Sept. 15
Maumelle Newcomers Luncheon
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Newcomers Luncheon will be held at the Maumelle Country Club at 11 a.m. The guest speaker is Fran Carter, director of development for the Arkansas Repertoire Theater. For more information, call Mary Davidson at (501) 994-5518.
Open-Mic Night
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will host its monthly open-mic night at 7 p.m. at the library. For more information or to register, call (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Sept. 15 and 16
Shakespearean Production
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University Theatre will mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death this week with a pair of performances scheduled for Russellville Downtown. A 45-minute production titled Sonnets, Scenes and Songs will be offered at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at Depot Park. In the event of inclement weather, the show will be moved to the Techionery Theatre at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Admission will be free and open to the public. Donations to support Arkansas Tech Theatre will be accepted. For more information about Arkansas Tech Theatre, call (479) 964-0890.
Sept. 16
Cleburne County Relay for Life
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Relay for Life will take place at Spring Park. A cancer-survivor banquet will begin at 5 p.m., and the relay will kick off at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend the relay and raise money for cancer research. The event will feature lots of music, food and fun. Survivors who want to attend the banquet may call (501) 691-4314 to sign up.
Sept. 17
Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner
NEW DIXIE — St. Boniface Catholic Church will have a spaghetti and sausage dinner from
4-7:30 p.m. in St. Boniface Hall. The dinner will feature homemade rolls and peach cobbler. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children younger than 6 may eat free with a parent. The public is invited. For carryout meals, call
(501) 759-2896 after 3:30 p.m.
Fall Show
CONWAY — The Conway League of Artists will host its fall show starting from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Faulkner County Library with more than $2,000 in awards presented. The show will be on display through Oct. 22. The show is open to any CLA member and members can enter up to three works of art. Membership is $25 per year. New members can join and participate in the show on Saturday. Entry fees are $12 each or three for $30. For more information, call Coe Wilson, show chairman, at (501) 208-2264.
Sept. 19
AARP Meeting
CONWAY — The Conway AARP chapter will meet from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Conway First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., for a potluck lunch in the church’s Fellowship Hall (on the north side of church by the parking lot). The meal will begin at 11:10 a.m. and will be followed by bingo at noon. All seniors ages 50 and older are welcome to attend. Attendees should bring a potluck dish, bingo prize, and a canned food item for the church’s food pantry. For more information, call Ruby Johnson at (501) 327-0498 or Ron Ross at (501) 327-6803.
Sept. 20
Conway Women’s Chorus Auditions
CONWAY — The Conway Women’s Chorus is seeking new members for the fall semester. Open rehearsals will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the building attached to the Conway Dinner Theater, 2201 Washington Ave., Suite 12. “If you are looking for a way to use those singing talents, we’ve got just the thing for you,” said Joan Hanna, director of the chorus, as well as its sponsor, the Faulkner Academy of Arts. For more information, call Hanna at (501) 339-7401, or visit www.faulkneracademyofarts.org.
Retired Teachers Meeting
CLINTON — The Van Buren County Retired Teachers and School Employees Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Western Sizzlin in Clinton. The speaker will be Matt Hughes of Hughes Insurance Agency in Russellville, who will make a presentation about upcoming insurance changes. Tyrene Gardner, superintendent of the Shirley School District, will also speak. Gardner will give an update on the school system’s status and talk about changes for the 2016-17 school year. All retired school employees are encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome.
Sept. 21-24
Junkfest
SEARCY COUNTY — Junkfest, an annual community yard sale in Searcy County, will take place Wednesday and Sept. 22-24, with yard sales in Marshall, Leslie and St. Joe. In addition, look for sales, specials and deals at established local antique stores, flea markets and thrift stores. Junkfest will coincide with the multicounty Ozark Byways Buy Days, on Sept. 24.
ONGOING
Conway County Library Bookmobile Routes
MORRILTON — The Conway County Library, 101 W. Church St., will begin routes in September for its new bookmobile, which will carry a complete mobile library collection, including books and audiobooks for all ages. Stops will include Petit Jean Mountain: The Museum of Automobiles; Oppelo City Hall; Blackwell Liquor; Plumerville City Hall; Menifee City Hall; Springfield: Decker’s Grocery; Birdtown: DeSalvo’s Store; Nemo Vista School; Austin: Austin Grocery; Hattieville: Beeson’s Grocery; Saint Vincent: Nick’s Grocery; Jerusalem: Circle H Store; and Cleveland: Cleveland Grocery. For more information, call the library at (501) 354-5204.
