Community calendar for Oct. 21
Ongoing
• Meeting: Hattiesburg Chapter of Toastmasters International, 7-8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wesley Medical Center’s cafeteria community room. Interested people are invited to attend and develop better speaking, listening and presentation skills. Details: Andre Heath 606-6631, Jerry Holifield 268-7555, LaJuan Austin 289-4525.
• Meeting: Hattiesburg Council of Neighborhoods meets every second Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center. Guest speakers from city departments or other organizations usually speak. Public is invited. Details: hburgcon@hotmail.com.
• Event: Indoor Farmers’ Market, 1200 Corrine St. (J.A.P. Carter Building behind Sherwin Williams). Open all year from 7 a.m.-noon Wednesdays and Saturdays. Local produce in season, plants, handmade toys, swings, crafts, gift items, canned and baked items and more. Details: 583-9954 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Meeting: Pinebelt Radio Control Model Airplane Club meets and flies every Sunday afternoon at Purvis-Oloh Road flying field. Details: 818-2410 or www.pinebeltrc.com.
• Meeting: Support groups for those grieving a death resulting from a homicide are held monthly in the Hattiesburg, Bassfield and Waynesboro areas. For details, including times and places, call The Shafer Center’s Sharing Our Strength Homicide Program at 264-7777.
• Meeting: Hattiesburg Jaycees, 6 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month, 208 N. Hutchinson Ave. Membership is open to anyone 18-40 who would like to put their passion into action and make positive change happen in their lives, communities and around the world. Details: 336-0527 or hattiesburgjaycees@gmail.com.
• Event: The American Legion, Post 146, Petal, holds dances every Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. with live band. Admission is $5. Details: Van at (205) 335-7274.
• Event: The Bikers Church holds a free ride each second Sunday of the month. Riders meet at exit 57 at Keith’s gas station. Details: Beth Hickman (228) 832-8509.
• Meeting: The Pine Belt Doll Collectors Club meets at 3 p.m. every fourth Sunday of the month. This month’s meeting is at the Doll Corner of Calico Antique Mall, 309 E. Pine St. Details: 584-6422.
• Meeting: Overeaters Anonymous, 5:30 p.m., every Monday and Thursday, Open Door Church on Oak Grove Road. The group follows a 12-step program, and meetings last one hour. Details: 268-9148.
• Meeting: Stone County Lions Club meets at noon the first Monday and 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Western Sizzler in Wiggins. Potential new members welcome.
• Story times: Family Story Times are at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at Oak Grove Public Library. The same program is held both days.
• Story times: Story Time, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Hattiesburg Library, 329 Hardy St.
• Story times: Story Time, 10 a.m. Thursdays, Petal Library, 714 S. Main St.
• Rehearsal: Meistersingers’ rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Mannoni Performing Arts Center choral room at the University of Southern Mississippi. Details: 582-5555.
• Meeting: Forrest County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting, 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month, first floor of Paul B. Johnson Chancery Court Building, 641 Main St. Public is welcome. Details: H.C. Johnson, 466-8651.
• Meeting: Forrest County Branch of NAACP meeting, 7 p.m. the last Thursday of each month, St. James CME Church, 100 Country Club Drive.
• Event: Mississippi Ballroom Dance Association advanced lessons, 7:30 p.m. Mondays, On Your Toes dance studio, 5296 Old Highway 11. Details: http://www.msballroom.com.
• Event: Mississippi Ballroom Dance Association beginner lessons, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sigler Community Center, 315 Conti St. Details: http://www.msballroom.com.
• Meeting: American Parkinson’s Disease Pine Belt Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month, LiveWell Center, Cloverleaf Medical Plaza. Details: Ruth at ruths57007@aol.com.
• Meeting: Bereavement Support Group for anyone who has lost a loved one, 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, Forrest General Hospice, 1414 S. 28th Ave., Hattiesburg.
• Meeting: Spouse’s Bereavement Support Group meets noon-1 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at FGH Hospice, 1414 S. 28th Ave., Hattiesburg, and from 6-7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at Heritage United Methodist Church in Oak Grove. Details: 288-2500.
