Friday July 12
Friendship East sets two-night VBS
Friendship East Baptist Church will conduct Vacation Bible School Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, from 6-8 each night at the church. All children are invited to attend.
Sunday July 14
Endtime Bible prophecy revival set
Corinth Baptist Church will conduct an endtime Bible prophecy revival starting Sunday, July 14, and running until Wednesday night, July 17. Services begin at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, and at 6:30 weeknights.
Bro. David Westmoreland will be preaching, Bro. Brent Garrison will provide the music and Steve McGregory will be pianist.
Swanson hosts back-to-school bash
Swanson United Methodist Church, at 341 Gipson St., Glendora, will host a back-to-school bash on Sunday, July 14, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. School supplies and door prizes will be given away, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Rev. Kenny Wade Sr. at 662-229-5469.
Monday July 15
Culinary arts camp on tap at CARE
A culinary arts camp will be held Monday, July 15, from 10 a.m. until noon for ages 10 and older. Participants will learn to cook a meal and will enjoy lunch at the conclusion of the camp. To register, call 662-647-0942.
Persimmon Hill hosts week of VBS
Persimmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church will conduct Vacation Bible School from Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, at 7 nightly. The theme will be “Super Heroes.” Rev. Andrew Fluker is pastor and Sis. Gwen Herron is the secretary. All are invited.
Tuesday July 16
CHS band camp set for two terms
Charleston High School band camp will be held in the CHS band room on July 16-18 and again on July 23-25.
During both terms, percussion instruments (snare drum, bass drum and cymbal tryouts) will gather from 9-10 a.m., and brass instruments (trumpets, baritones, trombones and tubas) will meet from 10-11 a.m.
Youth art class planned at CARE
A youth art class for teens ages 13 to 18 will be held at CARE on Tuesday, July 16. The art session is free for all youth in the community. Due to limited space, registration is required. To register, all 662-647-0942.
CARE will host youth dance camp
On Tuesday, July 16, dance camp begins at CARE for ages 5-12. The camp is free, but registration is required. Call 662-647-0942.
Wednesday July 17
Library hosts reading program
On Wednesday, July 17, the summer reading program continues at the Charleston Library from 10 a.m. until noon. The program will include story hour, crafts and a snack for each child who attends the free program.
Nick, Amy Coyle Rotary speakers
On Wednesday, July 17, Nick and Amy Coyle of God’s House of Hope will be the guest speakers for the Charleston Rotary Club. They will speak after the noon meal.
Thursday July 18
CARE hosts teen youth art class
A youth art class for teens ages 13 to 18 will be held at CARE on Thursday, July 18. The art session is free for all youth in the community. Due to limited space, registration is required. To register, all 662-647-0942.
Saturday July 20
Calvary Food Pantry to distribute
Calvary Food Chapel, at 36 Ward-Riddick Road, just east of Parchman off Highway 32, will distribute food from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, for those living in the West Tallahatchie area and in Sunflower County outside the city limits of Drew (which has its own food pantry). Return empty boxes for refill when you pass through. Be on time.
Faith Food Pantry sets distribution
Faith Food Pantry, located at 30028 Highway 32, Charleston, will distribute food from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Please return empty boxes for refill when you pass through the drive-thru. Be on time.
Oakland invites citizens to strategize
The town of Oakland and the Oakland Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting an open forum on Saturday, July 20, from 9-11 a.m. for all interested area citizens to offer input into the development of a strategic plan for Oakland and the vicinity.
A strategic plan is designed to help a community set a vision and a plan for reaching that vision. Participants will have the opportunity to share their ideas and to help set priorities and timelines that will guide both the town board and the chamber board.
For more information, contact the Oakland chamber at oaklandareachamber@gmail.com, on Facebook at Oakland Area Chamber, or leave a message at 601-853-3942.
Sunday July 21
Paynes Baptist to host homecoming
Paynes Baptist Church will conduct homecoming service on Sunday, July 21. Singing begins at 10 a.m., followed by preaching at 11, and lunch afterward. Mike Everson will be the guest speaker. All are invited to attend.
Jerusalem plans family, friends day
Jerusalem Church of Paynes will host family and friends day on Sunday, July 21, at 11 a.m. Pastor Frankie Reed of New Horizon Ministries in Grenada will deliver the message.
Holly Grove sets men, women day
Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church will have their annual men and women day program on Sunday, July 21, at 1 p.m. Guest speaker will be minister James Johnson of Indiana Missionary Baptist Church. Everyone is invited, said Holly Grove pastor J.H. Brown.
Monday July 22
Chick-fil-A food truck to be at CARE
On Monday, July 22, the Chick-fil-A food truck will park in front of CARE’s Charleston Arts Center from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in order for community members to purchase food. Credit/debit cards only are accepted. A portion of all sales goes to CARE to provide programs for the community.
Tuesday July 23
Philipp United will honor pastor
Philipp United Missionary Baptist Church, located at 20 Cleveland Ave., Philipp, will conduct a ninth annual pastoral celebration for pastor Betty and Winfred Hamilton, featuring services July 23-25 and climaxing on July 28.
All weeknight services will begin at 7.
Speakers will be:
» Tuesday, July 23, pastor Jerry Williams
» Wednesday, July 24, pastor W.M. Brown
» Thursday, July 25: pastor Rodney Richards
Sunday services on July 28 will feature minister Charlotte Burton at 11 a.m. and pastor John Frieson Jr. at 2 p.m.
Wednesday July 24
Library hosts reading program fun
On Wednesday, July 24, the summer reading program continues at the Charleston Library from 10 a.m. until noon. The program will include story hour, crafts and a snack for each child who attends the free program.
