Sept. 25
Church Homecoming
ROSE BUD — South Cross Roads Church, 249 Lone Star Road, will have its annual homecoming event, beginning with a program at 10 a.m., followed by a worship service at 11. There will be a potluck lunch at noon, and The Chuck Wagon Gang will perform at 1:15 p.m. For more information, call the Rev. Kenneth Rolland at (501) 206-4604 or Buddy Phillips at (501) 281-2109.
Bark in the Park
BATESVILLE — The Humane Society of Independence County will host its eighth annual Bark in the Park doggie celebration from noon to 3 p.m. around the amphitheater at Riverside Park. There will be the Running of the Weenies, and Batesville High School’s Future Business Leaders of America will conduct the Best Dog competitions. There will be games and skill events for pets and people, with prizes awarded. A $15 arm band includes an event T-shirt, entry into all competitions and unlimited play at all games. A $5 arm band includes entry into the competitions and participation in each game/skill event one time. Puppies will be available to rent for 15 or 30 minutes. The food booth will include grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and drinks. For more information, call (870) 613-3045, (870) 307-5305 or the shelter office at (870) 793-0090.
Sept. 26
Potluck Supper
CABOT — The Cabot AARP chapter will meet at 6 p.m. for a potluck supper at the Cabot Senior Center, 600 N. Grant St. There will be a short business meeting, followed by guest speaker Kathy Ball, director of A Veteran’s Best Friend. The ministry trains dogs to provide assistance to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stars & Stripes Golf Tournament
JACKSONVILLE — The Stars & Stripes Golf Tournament, which will benefit the Jacksonville Museum of Military History, will take place at the Southern Oaks Country Club, 701 Foxwood Drive. There will be shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There is still room for teams in the afternoon slot. The team entry fee for the four-person scramble is $300. To sign up, visit www.jaxmilitarymuseum.org, click on “Golf Tournament September 2016,” then “Team sign-up.” For more information, call Danna Kay Duggar at (501) 241-1943.
Jacksonville Citizens Police Alumni Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Jacksonville Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road. All graduates of the Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy are invited to attend. For more information, contact Eleanor Loyd at (501) 412-4115 or mselliel@centurytel.net.
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2
The Comedy of Errors
BATESVILLE — In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, the Lyon College Harlequin Theatre will kick off its 2016-17 season with a production of William Shakespeare’s farcical romp The Comedy of Errors, directed by Fonzie Geary. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Holloway Theatre at Lyon College, 2300 Highland Road. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and non-Lyon students, and free for students with a Lyon ID. For reservations, call the box office at (870) 307-7511.
Sept. 30 and Oct. 1
Benefit Rummage Sale and Blessing of the Animals
HEBER SPRINGS — St. Francis Episcopal Church, 20 Woodland Cove, just off Arkansas 110 across from the Heber Springs Sports Complex, will have a benefit rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. All proceeds from the sale will go to the operation of the Heber Springs Humane Society Shelter and the St. Francis Discretionary General Fund. St. Francis will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. All are invited to bring their pets to the ceremony. Donations of dry dog, puppy, cat and kitten food will be accepted at the sale Saturday and given to the humane society. For more information, call Kathy Shell at (501) 206-5140 or Nancy Spaulding at (501) 733-1704, or the church office at (501) 362-3111 or (501) 365-6564.
Oct. 1
The SAME Cafe
SEARCY — The SAME Cafe will be open to anyone in the community who would like a free warm meal from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Side Church of Christ, 709 W. Arch St.
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 Saturday in Ozarka College’s John E. Miller Auditorium, 218 College Drive. 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.
ONGOING
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, beginning Oct. 5. 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.
Art Exhibit
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will present Wandering the Heartland: Photography by Michael Leonard through Saturday at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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.
Introduction to Art Courses
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozarka College in Mountain View will host four-week Introduction to Art courses, offered through Continuing Education. These courses, taught by Leah Balowski, will meet from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays. 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.
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 when disaster strikes. 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
Retired Teachers Meeting
CABOT — All retired teachers in Lonoke County are invited to a potluck meeting of the Lonoke County Retired Teachers Association at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church. Mary Alice Hughes will speak to the group about members’ insurance needs. Bring a favorite dish to share and nonperishable food items for the food pantry.
Business Expo
HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 14th annual Business Expo at the Heber Springs Community Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 6. More than 60 exhibitors will display and promote their products and services. The public is invited, and admission is free.
White County Daylily Society Fall Sale
SEARCY — The White County Daylily Society will have a fall sale from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 on the east side of the Courthouse Square with the farmers market. The sale will take place rain or shine. All double divisions of lilies will be $4 each.
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.
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 artist’s 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.
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.