Local Digest

By Staff
Feb. 28, 2002
Junior Miss Program set for this weekend
Meridian and Lauderdale County's Junior Miss 2003 will be chosen this weekend. The Friday and Saturday night competition will showcase the talent of 30 area high school juniors who will aim for the titles.
The program begins at 7 p.m. both nights at the Temple Theatre. For ticket information, call 693-5353.
Long Creek VFD holding fund drive
The Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department is beginning a fund drive to purchase needed new equipment and update some older equipment.
In the next few days, a representative will be calling each home and business in the southeastern portion of Lauderdale County served by the fire department. They will ask for support in the project and offer a complimentary 10-by-13 family portrait to everyone who helps.
Firefighters also will go door-to-door asking for support.
Deadline nearing for USDA Forestry Incentive Program
The deadline is Friday to sign up for the United States Department of Agriculture Forestry Incentive Program, currently in progress at Mississippi USDA Service Centers.
To be eligible for cost-share assistance under FIP, a landowner must own no more than 1,000 acres of eligible land and have land suitable for producing marketable timer crops.
For more information contact the local USDA Service Center at 2412 Seventh St., Meridian, or call 483-4100 ext. 3.
Pickering to host Military Academy Day
U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering will host a Military Academy Day from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus. The campus is at 3805 Highway 80 East in Pearl.
Military Academy Day is designed for interested students and parents to learn more about the nation's military academies. The event is free and open to the public.
Pickering and members of his staff will be joined by representatives from each of the five service academies: the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Coast Guard Academy.
For more information call (601) 932-2410.
SWAT Rally set for Sunday
Students Working Against Tobacco will rally at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Praise and Deliverance Christian Center.
The center is at 612 Archusa Ave., Highway 45 North, in Quitman. Children in grades four through six are invited to attend. Snacks will be provided.
Historic Clarke County sponsors Country Ham Breakfast
Members of the Historic Clarke County Inc. will hold their Country Ham Breakfast March 8 from 6:30 a.m.-noon at the Quitman Depot.
Tickets are $5 a plate and are available from members of Historic Clarke County and at Traweek's Books Store.
For information, contact Bea or Dick Reynolds at 776-3843 or Helen Ann Beeman at 776-6196. Proceeds will fund a variety of proposed historic tourism attractions in Quitman.
Carousel of Cats' show at Frank Cochran Center
The Azalea Trail Cat Fanciers and the Cat Fanciers Association will present "Carousel of Cats" a one-day cat show Saturday at the Frank Cochran Center in Highland Park.
Pedigree cats of all types will be on display and judged to the CFA standards. Judging begins at 9 a.m. and continues throughout the day.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 and under and seniors over 60.
Newton Hospital sponsors talent showcase
Newton Regional Hospital will sponsor a talent showcase at 2 p.m. March 9 to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life 2002. The show will be in Huff Auditorium at East Central Community College in Decatur.
The entry fee is $25. Entry forms may be picked up at the hospital or obtained by calling Michael Miller at 683-0325 or 635-2509.
Newton Historical and Genealogical Society to meet
The Newton County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting at 10 a.m. March 9. The group will meet in the Magnolia Room at East Central Community College in Decatur.
Annual dues are $12 for individuals and $18 for households. For information, contact Dr. Harold Graham at 635-4553 or e-mail him at hgraham@nexband.com.
Parks and Recreation class registration scheduled
Registration for the spring session classes offered by the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department will be March 11, with the first classes set for March 25. For a complete list of classes, visit the Web site at www.meridianms.org or call Mary at 485-1805.
Deadline nearing for Miss Hospitality program
Applications are being accepted through March 8 for the 2002 Miss Hospitality Program. Applicants must be high school graduates; never have married or have children; and be at least age 18 but not older than 24 by July 24.
The Miss Hospitality Program will be in the form of a tea at Merrehope on March 23. The competition consists of an interview, a short speech and black dress competition.
The winner will represent Meridian and Lauderdale County throughout the year as a goodwill ambassador and travel to Hattiesburg July 21-July 27 for the state competition.
Applications may be obtained by calling the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or stopping by the office at 212 Constitution Ave.