Friday February 14
Annual tree sale, giveaway slated
The Tallahatchie County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) annual tree sale and giveaway will be held on Friday, Feb. 14, from 8 a.m. until, at the Natural Resources Conservation Service office, 360 West Cypress Street, Charleston.
In addition to giving away 1,000 sawtooth oak saplings in observance of Arbor Day, the SWCD will be selling crape myrtle saplings for $2 apiece. Crape myrtle saplings will be mixed in color, bare-rooted and range from 6-18 inches in height.
For more information, call Tiffany at 662-647-8857, ext.3.
Saturday February 15
Robert Neal Food Pantry to be open
The Robert Neal Food Pantry at Calvary Chapel of Parchman will distribute food on Saturday, Feb.15, from 9-11 a.m. Clients are asked to bring their own box to carry food. Anyone who is new, or anyone who is picking up boxes for more than one family, should come at 10:45 a.m. The pantry, which serves western Tallahatchie and northern Sunflower counties, distributes on the third Saturday each month.
Faith Food Pantry tells distribution
Faith Food Pantry at Faith Baptist Church near Charleston will distribute food on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The pantry, which serves east Tallahatchie families, distributes on the third Saturday each month.
Due to parking limitations, Faith Food Pantry will serve families whose last names begin with A-H from 10-11 a.m. From 11 a.m. to noon, families whose last names begin with I-Q will be served. Family names beginning with R-Z will be served from noon to 1. Clients are asked to bring their own carry-out box.
Sunday February 16
Cross of Christ sets Valentine event
The Cross of Christ Love Center in Charleston invites the public to a Valentine program at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16. Food will be served. The special event is sponsored by Sis. Lula Ervin, assistant pastor. The church is located at 109 Depot Street.
Jerusalem hosts black history affair
Jerusalem Church of Paynes will host their annual black history program on Sunday, Feb. 16, starting at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.
Jones Chapel usher event scheduled
Pastor Riley Suggs and members of Jones Chapel invite the public to attend an usher program there on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 3 p.m. The Rev. Glen Swims and members of his Little Hubbard Missionary Baptist Church will be special guestss during the event.
Wednesday February 19
Senior citizens will sing, play games
Senior citizens are invited to gather at the Tutwiler Community Education Center on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m., for singing, games, fellowship and lunch. For more information or to arrange for a ride, call Genether Spurlock at 345-8393.
Legal wills to be discussed at event
The question of why anyone needs a will is among the topics to be discussed during an educational meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 10-11 a.m., at the Cross of Christ Love Center, located at 109 Depot St. in Charleston.
Alfred Cutturini, of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services’ Elder Law Project, will be the speaker for this gathering, which is free to senior citizens age 60 and older.
Thursday February 20
Town hall meeting to discuss 2% tax
A proposed 2% sales tax on locally prepared foods and beverages sold at retail to the public in Charleston will be the topic of a town hall style meeting set for Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., at Charleston City Hall.
Mayor Sedrick Smith said he will explain how the proceeds of the proposed restaurant tax, which would be assessed in addition to the regular 7% state sales tax, would be used to help finance youth recreation and other programs in the city. He also will discuss ongoing city projects, such as a housing development.
A March 3 referendum will be held in Charleston to give registered voters of the municipality a chance to mark a ballot “for the tax” or “against the tax.” The measure must garner the support of 60% of voters to pass.
Voters will cast paper ballots at the same municipal polling places where elections for city commissioner and mayor are conducted.
Saturday February 22
Domestic violence program slated
The St. John Missionary Baptist Church Women’s Fellowship will present “Love Does Not Hurt,” a program about domestic violence, Saturday, Feb. 22, starting at 10 a.m. at 409 N. Church St. in Charleston. Mrs. Tabitha Sanford Webb will be the presenter. Participants will hear the story of an attempted murder-suicide outside a police station. All are invited, noted Women’s Fellowship president Wilma Weston and pastor Darryl Booker.
Sunday February 23
Old Antioch sets black history event
The Old Antioch church family invites everyone to their black history program, set for Sunday, Feb. 23, at 10:45 a.m. The theme will be “African Americans and the Vote (Your Vote Counts).” State Sen. Sarita Simmons will be guest speaker. “We ask that you come and share with us,” said pastor Lorenzo Robinson.
Black history program will be held
The Cross of Christ Love Center in Charleston invites the public to their black history program, set for Sunday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. Church pastor is Mae Otha Gardner.
Piney Grove to honor musicians
Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church will honor musicians Robert Edwards and Troy Rodgers during a special appreciation event on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. All musicians and singers are welcome. The church is located at 217 Cascilla-Grenada County Road in the Cascilla community.
