COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS AREA

Aug. 25

Special Searcy City Council Meeting

SEARCY — A special Searcy City Council meeting has been called for 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Searcy City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and select a quote for the maintenance of the Downtown Beautification Project, the two downtown parking lots and city hall landscaping; discuss the recent damage to the Downtown Beautification Project; and give an update for the football concession, press box and restroom facilities construction.

Aug. 26

Son Lamb Tribute

MELBOURNE — A Sonny Night in August, a tribute to E.F. Son Lamb, will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the John E. Miller Education Complex at Ozarka College. Lamb developed the local Channel 5 and has supported, promoted and encouraged businesses and individuals in north Arkansas. Presented in a This Is Your Life format, the stage will be set in Channel 5 style and the event moderated by Channel 5 alumni Jerry Blankenship and Eddie Creighton. The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the establishment of a scholarship in Lamb’s name. For more information, call Suellen Davidson, Ozarka College director of advancement, at (870) 368-2059.

The Chuck Wagon Gang Gospel Concert

WARD — The Chuck Wagon Gang, a gospel quartet, will perform at 7 p.m. at DaySpring Missionary Baptist Church, 571 Markham St. There is no admission fee, but an offering will be accepted. For more information, call (501) 850-2056 or (501) 628-1838.

Aug. 26 and Aug. 27

Arkansas-Oklahoma Gospel Singing Convention

BROCKWELL — The Arkansas-Oklahoma Gospel Singing Convention will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Brockwell Gospel Music School, 4243 Arkansas 9 N. Refreshments will be served following the session. The convention will reconvene at 10 a.m. Saturday and continue until 3 p.m., with a potluck lunch served at noon. For more information, contact Roy Guiltner, president, at (870) 368-4688 or Beverly Meinzer, vice president, at (870) 834-5827.

Aug. 27

Movie Night in Spring Park

SEARCY — Southern Bank and Main Street Searcy invite everyone to a free showing of Disney’s animated film Zootopia at sundown (approximately 8:30 p.m.) in Spring Park. The park will be open for admission at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Each moviegoer will receive one free bag of popcorn and a drink. Candy, glow necklaces and glow bracelets will be available for purchase. Proceeds from concession sales will benefit Main Street Searcy’s downtown revitalization efforts.

Fulton County Fair Horse Show

SALEM — The Fulton County Fair Horse Show was rained out during the county fair, so the show has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday in the Everett Show Arena at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The speed events — barrel racing and pole bending — will not be held. Events scheduled are showmanship, western pleasure, lead line and the Horse Show Queen Contest. Admission is free, and the concession stand will be open. For more information, call Christi at (870) 371-0660, Dustin at (417) 293-0890 or the fair office at (870) 895-5565.

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Homecoming

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Association will host its annual cemetery homecoming at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, next to the Pleasant Ridge Community Church, 108 Pleasant Ridge Road, 9 miles northeast of Poughkeepsie. There will be a business meeting at 11 a.m. at the church, followed by a potluck dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to attend. Donations can be sent to the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Fund, c/o FNBC, P.O. Box 8, Ash Flat, AR 72513; or to the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Association, 296 Hickory Ridge Road, Poughkeepsie, AR 72569. For more information, call (870) 856-3983.

Tie-dyed T-Shirt Fundraiser

BATESVILLE — The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project will present its first Tie-dyed T-shirt Fundraiser at a booth in the children’s section of the White River Water Carnival at Riverside Park. The professional craftspeople of All Tied Up will help carnivalgoers make their own wearable memories. All proceeds will benefit the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project, which teaches adults to read and speak English. For more information, call (870) 793-5912 or email info@oflp.org.

Spring River Associational Singing

EVENING SHADE — A Spring River Associational Singing will begin at 6 p.m. at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 3388 U.S. 167. All members of churches of the Spring River Association, as well as musicians, special groups and directors are encouraged to attend, and the public is welcome. The primary book used will be the Heavenly Highway Hymnal, 2nd Edition. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call John R. Way, president, at (870) 283-3292.

Book Signing

BATESVILLE— The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., will host a book signing by Corrinna Montgomery, author of the novel Clipped Wings, from 2-4 p.m. The book tells Montgomery’s story of being captured, imprisoned and finally escaping from East Germany in 1981. Copies of Montgomery’s book will be available for purchase. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814 or email info@indcolib.com.

