Today
Sports figures honored — The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, 206 Fellowship St., Starkville, will honor three nationally acclaimed area sports figures at an open house today from 1:30-3 p.m. Basketball great Bailey Howell, NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and baseball stand-out James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell will be honored with a permanent exhibit. Howell and members of the Rice family are expected to attend. All are welcome. For information, contact the museum, 662-323-0211.
Walk for Diabetes — This annual walk presented by The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi opens for registration at the Columbus Riverwalk at 1 p.m. The walk begins at 2 p.m. Visit msdiabetes.org to learn more about the battle against this disease.
Monday, Oct. 21
Hazard Lecture Series — The Hazard Lecture Series presents historian Marc Harris at the Heritage Academy Elementary School auditorium at 7 p.m. in the first of three presentations marking “The Voyage from the Past: The Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.” The free program, “The Battle of Gettysburg and Mississippi Troops” (including Columbus’ Gen. William Barksdale) is at 623 Magnolia Lane. For more information, contact Beth Lucas at Heritage Academy, 662-327-1556. Lectures will also be presented Oct. 28 and Nov. 4.
Library celebration — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library invites the community to a reception from 4-6 p.m. at the library at 314 Seventh St. N. to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chebie G. Bateman building. For more information, contact Jo Shumake, 662-497-2948, or Keith Gaskin, 662-617-0942.
Meet the Players — The Oktibbeha County Chapter of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites the public to meet MSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams in autograph sessions starting at 6 p.m. in the Palmiero Center on campus. A program begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Michael Richardson at 662-325-3659 or Carol Moss Read at [email protected].
Tuesday, Oct. 22
“Conquistadors” — As part of its “Coming to America” season theme, the Columbus Arts Council shows this PBS documentary at 5:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free and open to the public. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Thursday through Saturday,
Oct. 24-26
Welty Symposium — Mississippi University for Women’s Welty Writers’ Symposium honors the school’s most famous alumna and features keynote speaker Ellen Gilchrist, plus authors Steven Barthelme, Mitchell L.H. Douglas, Stehen Fuller, Cary Holladay, Elizabeth Hughey, Holly Goddard Jones, Michael Farris Smith, Adam Vines, Stephanie Powell Watts, Lamar Wilson and Steven Yates. For additional information, visit muw.edu/welty or contact director Kendall Dunkelberg, 662-329-7386. See story on page 5C.
Friday, Oct. 25
Welty Gala — New York Times Best Selling author Po Bronson is the featured speaker for the Welty Gala at Mississippi University for Women. Tickets are sold at different levels and offer opportunities for a private reception with the author along with premium seating during dinner. For more information, contact the MUW Office of Alumni and Development, 662-329-7148.
Old Memphis Kings CD release party — The Old Memphis Kings hold a CD release party for their album “Haven’t Your Heard? Vol. 1” at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus. $5 at the door. Cash beverage bar. For more information, contact the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Pumpkinpalooza — A Bulldog pep rally, trick-or-treating with downtown merchants, inflatables, pumpkin-painting station and restaurant specials for kids in costumes highlight Pumpkinpalooza in downtown Starkville from 6-8 p.m. For more about New South weekends, go to visit.starkville.org/south3.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Music Trail celebration — A celebration of the completion of the Pilot Club of Starkville’s Music Trail at McKee Park on Lynn Lane begins at 10 a.m and includes demonstrations of the instruments led by Dr. Bob Damm, a BrainMinders puppet show, face painting and refreshments. Everyone is invited. For more information, contact Starkville Parks and Recreation, 662-323-2294.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Harpsichord concert — The Columbus Arts Council presents Dr. Jackie Edwards Henry at the harpsichord in “Parlez Vous Franglais,” a program featuring French and American music in honor of France’s gift of the Statue of Liberty, dedicated Oct. 28, 1886. Dr. Ryan Ross makes a visual presentation. Tickets to the 3 p.m. concert are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Oct 28
A visit from Gen. Grant — The Hazard Lecture Series presents E.C. Fields as Gen. U.S. Grant at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Academy Elementary School auditorium, Columbus. The program, “Lee, Grant and Lee: End of the War and Into the Future,” is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Beth Lucas at Heritage Academy, 662-327-1556.