New Town plans history program
New Town Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston will have their annual black history program on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. The Rev. Frankie Reed and his church family from Grenada will be special guests. The theme is “Celebrating Courage, Faith and Hope,” taken from Proverbs 3:5-6. Everyone is invited to attend, said pastor Preston Coleman.
Thursday February 27
Student art awards presentation set
The Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort is sponsoring their annual student art show, with a reception and awards presentation scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m., at the Charleston Arts Center. Cash prizes will be awarded. The public is invited.
The student art exhibit will be open for public viewing weekdays through Feb. 27. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. until noon and 1-4 p.m.
In addition to honoring student artists, the Feb. 27 event will feature representatives from area nonprofits who will provide updates of programs and activities, as well as opportunities, offered. Refreshments will be available.
For more information, call CARE at 647-0942, email care1092@atat.net or just drop by the building on Court Square.
Saturday February 29
Charleston Lions host stew cooking
The Charleston Lions Club will host a stew cooking on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 4-7 p.m., at the Lions den in Charleston. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Lions member or at the door on the day of the event.
Enjoy a meal for $10, featuring a bowl of stew, cornbread, sweet iced tea and dessert, or bring your own container and purchase an entire gallon of stew for $30.
Sunday March 1
Sandy Bayou will honor Spurlock
Sandy Bayou Missionary Baptist Church will honor musician Genether Spurlock for 38 years of service during an appreciation program set for Sunday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited, noted pastor Arthur Seaton. The church is located five-and-a-half miles southwest of Webb. For more information, call Allie Lewis at 601-988-5835.
Louanne Cossar to be celebrated
The First United Methodist Church of Charleston invites the public to a program and reception honoring cherished choir director and friend, Louanne Cossar, on Sunday, March 1, from 2-4 p.m. at the church.
“Come by and show your appreciation of Louanne,” encouraged publicist Teresa Hargett. “We hope to make this an occasion she will not soon forget.”
St. Mark hosting annual choir day
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, located at 7591 Tippo Road, will host their annual choir day on Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. All choirs are asked to render two selections for the occasion. Everyone is invited to attend, noted pastor Norman Small.
Tuesday March 3
Charleston voters to decide 2% tax
A special election will be held Tuesday, March 3, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., to determine the fate of a proposed 2% restaurant tax in the city of Charleston. Voting precincts will be the polling places residents normally use for city commissioner and mayoral elections.
Voters will cast a paper ballot marked “for the tax” or “against the tax.” The measure must receive a 60% favorable vote to pass.
Charleston officials propose the added tax, which would be assessed in addition to the 7% state sales tax on foods and beverages prepared on the premises of local restaurants and other outlets like convenience stores with delicatessens. Fountain drinks also would be subject to the additional 2%.
Proceeds from the added tax would be earmarked for parks, recreation and tourism activities in the city of Charleston.
Saturday March 7
Collins family benefit set at church
God’s Church of Faith Ministries, located at 99 Clarence Richardson Road, will host a benefit program for the Collins family on Saturday, March 7, at 4 p.m.
All choirs, musicians, praise dancers, soloists and the general public are invited to take part. For more information or directions, call 662-688-5335 or 662-647-1145.
Anyone unable to attend may mail a donation to Ricky and Kersema Collins, c/o Mary Davis, P.O. Box 154, Tippo, MS 38962.
Sunday March 8
Mt. Zion will celebrate 152 years
Mt. Zion Church will observe the 152nd year anniversary of the church with a special program on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. The speaker will be the Rev. Clint Brown. All are invited, noted pastor Randy Mangrum.
Miscellany
GriefShare sessions underway
GriefShare, a grief recovery support group, is conducting sessions each Tuesday at the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center, located directly behind Tallahatchie General Hospital in Charleston.
GriefShare is a video series that features some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery topics as seen from a biblical perspective. Some of the topics to be featured are:
• “Why?”
• “Is This Normal?”
• “The Challenges of Grief”
• “Grief and Your Relationships”
• “Guilt and Anger”
The video seminars are combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video.
For more information, call Rev. Phillip Pharr at 647-8686 or Eddie Hargett at 647-4844.
Report local littering, vandalism
Eyewitness accounts of littering and road sign vandalism/theft in Tallahatchie County may be reported to 647-7711 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days per week. If there is no answer, leave a message as to the exact location of the dump site or sign vandalism or theft, the date and time called and your name and telephone number. Someone will contact you.
Correction or clarification
None.
To report the need for the correction or clarification of any item that appears in print in The Sun-Sentinel and/or on the online sites at www.facebook.com/TheSunSentinel, Twitter or at www.tallahatchienews.ms, call the newspaper office at 662-647-8462 and ask for the editor, stop by the office at 149 Court Square in Charleston and ask for the editor or email the editor at clay@charlestonsun.net.
