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.

• The Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child is Nov. 13-20. Shoebox drop-off locations are Fifteenth Ave. Baptist Church, 1318 15th Ave. in Meridian – Rolling Creek Baptist Church, 1650 County Rd. 345, Quitman – First Baptist Church at Collinsville Community Club, 9161 Old Hwy. 19 North – Choctaw County Baptist Association, Butler, Ala., 110 Pickens Ave.

• The Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov.11, for Veterans Day. Also, the library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23, 24, 25, for Thanksgiving holidays.

• The Meridian Civitan Club is once again selling its old-fashioned world-famous Claxton fruitcakes. The fruitcakes remain priced at $4 per pound and are available for purchase at Meridian Mutual Federal Credit Union, 1st Mississippi Federal Credit Union, MUNA Federal Credit Union, Citizens National Bank, Great Southern Bank, First State Bank and Bankplus.

• Hamasa Shriners annual Cheese Sale – $12 for 2LB Block – Mild, Sharp, Extra Sharp. FMI: 601-693-1361 or hamasashriners@comcast.net.

• If you are interested in taking part in the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 contact Leroy Morse at 601-692-7025.

Daily:

Friday, Nov. 10

• 9:30 a.m. – Southeast Lauderdale High School will have its 22nd annual Veterans Day Celebration in the high school gymnasium. A Thanksgiving lunch will be served in the cafeteria for all who attend the event.

• 9:30 a.m. – Newton County Elementary School will have a Veterans Honor Walk with over 100 veteran guests participating. Among the guests will be two veterans who fought in WWII.

• 11:30 a.m. – Salvation Army Red Kettle Kick Off at the entrance to Bonita Lakes Mall.

Saturday, Nov. 11

• 7 a.m. – 17th annual Run for Hope will be at Bonita Lakes and includes a 10K Trail Run, a 5K Road Race, a 2 Mile Walk, and a 1 Mile Fun Run. Register in person at Anderson Health and Fitness Center. Online registration is available at www.southernracetimeing.com. All proceeds benefit Hope Village for Children. Race Director Kim Monsour at 601-934-2851.

• 9 a.m.-noon – New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church will hold its 1st Men’s Conference with the theme being “The Empowerment of Man.” There will be several dynamic speakers that will speak on topics that are designed to help empower men spiritually, physically and mentally. There is no registration fee or cost to attend. Lunch will be served. FMI: 601-604-6846.

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Christmas in the Highlands at Highland Baptist Church, 3400 27th St. in Meridian. Come get a jump start on Christmas shopping.

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Mississippi Blood Services will hold a community blood drive at Bonita Lakes Mall. The MBS Donor Coach will be parked at the Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian. Donors will receive a T-shirt (while supplies last).

• 10:30 a.m. – Veterans Day Ceremony 23rd Ave. and 6th St: Veterans will be honored at a ceremony at the Doughboy Monument. Guest Speaker – Chief Master Chief Ron Quthur. FMI: Contact David Davis at 601-604-0027.

• Noon – There will be a luncheon for veterans at VFW Post 79, located at 5614 Old Hwy. 80 West. FMI: Contact David Davis at 601-604-0027.

• 1-5 p.m. – Child Safety and First Responder Weekend at First Assembly Meridian – Jody and Wendy Dyess of FREE International will be providing free fingerprint kits for children so families will have a record of their child’s prints in the event of a child going missing. Along with the free service, families are encouraged to tour the Mobile Command unit used in investigations and outreach. Also, Meridian Fire Dept. will have trucks and apparatuses on the scene for children and families to see and touch. FMI: Contact 601-483-4591.

• 3 p.m. – There will be a Veterans Day Parade in downtown Meridian beginning at 9th St. and 25th Ave. FMI: Contact Leroy Morse at 601-692-7025.

Sunday, Nov. 12

• 10 a.m. – Jody Dyess of FREE International will preach on the topic of Trafficking at First Assembly Meridian.

• 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – St. Paul United Methodist Church Friends and Family Day. FMI: 601-479-0869.

• New Beginning UMC, 1013 Hwy. 45, Porterville, will have a Recognition for Veterans during its regular service. All veterans are invited to attend. FMI: 601-483-6475.

6 p.m. – Human Trafficking 101 Training for the Community at First Assembly Meridian. FMI: 601-483-4591.

Monday, Nov. 13

• 11 a.m. – Bingo for Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 4-6 p.m. – East Central Community College is holding an open house for its new Forest Career Advancement Center located at 316 South Main Street in Forest. Tours of the facility will be available and refreshments will be served.

• 5:30 p.m. – The East Mississippi Foothills Land Trust will have its 2017 annual membership meeting at the Mississippi Power Service Center Building, 3118 Hwy. 45N in Meridian. Guest Speaker: Andrew Covington, P.E., Operations Manager/Principal at Allen Engineering and Science. FMI: Contact Pearl Smith, 601-481-4211.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Hand Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• Noon – The Telephone Pioneers monthly meeting will be at noon at the Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. This will be a potluck lunch. Turkey and dressing will be furnished, please bring a vegetable, salad or dessert. All current and retired telephone employees and/or spouses are encouraged to attend.

FMI: Call Sandie at 601-527-1197.

• 4:30 p.m. – Chess Club at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 7:30 p.m. – Amos Lee will be performing at the MSU Riley Center.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Nov. 16

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition Great American Smoke-0ut Event at Greater Meridian Health Clinic in the front lobby.

