Perry W. Huskey, an employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, has received the Operations and Maintenance Castle Award, Support of Civil Works Infrastructure, for fiscal year 2008.

Huskey was recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, professionalism and mentorship as chief engineer of the Dredge Jadwin, one of three dustpan dredges of the Corps that are responsible for maintenance dredging along the Mississippi River from St. Louis to New Orleans.

Huskey began his career with the District as a machinist. He has been chief engineer of the Jadwin since 1993.

Huskey and his wife, Christine, have one daughter and two granddaughters.

Retirement seminar set at Extension office

The Warren County Extension Service will host an interactive video seminar called Considering Retirement?

The free workshop is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday and will tell people how to file for Social Security benefits online.

Shawn Mercer, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, will lead the seminar.

The Extension office is located at 1100-C Grove St. To register, call 601-636-5442.

Writers workshops set at cultural center

Michael Garrett, a published author and Stephen King’s first editor, will present five writers workshops at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center in March.

Garrett is Editorial Associate of the Writer’s Digest School and, since 1986, has presented workshops at major colleges and universities across the nation.

The fee for the March 7-8 seminars is $60 for SCHC and Mississippi Writers Guild members and $65 for nonmembers. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

Sessions will be:

* Fiction Writing for Beginners, 9 a.m. to noon March 7.

* How to Become a Published Author, 1 to 4 p.m. March 7.

* Creating Your Novel, 6 to 9 p.m. March 7.

* Writing Your Opening Scene, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8.

* Short Story and Novel Feedback, 1-4 p.m. March 8.

For information or to register, call 601-631-2997 or e-mail info@southernculture.org.

BBB launches new program

Mississippi’s Better Business Bureau has launched eQuote — a new program that links them with BBB-accredited businesses.

eQuote is free and available  at www.ms.bbb.org. By clicking on the Request a Quote, an e-mail requesting a quote for services or products can be sent to BBB businesses in specific type of business categories. The businesses will then respond directly to the consumer.

The BBB has been serving Mississippi since 1964 by providing information and helping to resolve consumer and business disputes.