• Meeting: Suicide Survivors Support Group, sponsored by Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention, meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Details: Mitzi, 310-8357.
• Event: Seventh Day Adventist Church Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays, in front of Home Depot. No charge for vendors to set up. Details: lenoraclark70@gmail.com or ceirand7@gmail.com.
• Event: University of Southern Mississippi Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m. Mondays at USM’s old Elam Arms site, located on the corner of Hardy Street and 31st Avenue.
• Event: The Downtown Hattiesburg Farmer’s Market is held 3-6 p.m. each Thursday at Town Square Park. Details: www.hattiesburgfarmersmarket.com.
• Event: USA Dance ballroom and social dance lessons, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays in Hattiesburg or Petal. Details: 818-2459 or www.usadancehattiesburg.com.
• Meeting: Bereavement support group, monthly free service provided by a St. Joseph Hospice chaplain for anyone who needs a place to share or find comfort. All family and friends who have lost someone are invited to the safe, confidential non-denominational environment that is conducive to healing. Meetings are 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in Picayune and 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday in Hattiesburg. Details: (228) 594-3455.
• Meeting: Support group for abused women, 7 p.m., first and third Sunday, First Baptist Church, Purvis, family room, Family Life Center. Based on Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens.” Details: 543-9396 or 620-6436.
• Meeting: Alcoholics Anonymous, Jaywalkers Group, 7 p.m. Mondays, 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays except for the second Friday of the month, Open Door Church, 2180 Oak Grove Road.
Today-Oct. 30
• Fundraiser: Birdies for Charity fundraiser for the Kindness Foundation. Donors make pledges per-birdie, on the basis of the number of birdies they feel will be made during the Sanderson Farms Golf Championship in Jackson Nov. 3-9. Donations can be made online through Nov. 9 or on an official pledge form available at www.KindnessFocus.org and mailed to the Kindness Foundation by Oct. 30. The Kindness Foundation has provided Bibles for public schools in Russia for more than 20 years, Ukraine and Latvia. Details: 545-9090.
Today-Nov. 16
• Exhibit: “Reflections: African-American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection,” Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Laurel. Fifty pieces from the renowned costume designer and arts patron. Paintings, photographs, textiles and works on paper.
Today-Nov. 30
• Exhibit: “Russia Behind the Wall,” Hattiesburg City Hall. Collection of photos of Communist-era Russia taken by Hattiesburg photographer Sheri Hoem.
October-June
• Meeting: Pine Belt Area Retired Educators, 11 a.m. second Wednesday of the month, Senior Building, Sigler Community Center, 315 Conti St. Details: 545-1073, 582-8168.
Today-Dec. 8
• Workshop: “Rebuilding When a Relationship Ends,” 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Parkway Heights United Methodist Church. For those who are separated, going through divorce or death. $30 with flexible payments and scholarships available. Free childcare if requested with registration. Call 544-7873 to register.
Today-Nov. 12
• Exhibit: Literary Effigies and Blues Portraits: Woodcuts by Charles Jones, Gallery of Art & Design, University of Southern Mississippi. Reception, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Today
• Meeting: Forrest-Lamar Republican Women, 11:30 a.m., Movie Star Restaurant, 5209 Old Highway 11. Speakers: Lamar County School District Superintendent candidate Tess Smith and Judge Robert Helfrich, candidate for re-election to 12th Circuit Court. Visitors welcome. Details: Jan Campbell at 264-7356.
• Concert: Faculty Artist Series presents Merideth Hite, oboe, 7:30 p.m., Marsh Auditorium.
Oct. 23
• Concert: The Merry Widow, 7:30 p.m., Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium. A Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company production.
• Event: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Mississippi will hold a book reading and sale to celebrate the recent publication of “The Stories and Poems of the OLLI Writers,” 1:30 p.m., OLLI, 3601 Pearl St. The public is invited.
