Oct. 17
The 2nd Amendment and Gun Control
SEARCY — The White County Republican Women will sponsor a public forum at 7 p.m. at Harding Place, 801 S. Benton St. Shawn Fisher, an assistant professor of American and military history at Harding University, will speak about some of the major issues facing Arkansas and the U.S. regarding the Second Amendment and gun control. He will discuss the effects Washington’s decisions have on the nation, Arkansas’ economy, local municipal practices and everyday life. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, call (501) 268-4692.
Owners Association Fall Meeting
BATESVILLE — The Ozark Woodland Owners Association will hold its fall meeting, beginning with a barbecue dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Independence County Cooperative Extension Office, 1770 Meyer St. Kyle Cunningham, forestry specialist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, will speak about managing hardwood forests. Association members and other interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call Larry Morris at (870) 283-6646.
Oct. 18
Powhatan Ghost Walk
POWHATAN — Powhatan Historic State Park will host a Ghost Walk from 7-10 p.m. Century-old buildings, the Black River and old cemeteries will set the scene for a number of Powhatan’s ghost stories, folktales and legends. Attendees will be introduced to the spirits and spine-tingling tales of ghostly happenings. The cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children younger than 6 will be admitted free. For more information, call the park at (870) 878-6765 or email powhatan@arkansas.com.
Ozarka College Intro to Computers Course
MAMMOTH SPRING — The Ozarka College Continuing Education Department will offer a six-week Introduction to Computers course at the Mammoth Spring campus. The course will begin Friday and will continue each Friday through Nov. 22. The cost is $25 per student, and $20 for seniors older than 60. Topics will include basic computer concepts, Microsoft Windows, Internet search and navigation, email basics, sending attachments, uploading photos, and Facebook and eBay basics. For more information or to register for the course, contact James Spurlock, director of Ozarka College-Mammoth Spring, at (870) 625-0411 or jmspurlock@ozarka.edu.
Free Flu-Shot Clinic
JACKSONVILLE — The Stonewall neighborhood’s free flu-shot clinic will be held from 9-10 a.m. at the Christian Church of Jacksonville, 200 E. Martin St. The Jacksonville Unit of the Arkansas Department of Health will provide the flu shots. Vaccination recipients need to bring their Medicare or Medicaid cards, if applicable.
Kiwanis Chili Supper Fundraiser
BEEBE — The Beebe Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Chili Supper from 5-7 p.m. in the Junior High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for elementary-school-age children. Children younger than 6 may eat free. The all-you-can-eat meal includes homemade chili, beans, chips, cheese, apple crisp and a drink. The meal will be prepared by Beebe School District cooks. Tickets may be purchased from any Kiwanis member, Beebe High School Key Club members, the Beebe Schools Central Office, Simmons First Bank on ASU Boulevard or First Security Bank on Dewitt Henry Drive, or at the door. All proceeds will fund scholarships to Beebe High School seniors attending ASU-Beebe. For more information, call (501) 230-2890.
Oct. 19
Bulb Sale
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Master Gardeners will hold their annual bulb sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the County Extension Office, 1770 Myers St. Bulb-planting tips and a demonstration will be offered. Special varieties of tulips, narcissus and other flowers will be available. For more information, call (870) 834-9076.
Forever Quartet Concert
MCRAE — The Forever Quartet will be in concert at 7 p.m. at 16th Section Church, 3387 Arkansas 267 S. All are invited to the concert and to a fellowship time following the singing. There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be taken. For more information, call (501) 454-3250.
Gospel Jam
BATESVILLE — Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold a gospel jam session at 6:30 p.m. at 1915 Batesville Blvd., across from Southside High School. Anyone who likes to play, sing or listen to country and bluegrass gospel music is welcome. Admission is free. Performance slots are available with registration at the door. For more information, call (870) 307-5554.
Grief and Loss Support Group
JACKSONVILLE — The Caring Hearts Grief and Loss Support Group will discuss Preparing for the Holidays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Christian Church of Jacksonville, 200 E. Martin St. For more information, call Steve Summers at (870) 710-1508.
Meet the Masters
GREERS FERRY — The Cleburne County Master Gardeners will hold a question-and-answer session from 9 a.m. to noon at the Greers Ferry Public Library in the Greers Ferry Lake Plaza. Master Gardeners will discuss pruning, planting and preparing a winter garden. Extension pamphlets and soil-sample test kits will be provided. A Garden Surprise will be given to each visitor. Information about the Master Gardener Program and applications for fall classes, starting Nov. 5, will be available. The Master Gardener program is open to all who are interested in furthering their knowledge and expertise in all aspects of gardening, as well as educating and assisting the public.
Paws for the Cause
MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Stone County Humane Society will hold a fundraiser for its animal shelter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centennial Bank Park on Main Street. The event will include a silent auction, a bake sale, games for kids, face painting, a bounce house, a top-dog contest, a cat photo contest, a cake walk, entertainment by local musicians and food.
Community Resource Day
CABOT — A Community Resource Day, sponsored by the Cabot Community Coalition, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the American Legion, 104 N. First St. The purpose of the event is to provide a way to connect people in the area in need of assistance with those agencies that meet those needs. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Cabot Community Coalition at (501) 529-0604 or cabotcoalition@gmail.com.
