Blood drive

South Central Regional Medical Center community blood drive will be held from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in the conference rooms, which are located on the first floor in the hospital. All donors will receive a free t-shirt and will be registered for many door prizes. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh in at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Donors are asked to bring a photo ID and their donor card every time they donate. People who wish to donate at the blood drive may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-880-0743 or logging on to www.UnitedBloodServices.org.



Retired educators

The Retired Education Personnel of Jones County will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Gardiner School. David Townsend, Coordinator of Wellness at SCRMC, will speak on “Health and Wellness.” Rev. Aaron Heidelberg will give the devotion. All retired education personnel are encouraged to come and join this organization.



TOPS meeting

TOPS #MS 145, Laurel will have Open House from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Salvation Army Church Fellowship Hall, 13th Ave. in Laurel. Visitors are welcome.



Boil water notice

The Mississippi State Department of Health is issuing a Boil-Water Alert for customers who receive their drinking water from the Powers Water Association water supply located in Jones County. This affects approximately 108 customers from east Radio Road, Rechill Frosting Road and Pineview Church Road.



K-5 registration

The Laurel School District is holding pre-registration for five-year-old kindergarten during the 2009-2010 school year. Registration will go from 9 until 11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday at each of the elementary schools. The child must be five by Sept. 1.



LHS beauty pageant

Laurel High School’s beauty pageant will be held February 14 at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Tickets at the door will be $5, and all proceeds go to the yearbook.



Flea market

Laurel Parks and Recreation Dept. will offer a community Flea Market at the Cameron Center in the Gymnasium on March 14. The hours of operation for the event will be 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Booths will be 10 x 10 and the booth fee is $25 per space. For further booth information, contact C. J. Thigpen at 601-428-6449. The deadline for acquiring booths will be March 10. (Due to recent legislation enacted by Congress, no used articles of clothing or toys may be sold for infants or children under the age of 12.) No food vendors, please. Concessions will be available.



Taylor benefit

Rodney Taylor was involved in a car accident and sustained severe spinal injuries. He will be going to Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson. A benefit account has been set up at Community Bank in Ellisville to help with medical expenses. Donations can be made at any Community Bank location to the following account: Heather L. Taylor for Benefit of Rodney Taylor. For more information, contact Amber Cooley at 601-270-4675. 



Relay fundraiser

The Krewe of Docs Relay for Life fundraiser will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Reserve in Downtown Laurel. There will be a Cajun buffett and a concert featuring Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys from Louisiana. Tickets are $25 each and include meal and concert. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Sponsored by OncoLogics Inc., local doctors will be serving. For more information, call Kelley McKee or LaDonna Breland at 601-425-2999.



AARP meeting

Pine Belt AARP #4016 will hold its monthly meeting at Mt. Vernon Congregational Methodist Church on Hwy. 15 S. Monday, Feb. 16, at 9 a.m. Blood pressure and sugar tests will be offered. Regular meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Marty Fields of Westminster Presbyterian Church will be the guest speaker. Fields is a regular columnist for the Leader-Call.



DMA group to meet

The Don’t Mention Age (D.M.A.) group will meet at 11 a.m, Feb. 11 at the YWCO. New officers wil be installed and the speaker for the program will be Anniece Buckman. Members are reminded to bring items for the Animal Rescue League. Lunch will be served at noon.



Membership Meeting

There will be a Membership Meeting of the J.P. Utility District to be held at the office building located at 2280 Hwy. 29 South next to the Johnson Volunteer Fire Department on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. The utility serves the surrounding communities of Ovett, Whitfield, Johnson, Ellisville Junction, Pecan Grove, Landrum, Currie and Tuckers Crossing. Each member is urged to attend.



Singing telegrams

The Jones County 4-H “Singing Chefs” will deliver singing telegrams and a gift for your special someone Friday, Feb. 13, from 4- 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Singing telegrams will be delivered to businesses or homes for $20. To schedule a singing telegram call 601-763-3203. The deadline to place telegram orders is Wednesday, Feb. 11. All proceeds will go to benefit the 4-H Junior Chef’s Club.



Republican women meeting

The Jones County Republican Women will meet at noon, Feb. 11, at the Laurel Hotel and Convention Center (Ramada Inn). Our speaker will be Stacey Pickering, State Auditor. Everyone is asked to bring a food or cash donation for the Christian Food Mission and cellphones for soldiers.



