Submitted photoFrom left, Merilon Butler, a resident of The Oaks;  Lauren Smith, volunteer coordinator with SouthernCare; Linda Cupit, resident volunteer at The Oaks; Randy "Elvis" Powell, maintenance assistant; and Kerry Brown, director of activities for The Oaks, participate in Jukebox January.

The Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center has teamed up with SouthernCare Hospice Services-Meridian, for Elvis Presley’s Birthday Celebration and Jukebox January beginning on Jan. 8.

The center will “rock around the clock” with Elvis tunes and movies, enjoy ponytails and poodle skirt fashions, sip soda shop ice cream and root beer floats, compete in Elvis trivia games, and win cuddly stuffed hound dogs.

The center’s monthly birthday party will be on Elvis’ birthday, 3 p.m. Monday at the Oaks. The Pink Ladies of SouthernCare Hospice will be serving ice cream and cake. The public is invited to attend this and any of the other events planned this Jukebox January at the Oaks.

For more information, call Kerry Brown, director of activities, 601-482-7164, or stop by for a visit and tour, 3716 Hwy. 39 North located by the Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Stonewall Scotland connection

Stonewall native Kris Carmichael participated when two ancient Scottish clans gathered Aug. 24 in the Great Hall inside Edinburgh Castle, Scotland as part of the 2017 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Clan Carmichael and Clan MacThomas were led out by their chiefs onto the Castle Esplanade, to the cheers of thousands that had assembled to view one of Scotland’s most cherished events. 

This is the first time that Scotland’s clans have been welcomed into the castle since the Highland Clans marched to the City of Edinburgh to lay siege to the castle during the Jacobite uprisings in 1745. The gathering was organized by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is celebrating its own ties with the Scottish Diaspora. The Diaspora marked Periods of vast Scottish emigration into other countries. 

Carmichael, son of Lavell and Billie Carmichael of Stonewall, has been a piper for more than 32 years. He, along with a handful of other Mississippi pipers, have for years, tried to accommodate a request for pipers around the state, he said.

“It’s really good to see a rising number of young people in kilts and tartans, it tells me they are interested in learning more about themselves, by plugging into the people and the land which has influenced us in so many ways,” Kris Carmichael said. “I do hope that Scottish mainline ties with those of the Scottish diaspora will remain and strengthen as time goes on. I have dreamed of making Scotland a permanent residence one day, it speaks so much to my heart and soul. But that is a dream, and I will keep it watered, as long as the blood is strong.”

Blanks honored with Tom Tabereaux Award 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Dec. 12 at The Tommy Dulaney Center at Meridian Community College. 

Arnetta Blanks, who has been an active RSVP volunteer for more than five years, was presented the Tom Tabereaux volunteer of the year award by Dr. Charlotte Tabereaux.

“With over 1,000 volunteer hours, Blanks treats this like it’s her job.” said Tim Putnam, RSVP director. “She goes to The Red Cross Monday thru Friday for 6 – 7 hours, she’s not your average volunteer.”

RSVP, a community impact program of United Way of East Mississippi, has more than 100 senior volunteers that play an active role in Lauderdale County. RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over that links the skills of the volunteers in Meridian and Lauderdale County with identified community needs. RSVP volunteers choose how and where they want to serve – from a few hours to more than 40 hours a week. For information on becoming a volunteer for RSVP, call 601-639-2732.

Salvation Army Toy Drive

Taj Mahal Temple #137 and Taj Mahal Court #88, in Meridian, donated toys to the Salvation Army Toy Drive to help local children have a happy Christmas.

Cheryl Owens writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to cowens@themeridianstar.com.