Oct. 13
Health Fair and Membership Drive
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 100 Victory Circle, will have its annual Health Fair and New Membership Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. The event will offer flu shots, blood-pressure and blood-sugar screenings, hearing-aid checks, free haircuts and styling, and free phones for the hearing impaired, as well as many vendors.
Oct. 14
Women in Business Keynote Speaker
BATESVILLE — The keynote message at the Women in Business Conference 2016 will be delivered by Diane Smith, CEO/founder of American Rural. Smith’s message will answer the question “What’s Next for Rural America?” The conference will be in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Registration for the conference is $99. Register at mybatesville.org or call (870) 793-2378.
Oct. 15
Ghost Walks
POWHATAN — Powhatan Historic State Park will present Ghost Walks from 7-10 p.m. Century-old buildings, the Black River and old cemeteries play host to a number of Powhatan’s ghost stories, folktales and legends. Attendees will take a ghost walk and get introduced to the spirits and spine-tingling tales of ghostly happenings. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 6 to 12. Children younger than 6 will be admitted free. For more information, call (870) 878-6765.
The Hannah Family Concert
McRAE — The Hannah Family will give a concert at 7 p.m. at the 16th Section Union Church, 3397 Arkansas 267 S. The concert is free, but an offering will be taken to help the group with expenses.
Main Street Farmers Market
BATESVILLE — The Main Street Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays through November in the Pocket Park on Main Street. This Saturday’s market will feature music by accordion player Ed Casper, starting at about 9 a.m., and a children’s reading time with the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project from about 9:30-11 a.m. Items for sale will include local produce, fresh eggs and pasture-raised meats. The market also features many artists and craftspeople. For more information, visit the Main Street Batesville Facebook page, or contact market manager Jean Larson at (208) 869-1445 or jeallo16@gmail.com.
Variety Night Fundraiser
BATESVILLE — John 3:16 Ministries will present its 11th annual Variety Night fundraiser in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. A catfish dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 5-7 p.m., a silent auction will run from 3-7, and a live auction will start at 6. There will also be entertainment and a Kids Korner. Tickets are $10 and include entry into the drawing for a 2005 Jeep Cherokee. Tickets may be purchased at Dairy Queen and at the door. For more information, call (870) 799-2525 or visit john316thecure.com.
Oct. 17
Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert
BATESVILLE — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Chapel at Lyon College, 2300 Highland Road. Under the baton of music director and vocalist Nich Hilscher, the Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform big-band and swing hits. The show will open with the Batesville High School Jazz Band, directed by Phillip Shewmaker. Tickets, at $15 each, may be purchased at eventbrite.com or at the business office in the Nichols Administration Building. Contact Monty Hill at (870) 307-7080 or montgomery.hill@lyon.edu.
ONGOING
The Darkness Haunted House
BATESVILLE — The Darkness, a haunted house brought to the city by Main Street Batesville, will open at 7 pm. Oct. 20 in the Jaycee building, 570 Stadium Drive along the White River. The haunted house, which will be open through Oct. 31, is full of chilling detail and unbelievable scares. To volunteer for The Darkness, call David Thompson at (870) 793-7136. Also in Batesville, the annual Fun and Safe Halloween on Main Street will start at 5 p.m. Oct. 31. New this year is a costume contest with a cash prize at the Melba Theater at 6:30.
Beebe Caregivers Support Group
BEEBE — The Beebe Caregivers Support Group meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Shepherd’s Center of Beebe, 302 N. Main St. For more information, call the center at (501) 882 0243.
Angel Tree Applications
BATESVILLE — The United Way of North Central Arkansas’ Angel Tree Program will assist low-income families in Independence County with Christmas gifts for their children, and parents/guardians can pick up applications from the Department of Human Services, 100 Weaver Ave., or the United Way office in the First Community Bank Southside Branch, 1 Allen Chapel Road. The applications are due to DHS by Oct. 31. Children must be ages 2 to 10 and living in the home listed, and the household must be on SNAP (the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program). Names will be available to purchase gifts for the Angels from Nov. 15 through Dec. 2. For more information or to volunteer, call the United Way office at (870) 793-5991.
UPCOMING
Yoga Class for Men Only
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will host a one-time event, BRO-GA: A Yoga Class for Men Only, from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. The class provides a way to manage stress, decompress and improve fitness for optimal health. The class will be led by RYT200 certified yoga instructors Lora Adair and Marnie Davis. The cost is $15 per person, or $10 for students with a current student ID. Bring a yoga mat, if possible, or a mat can be purchased for $10 with online registration at www.batesvilleareaartscouncil.org, or call (870) 793-3382 for more information.
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 in 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.
Year-Round Story Time
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St., will host the Children’s Story Time year-round, at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. The event will include stories, videos and a craft time. Coordinator Katie Treubig said the program is aimed at entertaining preschoolers, but home-schooled school-age children are also welcome. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814.
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.
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.
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 provide assistance during natural disasters. All are invited to attend the meetings.
Pork Roast Fundraiser
HEBER SPRINGS — The Rotary Club of Heber Springs is hosting its annual pork butt roast fundraiser to benefit the club’s community projects and scholarships. The cost is $40 for a 7- to 9-pound fully cooked smoked pork butt. The meat will be available for pickup from 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 29. For more information, call Rotary Club President John Lyons at (501) 691-9331.
