April 2
Sign Language
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will hold a Sign Language for Beginners class at 6:30 p.m. The course continues as a 10-week program, and participants must preregister to attend. For more information, call (501) 457-5038.
Grant-Writing Seminar
BATESVILLE — A Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce grant-writing seminar will offer two sessions today in the George Rider Room of First Community Bank: 9 a.m. to noon, intermediate and advanced insight into grant narratives, budgeting and appealing to funders; and 12:30-4 p.m., post-award stewardship practices and the secrets of securing federal funding. Following the seminar, presenter Cheryl Kester of the Kester Group will sign copies of her book Writing to Win Federal Grants. The seminar is open to all. The registration fee is $99 for one session or $150 for all day. Lunch will be provided.
Kelly Miller Circus
ASH FLAT — The Kelly Miller Circus will present shows at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. next to Tri-County Farm and Ranch Supply, 455 U.S. 62/412 in Ash Flat. Tickets, at $9 for adults and $6 for students, are available at Rebel Station in Hardy, the Ash Flat City Hall, the Highland City Hall and the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce office, 2852D U.S. 62/412 in Highland. For more information, call the chamber at (870) 856-3210.
April 3-5
Holiday Closing
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Easter holiday and will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday.
April 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18
To Kill a Mockingbird
SEARCY — Center on the Square will present To Kill a Mockingbird on Friday and Saturday and again April 10 and 11, and 17 and 18, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be held April 12 and 19, with brunch at 12:30 p.m. and the show at 1:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.centeronthesquare.org or call (501) 368-0111.
April 4
Easter Egg Hunt
CONCORD — An Easter egg hunt will be held for children ages 2-9 at 11 a.m. at the Concord Community Center, 10424 Heber Springs Road. Prizes will be given away, and hot dogs and cupcakes will be served after the egg hunt. Bring a camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny.
North Arkansas All Star Basketball Classic
BROCKWELL — Izard County High School will host the third annual North Arkansas All Star Basketball Classic on Saturday at the Cougar Den in Brockwell to showcase the outstanding graduating high school senior basketball players in the north-Arkansas area. The all-star high school boys and girls games will be broadcast on KSAR 92.3 FM by “Ole Coach” Gary Cooper and James Bragg. The event will also feature a 3-point shooting contest and a dunk competition between games. The girls game will begin at 6 p.m., and the boys game will be at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.
Communitywide Yard Sale
MELBOURNE — The city of Melbourne will hold its annual Spring Communitywide Yard Sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A list of sales will be available for pickup at City Hall today and Friday. Sales may be set up at the Charles C. Miller Park only. All sales will be held rain or shine. For more information, call the Melbourne City Hall at (870) 368-4215.
Egg Hunt in the Park
CAVE CITY — Curia Lodge 144 of Cave City will host its second annual Egg Hunt in the Park at 11 a.m. in the Cave City Public Park. The free event will include hot dogs, drinks, games and prizes. Everyone is welcome.
Dutch Oven Baking Bonanza
POCAHONTAS — The Dutch Oven Baking Bonanza has been rescheduled for 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Davidsonville Historic State Park. Join the park interpreter to make a variety of desserts in Dutch ovens. Admission is $13 per person, and early registration is required. To sign up or for more details, call (870) 892-4708.
April 5
Easter Service
SEARCY — Calvary Chapel Searcy, an extension of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, will hold its annual Easter service at 10 a.m. under the covered pavilion in Spring Park. For more information, call Sid Langley at (501) 268-7540.
April 6
Music Session
BATESVILLE — Musicians, singers and listeners are invited to a music session at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of First Community Bank. All are invited to bring their favorite songs. For more information, call Ed Casper at (870) 307-0258.
April 7
Children’s Movie
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will show the movie Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast, rated G, at 5 p.m. at the library. For more information, call (501) 457-5038.
