Now through Jan. 31
■ Eudora Welty Traveling Exhibit: The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum will host a traveling exhibit featuring a collection of photos and short stories by Eudora Welty throughout January. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Donations are appreciated.

Saturday, Jan. 3
■ Starkville Habitat for Humanity ReStore Warehouse Sale: Starkville Habitat for Humanity ReStore will host a warehouse sale from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at 1632 Rockhill Road, Starkville. Admission is free and open to the public.
■ Writing to Heal: The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System will host a reflective writing workshop at Redwood Business & Wellness, 5374 Highway 45 North. Beginning at 10 a.m., participants will write letters to themselves to be sealed and mailed back at the end of 2026. The event is led by Community Event Coordinator Melissa and is open to the public.
■ Chess Club: A new chess club will hold its first meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fired Up Studio, 424 Main St. in downtown Columbus. Those interested are encouraged to join.

Monday, Jan. 5
■ Friends of the Starkville Library Book Sale: Friends of the Starkville Library will host their monthly book sale from 11:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Starkville-Oktibbeha Public Library

Tuesday, Jan. 6
■ America 250 Kickoff: Join Susannah Ural, Mississippi State University professor and Frank and Virginia Williams Chair for Abraham Lincoln and Civil War Studies, for the opening talk of the “A History of Us” traveling exhibit Jan. 6 at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The exhibit explores rare documents tracing the story of American freedom, from the Declaration of Independence to the Civil War and beyond.

Thursday, Jan. 8
■ Sports Hall of Fame Press Conference: The Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame will announce its 2026 inductees at 10 a.m. at the Visit Columbus office, 117 Third St. S..

Friday, Jan. 9
■ Mickey Bell Comedy and Testimony: First Church of the Nazarene will host award-winning Christian comedian, author and speaker Mickey Bell on Friday at 5:15 p.m. for a meal, followed by Bell’s testimony and comedy program at 6 p.m. at the church, 2722 Ridge Road. Bell is known for his clean, family-friendly humor centered on themes of loss, struggle and redemption. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Jan. 10
■ Commit to Fit ’26: A fitness kickoff event featuring a 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. at 2041 Highway 45 N. All registrants receive a discount to Dick’s Sporting Goods and entry for race prizes.
Tuesday, Jan. 13
■ Tourism Partners: The monthly Tourism Partners meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Visit Columbus office, 117 Third St. S..

Wednesday, Jan. 14
■ MRPA Facilities and Maintenance Conference: The Mississippi Recreation and Park Association will host its conference beginning at 8 a.m. at Regal Hall, 125 Fourth St. S..
■ Community Event Speaker – Nancy Hargrove: Nancy Hargrove will discuss Eudora Welty’s works and short stories at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, 206 Fellowship Street, Starkville. The event is free and open to the public. Tours are encouraged and available by special arrangement; contact the museum at (662) 323-0211 for more information.

Thursday, Jan. 15
■ Books and Authors Program – W. D. McComb: Friends of the Starkville Library will host the Books and Authors Program Thursday at noon at the Starkville Public Library, 110 West Main Street. Mississippi author W. D. McComb will discuss his book The Truth That Lies Between. Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public.
■ GriefShare Support Group: First Methodist Church will host GriefShare, a weekly, in-person grief support group, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at First Methodist Church, meeting on the second floor of the Fletcher-Jones Building, 602 College St., Columbus. The group is open to the public and participants may join at any session. The cost is $20, which includes a workbook; scholarships are available. The fee may be paid by cash or check at the first session. For more information, contact Elizabeth Swartz at (662) 328-5252.
■ DivorceCare Support Group: First Methodist Church will host DivorceCare, a weekly in-person support group for those navigating separation or divorce, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on the second floor of the Fletcher-Jones Building, 602 College St., Columbus. Sessions are self-contained, and participants may join any week. The $20 fee covers a workbook; scholarships are available. The fee may be paid by cash or check at the first session. For more information, contact Elizabeth Swartz at (662) 328-5252.

Saturday, Jan. 17
■ MLK Dry Food Drive: The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee will host a dry food drive from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gymnasium at the former Mary Holmes College in West Point. Donations of dry and canned foods, such as beans, rice, pasta, flour and sugar, are requested. Collections will benefit the West Point Food Pantry.

Monday, Jan. 19
■ MLK Day March and Celebration: The annual West Point Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will begin with a march at 9 a.m. Marchers will assemble at East Half Mile Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive (the Navistar/Old B&W parking lot) and proceed through town to the former Mary Holmes College gymnasium. A program will follow at the gymnasium at 9:45 a.m., featuring the West Point High School Drumline, JROTC Drill Team and a voter registration drive by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The theme is “Building Bridges, Not Walls.” In the event of bad weather, the march will be replaced by a motorcade.

Wednesday, Jan. 21
■ Business Over Breakfast: Columbus Young Professionals, in partnership with the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, will host Business Over Breakfast at 8 a.m. at Harvey’s, 200 Main St., Columbus. The morning meetup offers an opportunity for young professionals to network and connect. The event is open to the public, and attendees do not have to be Columbus Young Professionals members to participate.

Saturday, Jan. 24
■ Downtown Starkville Warehouse Sale: Downtown Starkville will host its third warehouse sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the former Western Auto building, 308 University Drive, Starkville. Local retailers will sell discounted and clearance merchandise as they make room for spring inventory. Admission is free and open to the public.

Sunday, Jan. 25
■ Benefit Fish Fry: Zachary’s, 205 Fifth St. N., will host a community fish fry and silent auction from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The event includes plate lunches, with all proceeds supporting Max Osburn and his mother, Carmen.