May 5
65th NationalDay of Prayer
SEARCY — The 65th National Day of Prayer will be observed at noon at the Lightle Senior Center, 2200 E. Moore Ave. Lunch, which is optional, will be served at 11:30 a.m. for a suggested donation of $3 for seniors and $5 for those younger than 60. For more information, call (501) 268-2587 or visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org.
May 5-7
Strawberry Home Fest
BALD KNOB — Strawberry Home Fest will take place all three days in the courtyard downtown. Tonight will be gospel night, Friday will be rock-music night, and Saturday will be country-music night. Entertainment today and Friday will start at 6 p.m., and at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. There will be a new carnival this year, Marriott Amusements. Arm-band night will be from 6-10 p.m. today. Saturday’s activities will include a silent auction, a strawberry-eating contest, a car show, the Grand Parade at 10 a.m., a cake auction and free strawberry shortcake, compliments of AARP. There will also be a strawberry-recipe
contest with cash prizes.
May 6
Pioneer Day Gospel Program
MELBOURNE — The annual Pioneer Day Gospel Program will be at 6:30 p.m. at the John E. Miller Auditorium at Ozarka College. The Homecoming Choir will have a special guest, Aunt Minnie Miles, formerly from Cash’s White River Hoedown in Mountain View.
Admission is free. For more information, call Gayle Cooper at (870) 368-7156 or (870) 368-7741.
May 7
Cabot Farmers Market Opening
CABOT — The Cabot Farmers Market will open for the season from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. The market will take place every Saturday through Sept. 10. The market, in its ninth year, is looking for growers, crafters and artisans to be vendors, as well as local musicians to entertain shoppers. The market will again be at 1122 S. Second St., the parking lot of Re:New Community Church (formerly the Bancroft Building). Anyone who wants to participate in the market may call (501) 920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
Neil Niedeck Memorial ‘Southminster’ Dog Show
BALD KNOB — The Rotary Club of Bald Knob and Boy Scout Troop 147 will present the Neil Niedeck Memorial “Southminster” Dog Show at 2 p.m. at the Bald Knob depot during Strawberry Home Fest. Entry fees are $10 per class or three classes for $20. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Bald Knob Animal Shelter. Everyone is welcome to participate in the Finale Dog Parade. For more information, call Cathy Christiansen at (870) 692-1562.
Springtime Festival
FAIRFIELD BAY — A springtime festival that combines two family-friendly outdoor events will take place Saturday. Bloomin’ in the Bay, a celebration of spring, will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ed Leamon Park, and the new Blues & BBQ will be from 1-6 p.m. across the street in the Fairfield Bay Senior Center parking lot. Blues & BBQ will feature live music, food vendors and a barbecue competition. For more information, contact Dan Feuer at (501) 884-6012 or editor@fairfieldbaynews.com.
SAME Cafe
SEARCY— The SAME Cafe will be open from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Side Church of Christ, 709 W. Arch St. The SAME Cafe is open to anyone in the community who would like a free warm meal.
Kentucky Derby Day Fundraiser
NEWPORT — A Kentucky Derby Day fundraiser will take place from 3-6:30 p.m. at the Newport Country Club. Watch the race, and pick to win, place or show. The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne at race time, a cash bar, horseshoe pitching, door prizes, and silent and live auctions. Participants can vote for their favorite lady’s hat. To purchase tickets, at $35 each, call (870) 994-7844, or visit www.gatewaycasa.org or facebook.com/gatewaycasa.
Teen Driving Roadeo
BATESVILLE — A Teen Driving Roadeo will be presented from 1-3 p.m. at the White Rodgers Facility, 2895 Harrison St. Teens and their parents are invited to participate. Attendees will learn how to be safe drivers by visiting booths on topics that include law enforcement, distracted driving and Arkansas laws. Those who visit all booths will receive a free vehicle emergency kit while supplies last. To register, call (501) 364-3400 or visit www.archildrens.org/ipc.
Dutch Oven Brunch
POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park, 8047 Arkansas 166 S., will offer a Dutch Oven Brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the park. Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend by bringing Mom to the park and treating her to a Dutch-oven breakfast. Attendees will learn how to use and care for Dutch ovens and will help cook breakfast foods. The workshop is for people with all levels of cooking skills. Admission is $15 per person, and participants must be at least 8 years old. Early registration is required by calling the park at (870) 892-4708.