Voices of Americans With Disabilities
MELBOURNE — The American Voices Series, sponsored by the Ozarka College Diversity and Cultural Events Committee, will host its third annual event, featuring the voices of Americans With Disabilities, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the John E. Miller Education Complex. The event will include three morning speakers, an information fair during the lunch break and a five-person discussion panel in the afternoon. All are welcome to attend. Presentations will be live-streamed to Ozarka College campuses in Ash Flat, Mammoth Spring and Mountain View. For more information or to reserve seats, contact Joan Stirling, Ozarka College vice president of planning and institutional research, at (870) 368-2007 or jstirling@ozarka.edu.
ONGOING
ASUN Summer and Fall Registration
NEWPORT — Registration for the summer and fall 2015 terms at Arkansas State University-Newport will begin Monday. Classes for the first summer term begin June 1, with classes for the second summer session beginning July 6. Classes for the fall 2015 semester will begin Aug. 24. Summer and fall-semester course offerings may be found at www.asun.edu/schedules/. To enroll at ASU-Newport, prospective students need to submit an application for admission, ACT/Compass scores,an official high school transcript or GED score, and immunization records. For more information or to begin the registration process, call (800) 976-1676 or log on to www.asun.edu.
Shoe Drive
BATESVILLE — The Humane Society of Independence County is holding a shoe-collection drive through May 4 to raise funds for dog-and-cat spay-and-neuter assistance. Donations of gently worn or new shoes, sandals or boots can be made at the Bargain Hound Boutique, 228 Ramsey St., Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call (870) 834-4490.
Adult Game Day
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will offer an Adult Game Day on Wednesday and April 15, 22 and 29, at noon each day. Adults 18 and older are invited to play dominoes, poker, chess, other board games or video games. For more information, call (501) 457-5038.
Ozarka College Evening GED Classes
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College’s Adult Education program has added evening GED classes in three locations. Classes meet from 3-6 p.m. Thursdays at Ozarka College in Mammoth Spring. For more information, call James or Cindy at (870) 625-0411. Classes meet from 5-8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Cave City Middle School. For more information, call Trish Turnbough at (870) 283-5392, ext. 1277. Classes meet from 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Timbo High School. For more information, call Junior Barham at (870) 213-7388 or (870) 368-2051. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call Ozarka College’s Adult Education Department at (800) 821-4335, ext. 2051, or (870) 368-2051.
Baxter County Evening GED Classes
MOUNTAIN HOME — The Baxter County Adult Education program now offers free evening GED classes, in addition to the program’s daytime GED classes. Classes are available from 3-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and registration is ongoing. For more information, call Jenna Robbins, Baxter County Adult Education instructor, at (870) 425-7974.
Summer Reading Camp
BATESVILLE — Registration is open for Reading Is a Superpower! This 2015 Summer Reading Camp for 6- to 12-year-olds, a fundraiser for the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon June 15-18 at First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main St. Activities will include story time, a superhero obstacle course, a readers theater, creative writing, recipe reading to make super snacks, word games and more. The camp will be led by certified teachers, including Literacy Project board members Ann Walmsley and Julie Reardon. Registration fees are $99 through May 15, plus $75 for each additional sibling. After May 15, the cost is $125, plus $100 for each additional sibling. To register, visit oflp.org/read2015 or call (870) 793-5912. For more information on the Literacy Project, visit www.oflp.org.
Essay Contest for Halberg Ecology Camp Scholarships
CLINTON — The 2015 Essay Contest for Scholarships to the Halberg Ecology Camp in June, presented by the Little Red River Audubon Society, is open to fifth- and sixth-graders who live in one of the following counties: Van Buren, Cleburne, Stone and Searcy. Participants must be 11 or 12 years old when the camp begins June 14 or a second session on June 21. The 200- to 300-word hand-written essays will start with “There is a Mockingbird …” and will be judged on facts and creativity. Mail entries to the Little Red River Audubon Society, P.O. Box 31, Clinton, AR 72031-0031 by April 11. For entry information, email lrras2011@gmail.com. For a camp brochure, visit www.arbirds.org/camp_brochure15.pdf.
