March 25
Candle-Making Demonstrations
POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park, 8047 Arkansas 166 S., will offer Candle Making Demonstrations from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $5 to make a pair of candles to take home. Participants will learn about waxes and wicks and how to make candles as people did during the time of Davidsonville. For more information, call the park at (870) 892-4708.
March 29 – March 31
Spring Sing
SEARCY — Harding University will present its 45th annual Spring Sing, Heroes and Villains. The shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday in Harding’s Benson Auditorium. Tickets are available for $15 or $18 at www.hardingtickets.com.
March 30 and March 31
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo
EL PASO — The Central Arkansas Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s 10th annual rodeo will take place both days in the Two Bar Two Arena at Crossroads Cowboy Church, 3071 Arkansas 5. The show, at 6:30 both nights, will feature funnyman Lecile Harris, trick-roper Ketch Weaver and the Crossroads Angels. Free events will include mutton bustin for kids 6 and younger (sign up by 6:30) and a boot scramble and calf scramble for different ages each night; and a mini bronc riders competition at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Miss Rodeo Arkansas Pageant will crown the winner Saturday night. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 7 to 12 years and free for kids 6 and younger. Vendors will provide tack, clothing and other items. Tickets will be sold for chances to win a 2018 Delta 24-foot Cattleman Gooseneck Stock Trailer. For more information, call Becky at (501) 230-7872.
March 31
Children’s Theater Troupe
SEARCY — The Pied Pipers, Harding University’s improvisational children’s theater troupe, will perform at 11 a.m. in Harding’s Ulrey Performing Arts Center. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Chorus Concert
SEARCY — The Harding University Chorus will present its annual spring concert at 11 a.m. in Harding’s Administration Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.
ONGOING
Painting With Jim
FAIRFIELD BAY — Painting With Jim will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E. The cost is $40 per session, and all materials will be provided. Students will learn the value of color and composition with a new subject each week, starting and completing an acrylic painting in the two-hour class. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.
Living Well With Diabetes Series
SEARCY — Unity Health Family Practice Associates and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extensive Service provide an education series, Living Well With Diabetes, from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays in the Unity Health Annex (the former Carder Buick Building) at the corner of Hawkins and Hartsfield drives. The sessions will include a cooking demonstration, simple meal-planning strategies, tips for diabetes management and hands-on activities and discussions. To register for upcoming sessions, call (501) 268-3232, ext. 41416.
First Electric Cooperative Scholarship
JACKSONVILLE — First Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its scholarship program. High school seniors whose parents or guardians are First Electric members may apply for one of five $2,000 awards. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average through their senior year of high school and, upon graduation, be a full-time student at an accredited institute of higher learning in Arkansas. Applications, due April 2, are available under the “Community” tab at www.firstelectric.coop and at any First Electric office. For more information, call (800) 489-7405 or visit www.facebook.com/FirstElectric.
Free Tax-Preparation Services
JACKSONVILLE — Residents in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area can receive free tax-preparation assistance from the Central Arkansas Development Council. Help is available at the city of Jacksonville, 109 S. Second St., by appointment. Call (501) 982-0026. Assistance is also provided at the Esther D. Nixon Library, 703 W. Main St. in Jacksonville. Walk-ins are welcome from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7. For more information, call the CADC at (501) 315-1121. People who make under $54,000 may also self-prepare their taxes at myfreetaxes.com.
Photography Exhibit
SEARCY — The Stevens Art Gallery at Harding University is featuring photographs by Eleanor Hamby in an exhibit titled Seven: Continents, Wonders, Faces and Places through April 18. The exhibit documents Hamby’s journey across the globe spanning 105 countries and all seven continents, capturing the expressions of people and the beauty of the wonders of the world. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
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 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.
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. More volunteers are needed. For more information or to volunteer, call (501) 843-3797.
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.
Free Chair Yoga Classes
MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Continuing Education program is offering 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, lasts 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.
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.
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
Chuckwagon Breakfast and Easter Service
EL PASO — Crossroads Cowboy Church, 3071 Arkansas 5, invites everyone to its Easter service, which will begin with a free chuckwagon breakfast of biscuits and gravy at 7:30 a.m. April 1. Brother Ron Riddle will give the message from horseback. An Easter-egg hunt will follow the service. For more information, call Becky at (501) 230-7872.
Retired Teachers Meeting
CABOT — The North Lonoke County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. April 2 in the Eaton Room at Cabot United Methodist Church. The meeting will be a catered lunch by the Pea Farm Bistro, followed by a presentation by Mary Huie, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association travel manager, who will discuss travel opportunities through ARTA. Attendees are asked to bring donations for the food pantry.
Community Music Gathering
BATESVILLE — There will be a community music gathering from 6-8 p.m. April 2 at First Community Bank. Singers, instrumentalists and listeners are welcome to attend the free event.
Hot-Dog Roast
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Republicans will have a hot-dog roast at 6 p.m. April 3 at the home of Charlie and Lorena Fuqua, 4320 White Drive. Hot dogs will be furnished, and attendees are asked to bring something else to eat or drink. Everyone is welcome. There will be a brief discussion on disaster preparedness in Independence County.
