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.

Daily:

Friday, Sept. 8

• 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 fellowship, guest speaker, and business session. All retired educators are invited to attend. FMI: Shirley Burton, 601-632-1361 or 601-479-7863.

• 2 p.m. – Velma Young Community Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 2400 16th Ave., Building 3.

Saturday, Sept. 9

• 8 a.m.-noon – The City of Meridian will hold a community clean up in Elmwood Cemetery at the corner of 10th Ave. and 24th St.

• 2-4 p.m. – Book signing for Dan Talley, author of “The Stan” at Meridian Little Theatre. Sponsored by the Rose Hill Company. FMI: Call 601-479-2483.

• 2-10 p.m. – The International Singing Brakeman will be celebrating the birthday of Jimmie Rodgers at Red Roof Inn, Suite B, 2219 South Frontage Road. Please bring a dish to share. Admission is $5 per person. Come join us for lots of good music, good food, and fellowship. FMI: Glyn Jones, 601-581-1601.

• 5 p.m. – The fifth annual Dylan Mabry Memorial Bull Riding Rodeo will be held at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center, 1022 Highway 19 South.

Sunday, Sept. 10

• 6 p.m. – Jeff and Sherri Easter will be in concert at Salem Baptist church, 2380 Salem Rd, Lake, Miss. Everyone is invited to attend. FMI: Call 601-775-8272.

Monday, Sept. 11

• 11 a.m. – Adult Coloring at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

• 5-7 p.m. – The City of Meridian Public Works Department has scheduled an open forum public meeting to discuss proposed pedestrian enhancements to Old US Highway West between Highway 19 and 71st Place. The meeting will take place at the Oakland Heights Elementary School Auditorium, 601 59th Ave., Meridian.

• 5:15 p.m. – Meridian Athletic Club will host a 9/11 Stair Climb to benefit First Responders. Arts District Parking Garage (across from the Temple Theatre). Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. on the Rooftop or pre-registers at https://form.jotform.us/72468030384153. Dedication/Community Prayer/and Kickoff starts at 6 p.m. Participants are asked to make a minimum of $5 donation to participate.

Tuesday, Sept. 12

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Puppet Show at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Libary. Chess Club meets at 4:30.

• 10:30 a.m. – The EMBDC will have a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the Grand-Opening of Vic’s Biscuits and Burgers, 3125 8th St.

• 6-7 p.m. – RESCUE 100 Foster Care Parent Orientation will be held at the Lauderdale County Courthouse, 500 Constitution Ave., Meridian. This is a free meeting for foster care parents to attend.

• 6 p.m. – The Telephone Pioneers monthly meeting will be held at the Family Fish Camp, 5381 Vimville/Causeyville, in Meridian. A $10 donation will go toward our service project. All current and retired telephone employees and/or spouses are encouraged to attend. FMI: Call Sandie 601-527-1197.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

• Blurt Game for Young Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. FMI: 601-693-6771.

Thursday, Sept. 14

• 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

• 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.

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.

• 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 4th 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.

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 information 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

• 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.

Friday, Sept. 22

• 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.

Saturday, Sept. 23

• 9 a.m. – Marion Shrine Club 5K Run will be at the Hamasa Shrine Temple, 5516 Dale Drive in Marion. Late registration and packet pickup at 7:30 a.m. Registration includes a T-shirt. Before Aug. 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

• 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.

• 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.

Sunday, Oct. 1

• 9:30 a.m. – First Baptist Church in Lauderdale will have their 44th Annual Celebration with guest speaker Mike Russell, and Guest Music with Paul Barkley. Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. with Worship at 10:45 a.m. There will be lunch following the service in the Family Life Center. FMI: Contact Ramona Powers at 601-679-5586. The church is located at 3659 Lauderdale Rd, Lauderdale.

Thursday, Oct. 5

• 6-9 p.m. – Buds & Burgers at Singing Brakeman Park. Registration is $50 (all proceeds go to L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen. The first 20 teams to register will receive a $50 gift card to Cash Saver. To register www.mitchelldistributing.com.

Saturday, Oct. 21

• The State Games of Mississippi Pumpkin Run 5K at Bonita Lakes. Registration opened Sept. 1. www.stategamesofms.org.