Batesville Farmers Market
BATESVILLE — Batesville’s Main Street Farmers Market will open May 2 for the 2015 season and will be open from 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of the month through November. The market will set up in the Pocket Park on Main Street. To register for the market, call Cheryl Anderson of Garden Girl Farm at (870) 613-4588. For more information or a vendor application, contact market manager Jean Larson at (208) 869-1445 or jeallo16@gmail.com.
Cabot Farmers Market Opening
CABOT — The Cabot Farmers Market’s 2015 season will begin May 2. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Oct. 3 at 1122 Second St., which is Re:New Community Church’s parking lot (formerly the Bancroft Building). Anyone who wants to participate may contact the market at (501) 920-2122 or cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
Tea Party Meeting
CABOT — The Jacksonville/Cabot Tea Party meets at 7 p.m. each second Thursday of the month, now in a new location, Grandpa’s Bar-B-Que, 1801 S. Pine St. For more information, call (501) 813-6980.
Yoga in the Gallery
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council is offering Yoga in the Gallery classes at 8:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The hour-long sessions will be led by RYT200-certified yoga instructor Marnie Davis. Beginners are welcome, and no preregistration is required. The cost is $10 per session, or attendees may purchase a punch card from BAAC for 10 sessions for $70. For more information, call (870) 793-3382.
WISE Coalition Meeting
SEARCY — The WISE (White County Invested in Substance Abuse Eradication) Coalition meets from noon to 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Community Room of the First Community Bank University Branch, 800 E. Beebe Capps Expressway. All are invited to attend and get involved in activities to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in White County youth. For more information, visit wisecoalition@
gmail.com or call (501) 388-6555.
Cabot Civitan Meetings
CABOT — Cabot Civitan Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. For more information, call Tom Nolting at (501) 606-3731.
Love Cap Group
HEBER SPRINGS — The Love Cap group meets to sew caps on the fourth Wednesday of each month at First Baptist Church. For more information, call Polly at (501) 206-0808.
Pancake Breakfast
McRAE — A pancake breakfast is held from 7-9 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at McRae Masonic Lodge F. & A.M. No. 687. Donations are accepted.
Chronic Pain Meeting
CABOT — The Cabot Chapter of the American Chronic Pain Association meets from 6-8 p.m. the first Friday of the month at 15361 Arkansas 5. The association is a nonprofit, self-help group designed to teach people with chronic pain to reduce the effects pain has on their work and personal lives. All prospective members are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Michelle Lippert at (501) 259-6069.
Friends of the Library Book Shop
HEBER SPRINGS — The Friends of the Library Book Shop, 2255 Arkansas 25B N., is open from 3:30-7 p.m. Mondays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The shop offers a large selection of books at bargain prices. All proceeds from the shop benefit the libraries in Cleburne County.
Second Time Around Bookstore
SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 109 E. Center. Proceeds from the sale of donated books support the mission of helping adults in the community improve their literacy and English-language skills. The store and literacy office are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For more information, call (501) 278-5500.
Upcoming
Retired Teachers Association Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers Association will meet at 1 p.m. April 9 at First Electric, 1000 S. J.P. Wright Loop Road. Dr. David Lipschitz will present a program on the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as ways to live with the disease. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Sharon Johnson at (501) 982-6345.
Ozarka College Foundation Spring Gala
MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Foundation will hold its annual Spring Gala at 6 p.m. April 9 in the new Student Services Center at Ozarka College, at 218 College Drive. The theme will be “Forty Years Strong!” The gala features dinner prepared by the award-winning Culinary Arts Department, as well as a live auction. Attendees who are the highest bidder on an auction item will have the chance to win a ruby and diamond ring. Proceeds from the gala will support the foundation in its effort to provide resources for Ozarka College students. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Ozarka College Advancement Office at (870) 368-2059.
Book Sale
ASH FLAT — The Ash Flat Library and the BookLovers Brigade will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, 10 and 11 at the Ash Flat Community Center on Amhart Street. For more information, call (870) 994-2658 or (870) 847-0148.
