Thursday May 7
National Day of Prayer observed
The annual National Day of Prayer is being observed this year on Thursday, May 7. The theme is, “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth.” The scripture reference is taken from Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Due to restrictions wrought by COVID-19, no locally organized public gatherings have been planned for this year’s event.
Saturday May 9
Paul Cemetery meeting postponed
The board of directors of Paul Cemetery has elected to postpone the annual cemetery meeting, which was scheduled for Saturday, May 9, until a later date. The change is necessary due to current conditions.
Paul is in need of donations for upkeep of the cemetery, and anyone wishing to make a contribution may do so by sending to Joy Dungan, 10530 Tallaha Road, Scobey, MS 38953.
Tuesday May 12
Mid-State changes food giveaway
Due to COVID-19, Mid-State Opportunity Inc. has revised its food distribution process.
Food boxes will be distributed at the Charleston Day Organization on Tuesday, May 12, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon for all clients of the program. Boxes will not be available at any other time or at any other location.
Mobile distribution method will be used, with clients being served in their cars. Clients will not be permitted to exit their cars for any reason. There will be no parking except in the drive-thru line.
Clients will drive around to the front door for their names to be checked off. Boxes will then be loaded into the vehicle and clients will drive around to exit the lot.
Anyone picking up boxes for several clients is asked to have the names written down so they can tell workers whose box they are picking up. This will help to keep the process running smoothly.
For more information, call 647-2463 before May 12.
The food is provided by the Mississippi Food Network and distributed by Mid-State Opportunity Inc. through its partnership with the Charleston Day Organization and the Tallahatchie County Sheriff’s Department.
Saturday May 16
Annual New Hope event canceled
The annual Memorial Day service and business meeting at New Hope Cemetery is being canceled by the cemetery board due to the coronavirus. The event was set for May 16.
“Hopefully, this service can be rescheduled this fall,” said William Earl McCammon. “Anyone wanting to donate for the upkeep of the cemetery can send donations to New Hope Cemetery, P.O. Box 723, Charleston, MS 38921.”
For more information, contact McCammon at 662-647-7541.
Robert Neal Food Pantry to be open
The Robert Neal Food Pantry at Calvary Chapel of Parchman will distribute food on Saturday, May 16, and each third Saturday thereafter. The pantry, serving western Tallahatchie County and northern Sunflower County, has implemented changes due to the national coronavirus emergency. All persons are asked to share this with food pantry clients.
The food Pantry will begin at 9 a.m., and only those whose last names begin with A-H will be served at this time.
Last names starting with I-P will be served from 10-11 a.m.
Q-Z, anyone who missed earlier and all new sign-ups, will be served from 11 a.m. to noon. There will be no exceptions.
Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood and his deputies will direct the distribution on the parking lot, while leaders of Calvary Chapel will provide the food as a ministry of the church to the surrounding communities.
Clients will drive in the one-way entrance off Ward-Riddick Road and will pull up beside the front door. Deputies will place food boxes on a table beside the sign-in book. Clients will leave their cars and sign the notebook, get their box and leave immediately through the one-way exit to avoid any possibility of infection. No client will enter the building for any reason. There will be no parking except in the drive-thru line. Deputy sheriffs will have authority to ticket violators.
Faith Food Pantry tells of changes
Faith Food Pantry at Faith Baptist Church near Charleston will distribute food on Saturday, May 16, and each third Saturday thereafter. However, due to the national coronavirus emergency, the pantry’s food distribution has been modified. All persons are asked to notify friends and other clients about the changes.
Food pantry will begin at 11 a.m..
The schedule will be strictly followed. For those whose last name begins with ...
• A-F pickup will be from 11 a.m. until noon
• G-M pickup will be noon until 1 p.m.
• N-V pickup will be from 1-2 p.m.
• W-Z, all new families and anyone who missed earlier will pick up from 2-3 p.m.
Clients will drive in and pull alongside (not toward) the building and sidewalk. A table will be outside the front porch with the food boxes and a sign-in book. Clients must get out and sign the book. They will then pull around the other side of the parking lot next to the highway and depart. Nobody will congregate or have contact with those not in their car.
Miscellany
Retired teachers offering scholarships
The Tallahatchie County Retired Teachers Association has announced its scholarship application process for 2020.
Applications are available now and can be obtained by calling Charleston High School at 647-5359 or Sevelda Taylor at 647-2851 or 647-7804.
One scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior in both the East and West Tallahatchie school districts.
The deadline for submission is May 15, and students are encouraged to apply by submitting a completed application with supporting documents to Myrtle Jordan at 124 E. Cypress St., Charleston, MS 38921.
Keglar Legacy accepts applications
The 2020 Birdia Keglar Legacy Community Celebration planned for June 6 in Charleston has now been canceled.
The COVID-19 pandemic determining social distancing, self care and the prohibiting of gatherings of more than 10 people warranted the organization to make the decision.
The BK Legacy Scholarship still will be awarded to a deserving young woman from Tallahatchie County who meets the criteria. To participate in the application process, go to the website, birdiakeglarlegacy.org, retrieve an application from Charleston High School or contact Gwen Dailey at 662-609-6701 or LaJoyce Stewart at 662-417-4950.
The deadline to submit a completed application, along with supporting documents, has been extended to June 15, 2020. Mail to BK Legacy Scholarship Committee, Post Office Box 222, Charleston, MS 38921
On behalf of Mrs. Keglar’s work and purpose and this being a presidential election year, the BK Legacy will also continue its efforts to contribute to civic and community engagement in the form of voter education and registration as are always a part of the annual community day celebration.
2020 scholarship process suspended
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Charleston Day Organization (NCDO) has announced the suspension of its local scholarship program for 2020.
“This is a very difficult decision, but because of the pandemic there are just too many uncertainties to proceed with the process at this time,” explained NCDO President Alvin Johnson.
“We regret that this action is necessary, and we share in the disappointment of prospective applicants, but this is the prudent and responsible thing to do,” he added.
The NCDO annually awards five scholarships to graduating seniors of Charleston High School or to second-year students in good standing at an institution of higher learning.
COVID-19 news, information sites
In addition to Sun-Sentinel print and website (www.tallahatchienews.ms) updates about COVID-19, the following are suggested:
» Mississippi State Department of Health, at www.msdh.ms.gov
» U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
» Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Research Center, at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
» Visit the worldometer website at https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
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 on the newspaper’s website 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.
