Community calendar

Editor’s note: The Kemper County Messenger publishes the Community Calendar weekly in this space. It covers events, announcements and happenings in Kemper County. We welcome your news and comments. If you would like to have something placed in the Kemper Messenger, contact the office at 601-743-5760 during business hours; or mail it to Kemper Messenger, P.O. 546, DeKalb, MS, 39328. The Messenger’s writer, Steve Swogetinsky, may be reached at 601-776-6102.

MHV/4-H ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Come take a look at all the unique, handmade items created by local crafters during our MHV/4-H Arts and Crafts Show on Friday, August 6th from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, on the courthouse square in DeKalb. Hosted by MSU Extension and Kemper County Homemaker Volunteers

KEMPER CO HISTORICAL 

ASSOCIATION MEETING

The Kemper County Historical Association will hold its regular quarterly meeting at the Museum on Monday, August 9 at 3:00 p.m.  Visitors and new members are welcome!

WEST KEMPER HIGH CLASS OF 1973 HONOR FORMER PRINCIPAL 

WKHS Class of 1973 will unveil and dedicate a hand painted portrait of Mr. E.F. Stewart, Sr. to be displayed on the walls of KCHS. You are invited to join us for the momentous occasion on August 12, at 5:30 p.m in the cafeteria of KCHS. We are seeking one person from each graduation class to speak positively for 2 minutes on the impacts received from Mr. Stewart while he was our principal. If you would like to represent your class, please RSVP to Cluis Cox (205-907-2634), Dewayne Steele (662-549-1692), or Patricia Harbour (708-308-8222). Social distancing will be observed.

CHERRY CEMETERY 

MAINTENANCE FUND

If you would like to make a donation to the Cherry Cemetery Maintenance Fund, please send your donation to Mary Jane Nelson, P.O. Box 33, DeKalb, MS 39328. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

CENTER RIDGE CEMETERY 

DONATIONS

Anyone who has someone buried or is interested in the Center Ridge Cemetery can send their donations to: Barbara Brown, 7246 HWY 39S, DeKalb, MS 39328

KEMPER FLEA MARKET

Every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 8am-1pm at Bizzy Bee's. Free vendor setup. Selling anything from food, snow cones, household, crafts, and much more.

GARBAGE BILL PAYMENTS

Attention: ALL KEMPER COUNTY LANDOWNERS effective January 1, 2021 all garbage bill payments must be taken at the Commercial Bank located in DeKalb, MS (in-person) please have account number. 

The Kemper County Courthouse will no longer be accepting garbage payments. 

Payments can be mailed to: 

K. C. Garbage & Solid Waste

P O Box 39

DeKalb, MS 39328

Or call 1-800-253-0831 for questions regarding your account

JrMWV PROGRAM

Junior Master Wellness Volunteer Training Recruitment going on now. We are looking for youth 14-18 years old to join us for an exciting volunteer program.  

The JrMWV Program is a community health education and volunteer leader training program.  Youth will learn about improving health literacy and healthy lifestyle choices 

and will then go out into their community and become an advocate for a healthier Mississippi!  Participants will be expected to give back by completing 24 hours of community service. 

Come learn, share, and inspire others to lead a healthy lifestyle. For more information or to sign up call the Kemper County Extension office at 601-743-2837 or send an email to malikah.jones@msstate.edu.

COALITION FOR A HEALTHY 

KEMPER COUNTY

The Coalition for a Healthy Kemper County was organized to provide educational outreach. The goal is to bring educational awareness of health issues and unhealthy lifestyles that accompany diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. We solicit the help of area leaders, organizations and individuals working together to make a positive impact on the lives of our community members. If you are interested in helping us carry out our mission, contact Malikah Jones at the Kemper County Extension office at 601-743-2837 for more information. 

Multi-County CSA Temporary Office Procedures KEMPER COUNTY

Due to COVID-19 we are providing teleservice only.  Face-to-face, in-house appointments are temporary suspended.  Please call our office to schedule a telephone appointment. 

If you are a senior citizen or receive disability income AND have been assisted this year, you DO NOT need an appointment. Please submit your bill (for which assistance is needed) by mail, email, fax or drop box. If you are a senior citizen or receive disability income and HAVE NOT been assisted, please call for a telephone appointment. 