Ozarka College FoundationSpring Gala
MELBOURNE — The Ozarka College Foundation will host its annual spring gala, The Bridge to Opportunity, at 6 p.m. April 5 in the Student Services Center at Ozarka College, 218 College Drive. The gala will feature a gourmet dinner catered by 109 Main and a live auction with an item donated by Sissy’s Log Cabin. Proceeds from the gala will support the foundation’s efforts to provide resources for Ozarka students. Sponsorships are available, and individual tickets are $75. For more information or to reserve a table, call Suellen or Angela in Ozarka College’s advancement office at (870) 368-2059.
Car Show
CABOT — The ninth annual Cabot High Cruzers Car Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 7 in Cabot High School’s Champs Hall parking lot. Trophies, music, food and more will be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cabot High School Auto Tech Scholarship Fund and the Keep the Faith Foundation, which supports families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. The rain date is April 14. For more information, contact Bill at (501) 286-9016.
HELP Meeting
CABOT — HELP (the Housing, Educational, Learning Program) is being developed to assist the homeless in Lonoke County. The group’s next meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. April 9 at Criswell-Robinson American Legion Post 71, 114 N. First St. For more information, call Allen Miller at (501) 203-5715.
Percussion Ensemble Concert
SEARCY — The Harding University Music Department will present a concert featuring the Percussion Ensemble at 7 p.m. April 10 in Reynolds Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 279-4343.
Fashion Gala
FAIRFIELD BAY — The 25th annual Fashion Gala, presented by the Xi Gamma Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, will take place at 1 p.m. April 13 at St. Francis Parish Hall, 250 Woodlawn Drive. The event will feature prizes on display, homemade desserts and a style show with models wearing spring and summer fashions offered by area merchants. Style-show tickets are $7, and raffle tickets are two for $1 — both available at the door. Proceeds will be donated to local charitable organizations.
Wardrobes and Rings
SEARCY — As the final performance of this year’s Arts and Life Concert Series, Harding University will host a theatrical presentation, Wardrobes and Rings, at 7 p.m. April 13 in the Administration Auditorium. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.harding.edu/concertseries or call (501) 279-4343.
Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball
SEARCY — The Junior Auxiliary of Searcy will have its yearly fundraiser, the Charity Ball, with a Roaring Twenties theme, at 7 p.m. April 14 at the Searcy Country Club. The evening will feature a silent auction, a live auction by auctioneer Rodger Cargile, dinner by the Searcy Country Club, and music and dancing by Crown Entertainment. The 2018 Charity Ball Queen is Mary Lou Dunn. Tickets, at $65 each or $120 per couple, are available to the public, ages 21-plus, from any Junior Auxiliary member. To be a sponsor or donate an auction item, call (501) 254-9181 or email juniorauxiliarysearcyar@gmail.com. Donations are accepted at Junior Auxiliary of Searcy, P.O. Box 156, Searcy, AR 72143.
Cabot Litter Pickup
CABOT — Volunteers are needed for Cabot’s annual spring litter-pickup campaign from 9 a.m. to noon April 14, sponsored by Cabot City Beautiful in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup. Individuals, businesses and community groups are encouraged to participate in the effort. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in the Cabot School District’s Administrative Building parking lot, 602 N. Lincoln St., to check in. Orange safety vests and garbage bags will be provided. Volunteers will meet back at the parking lot at noon for free food and drinks. For more information, contact the Cabot Clean-Up Committee at (501) 920-2122 or cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
Distinguished Lecture Series: Laura Bush
SEARCY — Harding University’s American Studies Institute will host Laura Bush, former first lady of the United States from 2001-09, at 7:30 p.m. April 16 in Benson Auditorium for the fourth presentation of Harding’s 2017-18 Distinguished Lecture Series. Admission is free, and all events are open to the public. For more information, visit www.harding.edu/asi or call (501) 279-4497.
Tour D’Art
MELBOURNE — The Friends of the Paul Weaver Library will present the seventh annual art extravaganza Tour D’Art from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the John E. Miller Education Complex. The theme is “Embracing the Imagination.” The exhibit will include works from art students and instructors from area high schools, plus works from Ozarka College students, faculty, staff and friends. Original folk and fine arts, as well as performing arts, will be showcased. Tour D’Art is open to the public, and admission is free. For more information, contact Dan Lindsey at (870) 368-2055 or dlindsey@ozarka.edu.
Angel Street
SEARCY — The Harding University Theatre Department will present Angel Street from April 19-21 in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at www.hardingtickets.com or at the door. For more information, call (501) 279-5315 or visit theatre@harding.edu.
Wind Ensemble Concert
SEARCY — The Harding University Music Department will present a concert featuring the Wind Ensemble at 7 p.m. April 19 in the Administration Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call (501) 279-4343.
Ladies Night Out
BEEBE — Beebe Nazarene Church will present a Ladies Night Out from noon to 6 p.m. April 21 at the church, 104 Campground Road. The event is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be given out. Proceeds from the event will help sponsor women for their annual retreat in the fall. Vendors are needed for the Ladies Night Out. For more information on becoming a vendor, call Linda Ballard at (501) 239-0825.
Creating Butterfly Landscapes
FAIRFIELD BAY — Ruth Andre will give a presentation on creating butterfly landscapes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Indian Hills Club/Little Red Restaurant. Andre will talk about how to cultivate a garden to be butterfly-friendly. The event is free, and purchase of lunch is optional. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.
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.