COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS AREA

Aug. 24

Football Season Preview 2017

SEARCY — The Searcy Kiwanis Club will host a preview of the upcoming 2017 football season at 11:30 a.m. at the Unity Health Specialty Care Campus (south campus), 1200 S. Main St. The event will feature area football coaches as guest speakers: Paul Simmons of Harding University, Mike McCain of Riverview High School, Mark Kelley of Searcy High School and Neil Evans of Harding Academy. Lunch will cost $10, payable at the door. RSVP by emailing phays@firstcommunity.net.

Newport Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet

NEWPORT — The ninth annual Newport Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet will take place at 6 p.m. at the Newport Country Club. Hosted by the Newport Special School District Charitable Foundation, the event will honor outstanding Newport graduates with induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame. Tickets, at $25 each, are on sale at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, 201 Hazel St. For more information, email newportfoundation@yahoo.com.

Aug. 24 – Aug. 26

Quilter’s Retreat

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ozark Folk Center State Park will present a quilter’s retreat today through Saturday. The event will feature quilting classes with René Riggan, Jennie Sharp and Jennifer Whitman. To register for the retreat, call (870) 269-3851.

Aug. 25

Magical Mosaics Registration Deadline

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Friday is the deadline to register for the Arkansas Craft School’s Magical Mosaics, taught by Mary Patrick, on Sept. 8-10 at the Patrick’s rural home studios. Students will learn the art and craft of creating glass mosaics and may bring their own designs or choose an existing one. They will learn about mosaic adhesives, grout and tools, and have a variety of glass to choose from. For more information, visit www.arkansascraftschool.org or call (870) 269-8397.

Ultimate Tailgate Pep Rally Fundraiser

SEARCY — Grill-Fest has expanded this year to become White County’s Ultimate Tailgate Pep Rally, set for 5-9 p.m. at the Searcy Event Center to kick off the 2017 football season. Proceeds from the event will benefit Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission. Tickets are $5 for a hamburger meal or $3 for a hot-dog meal and can be purchased at the following event partner branches in White County: Centennial Bank, Edward Jones, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, Regions Bank, Simmons Bank, Southern Bank and the White County Federal Credit Union. There will be $5 wristbands for unlimited access to all kids’ activities or $1 tickets per activity.

Aug. 26

Spring River Associational Singing

CAVE CITY — The Spring River Associational Singing will begin at 6 p.m. at Maxville Missionary Baptist Church, a few miles north of Cave City on U.S. 167. This is the annual election of officers. All are invited to attend, sing and help promote Southern gospel music. Light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the singing. For more information, call John R. Way, president, at (870) 283-3292.

Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless Meeting

CABOT — Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless (Catch), will meet at 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St., in the Cabot mini mall. For more information, call (501) 203-5715.

Land O’ Frost Car Show

SEARCY — Land O’ Frost will host a car show at 9 a.m. at the White County Fairgrounds to benefit the JDRF, the leading organization for Type I diabetes research. The preregistration fee is $20, and day-of-show registration is $25.

Aug. 26 and Aug. 27

Jacksonville Train Show

JACKSONVILLE — The seventh annual Jacksonville Train Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Drive. Admission is $7 for both days. Kids will be admitted free. The Jacksonville Lions Club will raffle two handmade quilts at the event. For more information, call Daryl Conner of Rail & Sprue Hobbies at (501) 982-6836.

Aug. 28

Cabot AARP Meeting

CABOT — The Cabot AARP Chapter will meet at 6 p.m. for a potluck at the new Cabot Center (formerly the library). After a short business meeting, guest speaker Tina Hunter with the Alzheimer’s Association will give a presentation.

Vigil and Democratic Party Meeting

BATESVILLE — The Democratic Party of Independence County will host a daylight vigil in remembrance of Heather Heyer at 5:30 p.m. under the flagpole in Batesville’s Riverside Park. Heyer, 32, was killed when a car rammed a group of counter-protesters at a rally of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12. Following the vigil, the Independence County Democrats will have their August meeting at Josie’s, 50 Riverbank Road. Speakers will include a slate of current and former office holders, including state Rep. and Democrat Party of Arkansas chair Michael John Gray, former state Rep. James McLean, Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh and Batesville School Board member Jennifer Emery.

