Please e-mail all calendar briefs to calendar@themeridianstar.com. Calendar items are listed by date and it may take a while before an event submitted weeks in advance appears in the paper.

F.Y.I.

• Registration opened Sept. 1 for the annual State Game of Mississippi Pumpkin Run 5K, Oct. 21, 2017, at Bonita Lakes. www.stategamesofms.org.

• The Multi-County Community Service Agency, Inc. provides transportation to Fresenius Dialysis on Highway 39 in Meridian and transportation to MIDD on College Dr. in Meridian, Monday-Saturday from 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. FMI: Please contact Delphine Gaines, Transportation Coordinator, at 601-934-1911 Cell; 601-485-1214 Office; or 601-483-4838 Leave a message.

• Eden Foundation, an outreach to the community. The crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day 601-453-4946.

• Longino Center Dance, Pecan Ave. behind Longino Fire Department in Philadelphia, open every Friday/Saturday night from 8 p.m.-midnight. Admission $8. Live music, free cokes/water, family atmosphere. FMI: Sam 601-728-0313.

• Lauderdale County Veteran Service Office at 1827 23rd Ave. is open from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 8-11 a.m. on Friday. Call for appointment. Walk-ins welcome. FMI: Jesse Barnett 601-482-9811.

• Lunch Bunch AA meets at Firehouse, 3753 19th Street Monday-Saturday, 12:15-12:45 p.m. • VFW Post 79 hours of operation are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight. Monthly Post members meetings are every 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30-7:30 p.m. along with the VFW Auxiliary. Saturday’s 8 p.m.-midnight we host our weekly Dance. The present band is White Lightning.

• Happy Hour AA meets at Firehouse daily from 5:30-6:30, 3753 19th St.

• Big Book AA meets at Alliance, 5000 Highway 39 North Sunday-Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Friday/Sunday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Friday/Saturday from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

• Quitman Serenity AA meets Tuesday/Thursday 7-8 p.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday at 205 Kirkland Drive.

Weekly:

Thursday

• 11:30 a.m. – Meridian Lions Club meets at Rush Hospital Cafeteria. FMI: 662-693-1103.

• 6 p.m. – Thursday Vino and Van Gogh meets at the Meridian Museum of Art. FMI: 601-693-1501.

• 6:30 p.m. – Hope, Diabetes, Prayer, and Support Group meets the first Thursday of every month at Faith Baptist Church, 5050 Highway 19 North, Meridian. Everyone is welcome.

• 5:30 p.m., 2nd Thursday of the month, American Legion Post 257 meets at Temple Theater Ballroom. Fellowship followed by a meeting of both the Legion and Auxiliary. FMI: David Sloan 601-481-3949.

Daily:

Thursday, Sept. 14

• 10 a.m. – NAS Meridian, in partnership with the 186th Air Refueling Wing, will host the 2017 POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at Meridian’s City Hall, 3rd floor. The ceremony is open to the public. Guest speaker will be Cody Perkins, the Meridian area Outreach Veteran Service Officer-II for the Mississippi State Veteran Affairs Board.

• 1:30-4:30 – The staff and residents of Bedford Care Center of Newton cordially invite you to an Open House to celebrate the grand opening of our Specialized Memory Care Unit “The Courtyard.” 1009 South Main St., Newton.

• 2-4 p.m. – Starting a Business-First Steps at the MSU Dean Building-Dustin Odom. FMI: 601-696-2286.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6 Curious George Birthday Celebration Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. – VFW Post 79 monthly members meeting, along with the VFW Auxiliary.

• 7 p.m. – Sip and Support at Weidmann’s. Join us for wine tasting provided by Galo. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to benefit the American Cancer Society. FMI: 601-562-4830.

Friday, Sept. 15

• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – The eighth annual Mississippi Gourd Festival will be held in Raleigh, at the Smith County Ag Complex, just off Highway 35 South, on SCR 77. FMI: www.mississippigourdsociety.org.

• 10 a.m. – The Pentecostal Church of God, located at 1811 Old Marion Road, will hold its ground-breaking ceremony for the Pentecostal Church of God Life Center.

Saturday, Sept. 16

• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – The eighth annual Mississippi Gourd Festival will be held in Raleigh, at the Smith County Ag Complex, just off Highway 35 South, on SCR 77. FMI: www.mississippigourdsociety.org.

• 8:30 a.m. – Hovious-Grayson American Legion Post 112 in Jackson will host a POW/MIA Recognition Day at 1-55 North Frontage Road between the Savanna Street and Daniel Lake exits.