Ward Chamber Awards Banquet
WARD — The Ward Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet April 10 at Grace Community Church, 30 Second St. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., with the dinner and program at 7 p.m. Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John “Mickey” Spillane IV will be the keynote speaker. Spillane, a 30-year veteran of the Air Force, will present his message of motivation and leadership. All are invited to attend. Tickets are $25 per person or $175 per table of eight. For more information, call Sharon Roberts at (501) 743-4395 or Charlie Gastineau at (501) 413-9341, or visit www.wardchamber.com.
Fashion Gala
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Xi Gamma Kappa Chapter will present its 22nd annual Fashion Gala at 1 p.m. April 10 in the St. Francis Parish Hall, 250 Woodlawn Drive. Prizes will be on display, and raffle tickets will be sold at the show. The style show will feature models wearing spring and summer fashions offered by local businesses. Pat Cash will be the narrator. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased from any chapter member or by calling Shirley at (501) 884-5157, Rose at (501) 884-3109 or Sheila at (501) 745-8886.
Canning and Food Preservation Seminar
MAMMOTH SPRING — Ozarka College in Mammoth Spring will offer a canning and food preservation seminar, presented by the Fulton County Extension Office, at noon April 10. Topics will include the testing of pressure cookers, the benefits of home food preservation, food safety, water-bath canning, pressure cooking, dehydrating and resources available through the extension office. The free seminar is open to the public. For more information or to register, contact James Spurlock, director of Ozarka College off-campus operations in Mammoth Spring, at (870) 625-0411 or jmspurlock@ozarka.edu.
Gospel Gathering
BEEBE — Brian Free and Assurance, along with The Representatives, will present a Southern Gospel Gathering at 6:30 p.m. April 10 at First Baptist Church on U.S. 64. There is no admission cost, but a love offering will be taken. For more information, call the church at (501) 882-3342.
Spring Fairgrounds Flea Market
SALEM — The 12th annual Spring Fairgrounds Flea Market will be held April 10 and 11 at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The flea market will open at 11 a.m. April 10 and at 9 a.m. April 11. Inside and outside vendor spaces are available. For a vendor application, visit www.fultoncountyfair.org, call (870) 895-5565 or email clewis@fultoncountyfair.org. The Fulton County Hospital Caregivers Relay for Life Team will serve lunch April 10, and breakfast and lunch April 11. The Salem Chamber of Commerce Communitywide Yard Sale will also be held on these dates.
Mountain Top Cowboy Church Community Horse Show
HEBER SPRINGS — The first Mountain Top Cowboy Church Community Horse Show of the 2015 season will be held April 11 at 45 Heber Springs Road W., at Arkansas 5 and 25. Registration will close at 4:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 5 p.m. The arena is a family-friendly environment, and four age divisions are available for a variety of events. There are no registration fees. The shows are held the first Saturday of each month through September unless the date falls on a holiday weekend. For more information and requirements, visit the show’s Facebook page at MTCC Community Horse Show, or contact Linda Dahl at (501) 940-7892.
Second Saturday Bingo
HEBER SPRINGS — Second Saturday Bingo will be held April 11 at St. Albert Catholic Church, 21 Park Road. Play will begin with Quickfire games at 5:30 p.m. and continue until someone wins $500. A concession stand will be available, as well as homemade desserts.
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Museum of Military History will present a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on April 11 at the museum to remember, honor and welcome home Vietnam veterans. The documentary The Last Days in Vietnam will be screened, and an Honor and Remembrance Ceremony will be held. The event will also include live music on the porch, free admission to the museum and dinner on the grounds. Reservations are required for the movie and dinner. For more information or reservations, call the museum at (501) 241-1943.
Crochet Class
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will hold a Learn to Crochet class for ages 13 and older at 1:30 p.m. April 11 at the library. Registration is required. Participants must bring a size H crochet hook, and free yarn will be provided. For more information, call (501) 457-5038.
