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.
Friday December 20
Bearden ribbon-cutting set at 9 a.m.
The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the reopening of R.H. Bearden Elementary School on Friday, Dec. 20, at 9 a.m. “Please come out and support us in our efforts,” said a school spokesperson.
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.
Charleston Christmas parade set
The Charleston Christmas parade, twice postponed due to weather, is now scheduled to be held on Friday, Dec. 20, at 5:30 p.m., city officials announced Monday.
The theme is “An Olympic Christmas: A Christmas of Many Nations.” Participants are asked to decorate according to Christmas symbolism or customs around the world.
Retired Charleston educator Monroe Grant will be the grand marshal.
Lineup is at 3:30 p.m. adjacent to the former National Guard armory. Floats will be judged at 5 p.m., and the parade will start at 5:30.
There is hardly any chance of rain, but the daytime high will be in the upper 40s and the low Friday night will drop to the upper 20s, so parade-goers are urged to dress appropriately.
For more information, contact City Clerk Vanisha Powell or Deputy Clerk Felisha Porter at 662-647-5841.
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.
Coats, toys to be given away locally
Exquisite Pearls of Excellence is spreading joy and warmth this Christmas season by hosting a special Toy and Coat Giveaway for families on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charleston Day Club (1227 Oak Grove Road, Charleston, MS 38921), providing new toys for children and winter coats to help families stay warm during the holidays.
No registration is required for families to participate. They can simply show up to receive toys and coats.
For more information, to donate or to get involved, contact Exquisite Pearls of Excellence by phone at 901-677-4222 or by email to ExquisitePearlsOfExcellence@gmail.com.
DS4 event to raise Christmas funds
DS4 has announced its second annual Christmas “Give Back for Families in Need” event, to be held Saturday, Dec. 21, from 12-2 p.m., in the park on Main Street in Webb. There will be free food, gospel singing, games and more. Anyone who would like to donate and be a part of the event is invited to contact Katherine Jones at 662-392-9262.
Sunday December 22
Mt. Pisgah sets Christmas program
The adult choir of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church will present the musical, “Love Is Breathing,” on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. Following the musical, a time of fellowship and food will bea held. Everyone is invited.
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.
Faith Baptist community service set
On Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m., the community is invited to participate in the annual Christmas Eve service at Faith Baptist Church on Highway 32 east of Charleston.
The event is celebrated with carols, prayers, a message from God’s Word and a service of the Lord’s Supper.
Those who serve as volunteers or donors in the Faith Food Pantry and clients of the pantry are especially encouraged to be present.
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
Tayler Berryhill on honors list
Tayler Michon Berryhill of Webb has been named to the Vice President’s List for the fall semester at Northeast Mississippi Community College. To qualify for the designation, a student must have achieved a GPA of 3.5 to 3.9.
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.
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.
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.
Nursing honor guard service free
Northwest Mississippi Honor Guard recognizes men and women who have dedicated their professional lives to nursing, and to pay respects to fellow nurses (retired or active NP, RN or LPN) at the end of their life’s journey, for the devotion and commitment they demonstrated in caring for others.
The service is free. A family member or funeral director can request services by contacting one of the following: Millie Smith, at 601-562-0995 or minniepep@hotmail.com; or Tallahatchie County Honor Guard member Lisa Tucker, at 662-647-4913 or by email to mstuckers@yahoo.com.
