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
Neighborhood Watch meeting set
A Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held at the Charleston Arts Center (CARE building) in Charleston on Tuesday, July 23, at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
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.
Saturday July 27
Morning Star sets youth conference
Morning Star Church of God in Christ, located at 1016 Morning Star Dr., Tippo, will host a conference for the youth, entitled, “Let’s Talk About It,” on Saturday, July 27, starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Bertram Bailey and Lady Catasha Bailey will moderate. Parents, grandparents and guardians are invited and encouraged to attend with their youth.
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 Grove will laud pastor
The Persimmon Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Sharkey Road will celebrate the 12th pastoral anniversary for pastor R.C. Chambers and wife on Sunday, July 28, at 2:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Winfred Hill, pastor of Frieson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Sumner. The public is invited to attend the celebration.
Persimmon Hill to honor Johnson
Persimmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Enid 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.
Adams Arbor VBS slated July 28-31
Adams Arbor Church of God of Prophecy will host Vacation Bible School Sunday, July 28, through Wednesday, July 31. Entitled “The Great Jungle Journey,” VBS will offer participants “an epic cruise from Genesis to Revelation.” VBS gets underway Sunday, July 28, at 4 p.m., and will be held Monday, July 29, through Wednesday, July 31, at 6 p.m., with a final lesson and program scheduled for Sunday morning, Aug. 4. All ages are invited to come and to bring a friend.
Wednesday July 31
Persimmon Hill planning revival
Persimmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Enid will host a three-night revival starting Wednesday, July 31, and continuing through Friday, Aug. 2, at 7 each night. The speaker will be Rev. Earnest Ware of Word of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood. All are invited, 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.
Sunday August 25
Morning Star reveals homecoming
Morning Star Church of God in Christ, of Tippo, will host their annual homecoming program on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. Guest speaker will be Elder Willie Bays of St. James Temple Church of God in Christ, of Clarksdale. The public is invited to attend, noted Morning Star pastor Bertram Bailey and event sponsors LaWanda L. Powell, Willie Ann Frieson and Janie Mae Williams.
Miscellany
CARE receives $14,400 grant award
The Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE) has been awarded a fiscal year 2025 organization operating grant by the Mississippi Arts Commission. The grant offers general operating support for CARE — one of 66 arts organization around the state to be awarded such funding from MAC.
Save the date: church’s ladies day
The ladies of Paducah Wells Church of God of Prophecy will be hosting their annual ladies day luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Complete details will be forthcoming. Joan Scallions, women’s ministry director,” said, “Please save the date and enjoy this time together with us.”
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.
Earn high school diploma in 22 weeks
The Mississippi Youth ChalleNGe Academy, located at Camp Shelby, is the premier alternative education program for 16- to 18-year-old youth who are struggling in school or no longer attending.
With a focus on job training, social skills and self-discipline, ChalleNGe is a nonprofit high school diploma-producing academy designed specifically to meet the needs of high school dropouts and at-risk youth. It is a part of the Mississippi National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
Participants may earn their high school diploma in just 22 weeks. Tuition, room and board are absolutely free.
ChalleNGe also offers college classes through a local university. Both male and female applicants are accepted.
For an application or information, call 1-800-507-6253 or visit msyouthchallenge.org.