Sternwheelers and Shovels
NEWPORT — Jacksonport State Park will offer a program in its courthouse April 11 that will feature unique aspects of Jackson County history on the power of steam engines. At 10 a.m., Jackson County historian Robert Craig will speak on Steam Powered Progress, recounting the steamboat and railroad history of the area and the changes the steam engine brought to the county. Arkansas archaeologist Jamie Chad Brandon will present a program at 11 a.m. on the vast array of archaeological evidence of the steamboat trade in Jacksonport, and a session at 2 p.m. that canvasses the importance of historic archaeology. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.
The Old Paths Concert
WARD — The Old Paths, a popular Southern gospel quartet, will be in concert at 7 p.m. April 16 at DaySpring Missionary Baptist Church in Ward. There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be accepted. For more information, call (501) 850-2056 or (501) 628-1838.
Seussical Jr.
LESLIE — The Leslie Area Merchants Association and the Red Curtain Theater of Conway will present Seussical Jr. at 7 p.m. April 18 at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. For more information, call (501) 941-4828.
Masters of Soul Concert
NEWPORT — Masters of Soul, a 10-person ensemble and a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music, will perform at 7 p.m. April 18 at the Arkansas State University-Newport Center for the Arts. This 90-minute show features hits from such artists as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5 and others. Tickets are $20 each. To purchase reserved seats, visit the ASU-Newport Business Office or call (870) 512-7802.
Daylily Society Spring Sale
SEARCY — The White County Daylily Society will hold its annual spring sale, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to noon April 18 on the east side of the court square on Spring Street, in conjunction with the opening of the White County Farmers Market. All double divisions of lilies will be sold for $4. For more information, call (501) 268-3711.
Arbor Day Celebration
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College will hold an Arbor Day celebration at 3 p.m. April 22, Earth Day, near the new Student Services Center on the Melbourne campus. Students from Ozarka Kids Academy will plant trees. The event is sponsored by Melbourne’s Tree Board, and all are invited to attend. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the FNBC Student Commons area of the Student Services Center. For more information, contact Josh Wilson, Ozarka College PACE coordinator and grant writer, at (870) 368-2042 or josh.wilson@ozarka.edu.
Poultry Blood-Testing School
BATESVILLE — The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission will conduct a Poultry Blood-Testing School on April 24 at the University of Arkansas Livestock and Forestry Research Station, 10 miles north of Batesville off Arkansas 69 at 70 Experiment Station Drive. Completion of the testing school will earn the participant a Private Blood Tester’s license to test for Pullorum-typhoid in poultry. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m., with classes beginning at 9:40 a.m. and ending by midafternoon. For more information, contact the Fulton County Fair Association at (870) 895-5565 or fultoncountyfair@centurytel.net, or the Fulton County Extension Office at (870) 895-3301.
All Rise Century Bicycle Ride
BATESVILLE — The White River Medical Center Cycling Club in Batesville will sponsor the sixth annual All Rise Century Bicycle Ride at 8 a.m. May 9 at Jubilee Family Church, 45 Thunderbird Drive, approximately 2 miles east of the Walmart Supercenter on Arkansas 69. This is an out-and-back ride of any distance, 1 to 100 miles, and riders of all skill levels are welcome. The $20 registration fee includes an event T-shirt, drinks and snacks. This is a supported ride with SAG vehicles and at least four rest stops. See All Rise Century Bike Ride on Facebook for more information. View the route online at www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/17479502. For more information, contact Donald Vaulner at (870) 793-8897 or dlvauln@yahoo.com.
Fulton County Homecoming Festival
SALEM — The 66th annual Fulton County Homecoming Festival will be held May 22 and 23. Festival organizers are accepting vendor applications for the Festival Street Market. Rental fees are $75 for both days or $40 for May 23 only. There is a $10 additional charge for electricity. No commission is charged on sales, and rental fees will not be refunded in case of rain. Booths are 10 feet wide and the depth of a parking space. All food vendors must meet Arkansas Department of Health guidelines. Vendors must meet the Arkansas sales-tax regulations. For applications, visit www.SalemAR.com or call Tonya at (870) 371-0887.
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.