Beginner’s Crochet Workshop

POWHATAN — A Beginner’s Crochet Workshop will be presented from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Courthouse at Powhatan Historic State Park. Participants will learn the basic crochet stitches needed to get started making handmade clothing, gifts and household items. They will leave with a finished dishcloth, several patterns and the skills to create more. The workshop fee is $10. For more information, call the park at (870) 878-0032.

Aug. 27 and Sept. 3

Girl Scouts Informational Meetings

CABOT — The Juliette Low Service Unit of the Girl Scouts Diamonds-Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas will hold Girl Scouts informational meetings from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Community Room of the Cabot Public Library, 909 W. Main St. Girls in kindergarten through the 12th grade in the Cabot, Beebe, Lonoke, Carlisle, England and Hazen school districts and their parents are invited to drop in anytime during the event to learn more about joining a Girl Scout troop. For more information, contact Beverly Keathley at beverlykeathley@yahoo.com or (501) 606-1539.

Aug. 29

Retired Teachers Meeting

CABOT — The Lonoke County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Eaton Room of Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. Lunch will be potluck salad, but attendees may bring any favorite dish. A representative of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association will speak to the group about the upcoming activities of the organization.

Aug. 31

Adult Activity Time

JACKSONVILLE — The Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St., will offer Adult Activity Time at noon. Adults ages 18 and older are welcome to attend and play games or relax by working on adult coloring pages. For more information, call the library at (501) 457-5038.

Aug. 31 – Sept. 5

Davidsonville Legacy Week

POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park will celebrate Davidsonville Legacy Week from Wednesday through Sept. 5. Activities and talks will take place throughout the week and weekend to celebrate the history of the park and the people who have contributed to its creation and preservation. For more information, call the park at (870) 892-4708. Davidsonville Historic State Park is a 15-minute drive south of Pocahontas on Arkansas 166.

ONGOING

Republicans Meeting

NEWPORT — The Jackson County Republicans meet at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Merchants and Planters Bank, 915 Arkansas 367 N. For more information, call Jeff McDonald at (870) 731-7646.

Reading and Learning Diagnostic Center

SEARCY — The Reading and Learning Diagnostic Center, 1200 S. Main St., will open Sept. 7. The center is enrolling new students from 1-5 p.m. daily. Parents can call (501) 278-1810 to make an appointment to come in and fill out paperwork to reserve a place for a child. The center, on the Unity Health South Campus, provides one-on-one tutoring for first- through eighth-graders in reading and math.

Adult Education Enrollment

BEEBE — Enrollment has begun for fall classes at the Arkansas State University-Beebe Adult Education centers, on the Beebe, Searcy and Heber Springs campuses. The centers provide instruction and testing to students 18 or older who want to obtain a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. Sessions are available in the morning, afternoon and evening, and the classes are free. New enrollment begins every six weeks. To set up an appointment to enroll, call Adult Education at (501) 207-6290. For more information, visit www.asub.edu.

Introduction to Art Continuing Education Course

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozarka College in Mountain View will once again host Introduction to Art courses, offered through Continuing Education. These four-week courses, taught by Leah Balowski, will meet from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays. The first section of the course will run Aug. 29 – Sept. 21. Additional class dates are Sept. 26 – Oct. 19; Oct. 24 – Nov. 16; and Nov. 28 – Dec. 21. The course presents a hands-on approach to the fundamental media, techniques and concepts of making art. The tuition is $35 per student, or $30 for ages 60 and older. Preregistration is required by contacting Lindsay Wilson-Galloway, director of Ozarka College in Mountain View, at (870) 269-5600 or lhgalloway@ozarka.edu.

Free GED Classes

MELBOURNE — Free GED classes will be offered at Ozarka College in Melbourne, Ash Flat, Mammoth Spring and Mountain View. Classes will meet at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; in Ash Flat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; and at Mammoth Spring and Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call Ozarka College’s Adult Education Department at (870) 368-2051.