To receive services, the following are needed: Bill (for which assistance is needed), Photo Identification, Social Security Cards, Proof of income, Unemployment/Child Support/SNAPS, Documents may be submitted by mail, email, fax or drop box.

Your application will NOT be processed unless ALL documents are submitted. Phone (601) 743-5752, Fax (601) 743-2506, Email lclark@multicountycsa.org, Mail/Drop Box- P.O. Box 126, 39 Bell Street, DeKalb, MS 39328.

Online Private Applicator 

Certification Now Available

In response to limited face-to-face training caused by COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Plant Industry has approved an online private applicator certification program developed by the MSU Extension Service. Persons needing to obtain or renew their private applicator certification can complete the online training (two video training modules and a competency exam) by visiting the Online Private Applicator Certification Program on the Mississippi State University Extension's website at extension.msstate.edu. The fee for training and testing is $20, payable online by credit card, debit card, or eCheck. Successful completion of the training will certify the private applicator to purchase and use restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in the State of Mississippi for a period of 5 years. For more information contact your local extension office at 601-743-2837  or Mississippi Pesticide Safety Education at 662-325-5829. 

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE HOURS

During the COVID-19 cycle, the Kemper County Veterans Service Office will be open normal hours, for appointment only.  For those Veterans or surviving spouses, please call ahead for appointments.  Walkins will be seen when  time and space allows, and iIf unable to assist an individual, an appointment will be made.  The Kemper County Veterans Service Office is located in the Courthouse Annex, 29 Bell Street, DeKalb, MS.  Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  To set up an appointment, or for further information,  please call Marie Wilson, County Veteran Service Officer,  601-743-2247, or email kcvso@att.net.

EARN YOUR HS 

DIPLOMA

Earn Your High School Diploma in just 22 weeks! Tuition, Room and Board is absolutely Free! Youth Challenge, located at Camp Shelby Mississippi, is the Premier Alternative Education Program for 16 to 18 year old youth, who are struggling in the traditional school environment and for those who are no longer attending. Challenge also offers nationally certified job skills and College classes through a local University. 

We accept both Male and Female Applicants, 16 to 18 years of age. For an Application or more information call: 1-800-507-6253 or visit our web-site: msyouthchallenge.org 

KEMPER COUNTY SOIL & WATER 

CONSERVATION DEISTRICT ANNOUNCES BEAVER CONTROL COST-SHARE PROGRAM

Applications are now being accepted by Kemper County SWCD for the Kemper County Beaver Control Cost-Share Program. The Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Kemper County Board of Supervisors have funded the program to aid non-industrial private landowners in beaver control. For more information or to make application, contact the Kemper County SWCD located in the NRCS Office, USDA Service Center, Daws Building, 197 Hopper Avenue, DeKalb, MS or call 601-743-9588, extension 3.

TODAY'S MOM

A FREE educational program is being offered to help moms-to-be learn how to make healthier choices for themselves and their baby. Today’s Mom, is comprised of a series of six free lessons that includes: Keep Baby Safe, Food Safety, Pregnancy Concerns, Healthy Choices, Physical Activity, Recipe Testing and Breastfeeding .If you are interesting in this program .Please call Mary Bennamon at the Kemper County Extension office 601-743-2837 to find out about classes or if you have any questions. Email: mlb267@msstate.edu

FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD

Kemper County is a participant in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program providing a free book mailed monthly to the child in the child’s name from birth until the child reaches the age of five. This project is sponsored by the United Way of East Mississippi, the Strasser Family Foundation and the Partners for Kemper County, Community Foundation of East Mississippi.  To enroll your child on the website enter uwem.org and click on Impact Programs Imagination Library  or imaginationlibrary.com and select the “PARENT” tab located at the top of the web page. Registration cards may also be picked up at the Kemper County Library or the Kemper County Economic Development Authority office during normal business hours. Contact Loretta Hulin, Kemper County Imagination Library Coordinator on 601-416-8279 for additional details.

NEW LIFE RETREAT DRUG & ALCOHOL REHABILITATION & EDUCATION

Did you know benzodiazepines are involved in one fifth of all overdose related deaths? That’s over 13,000 deaths this year alone. You might consider it “safe,” but this little blue pill packs more than enough punch to earn a spot as one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. 

ADDICTION SCREENINGS 

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, take the first step towards overcoming addiction. Call today for free screenings or referrals.

1-800-431-1754

For more information visit:

https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/five-shocking-facts-about-xanax.html