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 Veterans food pantry is still open to all honorably discharged veterans and widows of veterans at the DAV Bldg. 19th St. Open Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. POC Patti Lindner at 601-485-1813.

• 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.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, 1-800-273-8255. Additional resources to utilize: Trevor Lifeline, the only national 24/7 lifeline for LGBTQ youth is, 1-866-488-7386 – For U.S. Military Veterans, call 1-800-273-8255, press 1 to speak with the Veterans Crisis Line.

• 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 an 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 – Monthly Post members meetings are every 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. along with the VFW Auxiliary. We want to announce that we do rent our facility for weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc. Rental fees: $250 plus $45 clean up fee for main hall and $75 plus $45 clean up fee for Auxiliary room. We also have a large outdoor area with a covered grilling gazebo with wood-burning grills. FMI: Michael Alexander Commander at Post, 601-485-4042, or cell, 601-604-1496 and David Davis Adjutant/Quartermaster at Post, 601-485-4042 or cell, 601-604-0027.

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

• The Big Book Group of A.A. meets at the Firehouse, 3753 19th St., Meridian. Monday-Saturday, 7 p.m., Open Discussion – Sunday, 7 p.m., Open Speaker meeting – The third Sunday is Birthday night.

• 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

• 10 a.m.-noon – Joint Camp for those scheduled for joint replacement surgery at Anderson-North Auditorium – what to expect during/after surgery. The class is offered every other Monday. Lunch is provided for the patient and caregiver. FMI: 601-553-6924.

• Noon-1 p.m. – The Diabetes Prayer and Support Group meets the second Monday of every month in the private dining room hospital cafeteria at Rush Foundation Hospital. Bring your lunch. FMI: Contact Debbie Lane RN at 601-703-9681. debbie.lane@rushhealth.com.

• Noon – The Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club meets every second and fourth Monday of each month at noon in the Anderson’s Hospital Cafeteria meeting room.

• 12:15 p.m. – The Queen City Duplicate Bridge Club meets every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the Meridian Activity Center. FMI: 601-479-4925.

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

• 6 p.m. – VFW Post 12124 meets at Life Baptist Church, 3000 State Blvd. Meridian every 2nd Monday. We are seeking new members. If you served in a theater of conflict, we invite you to join our post as brothers and sisters of America. FMI: Contact Marty McCann (Post 12124 Commander) 601-527-3523.

• 6 p.m. – The Lauderdale County Democratic Party meets on the first Monday of each month through July at the Lauderdale County Courthouse Annex. FMI: 601-880-9591.

• 6:30-8 p.m., Monday, Celebrate Recovery group meets at NorthPark Church, 7770 Highway 39 North. FMI: 601-482-1322.

Tuesday

• 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.

• 12:45 p.m. – The Queen City Duplicate Bridge Club meets every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the Meridian Activity Center. FMI: 601-479-4925.

• 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 601-917-6277.

• 5-6:30 p.m. – NAMI Meridian would like to invite any adult diagnosed with a mental illness to join the Connection Support Group at the Wesley House Community Center, 1520 8th Ave. NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness and is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and supporting those living with mental illness and their families. A Family Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month at the same time and place. FMI: Call 601-917-1474 or 601-527-3734. NAMI Meridian Affiliate’s email address is namimeridian@gmail.com and the mailing address is PO Box 8563, Meridian, MS 39303.

• 5:30-7 p.m. – Stroke Support Group Meeting Anderson South Cafeteria. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month except in Nov. and Dec. FMI: Call Tom Maynor at 601-703-5477.

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

• 5:30-7 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting for caregivers. The group meets the 4th Tuesday of the month in the cafeteria at Anderson South. FMI: 601-483-9546.

• 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.

• 12:45 p.m. – The Queen City Duplicate Bridge Club meets every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the Meridian Activity Center. FMI: 601-479-4925.

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

• 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.

• 6 p.m. – VFW Post 79 meets every second Thursday of the month at the Stephenson Delauncey Bldg. on Old Hwy. 80W in Meridian. Saturday night dance takes place from 6-11 p.m. with Whiskey River Band performing. FMI: Call Michael Alexander, 601-604-1496 or David Davis, 601-604-0027, 601-429-5179.

Friday

• 8 p.m.-midnight – Longino Center Dance, Pecan Ave. 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.

