Jan. 22
Cabot AARP Meeting
CABOT — The Cabot Chapter of AARP will meet for a potluck supper at 6 p.m. in the old Cabot library next to the Cabot Senior Citizens Center, 600 N. Grant St. The guest speaker will be Peter Lee, an Arkansas health professional. Anyone who is interested in joining AARP is welcome to attend the meeting.
The Oak Ridge Boys Concert
SEARCY — Harding University’s Women for Harding will present The Oak Ridge Boys in concert, with special guest Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, at 7:30 p.m. in Benson Auditorium. The show is part of The Oak Ridge Boys’ 2018 tour, Shine the Light. Tickets are $28, $38 and $48, and include Arkansas sales tax (no additional fees). Tickets can be purchased at www.hardingtickets.com.
White County Historical Society Meeting
SEARCY — The White County Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the dining hall of Harding Place Retirement, 801 Benton Ave. The story of the Rock Island Line in Arkansas will be the subject of the program. Featured speaker Michael E. Hibblen, author of a new book on the railroad, will autograph copies of his book. For decades, Hibblen has worked as a journalist for radio stations around the country, as well as CBS Radio News, the Miami Herald newspaper and NPR station KUAR-FM 89.1 in Little Rock. Membership in the historical society costs $25 a year and may be arranged at the meeting, which is free and open to the public.
Jan. 23
Independence County Spelling Bee
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Spelling Bee, which was scheduled for Jan. 16, has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Independence Hall Auditorium at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
Jan. 24
Cabot Chamber Local Lunch
CABOT — The Cabot Chamber of Commerce will present a Local Lunch at 11 a.m. at the Kingpin Sports Grill, 2350 Lakewood Drive. For more information, call the chamber at (501) 843-2136.
Newport Chamber Banquet
NEWPORT — The 2018 Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet will take place at the Newport Country Club, starting with a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Heather Fox, Learning and Development team manager with FedEx. A short auction will feature bids for the Christmas-parade grand marshal, as well as street-sign naming at Newport Lake. The cost is $30 per person, and the event is open to the public. For more information, call the chamber office at (870) 523-3618 or email director@newportarchamber.org.
American Legion Post 71 Meeting
CABOT — Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71 is seeking members. The group will meet at 7 p.m., with a pre-meeting meal at 6 p.m., at Post 71, 114 N. First St. All military members and spouses are welcome to attend. The group meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Spouses may join the Auxiliary, and daughters may join the Junior Auxiliary. Sons of military personnel may join the Sons of American Legion Chapter. There is also a chapter of the Legion Riders for motorcyclists and a ham-radio chapter (STARS). For more information, call Post 71 at (501) 203-5715 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Piano Recital
SEARCY — Harding University will present a recital by pianist Scott Carrell at 7 p.m. in the Reynolds Center Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 279-4343.
Jan. 27
Showorks Fair Management Software Training
SALEM — The North Central Arkansas District Fair will conduct training on the Showorks Fair Management Software at 9 a.m. at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. This intensive six-hour training is for fairs that are already using Showorks and those that are considering purchasing the program. There will be a $12 registration fee to cover the cost of lunch and morning and afternoon breaks. Preregistration is required by Thursday. Fairs may send as many people as they want to the training. For more information, call (870) 895-5565 or (870) 321-3193, or email fultoncountyfair1@gmail.com.
Woodwind Recital
SEARCY — Harding University will present a recital by Rayna DeYoung on saxophone and Kelsie Dye on flute at 7 p.m. at the Reynolds Center Recital Hall at Harding. The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 279-4343.
ONGOING
Cabot Lions Club Meetings
CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club now meets at noon the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Colton’s Steak House & Grill, 195 Northport Drive. Lions are “the knights for the blind and visually impaired,” providing service for those with sight ailments and hearing issues. Lions are also actively involved in service for hunger relief, youth outreach, the environment, pediatric cancer, diabetes awareness and disaster relief. All are invited to the meetings.
Abstract ARt Exhibit
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council presents Abstract ARt, a group exhibition, through Feb. 24 at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The exhibit features the work of six abstract artists in Arkansas working in contemporary modes of drawing, printing and painting: Dustyn Bork, Donnie Copeland, Sam King, Marc Mitchell, Jessica Mongeon and Steven Wise. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call the Arts Council at (870) 793-3382.
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. Nearly 8,600 meals were served in 2017. Additional volunteers are needed. For more information or to volunteer, call (501) 843-3797.
Free GED Classes
MELBOURNE — Free GED classes are available at several locations through Ozarka College. Classes meet at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 3-6 p.m. Mondays; at Ozarka College in Mammoth Spring from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; at Ozarka College in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 4-7 p.m. Mondays; and at Salem High School from 4-7 p.m. Mondays. Registration is ongoing.
