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 Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library will be closed on 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.

• 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.

• 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 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Saturday 1 p.m.-midnight. Monthly Post members meetings are every 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. along with the VFW Auxiliary. Saturday’s 8 p.m.-midnight we host our weekly Dance. The present band is White Lightning. FMI: Jack Bonner at 601-701-6706.

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

• 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:

Monday

• 12-1 p.m., Mondays, Al-Anon meetings at First Christian Church, 1301 23rd Ave.

• 5:30-8 p.m. – Civil Air Patrol MS 102 Composite Squadron at Key Field ANG Base. FMI: georgetpurvis@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/montgomerycompositesquadron.

• 6:30-8 p.m., Monday, GriefShare support group meets at NorthPark Church, 7770 Highway 39 North. FMI: 601-482-1322 or www.facebook.com/northparkchurch.net.

Tuesday

• 12 p.m. – Meridian Civitan Club meets in the Rush Hospital Private Dining Room. (except every fifth Tuesday), FMI: 601-938-6409.

• 12 p.m. – Meridian Exchange Club meets at Red Lobster. FMI: 601-479-3954.

• 12 p.m. – Meridian Downtown Optimist Club meets at Western Sizzlin’. FMI: 601-693-2336.

• 12-1 p.m., Tuesdays, Refuge Christian Recovery, a meeting for women whose loved ones suffer from alcohol and drugs, meets at First Presbyterian Church, Founders Room, 905 23rd Ave. FMI: Charlie 601-483-5927.

• 5:30 p.m. Rotary Club of East Mississippi – Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month at The Daily Grind.

• 5:15-6:30 p.m. – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Meridian Affiliate Family Support Group (at least 18-years-old in support of a person with mental illness diagnosis) meets at Wesley House Community Center, 1520 8th Avenue. FMI: Patricia Battle 601-527-3734 or Jill Walsh 601-917-1474.

• 5:30-6:30 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday, Al-Anon meetings at Firehouse, 3753 19th St.

• 6:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month, Disabled American Veterans Ch. 56 meets at 4101 19th St. Food pantry available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. FMI: Commander Dan Ward 601-485-1813.

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 meet 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., second 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.

Friday

• Longino Center Dance, Pecan Avenue behind Longino Fire Department in Philadelphia, open every Friday/Saturday night from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Admission $8. Live music, free cokes/water, family atmosphere. FMI: Sam 601-728-0313

Daily:

Thursday, Nov. 23

• 6 p.m.-10 p.m. – Lazy Acres in Lights Nov. 23 through Dec. 25. Experience the most wonderful time of year with an all-new, interactive outdoor light show. The farm is covered with scenes telling the true story of Christmas – perfect for families, churches, and youth groups. Kids of all ages will love Dancer’s Disco, Santa’s Workshop, and a life-size version of the Simon game.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• 10:30 a.m.-till gone – Big Time Chitterlings Cooking – Fish Plates too at the Famous Hamasa P-Nut Shed, 5516 Dale Drive in Marion. $10 per plate boiled or fried – includes greens, sweet potato, and cornbread. Fried fish plates also $10. Proceeds go to Hamasa Shriners. 601-693-1361.

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

• 3:30 p.m. Friends will gather at Sandy Ridge Bluegrass Park for a day of fellowship, food, pickin’, and grinnin’. Bring a covered dish for supper at 6 p.m. then hang around for some bluegrass music with possible banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle players. There will be no meeting in Dec. FMI: 601-644-3701.

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.

7 p.m. – MCC Christmas Gala Chorus and Guitar Ensemble at Meridian Community College McCain Theatre. The performance will be filled with seasonal sounds of joy and celebration as these ensembles share their skill and musical excellence. Afterwards, enjoy with us delicious desserts prepared by the MCC Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology students.

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.

• Noon – A Special Called meeting of the Board of Trustees of Meridian Public School District will be held at Central Administrative Building, located at 1019 25th Ave.

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

7:30 p.m. – A Christmas Story at Meridian Little Theatre. Nov. 30 through Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1

1:30-3 p.m. – The Retired Educators of East Central MS will meet at the Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. Agenda includes refreshments and “A Christmas Gathering.”

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 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.

• 11:30 a.m. – The Merry Meridian Museum Youth Workshop at the Meridian Museum of Art. The workshop is for children who want to create holiday crafts and art. Cost is $5 per child and pre-registration is required. FMI: 601-693-1501.

• 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 one of the area’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 601-485-1944.

• 5:30 p.m. – New Beginning, UMC, 1013 Hwy. 45, Porterville will have a “Christmas Musical/Concert” with various other churches participating. Everyone is invited to attend. FMI: 601-938-6789.

• 7 p.m. – Meridian Symphony Orchestra Peppermint Pops at he MSU Riley Center. Join the MSO, Meridian Symphony Chorus and Josh Christopher Adams for this festive celebration featuring beautiful songs of the season – including the traditional sing-a-longs. Santa will host a Holiday Reception immediately following the concert.

Monday, Dec. 4

• 11 a.m. – Adult Craft Pine Cone Door Hanger at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

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

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

Wednesday, Dec. 6

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

Thursday, Dec. 7

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

• 5 p.m. – The Meridian Chapter of Miss. Valley State University Alumni will have their meeting and Christmas dinner at Western Sizzlin. All alumni in Meridian and surrounding counties are asked to attend. FMI: 601-482-4559.

• 7 p.m. – Highland Baptist Church presents its 33rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree. Call 601-482-0191 to secure your tickets.

• 7:30 p.m. – Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6 at the MSU Riley Center.

Friday, Dec. 8

• 6-8:30 p.m. – First Assembly of God presents Bethlehem Revisited Dec. 8-10. First Assembly of Meridian will play out the story of Jesus’ birth with more than 100 actors, along with animals.

• 7 p.m. – Highland Baptist Church presents its 33rd annual Singing Christmas Tree. Call 601-482-0191 to secure your tickets.

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.

• 6-8 p.m. – Meridian Museum of Art Holiday Gala at the Meridian Museum of Art.

Monday, Dec. 11

• 11 a.m. – Adults Mason Jar Christmas Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

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

Wednesday, Dec. 13

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult STEM Snow Storm in a Bottle.

Thursday, Dec. 14

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade STEM St. Nicholas Activity.

Friday, Dec. 15

• 4-8 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works Dec. 15 through Dec. 22. A pure delight for kids of all ages. Bring your family to a true Christmas wonderland. The museum will be transformed into a Frozen Factory complete with falling snowflakes. There is even a train for the little ones.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• 6 p.m. – The Evangel Temple presents Messiah.

Sunday, Dec. 17

• 10:30 a.m. – The Evangel Temple presents Messiah.

• 6 p.m. – The Evangel Temple presents Messiah.

Monday, Dec. 18

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

Tuesday, Dec. 19

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Christmas Craft.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 20

• 4:30 p.m. – Circuit Board Activity for Young Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• 3 p.m. – Christmas Movie for all ages at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

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

Thursday, Dec. 27

• 4:30 p.m. – Craft for Young Adults DIY New Year Hats at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Friday, Dec. 28

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