• Event: Quick Bite: Mississippi Sweet Potatoes, noon, Lamar County Extension Office. Sylvia Clark, extension office associate, will talk about the variety of sweet potato dishes for year-round healthy eating. Bring your lunch.
• Concert: Brown Bag Concert Series, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., City Hall Plaza. $6 lunches. Terrance Roberts performs on traditional African instruments and shares folktales. Rain? Go to Bianchi’s Pizzeria. Details: www.HattiesburgArtsCouncil.org.
• Event: Forrest General’s Sibling Class, 6-7:30 p.m., Maple Room, near Forrester’s Dining Area in the hospital. For kids ages 4-8 who may need a little help adjusting to the arrival of a new sibling. Children will learn about their role as big brothers or sisters and what to expect when the new baby arrives. Class is free if delivering at Forrest General. To register or for more information, call 288-4968 or go to forrestgeneral.com.
• Event: The Laurel Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’ Political Forum, 6 p.m., Oak Park Elementary School Auditorium on Queensburg Avenue in Laurel. Candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot are scheduled to participate, including those running for the offices of Circuit Court Judge District 18, Court of Appeals District 3, Chancery Court Judge District 19, Chancery Clerk of Jones County, Court of Appeals District 4, School Board member District 3, County and Youth Court Judge and School Board member District 4.
Oct. 24
• Lecture: “Is there natural evidence for God’s existence?” presented by Stephen Evands, 2 p.m., Liberal Arts Building, #108, University of Southern Mississippi.
• Meeting: Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi Pine Belt Chapter, 7 p.m., Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, 2420 Hardy St., Room 305. Myles Ray will present a survey of local edible wild plants and how to identify and prepare them. Social hour: 6:30 p.m. Details: 554-3222.
Oct. 24-25
• Event: 2014 Emery Home Reunion. Visit the site of the home in Richton, Oct. 25. Details: Eva at (703) 861-1172 or sistaeva@aol.com.
Oct. 25
• Concert: WUSM Tailgate Concert Series featuring VooDuo, 12:45 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi Centennial Green. Free.
• Event: Kuntry Kidz 5K Halloween run/walk and 1 mile fun-run, 8 a.m., registration, 9 a.m., race., Hinton Park, Petal. $15 gets a T-shirt for all pre-registered participants. $25 day of race. Get a registration form at www.HattiesburgJaycees.org. Halloween costume contest. Details: Elisha Barnes-Booth 543-9932.
• Meeting: Lamar County Democrats, 10 a.m., Purvis Voting Precinct, Shelby Speights Drive. Topic: Places to sign up for Affordable Care Act starting Nov. 15. Details: 268-6605.
Oct. 26
• Opera: The Mississippi Opera will present the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company’s production of The Merry Widow, 2 p.m., Madison Square Center for the Arts, 2103 Main St., Madison. This show is touring the state with performances also in Natchez, Hattiesburg and Meridian as part of the Symphony Orchestra and SOMTC’s outreach program, located at the University of Southern Mississippi. Tickets are $20 at www.msopera.org, by calling (601) 960-2300, or at the door.
Oct. 27
• Event: Dr. Fengwei Bai will discuss the chikungunya virus at Southern Miss’ monthly Science Café, 6 p.m., Cook Library Room 123. He also will discuss the basics of the Ebola virus. Science Cafés are free and open to the public. Details: Tracy Englert, tracy.englert@usm.edu
Oct. 28
• Concert: Southern Chorale, 7:30 p.m., Parkway Heights United Methodist Church.
• Event: Teen Book Club, 6-7 p.m., Hattiesburg Library, Meeting room. Discussing “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth.
• Event: Breast Cancer Get Together, 7 p.m., Cancer Center. Sponsored by Waiting for a Cure Foundation and Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Radiation oncologist Mike Cheng is the speaker. Details: Dawn Gillis, 620-6421.
Oct. 28-Nov. 12
• Exhibit: “Literary Effigies and Blues Portraits: Woodcuts of Charles Jones,” Gallery of Art and Design, Southern Miss campus. Opening reception, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 28.