KidStage Fall Registration

SEARCY —Registration is open for Center on the Square’s fall KidStage production. Holly Cannon and Penny Turpin will direct the fall session of producing one-act plays. Performance dates will be Nov. 10-12. Classes for second- through sixth-graders will meet from 4-6 pm., beginning Sept. 6. Classes for seventh- through 12th-graders will meet from 4-6 p.m., beginning Sept. 8. The registration fee is $95, and registration forms are available at www.centeronthesquare.org and at Center on the Square, 219 W. Arch Ave. A parents meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the theater.

Friday Night Bingo

HEBER SPRINGS — Friday Night Bingo takes place each week at the American Legion Hall, 49 Park Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30 p.m. Food is available.

Open-Mic Event

FAIRFIELD BAY — An open-mic music event takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. the second and third Thursdays of each month at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The event is open to anyone who would like to sing or play an instrument. For more information, call the center at (501) 884-4202.

Third Thursday Farmers Market

FAIRFIELD BAY — The Third Thursday Farmers Market will be open from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 in the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center Courtyard, 130 Village Lane. The market features plants, produce and herbs. Setup is at 8 a.m., and there are no vendor fees.

Cabot Lions Club Meetings

CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club has regular get-togethers at noon the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Kingpin Sports Grill. Lions serve local communities and protect the planet. Club members provide children with eyeglasses, offer food for seniors and are among the first to respond when disaster strikes. All are invited to attend the meetings.

Upcoming

Spring River Gem & Mineral Club Meeting

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — The Spring River Gem & Mineral Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 1 at the Omaha Center. The program will be Metal Detecting: Digging in the Dirt for Fun and Profit, by retired geologist Michael Howard. His talk and demonstration will describe what metal detecting consists of, where to find things, and what types of detectors to choose from and their cost. The program is free, and visitors are welcome.

The SAME Cafe

SEARCY — The SAME Cafe will be open from 4-5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the West Side Church of Christ, 709 W. Arch St., for anyone in the community who would like a free warm meal. This is a change in the cafe’s normal schedule, which is the first Saturday of the month, but because that is Labor Day weekend, the SAME Cafe will be open on the second Saturday this time only.

BayFest Street Festival

FAIRFIELD BAY — The BayFest Street Festival will take place Sept. 3 at the Fairfield Bay Village Mall. This family event will feature an opening ceremony at 10 a.m.; street vendors, including food and arts and crafts, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; a car show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a pet parade from 1:30-3 p.m., with prizes awarded; and live music, with Hwy 31 performing from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Lucky Draw playing from 3-6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food sales will benefit the Fairfield Bay Animal Shelter.

Main Street Farmers Market

BATESVILLE — The Main Street Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 3 in the Pocket Park on Main Street, featuring products from Stewart Farm of Poughkeepsie, Mahan Farm of Southside, Garden Girl Farm Fresh Produce and More of Pleasant Plains and Batesville, Brood Farm of Cave City and Home Made Home. The market also features artists and craftspeople, including Karen Barker and In the Land of Wild Artists. Bakers will include the Downtown Pie Co. The Music at the Market Series will feature live music starting around 9 a.m. The market is open the first and third Saturdays of each month. For more information, check the Main Street Batesville Facebook page, or contact market manager Jean Larson at (208) 869-1445 or jeallo16@gmail.com.

District Fair Entry Deadline

MELBOURNE — All entries for the North Central Arkansas District Fair must be made online by Sept. 5 to avoid paying a late entry fee. A $5 late fee per entry will then be charged for entries (for all exhibits) received through Sept. 10. The fair will be Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 at the fairgrounds on LaCrosse Road. Make online entries at www.ncadistrictfair.org, with a link for junior exhibitors (18 and under) and a link for open or adult entries. All entry fees are due Sept. 10: Mail to NCA District Fair, P.O. Box 92, Sturkie, AR 72578. For more information, email ncadfair@yahoo.com.

History of Performance Art and Practice

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozarka College in Mountain View will offer an eight-week Continuing Education course titled History of Performance Art and Practice, with instructor John Chiaromonte, from 7-9 p.m.Wednesdays from Sept. 8 through Oct. 26. The course will include readings, videos of artists’ works and discussion. Students will be engaged in exercises to prepare them to create and perform their own performance-art pieces. Tuition is $25, or $20 for senior citizens ages 60 or older. Register by contacting Lindsay Wilson-Galloway, director of Ozarka College-Mountain View, at (870) 269-5600 or lhgalloway@ozarka.edu.

