When I drive home in the evenings, taking an all-too-familiar route to the house I grew up in and have returned to live in now — the home my father built in the 1950s— I think sadly about how the neighborhood has changed. My parents both worked to send my sister and me to college; they wanted us to have a better life. That’s what most people want.

The month of May is a time for recognition and to show our seniors that we honor and appreciate all they have tried to do in their lifetime. The Lauderdale County Council on Aging (with the help of local sponsors) is extending an open invitation to our citizens over the age of 55 to join us Tuesday at Dixie Bowl Lanes for a bowling tournament, Bingo on the Thursday at 1 p.m. and a cake walk on the Friday at Meridian Activity Center.

And those are only for this coming week! Pick up a calendar of May month events at the center when you come in. The fish fry will be held May 29 at 11:30 a.m. – no advance reservations or take outs.

Let’s try to be a bit more mindful this month of our elders, speak a little louder and clearer if they’re having difficulty hearing (don’t be so quick to toot your horn at the slow moving traffic) make a genuine effort to smile and be friendly. Let’s show our seniors we appreciate what they have done.



Classes coming

for summer



Our summer classes will begin on May 26. We celebrate Memorial Day this year on May 25, so the center will be closed. We are registering now for classes so call soon if you’d like to get in the class of your choice. Brochures are available at the Center or Parks & Recreation office at Highland Park. Visit the city of Meridian Web site at meridianms.org.

• New Computer Class: Blog with June in May! May 15, 22 & 29, at 10 a.m.. Check out the following blog sites if you are not familiar with the concept: http://avintagegypsy.blogspot.com and http://avintagegypsy.blogspot.com.

From what I understand you only need to be able to go online on your computer. Blog sites are much simpler than Web sites, which can be costly. They are something like a portfolio or a journal. There is a $25 fee for this class. Call to register.

• Queen City Decorative Painters will host another seminar in the decorative arts June 26 and 27. Diane Trierweiler of Norco, Calif., will come to Meridian to teach fine art and decorative painting classes. Price for the seminar is $30 per day, or $35 a day for non-members. You need to register by May 26 with Donna Lamberth at (601)737-2493 or call Annie Judy at (601) 626-0152. You can see some of her work at “dianetrierweiler.com” on the Internet.

• Belly Dance classes will begin May 28, from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.. We hope to also have enough people interested in doing a daytime class on either Monday afternoons, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., or Tuesday mornings before noon.

The fee is only $25 for a four-week class; Keating Prather will be in Meridian all summer to inspire us with this exotic form of dancing.

New classes we hope to permanently add to our class schedule are:

• Sewing by Pattern with Betty Arnold. This class is now being taught on Thursday mornings; if you are interested but cannot come on Thursdays, call anyway and we’ll see if Ms. Arnold can teach another day.

• Jewelry Construction on Thursdays, from 9 a.m.-noon.

• Color Pencil Drawing Techniques. You do not have to be able to draw to enjoy this class! Surprise! Come give it a try on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoon.

Meridian Activity Center is located at 3300 32nd Ave., in the old Lamar Elementary School. We are in the area of Northwest Junior High School and Church of the Mediator. The best approach is from 29th Avenue and 36th Street. Call us at (601)485-1812.



• Barbara Wells is director of Meridian Activity Center.