Nov. 24
Shop Searcy Social
SEARCY— The Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to participate in the first-ever Shop Searcy Social Coupon Giveaway event from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Robbins Sanford Grand Hall, 118 N., in conjunction with the Searcy Holiday of Lights events. Participation is free to local businesses. The event will be open to the public following the lighting ceremony at the Courthouse Square that starts at 6 p.m. Businesses may RSVP to the Searcy Chamber at (501) 268-2458.
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.
Nov. 26
Thanksgiving Day Dinner
BEEBE — Beebe First United Methodist Church, 302 N Main St., will have a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The dinner is free to all. Takeout meals and local delivery will be available (in Beebe). Transportation can be arranged, if needed, in the Beebe area. Anyone who would like to attend may call the church office at 882-6427 or Bill Palmisano at (501) 882-9565. Reservations will be accepted but are not necessary.
Nov. 28
Spring River Associational Singing
SAFFELL — The November Spring River Associational Singing will be held at 6 p.m. 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. All are invited, and song directors, musicians and singers, especially from the Spring River Missionary Baptist Association, are encouraged to attend. Following the singing, refreshments will be served. The December singing has been canceled because of the Christmas holidays.
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 offers 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
Music and Magic of Christmas Parade
BATESVILLE — The Kiwanis Club of Batesville will present the Music and Magic of Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 downtown. Parade entries will line up at 5 p.m. at Town Plaza Shopping Center on Main Street across from Centennial Bank. Registration forms are available on the Kiwanis Club’s Facebook page or at the Renee Martin Insurance Agency office, 911 Broad St., or by calling the office at (870) 793-7355 or emailing renee.martin.gyyo@statefarm.com.
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.
A Christmas Story Opening-Night Reception
SEARCY — Center on the Square will hold an opening-night reception at 6:30 pm. Dec. 4 with the cast and crew of A Christmas Story, by Phillip Grecian. The cost is just $5 above the ticket price. Appetizers and drinks will be served. Purchase tickets online at www.centeronthesquare.org. To reserve a place at the reception, call Connie at (501) 368-0111 by Nov 30. Show dates are Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20.
Christmas in the Village
SEARCY — Pioneer Village will host its annual Christmas in the Village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5. The Village will be decorated in the style of the late 1800s with live trees, fresh greenery, popcorn strings and other natural and handmade decorations. All Village buildings will be open for touring, led by guides in period costumes. The event will also feature carolers and other musicians, who will perform Christmas music; Santa, who will be there with his sleigh to hear kids’ Christmas wishes; and sugar cookies and hot cider. For more information, call Pioneer Village at (501) 580-6633.
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.
Musical Gathering
BATESVILLE — Singers, instrumentalists and listeners are invited to a musical gathering to perform Christmas songs at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at First Community Bank in Batesville. For more information, call Ed at (870) 307-0258.
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 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.