Book signing — Adele Elliott will sign copies of her book “Friendship Cemetery” at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, call 662-368-2211 or email [email protected].
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Humane Society open house — All are welcome to come on in and tour the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society’s brand new facility at 50 Airline Road from 5:30-7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the CLHS, 662-327-3107.
MUW Choral Concert — Mississippi University for Women’s University Singers, Chamber Choir and Chorale are in concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Haunted Horse Park — Mississippi State’s Residence Hall Association presents the Haunted Horse Park at the Mississippi Horse Park, 716 Poorhouse Road, Starkville. Admission is $5. For more information, call 662-325-0508.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum — This forum and antiques show and sale at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in Columbus focuses on “Andrew Jackson’s Military Road: Nashville to New Orleans.” Highlights include “A Look at Hermitage,” a fall and holiday floral design workshop with Lynette McDougald, talks on Military Road and Jacksonian America, elegant dinners, concerts and garden symposiums. For more information, contact the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation, 800-920-3533 or columbus-ms.org.
Oct. 31 through Nov. 3 and Nov. 5-9
“A Catered Affair” — Starkville Community Theatre’s production of this poignant, funny musical about a Bronx mother’s efforts to give her daughter an elaborate wedding begins at 7:30 p.m. (except Nov. 3, 2 p.m.) at The Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St. Pattye Archer directs. For more information or tickets, contact the box office, 662-323-6855.
Friday, Nov. 1
Handworks Bazaar — This Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at the First United Methodist Church Life Center, 200 W. Lampkin St., Starkville, is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and features almost 40 vendors of hand-crafted items, a bake sale, sandwich shop and holiday entertainment. For more information, contact the church, 662-323-5722.
At the piano — Mississippi University for Women and the Music Teachers National Association welcome Grammy Award winner Angelin Chang in a piano recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
“Musical Milestones” — The Starkville/MSU Symphony presents the premiere of the “Toy Maker Symphony” and other memorable compositions at First Baptist Church, 106 E. Lampkin Sr., at 7:30 p.m. Free to the public. To learn more about the association, visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Portland Cello Project — Mississippi State’s Lyceum Series presents an innovative cello showcase that has wowed audiences from nightclubs to symphony halls and even halftime at Portland Trailblazers games. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus. Tickets are $15 (+$3 fee). Get tickets at lyceum.msstate.edu or call 662-325-2930.
Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9
“The Good Doctor” — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Theatre presents this Neil Simon comedy with music at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell Communications Center on campus. General admission is $10; students $5. For more information, contact the department, 662-329-7260.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9
Ghosts & Legends — Meet some of the “spirits” that still reside in Columbus as they tell of history and mystery. Bus tours depart the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus, beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Nov. 9
Giant Possum Town Yard Sale — This community-wide yard sale at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market at Second Avenue and Second Street North in Columbus from 7 a.m.-noon is open to fundraising groups, families and individuals. Reserve a booth for $25 by contacting Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
SAAC annual gala — The Starkville Area Arts Council’s “Night at the Louvre” is a 6:30 p.m. black-tie affair with social hour, dinner, dance and silent auction at the Hunter Henry Center on the Mississippi State campus. Reservations are required; tickets are $75. For more information, contact SAAC, 662-324-3080.
Sunday, Nov. 10
Light and Lively — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Chorus directed by Doug Browning presents a free program at First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lampkin St., Starkville, at 7:30 p.m. To learn more about the symphony association, visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Friday, Nov. 15
Choral concert — The Columbus Choral Society presents a free concert titled “Southern Waters” at 7 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. The concert will also be performed in West Point Nov. 17, at a location to be announced.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Holiday Farmers’ Market — Don’t miss this showcase of local art, local produce, live music, children’s activities and more just in time for Thanksgiving. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, Second Avenue and Second Street North in Columbus. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6355.
Ballet Magnificat — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Ballet Magnificat’s “Most Incredible Christmas” at 7 p.m. at Center Stage in Central School, 634 E. Westbrook St., West Point. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students under 18. For more information, contact Kathy Dyess, 662-494-5678, or Monte Brasfield, 662-494-1371.
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