Nov. 12
Small Town Amateur Radio Service Meeting
CABOT — The Small Town Amateur Radio Service (STARS) ham radio group will have its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71, 114 N First St. The group meets the second Sunday of every month. For more information, call Post 71 at (501) 203-5715.
Christmas Open House
CABOT — The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 71 will have a Christmas open house from 12:30-5 p.m. at 114 N. First St. The event will feature chances for a raffle, cookies, poppies for sale, and shopping for jewelry and scarfs for Christmas gifts. For more information, call Susie Goebel at (501) 203-5715.
Nov. 13
Independence County Library Fundraiser
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library Friends Foundation will host its Spuds on the Run fundraiser — a takeout meal of a baked potato topped with smoked, pulled pork and all the trimmings, plus a dessert — at First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main St. Lunch can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $10, cash or check only, and must be purchased in advance at the Independence County Library, 368 E. Main St.; the Citizens Bank Main Branch; or the First Community Bank Main Branch. Friends members will deliver meals to groups of eight or more. For more information, call (870) 793-8814 or visit the Independence County Library’s Facebook page.
Nov. 14
Job Fair
NEWPORT — The Job Fair will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Newport Business Resource Center, 201 Hazel St. For more information, call (870) 523-1009.
Movie Night
BATESVILLE — The Melba Theater and the Humane Society of Independence County will present a movie night featuring A Dog’s Purpose at 6:30 p.m. at the Melba Theatre, 115 W. Main St. Prior to the show, there will be a special introduction by W. Bruce Cameron, the author of A Dog’s Purpose. The event is free to the public, but donations will be appreciated. All proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Independence County.
VFW Monthly Meeting
MELBOURNE — Melbourne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4687 will meet at 6 p.m. in the VFW Lodge, 584 West Road. There will be a pinning ceremony for the new officers elected last month. All members are encouraged to attend, and any combat veteran wishing to join the VFW is invited to attend this monthly meeting.
Izard County Republican Committee Meeting
MELBOURNE — The Izard County Republican Committee will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Melbourne Community Church, 114 Jackson. Mark Harrington of Mark’s Pharmacy will speak on the merits of having a marijuana dispensary in Izard County. For more information, call John at (870) 670-4330.
Cleburne County Retired Teachers Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers Association will have a business meeting at noon at the Rustic Inn, 404 S. Seventh St. All retired school personnel are invited to attend. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.
Nov. 15
Commodities Distribution
The Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities at the following locations in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area: Cabot Church of Christ, 500 N. Second St.; Austin City Hall, 202 Hendricks St.; and the Ward Chamber of Commerce, 80 W. Second St. Items may include cranberry juice, raisins, applesauce, peaches, pears, carrots, diced tomatoes, whole corn, potato flakes, tomato soup, peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, lima beans, rice and salmon. Recipients must present identification, and income guidelines must be met. A one-person household must make less than $15,678 per year. For each additional family member, add $5,488.34. For more information, contact a local CADC office.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
EL PASO — The El Paso community’s Thanksgiving dinner will take place Thursday at the El Paso Community Center. The annual meeting of Parks and Playground will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a potluck meal. The public is invited to attend. For more information or directions, call (501) 796-3593 or (501) 796-3538.
Veterans Thanksgiving Dinner
CABOT — Criswell Robinson American Legion Post 71 will have its annual Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and their families at 6 p.m. at the Army National Guard Armory, 300 Commerce Park Drive. For more information, call Post 71 at (501) 203-5715.
Nov. 18
Feed Our Vets Cabot New Location
CABOT — Feed Our Vets Cabot will celebrate its new location, 214 Rainbow Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The organization provides nonperishable food items and personal-hygiene items to veterans and their families in need. Donations are always accepted.
Literacy Project Tutor Training Workshop
BATESVILLE — The Literacy Project, which serves Fulton, Sharp, Izard and Independence counties, will present a tutor training workshop from 10 a.m. to noon in the Literacy Project’s office, 156 S. Third. St. Doughnuts and coffee will be served. The organization relies on trained volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring for its adult students who are learning to read or learning English. To register or for more information, call (870) 793-5912, email morgan@oflp.org or visit www.oflp.org.
Holiday Gala Ball
NEWPORT — The annual Holiday Gala Ball at Jacksonport State Park will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The 52nd Regimental String Band from Memphis will perform romantic melodies of the 19th century, and refreshments will be served. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 7 to 12. Children ages 6 and younger will be admitted free. For more information, contact park interpreter Vicky Schoeneweis at Jacksonport State Park, 205 Ave. St., Newport, AR, 72112; (870) 523-2143; or vicky.schoeneweis@arkansas.gov.