• 10 a.m. until – Free Car Wash at Engell Law Office, 6171 Dale Drive in Marion. Hosted by First Baptist Church Marion.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play at Highland Park. Face painting, bouncers, water slides, food, basketball shoot-out, fidget spinners, kickball exhibition game, laser tag, music, splash pad, boys and girls bike giveaway, carnival games, prizes, cotton candy. Free. Sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club and the City of Meridian.

• 10 a.m. – Walnut Grove’s fourth annual South of the River Roux at Roux Field, just off Highway 35. Music, food, fun zone, car, truck, and motorcycle show, and more. FMI: www.facebook.com/WGRoux or website www.roux.ms or call Town Hall at 601-253-2321.

• 2 p.m. – Circle P. Productions “Race for Hunter” Barrel Race at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. Admission fees apply.

Sunday, Sept. 17

• 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. – Revival Services at First Baptist Church in Marion. Dr. John Temple, speaker, and Bro. Chris Lee, Minister of Music. Church located at 5711 Clinton St. behind the Post Office in Marion. Come worship with us.

Monday, Sept. 18

• 11 a.m. – DIY Banners for Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

• 6:30 p.m. – Revival Services at First Baptist Church in Marion. Dr. John Temple, speaker, and Bro. Chris Lee, Minister of Music. Church located at 5711 Clinton St. behind the Post Office in Marion. Come worship with us.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

• 10 a.m. – The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. Patients and caregivers are welcome. FMI: Contact C.W. Rankin, 601-604-1919.

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. Chess Club at 4:30.

• 10 a.m. – State Farm on Poplar Springs Ribbon Cutting, 5001 Poplar Springs Dr. Suite B.

• 2-4 p.m. – The United Auto Workers Retiree Chapter No. 2185 will meet at the Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. Bring your social security books. A speaker will discuss the Medicare advantage in general terms. This will not be our new benefit only an informal discussion. Regular business meeting after the discussion. FMI: Contact George at 601-737-5266.

• 6:30 p.m. – Revival Services at First Baptist Church in Marion. Dr. John Temple, speaker, and Bro. Chris Lee, Minister of Music. Church located at 5711 Clinton St. behind the Post Office in Marion. Come worship with us.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

` • 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Wesley House Community Center is hosting a Green Dot bystander training scheduled at the EMEPA Auditorium. This is a free event and open to the community on how to be proactive if they are a witness to violence in the community. FMI: Deidra Stewart at 601-485-4736or deidra@wesleyhousemeridian.org.

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult STEM Lava in a Cup at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

• 6:30 p.m. – Revival Services at First Baptist Church in Marion. Dr. John Temple, speaker, and Bro. Chris Lee, Minister of Music. Church located at 5711 Clinton St. behind the Post Office in Marion. Come worship with us.

Thursday, Sept. 21

• 11:30 a.m. – The Lauderdale County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on the second floor of Weidmann’s. The guest speaker this month will be Cheri Barry of the Rush Foundation. Her topic will be concerning women running for public office. Everyone is invited to attend.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6 STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. Genealogy Meeting 2-3 p.m. FMI: 601-693-6771.

• 6-7:30 p.m. – The Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center will host an IDEA Procedural Safeguards class at the Montgomery Institute, 200 24th Ave. South corner of 24th Ave. S and B St. Register by Sept. 19, seating is limited. FMI: Call Leslie Junkin at 662-251-5599 or Sally Gray at 662-401-3897.

• 6 p.m. – The International Singing Brakeman Association (TISBA) Hospitality Night will be at The Red Roof Inn, Suite B, located at 2219 South Frontage Road. Please bring a dish to share. We will eat at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. FMI: Glyn Jones, 601-581-1601.

Friday, Sept. 22

• 7 a.m-2 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Garage Sale, 10165 Lynwood Drive. All donated for charity sales, priced to sale. FMI: 601-483-8144.

• 8:30 a.m.-1p.m. – EMBDC Golf Classic Northwood Country Club. You can register at www.embdc.org. Tee times are available for 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Mississippi Blood Services will hold a Special Blood Drive for Leslie Mabry at Internal Medicine Clinic, 1600 22nd Ave. in Meridian. Donors will receive a T-shirt while supplies last.

• 10 a.m. – There will be a legal workshop to discuss advance directives, wills, and other legal issues. The workshop will be held at New Beginnings Adult Day Care Site 2. FMI: Contact Mr. Washington at 601-545-2950 or Ruth Sanders, RN at 228-219-2504. The workshop will also be at New Beginnings Adult Day Care, 562 Line Street in Philadelphia at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 23

• 7 a.m-2 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Garage Sale, 10165 Lynwood Drive. All donated for charity sales, priced to sale. FMI: 601-483-8144.