Mystery Night at the Museum
CALICO ROCK — The Calico Rock Museum will host its first Mystery Night at the Museum, with dinner served at 6 p.m. in the Visitors Center, followed by a performance at 7 p.m. in the museum, 104 Main St. The Peppersauce Players will portray seven characters from local history from the 1860s through the 1960s. Tickets are $40 each, with proceeds benefiting the museum. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Also that night, the museum will hold a drawing for the raffle of a Razorback pine rocking chair. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. For tickets for the Mystery Night or the raffle, contact Gloria Gushue at the visitors center at (870) 297-4129 or ggushue@gmail.com, or visit www.calicorockmuseum.com/index.html. Checks may also be mailed to the Calico Rock Museum, 104 Main St., Calico Rock, AR 72519. Museum and Visitors Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, contact Gushue.
Chili Supper
CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The United Methodist Men’s semiannual chili supper will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Otter and Keno drives. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12. Tickets may be purchased from any United Methodist Man or at the door. Pie, furnished by the United Methodist Women, is included, along with a choice of drink.
Oct. 20-23
Special Revival Services
JACKSONVILLE — Special Revival services will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 and at 7 p.m. Oct. 21-23 at First Assembly of God, 221 N. Elm St. The evangelist will be the Rev. Dennis Thrasher from Gentry. For more information, contact Pastor Royce L. Lowe at (501) 982-5018.
Oct. 21
White County Retired Teachers Meeting
SEARCY — The White County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 2 p.m. at the Carmichael Community Center. Searcy retirees will provide refreshments. The program will be presented by Mary Alice Hughes, an Arkansas Retired Teachers Association-approved insurance agent. She will discuss changes in the 2014 Medicare laws and enrollment period, as well as new vision and dental insurance.
ONGOING
Kids Bible Club
WARD — The Kids Bible Club for children in first through sixth grades meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 30 at Ward United Methodist Church, at Scott and Arkansas 367 across from the Ward Community Center. The club includes storytelling, singing and light snacks. There is no cost for the program, and transportation is available. For more information, call Rick Meadows at (501) 843-3279 or (501) 327-9222, or email rmeadows@aaamissouri.com.
Fall Sessions for Musicians
BATESVILLE — Accordion, guitar, keyboard, violin and harmonica players of all experience levels are invited to come listen or play from 7-9 p.m. Monday, and also on Nov. 4 and 18, and Dec. 2, at First Community Bank.
Friends of the Library Book Shop
HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of The Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large variety of books at bargain prices. Proceeds will benefit all the libraries in Cleburne County, including the new library in Quitman.
Children’s Story Time
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., offers story time for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The event will include stories, videos and crafts conducted by librarian Vanessa Adams. The program lasts about an hour, and parents are requested to attend. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814, or visit www.indcolib.com.
Computer Classes
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library offers free computer classes, geared for adults of all ages. Topics will include using a mouse and setting up an email account. Reservations are required. Call the library at (870) 793-8814 to register. For more information on this and other library events, visit www.indcolib.com.
Free GED Classes
MELBOURNE — Free GED classes are available at the following Ozarka College campuses: Melbourne, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Mammoth Spring, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Ash Flat, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; and Mountain View, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call the Ozarka College Adult Education Department at (800) 821-4335, ext. 2051, or in Izard County, call (870) 368-2051.
Cabot Civitan Club Meetings
CABOT — The Cabot Civitan Club meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.
Cabot Alzheimer’s Support Group
CABOT — The Cabot Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. For more information, contact Cindy Orlicek Jones at (501) 843-9014 or cindy@arkelderlaw.com.
Retirees Meetings
KENSETT — Retired employees from Eaton Vickers and Remington Rand meet from 7:30-8:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Kensett Country Kitchen. All former employees are invited to attend.
Republican Committee Meetings
CABOT — The Lonoke County Republican Committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at Grandpa’s Bar-B-Cue. For more information, call Irene Ernst at (501) 941-4905, or visit lonokegop.com.
Ceramic Classes
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center is offering ceramic classes for people 60 or older. Membership is $20 per year. Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call the center at (501) at 982-2011.
UPCOMING
Backyard Cookout
JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association will hold a meet-and-greet backyard cookout to honor new members at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the home of Terry and Sharon Johnson. All members, spouses and guests are invited. Members need to RSVP to Linda Remele or Sharon Johnson by Monday.
Chicken on the Run
NEWPORT — Newport First United Methodist Church will have boxed dinners for Chicken on the Run available for pickup from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the church, at Third and Laurel streets. The boxed smoked-chicken dinners include a quarter chicken, potato salad, baked beans, a dinner roll and a cookie. Boxes are $8 each or two for $15, with proceeds to be used for outreach programs. Call the church at (870) 523-6561 to purchase tickets.
Dracula, Baby
HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Theatre will perform Dracula, Baby, a musical comedy, at 7 p.m. Oct. 24, 26, 28 and 29 at The Pavilion in the Pines, 21 Park Road. Admission is donation only, with proceeds benefiting the Arkansas Dream Center of Heber Springs and The Christian Health Center. For more information, visit www.hebertheatre.com.
