Nov. 19
Ozarka College Travel-Abroad Opportunity
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College will host an informational and registration meeting at 5 p.m. in Room 105 at Ozarka College-Ash Flat for students interested in a nine-day excursion to Costa Rica: Pura Vida on May 16-24. The trip is open to Ozarka College staff, students and their families. Travelers should expect to board canal boats, kayaks, rafts and zip-lines. Roundtrip airfare, hotels, meals, excursions, bus driver, transfers and an English-speaking guide are included. The approximate cost is $2,400, with a $150 discount if enrolled by Nov. 25. For more information, contact Tena Rosse, a member of the Ozarka College English faculty and group leader for the program, at (870) 994-7273 or tena.rosse@ozarka.edu.
Book Chat
JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will offer Book Chat at 1 p.m. This is an informal book club with no assigned reading that discusses books that members have read, are reading or would like to read. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
Nov. 21
Gospel Concert
McRAE — The Nelson Family will perform at 7 p.m. at the 16th Section Union Church, 3397 Arkansas 267 S. The concert is free, but a love offering will be taken to help the group with expenses.
AARP Smart Driver Course
SEARCY — The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center, now Unity Health, at 3214 E. Race Ave., will offer an AARP Smart Driver Course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hubach Center. It is recommended that attendees park behind the hospital off Moore Street, use the elevator to go to the first floor and bring a coat because the room is chilly. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP card and $20 for nonmembers. To register for the class, call PrimeTimes at (501) 278-3230.
Holiday Gala Ball
NEWPORT — Jacksonport State Park will host its annual Holiday Gala Ball from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The 52nd Regimental String Band will play traditional dance music that was popular during the Civil War era. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 7-12. Children ages 6 and younger will be admitted free. For more information, contact Vicky Schoeneweis at (870) 523-2143 or vicky.schoeneweis@arkansas.gov.
Blood Drive
BATESVILLE — The Southside community will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mount Zion Lodge, 985 Batesville Blvd. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use code MtZion10.
Christmas Blessing Gala
CABOT — The Junior Auxiliary of Cabot will hold its second annual Christmas Blessing Gala from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Cabot National Guard Armory. The event will include a live band, food, drinks, silent and live auctions, and dessert. Proceeds from the gala will be used to purchase Christmas gifts and clothing for children.
Nov. 25
Family Night at the Library
JACKSONVILLE — A Family Night at the Library will be begin at 4 at the Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St. The activity for the evening will be video games. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.
ONGOING
Christmas Adopt-a-Senior-Citizen Program
SEARCY — The White County Aging Program’s annual Christmas Adopt-a-Senior-Citizen Program will be held through Dec. 9. To adopt a senior citizen in White County for Christmas, call (501) 268-2587 or come by the Lightle Senior Center, 2200 E. Moore Ave.
Ozarka College Spring Registration
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College has opened spring registration for new and current students. Spring-semester classes will start Jan. 11. Tuition rates start at $88 per credit hour, and many scholarship and financial-aid options are available. For more information regarding admission, financial aid or registration, visit Ozarka College in Melbourne, Ash Flat, Mammoth Spring or Mountain View, or contact Ozarka College at (800) 821-4335 or www.ozarka.edu.
Food for Fines Month
WHITE COUNTY — November is Food for Fines month for the White County Regional Library System, which includes the Goff, Bradford, Baldwin Memorial, Lyda Miller, Pangburn, Rose Bud and Searcy libraries. Library patrons are required to return all overdue items to the circulation desk, along with one or more nonperishable food items, for all accrued fines on the account to be forgiven. Lost or damaged items must be paid for and are not included in this fine amnesty. Charitable organizations will receive the food. For more information, visit a White County library branch or call (501) 268-2449.
GED/Adult Education Classes
FLORAL — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Adult Education Department is offering reading, math, writing and computer-literacy classes from 3-5 p.m. Mondays in the computer lab at Midland Elementary School in Floral. Enrollment is ongoing. Students must be at least 18 years old and not enrolled in school. For more information, contact Nancy Whitmire at (870) 612-2085 or nancy.whitmire@uaccb.edu, or Judy Pearson at (501) 345-2413.