MOAA to meet

The Pine Belt Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will hold its monthly meeting noon Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Laurel County Club. New president, J.W. Fagan will preside. An interested program is planned. The luncheon meeting is open to all active duty military officers, former officers, members of the Reserve and National Guard, retirees and their surviving spouses.



SJHS C/O 1984

The South Jones Class of 1984 has set a date for their 25th class reunion…this summer..July 25th, 2009.  Please email your contact info to sjh.class84@gmail.com or visit http://sjhclassof84.blogspot.com for more info. 



Men’s meeting

Steps is excited about what is going to happen in Laurel for the men of Laurel. Beginning July 31 to August 2, the men of Laurel will have a male symposium. The title of this symposium is “It’s Your Inheritance — Be Committed to Change.” For additional information, you may call the Steps line at 601-428-5521.



Goddaughter program

Do you have a goddaughter? Please join Steps to Excellence.....Positive Sisters as we introduce “A Godmother for a Goddaughter Rights of Passage Program”. The time and place for this event will be announced. For more information about this event, you may contact Carolyn Harper McLaurin at 601-428-4230, Pamela Jones Bingham at 601-580-3772 or our Steps line at (214) 428-5512.



Period ball

The Laurel Community Concert Association will present a patriotic concert and dance on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the YWCO. Brassworks, a premiere period dance orchestra from California, will perform a "Patriotic Musicale and Dance." This event is co-sponsored with the Laurel Sons of the American Revolution, Laurel Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Laurel Sons of Confederate Veterans. The program starts at 7 p.m. At 6 p.m. a free dance lesson for those who want the basics of the polka, waltz, and reel will be offered.  Admission is by season subscription or $15 at the door; under 21 is free. For more information, call 601-422-0987.



Watkins ‘79 reunion

The R. H. Watkins Class of 1979 will have its 30th Reunion on July 24-25, 2009. Anyone interested in helping plan the events for the weekend should come to an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Feb.17, at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Train Depot. For more information, call 601-319-0422 or email rhwatkinsclassof1979@yahoo.com.



Motorcycle ride

The 3rd annual motorcycle ride for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, sponsored by Sanderson Farms, will take place from 9:30 a.m. - noon at Saturday, April 4, at 127 Flynt Road in Laurel. Registration will be held at 8:30 a.m. There will be a chicken lunch at noon. $15 per person.



American Legion

The American Legion at 1108 N. 9th Ave. in Laurel announces new hours and events. The Legion will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m. until midnight Fri. and Sat., and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke is Friday nights. Country dance band MSP will perform every Saturday through February.



Financial seminar

Managing Money in Tough Times, a free seminar, will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 from 8:45 a.m. until noon at the Wayne County Vo-Tech Center in Waynesboro. Participants can attend three of the four offered sessions. If you want expert advice on taking charge in challenging times, this seminar is for you. Those who pre-register by the February 13th deadline and attend the seminar are eligible for a special drawing. There will be exhibits, food and door prizes. Sponsored by Mississippi State University Extension Service, BancorpSouth, BankPlus and First State Bank. Register at the Wayne County Extension Office, 601-735-2243.



Juneteenth pageant

Ray-E-Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 11th annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant for young ladies between the ages of 13 through 20. For more information, please call Stephanie, pageant director at 601-434-2704. Application deadline is Feb.15.



NEJ pageant

The sixth annual “Winter Wonderland Pageant Review” will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Northeast Jones High School Performing Arts Center in Laurel. This beauty pageant is open to girls ages 0-18 years and boys ages 0-4 years. The pageant is a fundraiser for the Northeast Jones High School Choral Department. Forms may be picked up in the High School Office. For more information, call Becky Page at 601-428-4454. If no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.



Junior Auxiliary Gala

The Laurel Junior Auxiliary will hold their 77th Annual Gala on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Rogers-Green House in Laurel from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. For tickets, please contact any member of the Junior Auxiliary or call 601-319-5757.



Fundraising banquet

The members of Jesse L. Brown Lodge No. 1450 will celebrate Black History Month with its 10th annual Fundraising Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Jesse L. Brown Elks Lodge in Palmers Crossing. In celebration of Black History Month, we will recognize the legacy and outstanding achievements of Johnny L. DuPree, mayor of the City of Hattiesburg. Banquet tickets are $20 and dinner is included. For additional information on this event, call Marvin Fluker at 601-573-6183 or Marshall Bell at 601-583-4912.



ARL food shortage

The ARL is in critical need of adult cat and dog food and also food for puppies and kittens, both dry and canned. Food goes extremely fast. To make a donation, drop by the ARL on Moose Drive in Laurel.