• 2-3 p.m. – Genealogy at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 4-6 p.m. – Deaconess Homecare of Meridian will have Open House to celebrate its Grand Re-Opening and National Homecare Month – 1203 24th Ave.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade Headband Making at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 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 Rd. Please bring a dish to share. We will eat at 6:30. Admission is $5 per person. FMI: Glyn Jones, 601-581-1601.

Friday, Nov. 17

• 7 p.m. – Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live Family Show at MSU Riley Center: A breathtaking tour that begins in prehistoric Australia. You’ll interact with amazingly lifelike dinosaurs in a theatrical performance that will thrill kids while stimulating their imaginations. $20, $12.

Saturday, Nov. 18

• 7 a.m. – The sixth annual Magnolia Marathon & Half to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Lion’s Club Charities, and other local charities will begin and finish at City Hall, 601 23rd Ave. Meridian.

• 9 a.m. – Mid South Little Britches Rodeo at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. Admission $5 gate fee.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Downtown Meridian Christmas Open House.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Merry Meridian Market at the MSU Riley Center: Experience the best holiday shopping event Meridian has to offer inside the beautiful, historic MSU Riley Center. Celebrate the festive season with homemade crafts, food items, beautiful gifts and more.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Chunky River Harley-Davidson HOG Toy Run at Chunky River Harley Davidson for “Cans for Kids”, bring one new unwrapped toy. Register at 11 a.m., safety meeting at 11:30 a.m., kickstands up at noon. This is an open ride all bikes are welcome. FMI: 601-482-4131.

Sunday, Nov. 19

• 1-5 p.m. – The 49th annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope Opening Reception – includes holiday refreshments and entertainment. Regular tours will begin on Nov. 20 through Dec. 30. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 17, 1-5 p.m. The last tour begins at 4 p.m. unless prearranged. Adults $10 – Students $5 – Children under 4 free. Senior citizens, active military, and groups of 10 or more $9.

Monday, Nov. 20

• 11 a.m. – Adult Craft DIY Wind Chimes at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 7 p.m. – The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Meridian Temple Theatre.

Tuesday, Nov. 21

• 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – AARP Smart Driver Class (50 plus years old). Will be held at the RSVP Building, 4817 North Park Drive, Meridian. Call 601-482-0512 to sign up. Cost: AARP Member – $15, Non-member – $20. The certificate is good for three years.

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 2:30 p.m. – Movie Day at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 4:30 p.m. – Chess Club at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Wednesday, Nov. 22

• 3 p.m. – Young Adult Movie Day at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• 12:30 p.m. – Circle P Productions Turkey Twerk at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. FMI: 601-482-8498.

Sunday, Nov. 26

• 2:30 p.m. – New Salem MB Church, 5065 Whynot Alamucha Road will have its annual Family and Friends Day Celebration.

Monday, Nov. 27

• 11 a.m. – Adult Coloring at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 4:30 p.m. – Chess Club at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 5:30-6:30 p.m. – City of Meridian Christmas Tree Lighting. Light up the holidays in beautiful downtown Meridian where participants illuminate the 34-foot animated Christmas tree and officially kick-off the holiday season. Local churches and school groups will be singing Christmas carols and the Miss Merry Meridian pageant winners will be announced. Family fun for everyone.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult Fall Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Nov. 30

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Terrific Thursdays – Join the Meridian Downtown Merchants as they help you take care of your holiday shopping.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Saturday, Dec. 2

• 8 a.m. – H.O.P.E. Palomino Show at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. FMI: 601-82-8498.

• 8:30 a.m. – Candy Cane 5K Dash and 1 Mile Fun Run at St. Patrick School. You can run or walk the course through downtown Meridian. It begins and ends at St. Patrick School. Open to everyone. If you register by Nov. 14 you get a free T-shirt. Festive costumes encouraged. Register at time2run.net – 5K pre-registration fee $20, race day $25 – 1 Mile Fun Run Fee: Bring one or more cans of food for donation to Wesley House. FMI: 601-482-6044.

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – The seventh annual Bikers United For Children Toy Run will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn/Northeast Conference Center, 111 US Hwy 11/80 off 1-20/I-5, Exit 154, Meridian. Donations go to Wesley House. FMI: 601-479-5709.

• 4-7 p.m. – Geneva J. Baker will host a book signing at the Hamasa Temple Shrine, located at 5516 Dale Drive in Marion, to sign copies of her book “Kickin’ the Small Stuff: Eleanor and the Obnoxious Bully.”

• 5-8 p.m. – Merry Meridian Christmas Parade downtown Meridian. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Story,” and local businesses, organizations, churches and school groups are invited to participate in the one of the area’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 601-485-1944.

Saturday, Dec. 9

• 8:45 a.m. – Realtor Reindeer 5K Run/Walk plus Kids Fun Run at Bonita Lakes. The event will kick off at 8:45 a.m with the Family Fun Run, the 5K Run/Walk will start at 9 a.m. FMI: Stacy Barr: 601-693-6171, Donna Monsour: 601-479-6427, Brenda Easterwood: 601-527-7515, Lisa Hickman: 601-679-1244, Hannah Williams: 601-938-8482, Amanda Snowden: 601-416-2747, Steve Corey: 601-527-5444.