Local Digest
By Staff
Dec. 13, 2001
An American Family Christmas Festival' rescheduled for Tuesday
Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season through Christmas and patriotic music when Main Street Meridian hosts "An American Family Christmas Festival."
The event will be held Tuesday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. in downtown Dumont Plaza, the festival will feature music celebrating the holiday season and patriotism.
Food and beverages will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
United Blood Services begin Holiday Heroes' program
Organizations can make a difference this Christmas by helping boost critically low blood supplies. The "Holiday Heroes Program" lets organizations sign-up for a standing blood donation appointment at Meridian United Blood Services Center.
The commitment could last 35-40 minutes for every person who participates. The program will help maintain the blood supply during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, when blood donations often decrease.
Each participant will receive a holiday T-shirt. For more information, people or organizations can call United Blood Services at 482-2482.
Care Lodge seeks holiday help
With the holiday season approaching, the Care Lodge is asking for donations to provide Christmas gifts for families who are staying in Lodge's shelter.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can call or visit the administrative office of the Care Lodge at 1207 19th Ave. If possible, all unwrapped Christmas items should be delivered by Monday. For information, call 482-8719.
Benefit planned for Jim Henson
The Crystal River Quartet will present a Southern gospel concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lynville United Methodist church in Kemper County. The concert will benefit Jim Henson, 38, who was diagnosed with cancer four months ago.
Funds raised will assist his wife and two daughters with medical expenses. A fund has also been established at Commercial Bank.
Christmas luminaries ceremony scheduled
The 4th Annual Christmas luminary ceremony at Lake Ross Collins in Collinsville is set for Saturday. The lighting spectacular will begin at 6 p.m. In case of rain, the event will take place the next night.
Charity bridge game set for Saturday
The Red, White and Blue Bridge Bash charity bridge game will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Meridian Duplicate Bridge Club.
Proceeds will benefit the Sept. 11 Disaster Relief Funds. The club is at 2316 14th St. in Meridian. For information, call 679-8466.
The game is sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League and the ACBL Charity Foundation.
Elks to hold holiday celebration
The brothers and daughters of Metropolitan Lodge 551 and R.B. Matthews Temple 739 invite the public to join them for their semi-formal Winter Wonderland holiday celebration beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 22.
For tickets and information, contact any member of the Elks at 485-9353. The lodge is at 1423 34th Ave.
Telephone Pioneers' cookbooks on sale
Kitchen knives and Bell's Best Cookbooks from the Telephone Pioneers, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in addition to the newly arrived No. 4 cookbook will be on sale until Saturday. Cookbooks can be purchased from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lauderdale Habitat for Humanity office, 1001 29th Ave. All funds benefit local charities and schools. For information, call 485-2995.
NAMI to conduct family education classes
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Mississippi will offer free education classes beginning in January for family members of people with schizophrenia, manic depression, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder.
The 12-class course offers illness information, medication review, communication-coping skills, self-care/support and services. For details or to register, call (800) 357-0388.
