Local volunteers are collecting simple shoe box gifts personally packed by children, families, and individuals here in East Mississippi Nov. 12-19. From East Mississippi, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary-sea containers, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, camels, even dog sleds-to reach suffering children around the world.

Ackerman Baptist Church, located at 185 Cherry St., is the local collection site for the Operation Christmas Child boxes. For more information call 285-3211.

Workshop to be held

How healthy and safe is your home? Since Hurricane Katrina, we have become more aware of how mold, chemicals, construction and indoor air pollutants in homes can affect the health of children and adult occupants. Recent research has linked chronic and acute health problems, such as wheezing, asthma, allergies, headaches, nausea and even cancer to contaminants that may be found in the home. Many of these may be reduced or prevented by using simple and affordable techniques for home cleaning, maintenance, repair and remodeling.

Americans spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors where they can be exposed to a variety of air pollutants, particularly during and after construction and home remodeling projects. If you are a homeowner do-it-yourselfer or professional interested in learning to insure your home or remodeling and repair work is healthy and safe, then you may want to attend the upcoming Healthy Home Improvements Workshop, hosted by Mississippi State University Extension Service.

On Monday, November 12, at 8:30 a.m., the Choctaw County Extension Service Office will host an interactive video-conference workshop. Seating is limited. To register for this workshop, contact the Choctaw County Extension Office at 285-6337.

Healthy lifestyles meeting to be held

A Healthy Lifestyles meeting will be held Tuesday, November 13 at 11 a.m. at the Choctaw County Library. Connie Black, Registered Dietitian with Webster General Hospital, will present the program. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact the Choctaw County Extension Office at 285-6337.

Weir FD flushing fire hydrants

The Weir Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Nov. 19 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Please make arrangements for the water to become discolored during this time period. The water will be safe to drink and use. We would suggest to not washing white clothes as they may become stained. This only affects people receiving their water from the Town of Weir.

Concert to be held

Bluegrass Christmas Concert to Aid Broken Wings Faith Build Project There will be a Bluegrass Concert on December 1, 2008 at the Choctaw County Community Center in Ackerman. The concert will begin at 6:00 pm. Set to perform is The Larry Wallace Band, Nash Street, and Skyline West. The concert will consist of bluegrass, gospel, and Christmas music. The cost of admission is $15. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Choctaw County Economic Development office at 662-285-3778 or Broken Wings Ministries at 662-285-9133. Proceeds from the concert will go to aid the Broken Wings Ministries with the purchase of their new building. Concessions will be available at the concert.

Fabulous Mondays at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church

Fabulous Mondays will be held at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Highway 9, four miles South of Eupora on November 12, 19, and 26 beginning at 7:00 PM. The guest singers and speakers are:

Nov. 12: Singer, Joyful Noise of Ackerman -Speaker, Rev. Stephen Burks

Nov. 19: Singer, Lawson Schilling - Speaker, Rev. Derrick Wilson

Nov. 26: Singer, David Berry - Speaker, Rev. Danny Irvin

Curtis L. Guess is the Pastor. For more information call 285-6794

Storm Spotters class

There will be a Storm Spotters, Jan. 28 at the Choctaw County Courthouse from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Steve Wilkinson, with the National Weather Service will give everyone knowledge of what they are looking at in serve weather conditions. The class is free and open to the public.

Home Buyer Education Course Offered

A Home Buyer Education Course is being offered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Families seeking grants from Rural Development are required to complete this course.

The course is also open to the public and will be beneficial to realtors, contractors and anyone wanting to buy a house. The Home Buyer Education course will be offered Tuesday, November 27 from 1p.m. - 5 PM at the Choctaw County Extension Office. Grenell Rogers, Family Resource Management Area Extension Agent, will conduct the workshop. Registration fee is $40 to receive all materials and certificate. Application and fee is due at the Choctaw County Extension Office no later than November 9. For more information call Juli Hughes, County Director, at 285-6337.

Awana Program at Enon CP Church

Children ages 2-5th grade are invited to participate in the Awana program at the Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ackerman each Wednesday evening beginning at 5:30. For more information call 285-3303.

Holiday open house set for the county library

Holiday Open House and Santa is set for Thursday, December 6 at the Choctaw County Library.

Local information will be publized after workshops have been finalized.

Technology Center Annual Fruit Sale set

The Choctaw County Career & Technology Center is having their Annual Fruit Sale. To order fruit you can see any VoTech student or call 285-4152.

Choctaw Extension office to host

numerous programs

November 15

Decking the Halls........and Doors and Tables

This Quick Bites will be live from the Mississippi State University Florist. Floral Designs of collected and purchased materials for every area of the home this holiday season. Starting with Thanksgiving and transeasonally moving to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Lynette McDougald, AIFD, Mississippi State University Florist Manager will be in charge of the program.

November 29

Holiday Cooking with Chef Roland

Do you want to impress your family and friends with a delicious, rich dessert during the Christmas holidays? Join Chef Roland as he demonstrates, step by step, how to make a Chocolate Christmas Log. Also known as Buche de Noël, this festive cake is a traditional European Christmas dessert.

Chef Roland Parny, Coordinator of Culinary Research and Development in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University will be in charge of the program.

Seating is limited for all programs. To find out more information or arrange attending please contact:

Choctaw County Extension Office Courthouse Annex - Ackerman at 662-285-6337.

Weir United Methodist Church will host a quilt show

On Saturday, November 17, 2007, the Weir United Methodist Church will host a quilt show featuring quilts made by Nancy Atkinson Henson of Ackerman, daughter Nancy Diane Henson Rhyne of Mobile, AL, and niece Nancy Smith Harber of Weir. The "Three Nancy's Quilts" will be on display from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In addition, as a church fund raiser, baked goods will be on sale.

