Local digest

By Staff
Wesley House offers
Christmas assistance
Anyone needing assistance with Christmas this year because of job loss or other personal emergency may apply at the Wesley House Monday through Thursday.
The deadline for Christmas applications has passed. However, executive director Nell Grissom extended the deadline because of the number of plant and business closings in East Mississippi in recent months. The hours will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Education seminar to be held
A program titled "Preparing for a Successful Academic Future" will be held Thursday from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Kate Griffin Junior High School Library for parents and students in the Eighth and Ninth grades.
Learn more about graduation requirements, subject area testing, registration process and an overview of honors curriculum.
Church presents singing Santa
A singing Santa live puppet show will take place Friday 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 Friday 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 sponsors Hope
for Christmas' fund-raiser
Loeb's clothing store in Meridian will sponsor "Hope for Christmas," a fund-raiser on Dec. 8 for Hope Village for Children.
The event will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 2209 Front St. in Meridian. 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.
For information, call Robert Loeb at 482-4004.
Beauty pageant to
benefit Toys for Tots'
A beauty pageant benefiting Toys for Tots will be held Dec. 9 at Holiday Inn in Meridian. Children up to 18 years old can participate. There is a $10 entry fee and each participant must bring a new toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Sunday dresses only, no formal attire.
For information, call (601) 932-0574.
Silverleaf Manor hosts open house
Silverleaf Manor will be host a "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.
Patriotic Christmas
festival set for downtown
A downtown patriotic Christmas festival is set for Dec. 13 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at Dumont Plaza.
Patriotic and Christmas music will be presented. Crafts and gifts for the holidays will be on sale. Food and beverages will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Telephone Pioneer's
cookbooks on sale
Kitchen knives and Bell's Best Cookbooks, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in addition to the newly arrived No. 4 cookbook will be on sale from Monday until Dec. 15. Cookbooks can be purchased at the Lauderdale Habitat for Humanity office, at 1001 29th Ave., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All funds benefit local charities and schools. For information, call 485-2995.
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.