Thursday December 5
CARE to host holiday market
CARE will hold its annual holiday market shopping event on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The market is open to the community to provide an opportunity to support local artists and vendors.
Children’s dance class set at CARE
After-school dance will be offered Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Charleston Arts Center. Classes are at 3:30 and 4:30 for children ages 5 to 12. Classes are free. A snack is provided.
Friday December 6
Santa Claus arrives at CARE
CARE’s annual Cookies with Santa event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Charleston Arts Center. Crafts, games and cookies will be provided. Bring those little ones for a picture with Santa Claus.
Sunday December 8
Piney Grove will honor pastor, wife
Rev. Norman Small and Sis. Sandra Small will be celebrated during a pastor and wife appreciation day Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., at Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3188 Cascilla/Grenada Road, Cascilla. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Riley O’Bryant Suggs, pastor of Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Grenada. All are invited.
Afternoon of ‘Sip & Stitch’ on tap
Square Drugs of Charleston is sponsoring an afternoon of sips, snacks and stitching a Christmas needlepoint canvas on Sunday, Dec. 8. The class will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The fee for supplies is $35. Call CARE at 662-647-0942 for more information.
Oakland to light Christmas tree
The Oakland Christmas tree lighting and community service will be 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. The town tree is located on the grounds of the Oakland Public Library at 324 Holly St. The community service and music will be held at the Oakland Chamber of Commerce offices next door to the library.
Tuesday December 10
Free community luncheon event set
Sumner Rotary Club, in collaboration with CoreCivic, is gearing up for a holiday community luncheon ton Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Bayou Bend Country Club. The event starts at noon and is open to the public. For more information, contact Sumner Rotary Club President Shirlaurence Fair at 662-719-6123.
Thursday December 12
Lego class on tap at CARE facility
After-school Lego Club will be held at CARE on Thursday, Dec. 12. Classes are at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. for children ages 5 to 10. The class is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Snack will also be provided. Call 662-647-0942 or stop by CARE.
Christmas at Charleston Library
The Charleston Library will host “Christmas at the Library” on Thursday, Dec. 12. Visit the library for a photo with Santa, crafts and treats from 5-7 p.m. Admission is $1 per person. Additional photos may be purchased.
Saturday December 14
Food, toys, clothes to be given
Gifts of Love Inc., a Memphis nonprofit and affiliate of A-One Staffing LLC, will offer free food boxes, bicycles, toys, clothing and more to families of Charleston and nearby towns during a giveaway event set for Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at 10 a.m., at the former National Guard armory, 409 S. Cossar Ave., in Charleston. Everyone is invited. For more information, call 901-367-5757.
Charleston Christmas parade set
The Charleston Christmas parade will be Saturday, Dec. 14. The theme is “An Olympic Christmas: A Christmas of Many Nations.” Decorate according to Christmas symbolism or customs of nations around the world.
Retired Charleston educator Monroe Grant has been announced as the grand marshal.
Lineup is at 3 p.m. adjacent to the former National Guard armory. Floats will be judged at 4:30 p.m., and the parade will start at 5.
For more information, contact City Clerk Vanisha Powell or Deputy Clerk Felisha Porter at 662-647-5841.
Sunday December 15
Jerusalem lauds church anniversary
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Paynes will host a church anniversary service Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Rev. J.H. Brown, pastor of St. Luke of Tippo, Holly Grove of Charleston and St. John of Greenwood, will be the guest speaker. All are invited.
Church homecoming event slated
Coffeeville Outreach Ministries, at 577 Brower Road, Coffeeville, will conduct church homecoming services on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m., featuring as guest speaker, Rev. Carl Ray of Tallahatchie County, who pastors Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church at Tillatoba and Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church at Holcomb. All are invited, noted Outreach Ministries pastor Dennis Townes.
Usher federation to gather at 3 p.m.
The Mt. Moriah District Usher Federation will meet on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m., at the district building near Coffeeville. All ushers are asked to attend. Plans will be made for the first annual usher day program, and input is invited and appreciated. Rev. Calvin Hawkins is moderator and deacon Reginald Baskin is president of the usher ministry.