Sunday July 28
St. Luke plans homecoming service
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1680 Sharkey Road, Tippo, will host homecoming on Sunday, July 28, at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Elder Johnny Christian from Ripley. Everyone is invited to attend, noted the St. Luke pastor, Rev. J.H. Brown.
Persimmon Hill to honor Johnson
Persimmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church will have their musician appreciation program for Bro. Tony Johnson on Sunday, July 28, at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend, noted pastor Andrew Fluker.
Friday August 2
North Shady Grove sets kids crusade
North Shady Grove Church of God will conduct a kids crusade for all ages up to 12, on Friday, Aug. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., and again on Saturday, Aug. 3, beginning at 2 p.m. The theme is “Made in the Image of God,” and Monica Smith and EPIC will be ministering during the crusade. All ages up to 12.
Sunday August 4
Back-to-school bash set at church
North Shady Grove Church of God will host a back-to-school bash on Sunday, Aug. 4, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be food — nachos, hot dogs and popsicles — games, a water slide and bounce house. All are invited.
Pleasant Valley honors Huddlestons
On Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m., Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church, 1000 Jonestown Claremont Road, Clarksdale, will honor the 39th pastoral anniversary of pastor Charles Huddleston and first lady Rose Lynn Huddleston with a program featuring evangelist Doris Hooper as guest speaker. All churches, choirs and soloists are invited. For details, contact Charles Huddleston at 662-375-2325.
Thursday August 22
Veterans claims clinic to be held
A Tallahatchie County claims clinic will be held Thursday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Tallahatchie County Library, 102 E. Walnut St., in Charleston.
Veterans, service members, spouses, family members, caregivers and survivors are invited.
Learn about veteran benefits, resources and the claims process. Most importantly, veterans may complete a claim, which is the key to unlocking the benefits they rightfully deserve. Discover benefits for spouses, too.
Bring relevant documents, including medical records, letters or any other paperwork associated with the claim. Whether applying for new conditions, seeking an increase for a service-connected condition or you have a pending claim, these documents are crucial.
First-time claim filers are asked to bring a copy of their DD214.
The event is sponsored by Veterans Benefits Administration Claims Clinic.
For more information, contact Yalonda Holmes at 601-433-9121 or via email at yalonda.holmes@va.gov.
Miscellany
Cossar graduates from Ole Miss
Elizabeth Cossar of Senatobia is among more than 3,100 students who earned degrees from the University of Mississippi in May. Cossar, who majored in Pharm.D. - Pharm. Prct. Track, received a Doctor of Pharmacy from the School of Pharmacy. The daughter of George III and Betty Cossar of Senatobia, she is the granddaughter of George Cossar Jr. of Charleston and the late Louanne Cossar.
Southern Miss tells local honorees
The University of Southern Mississippi has released its academic honors lists for the 2024 spring semester, and two locals were included.
Named to the President’s List, which includes full-time students with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was Demetria Flowers of Charleston.
On the Dean’s List, which includes full-time students with at least a 3.5 GPA, but less than 4.0, was Deja S. Walker of Charleston.
Health department offers school shots
The Tallahatchie County Health Department office at 216 Pleasant St., Charleston, will offer special walk-in days for back-to-school immunizations.
The local walk-in days will be Tuesday, July 23; Thursday, July 25; and Tuesday, July 30, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day.
During these clinics, additional nursing staff will be available to provide required immunizations so that parents can complete the process quickly and efficiently. If parents have a copy of their child’s immunization record, they should bring it to the clinic.
Mississippi requires immunizations for first-time school entry and seventh-grade entry. Parents must provide schools with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) prior to entry. The form can be obtained from your child’s immunization provider or from MSDH’s MyIR service, a way to check records online and print or download Form 121 to send to the school. For more information on using MyIR, visit https://msdh.ms.gov/MyIR.
East Tallahatchie registering now
East Tallahatchie School District student registration began July 1 and continues through Tuesday, July 23, from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., with all school students registering in the Charleston High School gymnasium.
Two proofs of residency are required. One may be either a current lease, mortgage document, homestead exemption or tax display document. The other should be either a utility bill (water, electric gas), Tallahatchie County automobile registration, voter registration card, or government mailing documentation (SSI, WIC, Medicaid, TANF or CHIPS).
For new student enrollment, the child’s original birth certificate is required, along with two proofs of residency, immunization records, report card/transcript (if applicable) and a parent/guardian photo ID.
Seventh-grade students are required to have a TDAP shot and a new Mississippi Form 121, with the student’s immunization record.
Free produce offered in Charleston
The Sisters with Love Ministry at Bertha’s Day Care, located at 184 Gay St. in Charleston, is distributing boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables each Thursday for 12 weeks. The first distribution was Thursday, June 13.
Distributions are from 1-4 p.m., and only 50 boxes are available each week from the Mississippi Delta Farm Workers of Clarksdale.
Only one person per household can sign up by calling Bertha Hamilton at 662-417-2078.
School offers free summer meals
Charleston Elementary School is offering free summer meals to all children 18 years and younger. Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., while lunch is served from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., all in the CES cafeteria.
Out-of-school youth being sought
Mid-State Opportunity Inc. MySTATUS Youth Opportunity Program is currently recruiting out-of-school youth ages 16-24, having a high school diploma or equivalent, to participate in the program.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Out-of-School Youth MySTATUS program is funded by The Delta Workforce Development Area through South Delta Planning and Development District.
The program offers youth ages 16-24 in Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties a training and employment program.
Participants are paid $6 hourly for training and $10 hourly for work experience. Cash incentives are awarded to youth who obtain accredited certificates and credentials.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabilities.
To apply, or for more information, contact Arvelia Brock at Mid-State Opportunity Inc. at 662-647-2463 or abrock.midstate@att.net.