Beginning Yoga Class
ASH FLAT — Ozarka College in Ash Flat will host a six-week series of Beginning Yoga through the college’s Continuing Education program on Thursdays, from Feb. 1 through March 8 in Room AF109. There will be two sessions: Session A at 4:30 p.m. and Session B at 5:30 p.m. The classes will be led by Deltha Sharp. The cost for the series is $45, with a 20 percent discount for ages 60 and older. Preregistration is required, and participants need to bring a yoga mat. For more information or to register, contact Fay Mitchell at (870) 368-2005 or fay.mitchell@ozarka.edu.
New Library Hours
MELBOURNE — The Paul Weaver Library at Ozarka College is open to the Ozarka College community, including the public. The library now has new hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anyone who wants to become a patron of the library may call Dan Lindsey, Ozarka College multimedia specialist, at (870) 368-2054.
Free Chair Yoga Classes
MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Continuing Education program will offer free chair yoga classes at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April 25 in Room C106 of the John E. Miller Education Complex. Each class, led by Deltha Sharp, will last approximately 30 minutes. Participants are welcome to bring their own blocks, straps, blankets, etc.; however, there will be a few of each available at class. Preregistration is required. For more information or to register, contact Fay Mitchell at (870) 368-2005 or fay.mitchell@ozarka.edu.
Bluegrass Music Night
HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee will be available. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.
Jacksonville Sertoma Club Meeting
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Sertoma Club meets at noon every Wednesday at the Southern Oaks Country Club, 701 Foxwood Drive. The Sertoma Club raises money for hearing aids and for scholarships for local high school seniors, including seniors from the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock.
Bluegrass Music Night
HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee will be available. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.
Shepherd’s Center Wednesday Activities
BEEBE — Seniors participate in classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St. The classes include quilting, art, jewelry making, scrapbooking, card making, genealogy, beginning computers, Bible discussions and bridge. At special times, cake decorating, holiday food preparation and ethnic food classes are offered, and in the spring, American Sign Language and gardening. Lunch is a potluck served to all who attend, whether or not they bring a dish.
Bluegrass Music Night
HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee will be available. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.
Beebe Kiwanis Club Meetings
BEEBE — The Beebe Kiwanis Club meets at noon the first and third Thursdays of each month in the Stephens Room of the Student Center at Arkansas State University-Beebe. Kiwanis is a volunteer organization with the mission of helping youth in the community. For more information, call Flo Fitch at (501) 230-2890 or Debra Crisco at (501) 454-3505.
Civitan Meetings
CABOT — Civitan meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at First Security Bank in downtown Cabot. Civitan is an organization that provides training and support for people with developmental disabilities.
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. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.
Upcoming
Sharp County Historical Society Meeting
ASH FLAT — The Sharp County Historical Society will have its regular quarterly meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Community Room of the FNBC building. Joan Gould of Preservation Matters will present Strawberry River Valley: Lining Up “Data Points” From Past Centuries. “By isolating the modern-day Calamine area of the Strawberry River Valley and applying modern technological techniques, researchers have been able to peer into past centuries and view with greater accuracy how the earliest settlements grew and changed,” Gould said.
Marriage Conference
BATESVILLE — MarriedPeople will present a marriage conference, Your Best Night Out with Ted and Nancie Lowe, at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Fellowship Bible Church, 332 E. Main St. Participants will experience a night of comedy and laughter while exploring what it takes to make a marriage work. Child care will be provided. To register, visit facebook.com/fellowshipbatesville. For more information, call the church at (870) 698-9244.
Ron Clark Lecture
SEARCY — Harding University’s American Studies Institute Distinguished Lecture Series will host Ron Clark, America’s Educator, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Benson Auditorium at Harding. There will be open seating, and tickets are not needed. For more information, call the American Studies Institute at (501) 279-4497.
Valentine Pageant
SALEM — The Zeta Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will conduct its annual Valentine Pageant at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Salem High School Gymnasium. Contestants need to line up by 4 p.m. Candidates for Mr. and Miss Valentine are from grades seven through 12 at Salem High School. The Little Miss and Little Mr. contestants are from kindergarten through sixth grade at Salem Elementary School. Votes for contestants are one penny each. Cans for votes are at the Town & Country Super Market on Church Street. Voting will end at 6 p.m. Jan. 30. Proceeds from the pageant will be used for Beta Sigma Phi’s community-service projects.
Main Street Batesville Winter Gala
BATESVILLE — Main Street Batesville will present its annual Winter Gala fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at The Main Street Loft in the Barnett Building, 267 E. Main St. The theme is “Urban Cowboy” with an emphasis on the television show Dallas. Guests are encouraged to dress accordingly. There will be an after-party featuring the band The Cherry Pickers. For more information, contact Main Street Batesville at (844) 462-4482 or mainstreetbatesville@gmail.com. Tickets are $35 each or $60 per couple and available at the Citizens Bank main branch, the First Community Bank main branch, Studio Salon, the Main Street Batesville office, the Melba Theater and mainstreetbatesville.org.