Second Time Around Bookstore
SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 811 S. Main St., Suite D. 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 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. To train as a tutor, to become a bookstore volunteer or for more information, call (501) 278-5500.
Yoga in the Gallery
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council offers 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 are taught by RYT200-certified yoga instructor Marnie Davis. Beginners are welcome, and no preregistration is required. The cost is $10 per session or 10 sessions for $70. For more information, call (870) 793-3382.
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.
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.
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.
UPCOMING
Spring River Associational Singing
SAFFELL — The November Spring River Associational Singing will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at Saffell Missionary Baptist Church, 467 Arkansas 25. The Heavenly Highway Hymnal, both 1st and 2nd editions, will be used, along with the American Baptist Association’s Hymnal. There will be congregational singing, as well as special music. Song directors, musicians and singers, especially from the Spring River Missionary Baptist Association, are encouraged to attend. All are invited to attend. Following the singing, refreshments will be served. The December singing has been canceled because of the Christmas holidays.
American Pen Women Christmas Party, Meeting
CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The National League of American Pen Women Spring River Branch will have its Christmas party and a short meeting at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at Cherokee Village Lutheran Church, at the corner of Cherokee Road and Okmulgee Drive. The women in the group who can sing, dance or play a musical instrument will be the entertainment for the party. New members are welcome. The Pen Women meet the First Wednesday of each month. For more information, call Pat Dunlap at (870) 966-4714 or Pat Oplinger at (870) 257-5558.
Grief & Loss Support Group
JACKSONVILLE — Because of the seasonal holidays, the Caring Hearts Grief & Loss Support Group will meet from 10-11 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Christian Church of Jacksonville, 200 E. Martin. The group will resume its normal meeting time — the third Saturday of each month — in January. Individual sessions can be scheduled for those who cannot attend group meetings. For more information, call Steve Summers at (870) 710-1508.
Christmas Portraits With Pets Fundraiser
BATESVILLE — The Humane Society of Independence County’s 20th annual Christmas Portraits With Pets fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at the old Revenue Office in the Town Plaza Shopping Center. Matthew’s Photography will take the holiday portraits. Participants are asked to make an appointment by calling (870) 613-3045 or (870) 698-1265. There is no sitting fee, just a charge for photo packages, starting at around $35. Photos may contain pets, kids, families or any combination, and Christmas Cards are available.
AARP Driver Safety Class
CHEROKEE VILLAGE — An AARP Driver Safety Class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, at the corner of Keno and Otter drives. The class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, call (870) 257-5803.
Candle-Making Workshop
POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park will hold a Holiday Candle Making Workshop from 8-11 a.m. Dec. 12. The registration deadline is Dec. 7, and participants must be 12 or older. To register for the workshop, call (870) 892-4708. The workshop fee is $15, and all supplies will be provided.
Cabot Christmas Parade
CABOT — Cabot’s annual Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 13. The parade’s theme is “Christmas Around The World!” — to be represented in parade entries/floats. Trophies will be awarded in five categories: school/civic, church, business, animal/equestrian and general/personal. Entry forms, parade rules and route maps are available at Veterans Park Community Center, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce office and www.cabotparks.com. The entry deadline is Dec. 7. Mail completed forms and a $10 entry fee to Cabot Christmas Parade, P.O. Box 1101, Cabot, AR 72023. For more information, call (501) 920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
A Southern Gospel Christmas
CAVE CITY — Ring’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2925 Arkansas 58, near Cave City, will present the Christmas musical program A Southern Gospel Christmas: From the Cradle, to the Cross, to a Crown at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 13. The original program uses traditional Christmas carols, along with Southern gospel convention-style music written for the Christmas season. John R. Way is the director, and Becky A. Way is the pianist. Narrators are Robert Ring, Allan Cotton and Larry Bates. Following the program, Pastor Terry W. Johnson will preach. The program will be repeated at 7 pm. Dec. 19 at the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 137 S. Main St. in Strawberry.
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.