Will Graves donations

Donations can be made for Will Graves (Wayne and Mary Margaret Graves) at either Bank of Jones County, 1808 Hwy. 84 West in Laurel, 301 S. Court Street in Ellisville or any Community Bank, 909 N. 16th Ave. in Laurel, 5159 Hwy., 84 West, or any location state wide. Donations through PayPal may be made at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/willgraves



LHS C/O ‘69

R. H. Watkins High School, Class of 1969, is searching for all graduates to celebrate its 40th class reunion.  The reunion festivities will take place on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2009, beginning with a dinner at the Laurel Country Club.  Saturday’s events will conclude with the annual “Jagged Edge” Band summer reunion dance which draws alumni from several classes of Watkins High.  All graduates or persons who have current addresses for 1969 classmates are asked to e-mail contact information to the reunion coordinator, Pam Davis at pam-rayner@hotmail.com or call 601-477-9319.  Classmates not able to attend, please contact Pam with regrets and your address to receive a reunion class list.



YWCO serving lunch

Each Tuesday, the YWCO offers lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for $6 ($5.50 for seniors.) Takeout orders are available. For more information, call the YWCO at 601-428-5694.



Hospice volunteers

ComfortCare Hospice is seeking volunteers. Hospice volunteers are special people who do important and rewarding work by assisting the terminally ill patient and their family. Hospice volunteers are people who want to make a difference in the lives of others. To have an applications mailed to you, contact Bonnie Smith, Volunteer Coordinator, at ComfortCare Hospice at 601-422-0054 or 601-426-4704.



Education courses

The District Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District is located at 910 Sawmill Square Mall, Suite 236 in Laurel, across from the Mexican restaurant. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for students. We service students from 16 to 22 years of age. Interested students must come by and pick up an application to fill out and return with the necessary documents for an appointment. Students are honored with a $100 bonus check when they complete their GED. Applications can be picked up at the office Monday - Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.



Free classes

Free classes are available in literacy, adult basic education, and GED preparation at Pine Belt Education Center on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Registration for the classes is on Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. If you need to learn to read, upgrade basic skills, or get a GED, call Mary Jo Blackledge at 649-4141 for more information.



Downtown Laurel revitalization meeting

Laurel Express, a Mississippi Main Street project, holds its general meetings the 4th Tuesday of each month at the YWCO, 428 W. Oak St., at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Individual membership is $25. For more information, visit www.laurelexpress.org.



WJ Class of ‘98 plans reunion

West Jones Class of 1998 is planning their 10 year class reunion. If you are interested in attending, send your contact information to wjhclassof98@yahoo.com or call 601-577-2405.



Foster grandparents needed

If you are interested in becoming a foster/adoptive parent, please contact Linda Millsap or Georgia McCullum at the Jones County Department of Human Service at 601-426-1292 or 601-426-1277.



American Legion Post 1997 meeting

The American Legion Post 1997 of Heidelberg is meeting every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. for men and women. We are proud of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Join in.



Abuse support meeting

Are you affected by another’s abuse of alcohol or drugs? Help is available by attending AL-ANON meetings each Monday at 8 p.m. 24 Hour Club House located on the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th St. in Laurel. Free and confidential. For local information call 601-426-4688. MS Hot Line - 1-800-344-2662.



Volunteer nurses needed

The Pine Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking nurses or licensed EMT’s to assist with their Wednesday morning Blood Pressure checks each week. Volunteers are asked to work one Wednesday morning a month from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Chapter in downtown Laurel. The program is designed to monitor blood pressure for elderly clients or those who suffer from high blood pressure and need weekly readings. Working in this program provides work hours for retired medical volunteers to maintain their license in retirement. Anyone interested should contact Peggy at 601-426-9071.



SMPDD accepting applications

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District in Sawmill Square Mall in Laurel is accepting applications for GED classes (for ages 17-21) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For more information, call 601-426-9596.



Cancer support group to meet

The South Central Regional Medical Center American Cancer Society Support Group meets the second Monday each month at 6 p.m. at South Central Place. All survivors, loved ones and anyone involved in the fight against cancer are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call Karen Vanderslice at 601-399-0506.



GED testing offered at JCJC

Jones County Junior College is now offering the GED test at night. Advanced registration is required, and the cost is $40. Registration is held every Thursday, at 1 p.m. in the Adult Basic Education Building on the JCJC campus. For more information, call the GED testing office 601-477-4164.