Aug. 29 and Sept. 21

Microsoft Word Training

BATESVILLE – The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s community and technical education department is partnering with Rhonda Byrd to offer one-day workshops in Microsoft Word Level 1 on Aug. 29 and Level 2 on Sept. 21. The classes will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 222 of the UACCB Main Campus building. The cost is $69 per workshop. For more information or to register, email communityed@uaccb.edu or call (870) 612-2082.

ONGOING

Cardio Circuit Classes

MELBOURNE — Ozarka College in Melbourne will offer cardio circuit classes through continuing education Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26 in Room C106 of the John E. Miller Education Complex. Session A will begin at 4:15 p.m., and session B at 5:15 p.m. The one-hour classes will be taught by Crystal Nicholson and will cover a variety of cardio, strength and flexibility activities with circuit-style training. The cost is $20 for four classes. Preregistration and a membership to the Ozarka College Fitness Center are required. Daily, weekly or monthly memberships are available. For more information or to register, contact Candace Killian at (870) 368-2003 or ckillian@ozarka.edu.

Free GED Classes at Ozarka College

MELBOURNE — Ozarka College offers free classes for students to work toward obtaining a GED. Classes meet at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Registration is ongoing, and disability accommodations are available upon request. For more information, call Ozarka College’s Adult Education Department at (870) 368-2051.

Fine Arts and Craft Sale Booth Spaces

SEARCY — Booth spaces are available for rental for the Creative Art Society’s indoor Fine Arts and Craft Sale, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at the White County Fairgrounds, 802 Davis Drive. The event will also feature music and food. Send a payment of $40 to reserve a 10-by-11-foot booth space to Janelle Selvidge, 4981 Arkansas 36 W., Searcy, AR 72143. Reply by email to thecreativeartssociety@hotmail.com, or call (501) 270-2278 for more information.

2017 Kids Art Exhibition

BATESVILLE — The 2017 Kids Art Exhibition — a display of art created by students in kindergarten through the sixth grade at the Batesville Area Arts Council’s Summer Art Camp — will be on display in BAAC’s Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St., through Saturday. For more information, call (870) 793-3382.

Music in the Caverns Cancellation

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Music in the Caverns concert series at Blanchard Springs Caverns has been canceled. Caroling in the Caverns will begin at the end of November. For more information, call the caverns at (870) 757-2211.

Pioneer Village Summer Saturdays

SEARCY — Pioneer Village, a late-1800s village at 1200 Higginson St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through August. Volunteers will give tours of the buildings and grounds. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information or to verify opening in the event of rain, call (501) 580-6633.

Farmers Market

HORSESHOE BEND — The Horseshoe Bend Farmers Market will be open from 8-10:30 a.m. each Wednesday at Faith Presbyterian Church, at Church and Fourth streets. Vendors will offer fresh produce, baked goods and crafts.

Free Brown-Bag Lunch

CABOT — The Mount Tabor United Methodist Church Women of Cabot serve a free brown-bag lunch at 11 a.m. each Thursday at the church, 4100 Arkansas 89 S. In 2016, this mission of the church served more than 8,600 lunches to the hungry and needy of Cabot.

Opportunity for Bridge Players

BEEBE — Bridge players are needed at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. Beginners are welcome. For more information, call (501) 843-2930.

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 at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. For more information, call Sandra Garrett at (501) 940-4021.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

CABOT — The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 S. Pine St. For more information, call (501) 265-0027.

Republicans Meetings

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.

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 the meetings.

Upcoming

Marty Stuart Concert

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Marty Stuart will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 in the large auditorium at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Tickets are reserved seating at $35 for premium seats and $25 for general reserved seats. To purchase tickets, call (870)-269-3851, and press No. 2.

Vietnam War Veterans Meetings

MELBOURNE — The Izard County Veterans Service Office is sponsoring meetings for veterans of the Vietnam War era, all services, from 10:30 a.m. to noon every first and third Thursday in the old Kustom Made Graphics building, 614 Main St., directly across from Mark’s Pharmacy. The next meeting will be Sept. 7. All are welcome to attend for coffee, talk, pastries and tales. Parking will be in the shopping-center parking lot.

Bark in the Park Dog Walk and 5K Fun Run

ROSE BUD — Service Dogs of Distinction will have its second annual Bark in the Park Dog Walk and 5K Fun Run at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at City Park. Service Dogs of Distinction is a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder at no cost to the veterans.

