The Lauderdale County Council on Aging will host its annual Health Fair/Fish Fry today at the Frank Cochran Center in Highland Park.

    The health fair begins at 8 a.m. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m.

    East Mississippi Adult Education Director Susie Broadhead said this is one of the largest events the agency conducts each year for senior citizens. Between 600 and 800 people are expected to attend the event, which will include food, entertainment and services provided by health vendors.

     Members of the 186th Air Refueling Wing will cook for the fish fry and the Chunky Shoals Fish Camp is donating coleslaw.

    “We try to help out where we can and this was something we could do,” Chunky Shoals owner Rick Lewis said.

    Meridian Activity Center Director Kathy Anderson said the Lauderdale County Council on Aging plays a key role in assisting area senior citizens.    

    “The council has furnished a full computer lab at the center that helps keep seniors as well as others active mentally,” Anderson said. “We also provide many activities and classes that help keep them active physically and socially.”

    The city of Meridian is also offering a new service to senior citizens. The city’s trolley bus will arrive at 8 a.m. at Deville Manor on 11th Street and will depart at 8:15 a.m. to transport seniors to the Frank Cochran Center.

    Meridian Mayor Percy Bland will greet those who get aboard what has been dubbed the “SilverLine Express.”

     “We wanted to extend our trolley services to some of our residents in the area so today is the kick-off at Deville,” city of Meridian Cultural Affairs Coordinator Laura Carmichael said. “We are now going to provide transportation for senior adults if they want to go to special events, an outing or just a tour of the city.”

    Carmichael said a weekly schedule of trolley services will be placed in several locations throughout the city.

    “Everybody loves the trolley,” Carmichael said. “We are excited to be able provide this service.”