May 9
White County Tea Party Meeting
SEARCY — The White County Tea Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Western Sizzlin Steak House, 3210 E. Race Ave. The public is invited. For more information, call (501) 278-9413 or email teaparty@itpwca.org.
May 10
Newport Newcomers Club Salad Luncheon
NEWPORT — The Newport Newcomers Club will have its annual salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, Third and Laurel streets. The full amount of the donations given at the door will benefit the Newport Elementary School’s Backpack Program, the Arkansas Center for Independence and the Jackson County Humane Society.
ONGOING
Cabot Lions Club Meetings
CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club has regular get-togethers at noon on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the KingPin Sports Grill. Lions are the “knights for the blind and visually impaired,” and 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.
World War I Exhibit
CABOT — A World War I exhibit is on display at the Museum of American History, 114 S. First St., through May 21. Commemorating the centennial of the war, the traveling exhibit consists of 12 photo panels developed by the Arkansas History Commission that depict the role of Arkansas in World War I. A selection of almost 60 original photos, uniforms and other artifacts from the museum’s collection are included. The museum is open from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. For information, call Mike Polston, museum director, at (501) 286-9665.
Music in the Mall
FAIRFIELD BAY — Music in the Mall, featuring local and drop-in performers, will take place from 6-9 p.m. the first, second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Education Center Gazebo in the Village Mall. All are invited to bring instruments, their singing voices, lawn chairs and neighbors. The event is free. For more information, drop by the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5, or call (501) 884-4440.
The Foreigner Production and Opening Reception
SEARCY — Center on the Square, 219 W. Arch Ave., will present The Foreigner, written by Larry Shue and directed by David Goble, at 7:30 p.m. May 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28; and at 1:30 p.m. May 22 and 29. Tickets are $15, plus tax. A Southern-themed opening reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. May 13 and feature Southern-style appetizers and sweet peach tea for $5 above the ticket price. Reservations for the reception need to be made 48 hours in advance. For more information or tickets, call (501) 368-0111 or visit centeronthe square.org.
Summer Bridge Program
NEWPORT — Arkansas State University-Newport will offer a Summer Bridge program May 31 through June 29 for high school students who want to earn four hours of college credit this summer. The courses are at ASUN’s normal per-credit hour rates, but scholarship opportunities are available. Classes will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at ASUN-Newport. For more information, contact Irina Reynolds, ASUN coordinator of college and life skills, at (870)-512-7702 or irina_reynolds@asun.edu.
Second Time Around Bookstore’s New Hours
SEARCY — The Literacy Council of White County operates the Second Time Around Bookstore at 811 S. Main St., Suite D. The literacy office and store’s new hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. The bookstore is closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday. To train as a tutor, to become a bookstore volunteer or for more information, call (501) 278-5500.
UPCOMING
Retired Teachers Spring Luncheon
JACKSONVILLE — The North Pulaski Retired Teachers will have their annual spring potluck luncheon at 11:30 a.m. May 12 at First Electric, 1000 S. JP Loop Road. The $1,000 scholarship recipient and his or her parents and principal will be guests. All public school retirees are welcome to attend and join the group. For more information, call Sharon Johnson at (501) 982-6345.
Highway 13 Extension Dedication and Ribbon Cutting
SEARCY — The Arkansas Highway 13 extension dedication and ribbon cutting will be at 10:30 a.m. May 13 at the Bayou Des Arc Bridge on the southern end of the new route. Access the bridge from the north off of Arkansas 36 onto Honeyhill Road. Access from the south off of Arkansas 267. Attire will be causal. In the event of rain, bring an umbrella. If the weather is dangerous, the event will be moved to the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2323 S. Main St.
Quilt and Needlework Exhibit
CABOT — The Cabot Nimble Thimbles Quilt Guild will present a quilt and needlework exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13 and from 9 a.m. to noon May 14 at the Cabot Public Library, Arkansas 89 and 10th Street. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Mega Pancake Breakfast Benefit
HORSESHOE BEND — The Knights of Columbus will offer a Mega Pancake Breakfast Benefit from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 in the St. Mary Church Hall, First and Church streets. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, a fruit cup, juice and coffee. A $5 donation will be requested. The breakfast is a fundraiser for a single mother with a child diagnosed with a genetic blood disorder, and proceeds will assist the family with expenses.
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.