Community Music Concert
BATESVILLE — Ed Casper leads a community music concert from 6-8 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month in the Community Room at First Community Bank, on the corner of Harrison and St. Louis streets. The public is welcome to sing, play, request songs or listen at the free event.
Upcoming
Peter Pan & Wendy
SEARCY — Peter Pan & Wendy, directed by Mandy Taylor, will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 22 at the Searcy High School Performing Arts Center, 301 N. Ella Drive. The play is by Doug Rand and adapted from the novel by J.M. Barrie. Doors will open at 6 p.m. both days. Tickets are $9 each, or $7 for seniors, military personnel and children younger than 5. Tickets are available online at www.shspeterpan.eventbrite.com, at the box office by calling (501) 207-3745 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the door.
Pancake Breakfast
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni will have a pancake breakfast and a silent auction from 8-10 a.m. Oct. 22 in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Room at the Jacksonville Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road. Proceeds from the event will help purchase needed items for the Police Department not covered in its budget. For more information, call Barbie at (501) 256-4487.
Legislator Appreciation Dinner
SALEM — The Fulton County Democrats will have a Legislator Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 22 in the new Salem Civic Center at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The event will honor four former legislators and one current legislator: state Reps. Larry Goodwin of Calamine, Boyd Hickinbotham and Curren Everett, both of Salem, and Scott Baltz of Pocahontas; and state Sen. Paul Miller of Melbourne. A social hour will start at 5 p.m., and a ham and bean dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Vincent Insalaco, chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, will be the guest speaker. The admission price is a donation to the Fulton County Democratic Central Committee. Tables for eight can be rented for a $60 donation. To reserve a table, call Barbara Moody at (870) 895-2169 or Carolyn Lewis at (870) 895-2491. RSVPs are requested.
Grief & Loss Support Group Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The Caring Hearts Grief & Loss Support Group will present a guest speaker, Simone Brock, from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Christian Church Jacksonville building, 200 E. Martin. Brock, a bereavement specialist with Arkansas Hospice, will teach participants how to deal with the holidays in light of grief or loss. For more information, call Steve Summers at (870) 710-1508.
Artoberfest
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council is partnering with Main Street Batesville to host Artoberfest, an arts and music festival Oct. 22 on Main Street. The festival will feature live music, local and regional artists’ booths, educational demonstrations, a sidewalk-chalk-art competition and other family activities. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call (870) 793-3382 or email info@batesvilleareaartscouncil.org.
Artist League Workshop
FAIRFIELD BAY — The North Central Arkansas Artist League will present a workshop by Caren Garner of Hot Springs on multimedia techniques for achieving textural effects, with an emphasis on painting animals. The workshop will take place Oct. 25 and 26 at Bayside Studio, on the corner of Arkansas 330 and Greenwood Road, across from Stringbeanz Restaurant. The workshop fee is $75, payable in advance by cash or check to NCA Artist League and given or mailed to treasurer Bonnie Hookman, 237 Pine Hill Road, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088.
Literacy Project Informational Meeting
ASH FLAT — The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project will offer a brief informational meeting at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 in the Meeting Room of the Ash Flat Library, 11 Arnhart St. Tutor training, which will last about two hours, will follow for those who would like to volunteer. The Literacy Project teaches adults who are learning to read and speak English and relies on trained volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring. For more information, call (870) 793-5912, email info@oflp.org, or visit www.oflp.org.
Gospel Music
WILBURN — Friendship Community Church, 1850 Dry Mountain Road, between Wilburn and Ida, will present Alvis Arnold & Friends at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 for a performance of inspirational gospel music. For more information, call Linda at (501) 728-3905 or Danita at (501) 206-2505.
50-Year-Ministry Celebration
SALEM — First Missionary Baptist Church invites everyone to an informal celebration for Elder Leon Graves at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at the church, 217 Fairview Road. The event will include special singing and a presentation of “Leon Graves, This Is Your Life.” Graves has been preaching for 50 years and has served the church as its planting missionary for 39 years. There will be a sandwich, finger-food potluck. Those who cannot attend may send a card to First Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Larry Travelstead, 217 Fairview Road, Salem, AR 72576.
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
SEARCY — Trick-or-Treat on the Square will take place from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown Searcy. Businesses and organizations are needed to reserve tables to pass out candy. A completed form and a $25 payment are required. Table set-up and decoration will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tables will be provided. Prizes will be given for the best Halloween decorations. For more information, call Amy at (501) 279-9007.
Flu Shot Clinic, Mammograms
NEWPORT — Arkansas State University-Newport will host the Jackson County Flu Shot Clinic on Nov. 4 in the ASUN Center for the Arts. Flu shots will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and no appointment is necessary. There is no charge for the vaccine, but if patients have insurance, the Arkansas Department of Health will charge their insurance company for the vaccine. The St. Bernards Mobile Mammogram unit will be on-site to provide mammograms for anyone 40 years or older who has not had one in the past year. To get a mammogram, bring a driver’s license, insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card. Patients may qualify for a free mammogram through the Breast Care Program.
Herb Continuing Education Course
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College will host All Things Herbal, an herb course offered through continuing education. The course, taught by Laura Brush, will include lecture time, as well as hands-on gardening, growing and creating with herbs. The class will meet from 5-8 p.m. Mondays, from Nov. 7 through Nov. 21, in the Culinary Arts Classroom of the John E. Miller Education Complex. The tuition is $35, or $30 for ages 60 and older. For more information or to preregister, contact Candace Killian at (870) 368-2003 or ckillian@ozarka.edu.
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.