Style-Show Fundraiser
HEBER SPRINGS —Baptist Health Medical Center and the Heber Springs Auxiliary will present their annual style-show fundraiser, Lights! Camera! Fashion! The event, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25 at the Heber Springs Community Center, will feature singer/songwriter A. J. Croce. Lunch will be catered by the Good Times Family Restaurant. Fashions and jewelry will be provided by Heber Springs retailers. There will be a silent auction and door prizes. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased from auxiliary members or by calling the hospital at (501) 887-5284.
Cabot Dance Academy
CABOT — The Cabot Dance Academy will hold a Haunted Hayride Fundraiser from 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 25, 26, 30 and 31. The event will be on U.S. 67/167. Take Ward exit 25, and watch for the signs. The cost is $10 per person. Proceeds will benefit the academy’s nationally ranked competitive team. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information, call Wendi Pickard at (501) 259-0462 or the Cabot Dance Academy at (501) 605-8900.
Fall Carnival
CABOT — A free Fall Carnival will be held from 3-5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Christ United Methodist Church, 15361 Arkansas 5. The carnival will feature games, bouncy houses and contests for Best Costume and Best Carved Pumpkin.
Spaghetti Cook-off
CABOT — A Spaghetti Cook-off will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Christ United Methodist Church, 15361 Arkansas 5. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for the whole family. Children younger than 3 may eat free. Teams may enter to compete for the best spaghetti and the best booth for a $25 entry fee. Mayor Bill Cypert and Cabot Chamber Director Kelly Coughlin will be the judges.
Variety Night
BATESVILLE — John 3:16 Ministries will present its seventh annual Variety Night at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Silent and live auctions will be held from 3-6 p.m., and a fish-fry dinner with all the the trimmings will begin at 5 p.m. Entertainment will start at 6:30 p.m. A 1994 Chevrolet Blazer will be given away as a door prize. Dinner tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.john316ministry.com, or call (870) 799-2525.
Fall Festival
CABOT — There will be a Fall Festival from 5-8 p.m Oct. 26 at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, on Arkansas 89 South. There will be a haunted house, hot dogs and popcorn, a pumpkin walk, crafts for kids, a creepy candy center, a punch station, and other games and activities. Door prizes will be awarded about every 30 minutes. All are welcome, and all activities are free.
AARP Potluck Dinner
CABOT — Cabot’s AARP chapter will hold a potluck dinner, entertainment and a short monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Cabot Senior Center, 600 N. Grant St. Members and those interested in membership are invited to attend.
Magic Show and Costume Party
NEWPORT — The Arkansas State University-Newport/Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council Children’s Series will get underway at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 when magician Rocky Clements brings his Show of Wonders to the ASUN Center for the Arts. Admission is free, and children 12 and younger are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Children will take part in a parade of costumes at the front of the stage prior to the performance, and treats will be distributed at the conclusion of the event.
Craft Sale and Country Store
JACKSONVILLE — St. Jude’s Prayer Shawl Group and Merry Widows will have a craft sale and country store from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 2403 McArthur Drive. A jambalaya dinner will be offered at 6 p.m. For more information, call (501) 982-4891.
Photography Contest
MAMMOTH SPRING — The Mammoth Spring Tree Board and the Spring River Lions Club are sponsoring a photography contest open to area residents. A tree must be present in the photo, and photos do not have to be mounted. The contest is open to youths and adults, and the deadline for entry is Nov. 1. The first-prize winner will receive $100, second place will receive $50, and third place will receive $25. Photos can be turned in at the Mammoth Spring City Hall. For more information, call Mayor Jean Pace at (870) 625-3518.
Holiday Extravaganza
SALEM — The Fulton County Fair will host the third annual Holiday Extravaganza on Nov. 1 and 2 in the Hickinbotham-Miller Exhibit Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. Hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 1, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2. To reserve tables and booth spaces, direct-marketing consultants and craft vendors may contact the Fulton County Fair at (870) 895-5565 or fultoncountyfair@centurytel.net.
Parking Lot Market Sale
CABOT — Christ United Methodist Church will host a parking-lot market sale from 8 a.m. to noon Nov 2. Spots cost $10. Participants may bring yard-sale items, crafts, homemade goodies, etc. to Christ UMC, 15361 Arkansas 5. For more information, call (501) 529-0604.
Craft Fair
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4513 will hold their third annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at 2531 Arkansas 330 S. A wide variety of crafts and baked goods will be available from more than 20 vendors. Proceeds from the event will benefit veterans via the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary. Admission is free. For more information, call Patty Sullivan at (501) 884-5461.
Memorial Ceremony
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Masonic Lodge will conduct a special memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at Capt. Andrew R. Porter’s monument in the Oaklawn Cemetery. In 1847, Porter led his company of Independence County mounted volunteers at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War. He was killed leading the charge against an enemy artillery position. The ceremony will include a flag presentation and wreath laying by the Knights Templar Honor Guard, and a special Masonic funeral service. The ceremony will conclude with “Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes. This event is open to the public.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.