward, an autographed "Once and Again" script and an autographed "Once and Again" poster.
Loeb's is located at 2209 Front St., Meridian. For information, call Robert Loeb at 482-4004.
Silverleaf Manor hosts open house
Silverleaf Manor will be hosting "Holiday Hospitality Open House" from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Refreshments will be served. For information, call Elizabeth Bridwell at 483-4566.
AARP Tax Aide seeks volunteers
The AARP Tax Aide service is seeking volunteers to help senior citizens file tax returns. Volunteers will be required to complete training to do taxes the second week of January at Trustmark Bank.
Trainees will help file tax forms beginning in February, meeting with senior citizens from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Library and Fridays at Trustmark Bank on Highway 19. To volunteer, please call 679-1564.