Memorial Golf Classic

CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club will host its annual Memorial Golf Classic, in memory of Lion Rick Meadows, on Sept. 11 at Cabot’s Rolling Hills Country Club on Mount Carmel Road/Arkansas 321. The four-person scramble will have a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Proceeds will provide vision-screenings, eye exams and the purchase of eyeglasses for schoolchildren and in-need adults. The entry deadline is Sept. 5, and entry forms are available at cabotlions@yahoo.com or by calling (501) 920-2122. Entry fees, $100 per person or $400 per team, include the green fee, a golf cart, two free mulligans, and a steak and baked-potato dinner. For more information, contact the Cabot Lions Club at (501) 920-2122.

Cleburne County Retired Teachers Meeting

HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers Association will meet at noon Sept. 12 at the Rustic Inn. The guest speaker will be Donna Morey, executive director of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. Susan Eckhart will also present a program on scamming. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.

Potluck and Bible Study

SEARCY — Calvary Chapel Searcy, an extension of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, at 216 Johnston Road, will have its Thursday-night once-a-month Potluck/Fellowship/Bible Study from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 14. There will be Thursday-night Bible studies only from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28. For more information, call (501) 268-7540.

Genealogy Program

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library will host a genealogy program at noon Sept. 15 at The Loft in the Barnett Building, 267 E. Main St. Mike Polston, director of the Museum of American History at the Cabot Public Schools, will speak on Heaven, Hell or Home by Christmas: The Arkansas Great War Letter Project. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (870) 793-8814 or email info@indcolib.com.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library Friends Foundation will present a three-course meal and a murder-mystery production of the original play Murder by the Book at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Loft in The Barnett Building, 267 E. Main St. The event includes a silent auction. All proceeds will go to the Friends Foundation. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St.; the Citizens Bank Main Branch; or the First Community Bank Main Branch. Reserve a place by Sept. 8. For more information, call Mary Beth Frensley at (870) 613-3163 or Vanessa Adams at (870) 793-8814, or visit the library’s Facebook page.

White River Water Carnival

BATESVILLE — The 74th annual White River Water Carnival will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Riverside Park. There will be live music, food and craft vendors, a car show, a parade and activities for kids.

Batesville Fall Outdoor Sports Show

BATESVILLE — The first Batesville Fall Outdoor Sports Show will take place Sept. 16 and 17 at the new Batesville Community Center. The show will feature nearly 29,000 square feet of indoor display and demonstration space, virtual outdoor recreation webinars, and many activities for kids. There will be free parking and full food and beverage service. Admission to the event is $5 for adults and $3 for children. To introduce a business or organization at the show, visit the Fall Outdoor Sports Show page at www.batesvilleparks.com.

Door-to-Door

SEARCY — The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas will present their Door-to-Door meeting Sept. 19 in Room 2017 of the Cone Chapel Building, 915 E. Market Ave., on the Harking University campus. Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m., and the program will conclude at 1 p.m. The meeting will address key issues impacting business in Arkansas and the presentation of the 2017 Business Matters Leadership Awards. The lunch and program are free, but reservations are required. RSVP to Toni Bahn by Sept. 12 at tbahn@arkansasstatechamber.com.

Oktoberfest

JACKSONVILLE — The Ladies of the Knights and Knights of Columbus Council 11604 will host their 14th annual Oktoberfest at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at St. Jude the Apostle Parish Hall, 2403 McArthur Drive. The evening will feature a German dinner, music and dancing. Tickets are $15 per adult. Proceeds from the event will fund the Knights and Ladies charitable organizations. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Theresa at (501) 843-8251 or Melanie at (501) 680-7818. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Paws at the Beach 5K Run/Walk

HEBER SPRINGS — The annual Humane Society’s Paws at the Beach 5K Run/Walk will take place Oct. 7 at Sandy Beach. Race time is 8 a.m., and the course is certified. Register at racesonline.com/events/paws-at-the-beach-5k-1k or at the race from 6:30-7:30 a.m. The entry fee is $25 by Sept. 15 and $30 after that and on race day. For more information, contact Eileen Wilroy at hshumanesociety5k@gmail.com or (501) 250-4428.

Artoberfest

BATESVILLE — Artoberfest, a free arts and music festival, will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 on Main Street. The event will feature artists’ booths, live music, art demonstrations and more. For more information, contact Carly Dahl at (870) 793-3382 or email info@batesvilleareartscouncil.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.

Upcoming Events