COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE THREE RIVERS AREA

Today

Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour

MOUNTAIN VIEW— The 18th annual Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour — a free self-guided driving tour of the private working studios of artists within 30 miles of the courthouse square in Mountain View — will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. For more information and a list of open studios, visit www.offthebeatenpathstudiotour.com.

Monday

Arkansas Saxophone Quartet Concert

BEEBE — Arkansas State University-Beebe will present the Arkansas Saxophone Quartet in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Owen Center Theater on the Beebe campus. Members of the quartet are Brent Bristow, tenor saxophone; Mathew Taylor, soprano saxophone; Caroline Taylor, alto saxophone; and Jackie Lamar, baritone saxophone. The event is free, but tickets are required. Reserve tickets at www.asub.ticketleap.com.

Democratic Party of White County Meeting

SEARCY — The Democratic Party of White County will meet at Arkansas State University-Searcy. A social time will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:30. Laura Burks, director of the White County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) will be the guest speaker. Sharon Hughes, director of DOTS (Daughters of the Other Side) will be a guest. Donations of personal- and feminine-hygiene products to benefit DOTS will be accepted. Visitors are welcome.

Friday

NARFE Meeting

HEBER SPRINGS — The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will have a potluck luncheon and meeting at 11:30 a.m. in the First Electric Cooperative Community Room, 150 Industrial Park Road. The guest speaker will be Denis Dunderdale from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. All active and retired federal employees are invited to attend. For more information, call Kathy Golding at (501) 206-1375.

Saturday

Uncovering the Past

POWHATAN — Powhatan Historic State Park, 4414 Arkansas 25, will present Uncovering the Past from 10 a.m. to noon in the park’s Black River Picnic Area. Participants will join a park interpreter to learn about archaeology, Powhatan’s history and what the park’s artifacts mean to people today. The group will screen dirt left over from park construction to see if any artifacts were overlooked. For more information, call the park at (870) 878-6765.

Historic Baking Workshop

POCAHONTAS — Davidsonville Historic State Park, 7953 Arkansas 166 S., will present a Historic Baking Workshop from 1-4 p.m. on the Visitor Center Porch. The cost is $10. Participants will join park staff to prepare and bake several treats and discuss how to build and use an earthen oven. Early sign-up is required. For more information or to sign up, contact the park at (870) 892-4708 or davidsonville@arkansas.gov.

Ongoing

Canned Food Drive

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library, 267 E. Main St., will host a Canned Food Drive during September to benefit Batesville Help and Hope. Library patrons with late fees will have 50 cents removed from their accounts for every canned food item they bring to the library. “All patrons are encouraged to donate canned items, regardless of whether they have library fines,” said Vanessa Adams, library director. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call Adams at (870) 793-8814.

In & Out of Body Exhibit

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will present In & Out of Body, an exhibition by Sigrid Lorfing, through Sept. 28 at the BAAC Gallery on Main, 226 E. Main St. The exhibition features mixed-media paintings that explore the connections between mind, body and trauma. Lorfing is an artist and educator who lives in Russellville and teaches art for the Pottsville School District.

Mountain View GED Classes

MOUNTAIN VIEW — GED classes are available at Ozarka College in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Instruction is available in math, writing skills, reading comprehension and refresher skills for college prep, military preparedness or employability. An instructor is available for one-on-one assistance. For more information, call (870) 368-2051.

Melbourne GED Classes

MELBOURNE — GED classes are available at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Instruction is available in math, writing skills, reading comprehension and refresher skills for college prep, military preparedness or employability. An instructor is available for one-on-one assistance. For more information, call (870) 368-2051.

Farmers Market

BATESVILLE — The city of Batesville and White River Medical Center have partnered to provide a farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the gravel parking lot near Volunteer Way at White River Medical Center. The market, which will be open through October, will provide a venue for the sale of high-quality, fresh produce and more for Batesville-area residents. For more information, call (870) 262-1777 or (870) 262-6555.

Fairfield Bay TOPS Meetings

FAIRFIELD BAY — The TOPS Arkansas 0612 chapter (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each Thursday in the Conference Room of the Hart Center, 134 Hillview Drive, behind the Senor Center of Fairfield Bay. Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 a.m., and support meetings, emphasizing weight loss and healthy living, will start at approximately 9:30-10:30 a.m. Visitors and prospective members may attend their first meeting free. The cost to join is an annual fee of $32 for national dues and $3 per month chapter dues. For more information, call Patty at (501) 253-3790 or Jeannie at (501) 253-3824.

Ash Flat Senior Center Activities

ASH FLAT — The Ash Flat Senior Life Center invites residents of Ash Flat and surrounding areas to the following weekly events: bingo from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; card games, board games and painting from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursdays; and exercise classes from 10-10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Coffee, cookies and more will be available throughout the week. Visit the senior center, and sign up for $3 meals served at 11:30 a.m. For more information, including travel arrangements, call Veronica Fortich at (870) 994-2174.

Main Street Searcy Farmers’ Market

SEARCY — The Main Street Searcy Farmers’ Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon, or until sold out, Saturdays on the east side of the Courthouse Square. The market offers a variety of Arkansas-grown seasonal produce, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, jellies, local honey, handmade soaps, U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified meat, and arts and crafts. To participate in the farmers market, call the Main Street office at (501) 279-9007 or email mainstreetsearcy@sbcglobal.net.