Oct. 29
• Lecture: “Race at the Southern Table,” presented by John Edge, 6 p.m., Peck House, Asbury Annex, University of Southern Mississippi.
• Event: A fiction reading with Mary Miller, 7:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Building, #108, University of Southern Mississippi.
Oct. 30
• Event: Quick Bite: Interested in Pinterest? noon, Lamar County Extension Office. Lara Bowman, extension instructor will help you learn how to use this social media site. Bring your lunch.
• Silent movie: “The Closet of Dr. Caligari,” 7:30 p.m., Marsh Auditorium.
• Event: “Top Girls,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre and Dance Building, University of Southern Mississippi. Admission: $8.
• Concert: Brown Bag Concert Series, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., City Hall Plaza. $6 lunches. The Newman Square Nightengales sing standard and jazz vocal favorites. Rain? Go to Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center. Details: www.HattiesburgArtsCouncil.org.
• Event: “Treats in the Streets,” 4:30-7 p.m., Jones County Junior College, between the Terrell Tisdale Library and student center square. For kids 0-12 years. Must be accompanied by an adult. Costume contest, 6 p.m., at the library.
Oct. 31
• Lecture: “Long Range Capital Facility Plan for USM,” noon-1 p.m., Peck House, 3601 Pearl St. Speaker: Chris Crenshaw.
• Event: Haunted Halloween Science Trail, 4-7 p.m., Biological Sciences Learning Center, basement of Mississippi Hall, University of Southern Mississippi. Free, donations accepted. Trail is created and hosted by Southern Miss students who serve as tour guides and provide entertainment. Appropriate for all ages. Wear your Halloween costume.
Nov. 1
• Event: Fifth annual Grillin’ and Chillin’ BBQ Festival, Taylorsville. The festival will feature food, arts and crafts, a car, truck and motorcycle show and a 5k run. The highlight of the festival will be a BBQ competition and outdoor concert featuring country music recording artist, Sammy Kershaw. Arts and crafts and food vendor spaces are available. Arts and crafts applications may be downloaded at taylorsvillechamber.com or contact Jennifer Yelverton at (601) 785-4756. To request a food vendor application, call Nanette Singleton at (601) 577-6498. The BBQ competition is open to amateur and professional teams. Teams will compete for cash prizes in four categories: Brisket, Pork Ribs, Pork (pulled, sliced or chopped) and Chicken. Visit the Taylorsville Chamber website to view the complete set of rules and download an application or call Charlie Ware at (601) 616-7326. Details: Call Newt Ishee at (601) 785-4756 or Connie Ware at (601) 785-6556 or (601) 580-2704.
• Event: Sixth annual Dinner on the Grounds, Fly-in and model airshow, 8 a.m., 1502 Purvis to Oloh Road, Purvis. Jets, WWII reenactment, 3D aeorbatics. Details: 818-2410 or www.pinebeltrc.org.
• Event: Fall Festival, 2:30-5 p.m., Mars Hill Baptist Church, 66 Mars Hill Rd., Petal. Fishing booth, cake walk, hayride, games, candy, prizes, door prizes, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks.
• Event: Career Explorations for Girls Conference, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Liberal Arts Building, University of Southern Mississippi. For girls in grades 7-12 and their mom or adult female chaperone. No charge to attend. Call 266-5236 or 266-5246 to register or for details.
• Event: Delta Discount Deals and Steals, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 705 Country Club Rd. Sponsored by the Hattiesburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Clothing items 10 for $1. Other items priced to sell.
• Event: Eighth annual Thanksgiving Social, 1-3 p.m., Palmers Crossing Community Center, 225 Tatum Rd. Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. For elderly people in the Palmers Crossing community and various retirement facilities in Hattiesburg. Details: 818-6769.
Nov. 3
• Event: The Arc’s 10th annual Golf Ball Drop, Canebrake Golf Club. Win $20,000. Details: 583-4251 or 268-9334.