Stroke Support Group
CONWAY — A Stroke Support Group meets from 1-2 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, 2210 Robinson Ave. Participants are invited to have coffee and share stories about life after stroke. They gain practical guidance on nutrition, exercise, and social and emotional support, with resource networking. The free meetings feature special guest speakers and topics of interest.
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.
Faulkner County Coin Club Meetings
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Coin Club meets the first Thursday of each month at the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 705 E. Siebenmorgen Road. The 5 p.m. dinner is optional, and a $6 donation is suggested for those 60 and younger. A fellowship time takes place from 5:30-7 p.m. and includes educational speakers, show-and-tell, news and door prizes. The meetings are open to coin collectors, history buffs or anyone interested in coins, tokens, medals, paper money, documents, etc. For more information, call (501) 327-2895 or (501) 908-9678.
Annual Food Drive
MAUMELLE — Maumelle AARP chapter is sponsoring a food drive through Sunday for the Hope Alliance Ministry Food Pantry, which serves the Maumelle and Marche communities. The food drive is also in honor of National Hunger Action Month. All nonperishable food items will be accepted. Collection points include the Maumelle Kroger, the Maumelle Community Center, the Maumelle Library and the Maumelle Senior Wellness Center. For more information, call Beverly at (501) 425-9312.
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.
Tea Party Luncheon
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Tea Party has a luncheon at noon every Thursday at Larry’s Pizza, 1068 Markham St. Guest speakers and the members’ “soap box” are featured each week. Anyone interested in governmental and business affairs on the county, state or national level is invited to arrive early, eat pizza and meet the group’s members.
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. They will be available for pick up Oct. 29 from 8-9:30 a.m. For more information, call Rotary Club President John Lyons at (501) 691-9331.
Upcoming
10th Annual ArtsFest
CONWAY — ArtsFest, Conway’s citywide celebration of the arts, will mark its 10th anniversary with this year’s festival, from Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, at locations throughout the city. ArtsFest is planned and presented by the Conway Alliance for the Arts (CAFTA). Events, which are free and family-friendly, include visual arts, dance, music, creative writing, film, theater and more. For a complete schedule of ArtsFest activities, visit www.artsinconway.org.
Brass in the Clouds
RUSSELLVILLE — Performers from the Arkansas Tech University Department of Music will present the 12th annual Brass in the Clouds concert, co-sponsored by Mount Nebo State Park and the music department, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Mount Nebo’s Sunset Point. The public is invited to attend. Trombone, trumpet and horn ensembles will perform under the direction of Sean Reed and T.J. Perry, assistant professors of music. Mount Nebo State Park recommends that audience members bring blankets or chairs for seating comfort. For more information, call (479) 968-0368, or visit www.atu.edu/music.
Author Fair
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library will present the fourth annual Author Fair from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 24. The event will take place during Banned Books Week and ArtsFest 2016, and will celebrate the freedom to create and the art of the writer. Authors from many genres will be featured, and books will be available for purchase. Participants will learn what it takes to write and sell nonfiction, novels, children’s books, literature, poetry and more. Published authors who would like to attend the event may contact the library. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Garage Sale
MAUMELLE — A large multi-family garage sale, sponsored by the Maumelle AARP Chapter is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at 174 Lily Drive, to help support the group’s community service projects. Items available for sale include household and yard items, clothing, linens, large screen Sony HD TV (rear projection), an exercise bike, knickknacks, books and much more. For more information, call (501) 231-7445.
Punt, Pass and Kick
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation & Parks Department will host a Punt, Pass and Kick competition at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Vick Field, 915 E. Parkway Dr. The free football competition is open to boys and girls, ages 6 to 15. Registration forms are available at the Hughes Community Center or register at the event. For more information, contact the Hughes Community Center at (479) 968-1272.
Conway Writer’s Group Reading
CONWAY — The Conway Writer’s Group will celebrate ArtsFest with a reading of original works by local authors at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Faulkner County Library. Following the ArtsFest theme of “Conway Marks the Spot,” authors Robert Reising, Jean Leffler, Paula Abernathy, Libbey Talley, Bryan Williams, Kathy Kordsmeier, Joyce Holder, Joyce Rossi and Harvey Melton will read from original works that put Conway at the center of the story. Mike Abernathy will be the master of ceremonies for the event. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
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 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.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, River Valley & Ozark Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to rvonews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.