Editor’s note: The original version of this story contained conflicting dates for Sunday’s Reading on the River event for the launch of the Natchez Poetry Society. The event is at 4 p.m. Sunday.

NATCHEZ — This weekend offers residents a variety of options to get the month started off right.

Reading on the river

Creative types can indulge their cerebral and emotional side at the inaugural launch of the Natchez Poetry Society at 4 p.m. Sunday at ArtsNatchez gallery.

The event was the brainchild of Natchez newcomer Henry Clover and Natchez resident Peter Buttross, Clover said.

Clover, at Pittsburg, Penn., native, said he and his wife, Edith, recently moved from northern Thailand to Natchez to work as caretakers and organic farmers at Sligo Plantation. When he met Buttross, they discovered a shared interest in poetry.

“(Buttross) mentioned he used to run a (poetry) reading series…I am a poet myself and studied poetry, so we (decided) to get this thing going again,” Clover said.

Clover said he hopes the society will local poets a chance to come out of the woodwork once, find each other and share their work and love of poetry.

“I think (a poetry society) helps the community to connect with its own language and own means of expression,” Clover said.

Clover said poetry reading events like Sunday’s “Reading on the River,” are open to poets as well as those who simply want to listen.

He said he also expects the group to organize workshops and “read-arounds” in the future.

The free event is at 425 Main St. It will feature local and regional poets followed by open mic and discussion. For more information, call 601-442-6105.

Community cleanup

A group of volunteers will be doing a community cleanup day focused on Liberty Road as part of what has become an annual event. Additional volunteers are, of course, welcome to join.

The cleanup will start at 9 a.m. Saturday behind Liberty Park and will last until it is finished, Adams County Extension Service Director David Carter said. Carter is also the county supervisor for District 2.

Leadership Natchez, the Adams County Master Gardeners and the Cathedral football team have committed to attending.

The effort will focus on weeding, mulching where it is needed and pruning crepe myrtles in the area, Carter said.

Benefit for Shane Seyfarth

Face painting, balloon animals, a walk-a-thon, silent auction, 11 music acts and a womanless beauty pageant are among some of the activities at the “Every Mile a Memory” benefit for Natchez resident Shane Seyfarth, who is battling cancer.

The free benefit will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vidalia Riverfront and Amphitheater. In case of rain, the event will be in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church in Natchez.

A deer stand will be auctioned off at 3 p.m., and a custommade electric guitar will be auctioned off at 5 p.m.

Cash donations can be made at any Concordia Bank location.

For more information, call 601-431-2227.

Oak Ridge Boys concert

The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center as part of Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel’s Jester’s Jam Concert Series.

Oak Ridge Boys member Richard Sterban said the performance will deliver a good mix of old hits, including their No. 1 hit from 1981, “Elvira,” some new songs, patriotic numbers and songs that reflect the group’s gospel roots.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 at the Isle of Capri Hotel front desk or by calling 1-800-843-4753.