• 7:30 a.m. – Ride With the Governor. We’ll have a leg leaving from Chunky River Harley- Davidson to meet up with the Governor in Hattiesburg. Sign in at 7:30 a.m., safety meeting at 8:30 a.m., KSU@9 a.m., Registration must be done online at www.woundedwarriorsofms.com. FMI: Call Jan at 601-482-4131. Admission is $25 per person.

• 9 a.m. – Marion Shrine Club 5K Run will be at the Hamasa Shrine Temple, 5516 Dale Dr. in Marion. Late registration and packet pickup at 7:30 a.m. Registration includes a T-shirt. Prior to August 1 – $20 – After August 1 through race day $25. Register online at www.marionshrineclub5K.com or mail your form with check/money order made out to Marion Shrine Club. FMI: Contact Ken Burns 601-604-1711 – Benny Egler 601-480-2412 or the Hamasa Office 601-693-1361. Proceeds are for the benefit of the Marion Shrine Club.

• 2 p.m. – MSU Riley Center presents “How I Became a Pirate,” the musical Family Show that leads off the MSU Riley Center’s 2017-2018 Fall/Winter Performing Arts Series. Crafted especially for kindergarteners through fifth-graders. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students or $35 each for the Family Series package at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, which is open 9a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 601-696-2200.

Monday, Sept. 25

• 11 a.m. – Bingo for Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Johnny Appleseed Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

• 2-4 p.m. – EMBDC Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 200 22nd Ave.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

• 4:30 p.m. – Tie Dye T-Shirts Activity for Young Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

Thursday, Sept. 28

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6 Grade Berenstain Bears Birthday Mix and Mingle at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 7:30 p.m. – Garrison Keillor, the former host of the long-running public radio show “A Prairie Home Companion”, will take the stage solo, at the MSU Riley Center, accompanied only by a stool and a microphone. Tickets are $63 and $57 at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, which is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.

Friday, Sept. 29

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. -The 30th annual Mississippi Pecan Festival in Richton. GPS address: 510 Wingate Road, Beaumont, MS 39423. Admission $10, children 4 and under free. All weekend events: Broom making a demo, farming demo’s, arts and crafts booth, food vendors, lye soap demo, home-made biscuits, butter churning and more. If you are interested in booths or contests, please call 601-964-8222 or visit our website.

Saturday, Sept. 30

• 7 a.m-until – First Apostolic Church in Meridian will have a Chicken and Waffles Breakfast Fundraiser. $8 person and included eggs, grits, and juice. May substitute pancakes for waffles. Dine in or carry out 2010 Mosby Road. FMI: 601-482-1422.

• 8 a.m. – The Queen City Race for Life & Street Strut will be at Dumont Plaza with registration to begin at 6:30 a.m. – 5K starts at 8 a.m., and 1 mile starts at 9 a.m. followed by the Street Strut and High Heel Dash. The race will begin and end at 500 22nd Ave. – 5K Run/Walk is $20 in advance and $25 the day of – High Heel Dash is $100 and Street Strut/Umbrella Decoration Contest is $5 in advance or $7 on race day. You may also register online at Time2Run.net. FMI: 601-562-4830 or channing.peebles@cancer.org.

• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – The 30th annual Mississippi Pecan Festival in Richton. GPS address: 510 Wingate Road, Beaumont, MS 39423. Admission $10, children 4 and under free. All weekend events: Broom making a demo, farming demo’s, arts and crafts booth, food vendors, lye soap demo, home-made biscuits, butter churning and more. If you are interested in booths or contests, please call 601-964-8222 or visit our website.

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – 27th annual Clarke County Forestry and Wildlife Festival at Archusa Water Park in Quitman. The event will include a Car and Truck Show, Kiddie-Land with new and exciting games, Arts and Crafts, live entertainment, bass tournament, equipment displays, a Mr. and Miss Clarke County pageant, and lots of food.

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – The Moose Lodge of Meridian will have a Poker Run starting at Chunky River Harley Davidson. Registration starts at 11 a.m., the first bike out at noon, the last back in at the Moose Lodge is at 3 p.m. The cost is $15 a hand. Fish plates for sale for $10. FMI: Call Jan at 601-482-4131.

• 7-9 p.m. – Eight annual Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour by lantern light (last line forms at 8:30 p.m.) We will introduce four new stories in addition to the superstar stories already on tour. FMI: Call 601-479-283 or 601-692-5213 or 601-934-9311.