The Mount Vernon Main Street Alliance will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 at the City Hall. The focus of the meeting will be planning for celebration of the Centennial of the chartering for the City of Mount Vernon. See the Feb. 11 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.

Peggy Lowry served as the organist for the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon for more than 55 years. She resigned her position in November 2009.

A “Chili and Fixins” benefit dinner is set from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Mount vernon Senior Citizen Meal Center. Franklin County Chili Cook Off Champions Gary and Marsha Romines will be preparing their famous beef chili for the crowd. For more information, see the Feb. 11 edition of the Optic-Herald.

February as Black History Month will be celebrated in an event at the Cultural Arts Center. Activities get underway at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Feb. 11 with the Black Onyx Club board as hosts. See the Feb. 11 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.