Ackerman Community Blood Drive

Blood Donors go from Zero to Hero in only a few minutes. The Ackerman Community Blood Drive will be at Fred's Dollar Store Wednesday, November 7 from 12-6 p.m. MBS Donor Coach will be in the Parking Lot. All Donors will receive a T-shirt! Please ID. MBS suggest that donors eat within four hours before giving blood and drink plenty of water prior to and after making a donation.

Veterans Day Service to be held Nov. 12

The V.F. W. in conjunction with the American Legion will have a Veterans Day Program at the National Guard Armory. All are invited to attend. Say thanks to a veteran as he or she provided you with freedom.

Mt. Hermon holds Pastor Appreciation

Mt. Hermon and Rockport invite you to our Pastor, Ronald Jefferson and Sis. Julia Jefferson, Appreciation Program on November 18 at Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church beginning at 3 P.M. Our theme will be 'You Keep On Blessing Me'! We are asking everyone to come out and help us rejoice in our Pastor and his wife's special day. Our guest Pastor for the hour will be Pastor Nelson Riley so you know we are going to have a blessed time in the Lord.

Chuck Wagon Gang in Concert

The Chuck Wagon Gang will be in concert at First Baptist Church in Mathiston, MS on Thursday, November 15 at 7 PM. "Saving Grace" will be opening for them at 6:30 PM. A love offering will be taken.

2nd Annual Thanksgiving Gospel Gala

Jo Ann Reel Gospel Express Production will present the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Gospel Gala on Saturday, November 17 beginning at 6 PM at Wood Jr. College Auditorium in Mathiston, MS. Featured groups will be: George McClain and the Memphis Harmonizers of Memphis, TN; Reel Brothers of West Memphis, Ark.; Rev. Jimmy Forrest & True Believers of Jackson, MS; Bells of Joy of Maben, Ms; Spiritual Harmoneers of Houston, MS; The Voices of Faith of Houston, MS; Concert Supremes of Natchitoches, LA; The Forrest Brothers of Winona, Ms; and Gospel Travelers of Weir, MS. The Emcees will be Charles Golden-92.5 FM of Tupelo, MS and Mattie Robinson of Weir, MS. Admission will be $10 at the door. Children 6-12 $5 and 5 and under free.

Ackerman United Methodist Church Bake Sale set

The Ackerman United Methodist Church Bake Sale, Etc will be held Nov. 16 in the AUMC Fellowship Hall. The Bake Sale, Etc will begin at 11 a.m.

A Brunswick stew lunch will be served for $5 a plate. It will include stew, crackers and homemade dessert. You can eat in or take out. One dollar from each meal will be donated to the Broken Wings Building Fund. Also beginning at 11 a.m. will be the annual pre-Thanksgiving Bake Sale. All types of baked items and some craft items, including Mrs. McCarty's aprons will be sold. The bake sale will last until 5:30 p.m. or until all items are sold. A donation from these sales will also be made to Broken Wings Building Fund.

For more information contact the Ackerman United Methodist Church or members of the church or Patty Draper at 285-3629.

Fall fest set

The Ackerman Church of God will sponsor a Fall Festival Saturday, November 17 from 1 PM to 5 PM. The Festival will be held from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Ackerman Presbyterian Church located at the corner of Cherry and Louisville Street in downtown Ackerman - weather permitting. There will be games, an inflatable for children & refreshments will be for sale. Raffle tickets will be sold for a weekend get-a-way in Destin, FL. All proceeds will go to Ackerman C.O.G. youth group. For more information please contact Angela Paine at 285-8996.

Simpson VFD

fundraiser set

The Simpson Fire Department will hold a Fundraiser supper for the Fire Department Saturday, November 17 beginning at 5 PM Until! A choice of plates will be available: Chitterling - $15; Ribeye Steak - $12; Hamburger Steak - $8; Fish Plate - $10; Hamburger Plates - $5. There will also be entertainment. Come one, come all and enjoy the fun!

Military reenactment auditions

Shiloh National Military Park is in search of actors and re-enactors to play both civilian and military roles in a new film for the Corinth Visitors Center, Corinth.

The purpose of this 20-22 minute high definition video production will be to dramatize and personalize the story of the town of Corinth in the months following the Confederate defeat at the battle of Shiloh. While the town was occupied first by Confederate and then Union forces, life went on for the townspeople as well. Auditions will take place Nov. 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive, located at 501 W. Linden St. or call 287-9660. For further information, contact: John Allen, Signature Communications at 410-535-3477 or email at FlickKid@SignaCom.tv.

HCC Beauty Review

The annual Holmes Community College beauty pageant, "Parade of Beauties 2007," will be held on the Goodman Campus in Frank Branch Coliseum Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Admission charges will be $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12, Holmes faculty, staff, and students.

Miss HCC Pageant

The 2008 Miss Holmes Community College Pageant, a preliminary to the 2008 Miss Mississippi Pageant, will be held in McDaniel Auditorium on the Goodman Campus on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Five contestants, Francesca Rollins of Clinton, Laura Burton of Bentonia, Brittni Dickerson of Kosciusko, Kimberly Cotton of Yazoo City, and Suzanne Adkins of Madison, will vie for the title.

of Miss Holmes Community College.

Barbie Bassett, Chief Meteorologist for WLBT, TV3, will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Contestants will be judged in areas including talent, poise, physical fitness and interview.

The winning contestant will hold the title of Miss Holmes Community College 2008, and will represent the school in June at the 2008 Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg.

Admission to the Miss Holmes pageant will be $5 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under, and $2 for Holmes Community College faculty, staff and students.

Editor's note: Please drop your events by our office for a free spot in our community calendar or email your events to reporter@choctawplaindealer.com or ghood@choctawplaindealer.com