Gridiron Gala

BATESVILLE — Lyon College will present its first Gridiron Gala, an auction and fundraiser, at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 in Edwards Commons at Lyon College, 2300 Highland Road. The event will raise money for scholarships for Lyon College students. The gala will feature a gourmet dinner, cocktails, a dance with live music, and silent and live auctions. General admission is $100. Tickets are available in limited quantity and will be held at the door. For more information or tickets, contact Cindy Qualls at cindy.qualls@lyon.edu or (870) 307-7211.

Golf Tournament

HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs will host its annual Scholarship Four-Person-Scramble Golf Tournament on Sept. 9 at the Red Apple Inn and Country Club. Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. shotgun start. There will be prizes for closest to the hole on all par 3s. Funds raised will provide scholarships to 2017 graduating seniors. For entry information, call Trey Miller at (501) 362-3131, or to be a sponsor, call Lloyd Langston at (870) 267-2312.

Mountain Man Rendezvous

CALICO ROCK — The Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center will host the annual Calico Rock Mountain Man Rendezvous in Rand City Park on Sept. 9 and 10. This annual family event will feature authentic tents, re-enactors in period dress, competitions, vintage demonstrations and vendors. Daisy Air Guns, an Arkansas company, donated a BB gun that is inscribed for the occasion and will be raffled. Raffle tickets, at $1 each or six for $5, can be purchased in advance at the Calico Rock Museum or at the Rendezvous. For more information, call the museum at (870) 297-6100 or visit www.calicorockmuseum.com.

September Gallery Artist

RUSSELLVILLE — The River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. B St., will present Valeria Smith as the September gallery artist. There will be an opening reception for her exhibit from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 11. An Arkansas native, Valeria Smith most recently studied oil and watercolor painting at the River Valley Arts Center. The exhibit will be on display Sept. 1-27. The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. For more information, call (479) 968-2452.

Officer Will McGary Memorial Car Show

SEARCY — The fourth annual Officer Will McGary Memorial Car Show will take place Sept. 17 at Valley Baptist Church, 3328 Arkansas 36 W. Registration will be at 9 a.m., and awards will be given at 3 p.m. Register online at willmcgaryfoundation.org, by mail or the day of the show. Donations are accepted. There is no fee for emergency-response vehicles. Make checks payable to the Will McGary Foundation, and mail with registration forms (one registry per vehicle) to Jim Pinner, P.O. Box 1505, Searcy, AR 72145. For more information, call Pinner at (501) 268-3112 or David English at (501) 230-4351.

North Central District Fair Queen Scholarship

MELBOURNE — Ozarka College has announced that a $500 scholarship will be awarded to the winner of the 2016 North Central District Fair Queen Contest. The pageant, a preliminary to the Arkansas State Fair Queen Contest, will take place Oct. 1 in the John E. Miller Auditorium. The North Central Fair District is made up of Cleburne, Izard, Independence, Sharp, Fulton, Stone and Van Buren counties. For more information about the pageant, call Kathryn Lamb at (870) 291-5237. For more information about Ozarka College scholarships, contact Suellen Davidson, Ozarka College director of advancement, at (870) 368-2059 or sdavidson@ozarka.edu.

Heber Springs Dulcimer Day

HEBER SPRINGS — The second annual Heber Springs Dulcimer Day for mountain-dulcimer players will take place Oct. 8 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 201 N. Fourth St. The one-day workshop offers beginner instruction by Wayne Randolph and intermediate classes by Lee Cagle. The cost is $20 per person for two sessions: 9-11 a.m. and 1-3.p.m. A limited number of loaner dulcimers will be available. There will be a free concert at 7 p.m. at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center featuring Cagle and local band Strings & Things. Preregister for the workshop by emailing bstracen@yahoo.com or calling (501)-206-9566. For more information, visit www.leecagledulcimers.com.

Oktoberfest

JACKSONVILLE — The Ladies of the Knights and Knights of Columbus Council 11604 will host their 13th annual Oktoberfest at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 108 N. First St. The evening will feature a German dinner, music and dancing. Tickets are $15 per adult. Proceeds will be used to fund the Knights and Ladies’ charitable organizations. For tickets or more information, call Theresa at (501) 843-8251 or Linda at (501) 843-7655. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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.

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