Saturday

• 11 a.m. – VFW Post 12124 – Monthly meetings are every 2nd Saturday, at 11 a.m. at Life Baptist Church, 3000 State Blvd. Meridian. We are seeking new members. If you served in a theater of conflict, we invite you to join our post as brothers and sisters of America, who support each other and the community as we share in the camaraderie forged by having served in a U.S. Theater of Combat. FMI: Contact Marty McCann (Post 12124 Commander) 601-527-3523 or Ricky Nelson, 601-917-1007.

Daily:

Friday, Jan. 3

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Through the Looking Glass: Life in Mississippi Exhibit at The MAX. Free with museum admission.

• 10 a.m.- Southeastern Professionals Rodeo at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia.

• 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Vitalant Blood Drive at Bonita Lakes Mall.

Monday, Jan. 6

• 11 a.m. – Adults Crafts Twig Fall Branch Candleholder at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Tuesday, Jan. 7

• 10 a.m. – Babies/Toddlers Story Time – Crafts Polar Bear Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

• 11:30 a.m. – The monthly meeting of the Central MS Chapter 1251 of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) will be held at Ronnie’s Steak and Grill, 734 Pecan Ave., Philadelphia. All active and retired federal employees and spouses are invited to attend. FMI: 601-416-1053.

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (6th-12th Grade) Crafts Game Day at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Thursday, Jan. 9

• 4:30 p.m. – K-5th Grade Crafts Gingerbread Man Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Monday, Jan. 13

• 11 a.m. – Adults Crafts Coloring at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

• 10 a.m. – Babies/Toddlers Story Time – Crafts: DYO Snowman Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (6th-12th Grade) Crafts Color Me Bottle Holder at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Thursday, Jan. 16

• 4:30 p.m. – K-5th Grade Crafts MLK Day Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Saturday, Jan. 18

• 6 p.m. – 2020 Clear Vision Rally with Sandra Hancock at GracePointe Church, 8522 Hwy. 39N, Meridian.

• 9 a.m. – CowKids Youth Rodeo at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.

Sunday, Jan. 19

• 12:30 p.m. – 2020 Clear Vision Rally with Sandra Hancock at GracePointe Church, 8522 Hwy. 39N, Meridian.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

• 10 a.m. – Babies/Toddlers Story Time – Crafts: Clothes Pin Caterpillar Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (6th-12th Grade) Crafts Color Carrying Case at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Thursday, Jan. 23

• 4:30 p.m. – K-5th Grade Crafts Tiny Tile Coaster Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Genealogy meets at 2 p.m.

• 7 p.m. – Young Professionals of Meridian Membership Drive at DC Guitar Studio, 2211 Front St. FMI: Clark Terry, membership chair, 601-479-9757.

Saturday, Jan. 25

• 1 p.m. – The Porterville Consolidated School Reunion Committee will have its first meeting at the new Community Center, Old Rock Rd., Porterville. Everyone who attended the old school is asked to attend as we prepare for the upcoming banquet. FMI: 662-476-5768.

Monday, Jan. 27

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

Tuesday, Jan. 28

• 10 a.m. – Babies/Toddlers Story Time at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Crafts: Color Your Own Snowman Bag. Chess Club meets at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (6th-12th Grade) at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771. Crafts DYI Flower Wreaths.

Thursday, Jan. 30

• 4:30 p.m. – K-5th Grade Crafts DIY Snake Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. 601-693-6771.

Saturday, Feb. 1

• 2 p.m. – No Limits Monster Trucks Lauderdale County Agri-Center Meridian – two events in one day, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Discount tickets at O’Reilly Auto Parts in the area.

Thursday, Feb. 6

• 7:30 p.m. – Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group at the MSU Riley Center. 601-696-2200. www.msurileycenter.com.

Saturday, Feb. 15

• 7 p.m. – Disney Frozen Jr. at Meridian Community College. Tickets will be sold for $10 at the Eagle’s Nest Bookstore located on the MCC campus. For more information or for tickets, please call 601-581-3502.

Sunday, Feb. 16

• 2 p.m. – Disney Frozen Jr. at Meridian Community College. Tickets will be sold for $10 at the Eagle’s Nest Bookstore located on the MCC campus. For more information or for tickets, please call 601-581-3502.

Friday, Feb. 28

• 7 p.m. – Tenth Avenue North with special guest Micah Tyler at Northcrest Baptist Church. www.eventbrite.com for tickets.