Church Bazaar
BEEBE — Beebe First United Methodist Church will host its annual bazaar, beginning at 7 a.m. There will be baked goods, Methodist mustard, a rummage-sale extravaganza and tickets for $1 each for opportunities to win a handmade Christmas quilt. A soup lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Leslie Sinclair at leslie.sinclair@abcfinancial.com.
ONGOING
American Legion Oratorical Contest
CABOT — American Legion Post 71’s American Legion Oratorical Contest is open for high school students younger than 20. The speeches are eight to 10 minutes long and must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Applications are available from Kim Gibson at Cabot High School and must be submitted to the American Legion Department Headquarters by Dec. 31. Certifications must be submitted to Department Headquarters by Feb. 17. The contest will be March 3, with the location to be announced.
Shepherd’s Center Wednesday Activities
BEEBE — From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Shepherd’s Center at Beebe United Methodist Church, 302A N. Main St., seniors participate in classes in 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.
Blue Ribbon Beauties Exhibit
FAIRFIELD BAY — The Fairfield Bay Community Education Center will present the Blue Ribbon Beauties exhibit from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Nov. 24. This is an exhibit of the blue-ribbon-awarded photography and written stories from the 2017 Van Buren County Fair submitted by Education Center photographers and writers. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Community and Technical Education Classes
BATESVILLE — The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s Community and Technical Education department will offer the following classes: Microsoft Access Fundamentals, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday; and Microsoft Excel Formulas, 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 30. The cost for each class is $69. For more information or to register, email communityed@uaccb.edu or call (870) 612-2082.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Upcoming
Community Music Gathering
BATESVILLE — There will be a Community Music Gathering from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 20 at First Community Bank. Singers, instrumentalists and listeners are all invited to attend.
Democratic Party of White County Meeting
SEARCY — The Democratic Party of White County will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Arkansas State University-Searcy, 1800 E. Moore Ave. For more information, email white@arkdems.org.
Jackson County Rubber Duck Raffle
NEWPORT — The Jackson County Rubber Duck Raffle will take place Nov. 20 at Lockwood Park. The drawing will be at noon, and winners must be present. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. The first place prize will be $2,000, second place will be a 2nd Gen Apple Watch, and third place will be a 55-inch Sanyo TV. All proceeds from the event will benefit the March of Dimes.
Beebe Christmas Parade
BEEBE — The Beebe Christmas Parade is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 2. This year’s theme is “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The entry fee for a float is $10. Registration forms and rules can be found at www.beebeark.org. Awards will be given in four categories: commercial, civic, educational and religious. For more information, call the Beebe Chamber of Commerce at (501) 882-8135.
Jacksonville Christmas Parade
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation will host the city’s 60th annual Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The night parade will feature illuminated floats, Santa and other parade favorites: marching bands, floats, dance groups and the Jacksonville Fire Department. Entry forms are available at www.cityofjacksonville.net. The entry fee is $25. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit the city’s website.
Ward Christmas Parade
WARD — The Ward Christmas Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Markham and Second streets. A Christmas-tree lighting will follow the parade, with cookies and refreshments served. The entry fee for floats is $5. There will be awards for the top three floats. Entry forms are available at the City Hall reception desk. The deadline to enter is Dec. 8. For more information, call Parks Director Karen Dawson at (501) 843-7686.
It’s a Wonderful KLIFE Fun Run
SEARCY — Celebrate the holiday season and help support KLIFE Searcy, a nonprofit youth ministry, at its third annual It’s a Wonderful KLIFE 5K/1-Mile Fun Run on Dec. 9, hosted by Searcy Holiday of Lights and Searcy KLIFE. Participants can view the holiday sights around Searcy and take part in a festive event that is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. The early registration fee is $30 and includes a guaranteed T-shirt through Nov. 25. For more information, visit KLIFE Searcy’s Facebook page.
Cabot Christmas Parade
CABOT — Cabot’s Christmas parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 10. The theme is “A Hollywood Movies Christmas!” Participants are asked to use the theme to design a float. Entry forms, parade rules and route maps are available at the Veterans Park Community Center, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce office and www.cabotparks.com. The deadline to register is Dec. 4. Send completed forms and a $10 entry fee to Cabot Christmas Parade, P.O. Box 1101, Cabot, AR 72023. For more information, call (501) 920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
Newport Christmas Parade
NEWPORT — The Newport Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. Entries are being accepted at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce for floats, walking groups, antique vehicles, beauty queens, horseback riders, school organizations, etc. Entry is free, and participants may choose their own holiday theme. Float judging will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. For more information or to enter the parade, contact the chamber at (870) 523-3618, director@newportarchamber.org or 201 Hazel Street, Newport, AR 72112.
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.