Baptist to offer Christmas hymns
Charleston First Baptist Church will host a Christmas hymn singing on Sunday, Dec. 15, starting at 5 p.m. Holiday snacks will be offered following the program.
Tuesday December 17
CARE offers free art classes
The Charleston Arts Center will host after-school art classes at CARE on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Classes are 3:30 and 4:30 for children ages 5 to 12. Classes are free. A snack is provided.
Thursday December 19
Children’s dance class set at CARE
After-school dance will be offered Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Charleston Arts Center. Classes are at 3:30 and 4:30 for children ages 5 to 12. Classes are free. A snack is provided.
Saturday December 21
Calvary Food Pantry to distribute
Calvary Food Chapel, at 36 Ward-Riddick Road, just east of Parchman off Highway 32, will distribute food from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 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 to distribute
Faith Food Pantry, located at 30028 Highway 32, Charleston, will distribute food from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. Please return empty boxes for refill when you pass through the drive-thru. Be on time.
Tuesday December 24
Church sets Christmas Eve service
The annual Christmas Eve service at Charleston First Methodist Church will be conducted Tuesday, Dec. 24, starting at 5 p.m.
Sunday December 29
Holly Grove hosts association event
The First District of Tallahatchie County Association will meet Sunday, Dec. 29, at Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, at West Creek Road near Charleston. Sunday school will begin at 10 a.m. and the service at 11. The speaker will be pastor J.H. Brown. Pastor Carl Ray is the moderator and Preston Coleman the vice moderator. All are invited.
Miscellany
Club sponsors lighting contest
Charleston’s Magnolia Garden Club is sponsoring the annual Christmas Lighting Contest. Judging will be Friday, Dec. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m., in the following categories:
» Best doors and windows: first, second and third place
» Best overall: first, second and third place
The judging criteria is the same that is used to judge floral designs: proportion, balance, color, contrast, lighting and rhythm.
“We encourage you to participate,” said event chairman Flora Vance.
County pageant date changed
The Mr. and Miss Tallahatchie County Pageant, originally scheduled to be held on Dec. 6, has been delayed, according to the sponsor, Barbara Herod-Hence. She said the pageant will now be held on Friday, Jan. 17.
“I will be at the Charleston Day Building to accept new applications on Dec. 11, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” she noted.
New applications will be available online, on Facebook, and may be sent by email to babbsherod@gmail.com. For more information, call 662-313-5596.
Notice required for library room
The Charleston Library reminds members of the community who would like to reserve their meeting room that the library staff must have a minimum of 48 hours notice to use the room. For more information or to set a reservation, call the Charleston Library at 662-647-2638.
ECF Auxiliary collects holiday items
The Extended Care Auxiliary will again collect holiday donations for residents. Items requested for men and women are body lotion, body spray, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, five-blade razors and hand lotion. Items may be dropped off at the CARE building until the close of business on Monday, Dec. 16. For information, call CARE at 662-647-0942.
Earn high school diploma in 22 weeks
The Mississippi Youth ChalleNGe Academy at Camp Shelby, is the premier alternative education program for 16- to 18-year-old youth 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 needs of high school drop-outs and at-risk youth. It is part of Mississippi National Guard’s 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. Male and female applicants are accepted.
For an application or information, call 1-800-507-6253 or visit msyouthchallenge.org.
Santa letters sought for newspaper
The Sun-Sentinel is seeking children’s letters to Santa for publication in our Christmas keepsake edition on Dec. 26.
There is no cost to publish a Santa letter unless a photo of the child is included.
The deadline to submit letters is Thursday, Dec. 19, and letters may be mailed to The Sun-Sentinel, P.O. Box 250, Charleston, MS 38921; emailed to krista@charlestonsun.net; or hand-delivered to the newspaper office at 149 Court Square in Charleston.
Call 662-647-8462 for more information.
