Unit encounters
1st MEB
HHD, 519th MP Bn — HHD hosts a Family Readiness Group meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the battalion classroom. For more information call 531-2386.
91st MP Co, 519th MP Bn — The 91st MP Co hosts an FRG meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the detachment. For more information call (631) 603-9988 or e-mail trista.turner85@yahoo.com.
204th MP Co, 519th MP Bn — 204th MP Co hosts an FRG meeting March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Family Readiness Center. For more information call (337) 401-3068 or e-mail 204bladerunners@gmail.com.
209th MP Co, 519th MP Bn — 209th MP Co hosts an FRG meeting March 8 at 6 p.m. at the FRC. For more information call (253) 441-0656 or e-mail 209MPCOFRG@gmail.com.
272nd MP Co, 519th MP Bn — 272nd MP Co hosts an FRG meeting March 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Terrace Community Center. For more information call (913) 775-0362 or email samantha.trunack@us.army.mil.
MEDDAC
Warrior Transition Unit — The Warrior Transition Unit post-traumatic stress disorder spouse and Family member support group meets Tuesdays at bldg 281 adjacent to Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital from 11 a.m.-noon. For more information call 531-3635/8034.
Clubs and groups
Desert Storm reunion
The VII Corps Desert Storm Veterans Association hosts the 19th annual reunion at Fort Meyer, Va. Feb. 27. The event begins with a service at Fort Meyer Memorial Chapel at 5 p.m. and continues with a reception at 6 p.m. at the officers’ club. Tickets for the event are $25. For more information or to make reservations call (800) 506-2672 ext. 4163.
Experimental aircraft
The East Texas and West Louisiana chapter of Experimental Aircraft Association meets for lunch the first Saturday of each month at the Leesville Airport on Texas Highway west of Leesville. The next meeting is March 6. For more information call 238-1024.
Valentine’s Day raffle
The Fort Polk chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club will conduct a raffle at the Leesville Walmart today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for two Valentine’s Day baskets. The baskets include free nights at Holiday Inn and free manicures. Tickets cost $2 and proceeds go to local charities.
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in bldg 920 on Fort Polk. The next meeting is Wednesday. For more information call (662) 616-7555 or e-mail nayari.cameron@us.army .mil.
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. meets the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is March 10. For more information call Willie Banks Jr. at (337) 208-7059 or Derrick D. Johnson at (337) 424-2286.
Purple Heart meeting
The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 727 meets the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in the New Llano American Legion Hall. Recipients of the Purple Heart are welcome. The next meeting is Feb. 20. For more information call 238-0170.
Granny basketball
The DeRidder Granny Basketball League is looking for ladies 50 and older to join a winning team. The game involves no running, jumping or physical contact, just exercise and fun. Some traveling is required. For more information call (337) 463-8775.
Goldwing meeting
The Louisiana chapter of the Goldwing Road Riders Association hosts its monthly meeting the second Saturday of each month at Bailey’s Cafe, DeRidder. The next meeting is Saturday. For more information call 239-9777.
Leesville TOPS
It is easy to Take Off Pounds Sensibly. TOPS meets Thursdays at the Vernon Parish Library. Weigh-in runs from 5:05-5:55 p.m. For more information call 537-8658.
Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star hosts meetings the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Pride of Leesville Lodge, 1106 Butler St., Leesville. Prince Hall affiliated members are invited. The next meeting is Feb. 22. For more information call (337) 348-9697/6334.
Chapter meeting
The Korean War Veterans Association, chapter 180, meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3106. The next meeting is Saturday. Call 239-7341 for more information.
Support groups
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery meets Fridays in the Triumph House at East Leesville Baptist Church. Meetings begin with a meal at 6 p.m. Child care is free. For more information call 239-3733.
Volunteers sought
Hospice of Leesville seeks volunteers to assist in its ministry in Vernon Parish. No training or experience is necessary. For more information call 239-1020.
Narcotics anonymous
Christian Living Fellowship Church, Section Line Road in Leesville, hosts Narcotics Anonymous support group meetings Mondays and Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m.; Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m.; Thursdays from 7:15-8 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8-9 p.m. For more information call 238-3570.
Miscellaneous
Lunch menu
The Vernon Parish School Board announces the lunch menu for Monday through Feb. 19: Monday: Presidents Day; Tuesday: Barbecue beef on a bun, baked potato rounds, tossed salad, mixed fruit; Wednesday: Taco salad, steamed corn, pear halves, raisin bread; Thursday: Turkey sausage gumbo, steamed rice, tossed salad, apple cobler; Feb. 12: Grilled cheese, vegetable soup, garden salad, apple wedges.
Track team meeting
The Leesville Track Team meets Wednesday at the Westside Boys and Girls Club, 413 Blackburn Street in Leesville at 6 p.m. The team is open for boys and girls 5-18 years old. The meeting will address fund-raising. The team also needs volunteers, coaches and sponsors. For more information call 353-6037 or 378-7101.
Youth basketball tourney
Boys age 11-16 and girls age 13-14 can participate in a youth basketball tournament at the DeRidder High School gym Feb. 26-28. The entry fee is $125 per team. The entry deadline is Feb. 21. For more information call (337) 462-0818 or (337) 348-1420.
Fund-raiser foot race
The Anacoco Lions Club hosts a 10K and 5K race March 27 as a fund-raiser to benefit the Louisiana Lions Crippled Children Camp. For more information or to register visit www.raceit.com/register/?event=957.
Horticulture
The Vernon Parish Garden Club meets the second Saturday of every month from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Vernon Parish Library. Each meeting features refreshments and a guest speaker. Visitors are welcome. The next meeting is Saturday. For more information call 239-5919.
Jeff MacMillan, a master gardener from Beauregard Parish, will speak about heirloom plants.
Resource center
The Vernon Pregnancy Resource Center, 110 East Lula St., Leesville, offers free testing and baby/maternity supplies to the women of Vernon Parish. Donations are accepted. Call 239-9863 for more information.
Grief support
Oasis Community Support Services in Alexandria offers a grief and bereavement support group for care givers of the terminally ill or those struggling with the loss of a loved one. Information is provided to help in the grieving process.
Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m. The next meeting is Feb. 17. For information call (318) 619-9457.
Al-Anon
If you have a friend or relative that is an alcoholic, DeRidder’s Al-Anon offers help.
Al-Anon meets from noon-1 p.m. Mondays and 8-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at 107 Wilson St. For more information call (337) 462-1505.
Adult education
The Vernon Parish School Board offers adult education classes at the West Leesville Elementary Annex building on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Day classes are held at Louisiana Technical College, Lamar Salter campus, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information call 537-4091 or 535-0247.