Howard Johnson Art Exhibit
SEARCY — The Stevens Art Gallery at Harding University is featuring a free art exhibit with work by Howard Johnson. The exhibit will run through Feb. 2. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gallery will be open for Searcy’s First Friday Night Art Walk from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 2. For more information, call the art and design department at (501) 279-4426.
Independence County Republicans Meeting
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Republicans will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. Tommy Land, a candidate for state land commissioner, will tell the attendees why they should choose him for the position.
Sweetheart Banquet
SEARCY — The CALL in White County will host its annual Sweetheart Banquet at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Robbins-Sanford Hall. The event will have a fresh new twist from last year and a new theme, “Stole My Heart.” The CALL invites everyone to attend, partake of a dessert bar and hors d’oeuvres, and participate in a silent auction and drawings for door prizes. The banquet is free, and no tickets are required. Proceeds will help support foster families and foster children in White County. For more information about the banquet, call Jennifer Humberson at (501) 278-6654. For more information about The CALL, call Erica Sirratt at (501) 288-3197.
Ballroom Dance — New!
BATESVILLE — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville will offer Ballroom Dance — New!; a five-session Community Education class for couples, from 6-7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 9, 16 and 23; and March 9 and 16. The class fee is $70 per couple. Samy Rash, instructor, will teach the basic steps for salsa, bachata, country swing and fox trot. Dancers of any skill level are welcome. The class will meet on the Auditorium Stage in Independence Hall at UACCB. For more information or to register, call (870) 612-2082 or email communityed@uaccb.edu.
Jacksonville Chamber Banquet
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce annual banquet will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Drive. Gov. Asa Hutchinson will be the guest speaker. The cost of the dinner is $45 per member or $360 for a table of eight. RSVP by 5 p.m. Feb. 1 by calling (501) 982-1511 or emailing chamber@jacksonville-arkansas.com.
Community Valentine’s Day Ball
HEBER SPRINGS — The Heber Springs Jazz Band will sponsor its first Valentine’s Day Ball for the community on Feb. 14 at the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, 1099 W. Pine St. The band will play and sing jazz classics from days past. Tickets are $12 each or $20 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Offices of the Heber Springs School District or at heberspringsbands.org with PayPal.
Neil Diamond Tribute
NEWPORT— The Arkansas State University-Newport Patron Series will present Jack Wright: The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Center for the Arts, 7648 Victory Blvd. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.asun.edu.
Incident Command System Class
CABOT — The STARS (Small Town Amateur Radio Service) Club, a ham-radio group, will offer an ICS (Incident Command System) 800 class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 17 at Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St. The class is taught by Steve Moore with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. All are welcome to attend the class. For more information, contact Gordon Miller at gmiller266@gmail.com.
The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert
HEBER SPRINGS — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will return to the Heber Springs Performing Arts Center for a concert at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students ages 18 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Offices of the Heber Springs School District or at heberspringsbands.org with PayPal.
Delta Visual Arts Show
NEWPORT — The 10th Annual Delta Visual Arts Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts, 201 Hazel St. The free event will feature various categories of art, along with live music and authors. For more information, call the center at (870) 523-1009 or email director@newportaredc.org.
Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off
HEBER SPRINGS — The Ziggy Pepper Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cleburne County, will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 3 at the Heber Springs Community Center, 201 Bobbie Jean Lane, in conjunction with the Angler’s Expo & Outdoor Show. The chili tasting will begin at 11 a.m. Cooks can enter in the pro, youth or people’s choice chili categories, where the total prize money is more than $1,800. Those who want to taste and judge the chili entries and help support the club’s efforts to raise money for college scholarships are invited to come out and participate. For more information, contact Rick Maguire at (501) 499-1580 or ziggypepper.com.
Jeffrey Combs Portraying Poe
BEEBE — The Arkansas State University-Beebe Concert Series will present Nevermore: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, by stage and film actor Jeffrey Combs at 7:30 p.m. March 15 in the Owen Center Auditorium, 910 Pecan St. Combs will perform a one-man theatrical production of Edgar Allan Poe, the famed author and poet of mystery and macabre. Combs is known for playing multiple characters on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and other roles. General-admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students, military personnel and educators. Purchase tickets at asub.ticketleap.com, at the Institutional Advancement office (in the Ruth Couch Building on the Beebe campus) and at the door, one hour before showtime. For more information, contact Carissa Gillam at (501) 882-8957,or visit www.asub.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. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.