Painting Class

FAIRFIELD BAY — Jim Tindall’s painting class will meet with a new subject from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E. Each class costs $45, and all materials are provided. For more information, call the center at (501) 884-4440, or visit the center’s Facebook page.

Heber Springs TOPS Meetings

HEBER SPRINGS — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each Monday at the Church of the Nazarene, Eighth and Quitman streets. Weigh-in begins at 7:30 a.m., and a support meeting emphasizing weight loss and healthy living takes place from 9:30-11 a.m. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Enter the church through the back entrance. For more information, call Geneva Earles at (501) 827-1243 or Janiece Brierly at (501) 250-5087.

Searcy Lions Club

SEARCY — The Searcy Lions Club meets at noon every Tuesday on the second floor of the Heritage Building at Harding University. The Lions Club raises funds for eye care and eyeglasses for White County residents who otherwise could not afford such care. New members are always welcome. For more information, visit the Searcy Lions Club on Facebook.

VFW Tuesday Night Bingo

QUITMAN — Tuesday Night Bingo takes place each week at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1295 Bee Branch 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.

American Legion 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.

Cabot Lions Club Meetings

CABOT — The Cabot Lions Club meets at noon the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Colton’s Steak House & Grill, 195 Northport Drive. 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. All are welcome. To volunteer or make a donation, call (501) 843-3797.

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 is 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.

UPCOMING

The Queen’s Cartoonists

SEARCY — The Harding University Department of Music will present The Queen’s Cartoonists at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 in Harding’s Administration Auditorium. The audience will view classic and contemporary animations on the screen while the band re-creates the original soundtracks. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit harding.edu/artsandlife or call (501) 279-4343.

Fall Paint Night

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Area Arts Council will host a Fall Paint Night from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 26 at the BAAC gallery, 226 E. Main St. BAAC will provide participants with all the supplies needed to create their own painting on canvas within the 2-hour workshop. Instructor, Carla Ladd, will guide participants step-by-step through the fall-themed painting. Participants are welcome to bring their own beverages and snacks. The cost is $35 per person and students receive 50 percent off with current ID. Space is limited. To register, visit www.batesvilleareaartscouncil.org/classes—workshops or call (870)793-3382 for more information.

AARP Drive Smart Course

SEARCY — Unity Health will host an AARP Drive Smart Course 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Hubach Conference Center, 3214 E. Race Ave. The instructors are Jerry Yates and Deborah Landers. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members with an AARP ID card and $20 for nonmembers. Participants are asked to park behind the hospital off Moore Street, use the elevator to go to the first floor, and bring a jacket because the room is cool. To register for the class, call (501) 278-3230.

Hocus Pocus Movie Night

BATESVILLE — Main Street Batesville will present Main Street Batesville and Citizens Bank will present a free movie night featuring Hocus Pocus at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Pocket Park, 325 E. Main St. There will be games, vendors, and other activities starting at 6 p.m. Vendors and volunteers interested in participating can email mainstreetbatesville@gmail.com.

Independence County Republicans Meeting

BATESVILLE — Independence County Republicans will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Citizens Bank Annex, 285 E. College St. Joey Williams, representing Conduit News, a conservative watchdog for the Arkansas Legislature, will speak on what the Legislature has done for Arkansas residents. The group will also make further plans for the Trump Day Dinner that is set for Feb. 11.

Women’s Luncheon

BATESVILLE — The Mary, Ark of the Covenant Chapter of Magnificat International (A Ministry to Catholic Women) will host a luncheon Oct. 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 3800 Harrison St. The speaker will be Father Stephen Gadberry, the ninja priest. An Air Force veteran, Gadberry appeared on Episode 1 of Season 10 of America Ninja Warrior in 2018. He is pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville and a fellow of the Word on Fire Institute. The cost for the luncheon is $12 and includes a catered meal. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the luncheon at 11:30. All women are welcome to attend. For tickets, call Sharon Vander Zyl at (870) 847-3095 by Sept. 29.

Artoberfest

BATESVILLE The Batesville Area Arts Council will host the 4th Annual Artoberfest, a free arts and music festival on Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5. The festival will feature live-music, local and regional artist booths, a sidewalk chalk competition and other family fun activities. As part of the festivities, there will be booths along Main Street for artists and makers in the region to showcase and sell their work. All items must be handmade or hand-decorated, no commercial products are allowed. Booth spaces are approximately 10’ x 10’ and are available to rent for $25. Tables and pop-up tents are also available for artists to rent. The rental fee is $15 for a table and two chairs and $25 for a tent, in addition to the booth fee. Vendors may choose to bring their own tables, but must stay within allotted space. Vendors may share a booth. The booth-registration deadline is Sept. 28. To register, visit www.batesvilleareaartscouncil.org/artoberfest-1.

Benton Family Reunion

SEARCY — The 2019 John Washington and Rachel Burkett Benton family reunion will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Floyd Community Center, 1255 Arkansas 31 N. Attendees are asked to bring ancestry pictures and albums to share, along with finger foods, casseroles, sandwiches, salads, fruit or desserts. For more information, contact Patsy Benton Bryant at pkbryant72@gmail.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.

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