Today
Community Thanksgiving Worship Service
BATESVILLE — The Community Thanksgiving Worship Service, hosted by members of the Batesville Area Ministry Alliance, will take place at 6 p.m. at the Batesville Community Center. The Lyon College Gospel Choir will perform, as well as groups and individuals from several churches. All are invited to attend and bring nonperishable food items to be distributed by Batesville Help and Hope. An offering will be taken to support the work of the ministerial alliance.
Monday
Artists’ Alley
CABOT — Youth ages 12 to 18 are invited to Artists’ Alley at 5 p.m. at the Cabot Public Library. Different art media will be available, such as paints, Perler beads, pencils, sewing materials and more.
Friday
Fill the Truck
BEEBE — The Fill the Truck Toy & Coat Drive will kick off from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Beebe Walmart Supercenter. New toys, coats and monetary donations will be accepted through Dec. 1. Donations will go to the Beebe Angel Tree Program to assist families in during the holiday season. Collection boxes will be inside Walmart. Donations will also be accepted through Dec. 15 at Merle Norman Beebe, First Security Bank, Golf Realty, Hometown Dreamers, Beebe City Hall, Anytime Fitness and Total Erosion Control. For more information, call City Hall at (501) 882-8117 or the Beebe Chamber at (501) 882-8135.
Green Friday
POCAHONTAS — All are invited to help turn Black Friday into Green Friday by visiting Davidsonville Historic State Park, 8047 Arkansas 166 S., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m to spend some time outdoors. Visitors can hike a trail, explore the exhibits and chat with park staff about the many outdoor adventures Arkansas has to offer. The park will provide freshly made popcorn and deals on a variety of park merchandise at the park gift store, including apparel bundles, as well as and hiking staff and medallion combinations. For details on specific items or more information, call (870) 892-4708.
Friday – Dec. 26
A Very Melba Christmas
BATESVILLE — The fourth annual A Very Melba Christmas, presented by the Melba Theater, with the assistance of local business partners, will show classic Christmas films on the big screen. The series consists of 12 movies with 18 showings, beginning Friday with White Christmas at 7 p.m. and running through Dec. 26. For more information, visit www.melbatheater.org or the Melba Theater’s Facebook page, or call (870) 569-8002.
Saturday
Small Business Saturday and Tree Lighting
BATESVILLE — Merchants of downtown Batesville will host Small Business Saturday as an alternative to Black Friday shopping. The stores will have sales and promotions throughout the day, and the Batesville Area Arts Council will be available to wrap presents. Activities will include Morley Family Magic from 11 a.m. to noon, Story Time With Snow White from 1-2 p.m, Pictures with Santa from 3-5 p.m., the Batesville Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. in the Citizens Bank Pocket Park and a free showing of Christmas Vacation at 7 p.m. at the Melba Theater.
Ongoing
Friends Foundation Membership Drive
BATESVILLE — The Independence County Library Friends Foundation is conducting a membership drive through Saturday to help offset the costs of operating the library. Members who join in November will receive a free Friends Foundation shirt. Dues are $25 for an individual, $50 for a family, $100 for a corporate membership or $500 for a lifetime membership. For more information, call Terri Walden at (870) 307-7856.
Mountain View GED Classes
MOUNTAIN VIEW — GED classes take place at Ozarka College in Mountain View from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Evening classes are available from 4:30-7:30 Mondays. Instruction is provided in math, writing skills, reading comprehension and refresher skills for college prep, military preparedness or employability, with an instructor for one-on-one assistance. For more information, call (870) 368-2051.
Melbourne GED Classes
MELBOURNE — GED classes are offered at Ozarka College in Melbourne from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Instruction is provided 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.
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 start from 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 are 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.
Painting Class
FAIRFIELD BAY — Jim Tindall’s painting class meets 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 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
Lighting Ceremony
SEARCY — Harding University will kick off the holiday season activities the annual campus lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 on the front lawn near the David B. Burks American Heritage Building. The countdown to the lights coming on will begin promptly at 6. The festivities will include free hot chocolate and Christmas music. For more information, visit harding.edu/holidays.
Batesville Christmas Parade
BATESVILLE — The Batesville Christmas Parade, with the theme “A Cinematic Christmas,” will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 on Main Street. Parade line-up will begin at 4 p.m. The theme will feature a depiction of characters from Christmas movies, including the Grinch, Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Buddy the Elf.
Community Music Gathering
BATESVILLE — There will be a community music gathering from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2 at First Community Bank. Singers and instrumentalists are asked to bring their favorite Christmas songs, and listeners are welcome.
Distinguished Lecture Series
SEARCY — Harding University’s American Studies Institute will host Alex Kendrick, an American film writer, producer, director, actor and co-founder of Kendrick Brothers Productions, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in Benson Auditorium for the second presentation of Harding’s 2019-20 Distinguished Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit harding.edu/asi or call (501) 279-4497.
Light Up the Bay
FAIRFIELD BAY — Fairfield Bay will become a winter wonderland with Light Up the Bay from 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Fairfield Bay Chamber of Commerce, featuring cookies, a visit from Santa, the Grinch, buckboard rides through town, caroling, a tree-lighting ceremony and more. The Festival of Trees and holiday celebrations will continue through Dec. 14. For more information, call the chamber at (501) 884-3324.
Christmas Spectacular Concert
SEARCY — The Harding University Music Department will present a Christmas Spectacular concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Administration Auditorium. The concert will feature Belle Canto, the Chamber Singers, the Jazz Band and the Percussion Ensemble. Admission is free.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
BATESVILLE — Caring Hands Hospice will present the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 in the George Rider Community Room of First Community Bank, 1325 Harrison St. For more information, call Rhonda or Mary at (870) 698-0505.
2019 Luminary Project
SEARCY — Holiday luminaries will be placed around the White County Courthouse on Dec. 6 and 7, weather permitting, to honor or memorialize loved ones who have battled or are battling cancer. This event is presented by the CARTI Searcy Auxiliary. Benefits from the luminaries sold will benefit cancer patients of CARTI Searcy. For how to purchase a luminary or more information, call (800) 451-3351.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Family Day
BATESVILLE — The Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. Ninth St., will present its annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Family Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7. The event will feature Ed Casper on accordion, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free admission to the museum will include crafts and activities. For more information, call the museum at (870) 793-2121 or visit www.oirm.org.
Santa’s Craft Shop and Pancake Breakfast
NEWARK — The Cedar Ridge PTO will offer its fifth annual Santa’s Craft Shop and Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, 3549 Cord Road. The event will feature shopping, pancakes, a silent auction, pictures with Santa and more. New this year will be Touch a Truck, with an ambulance, a firetruck, tractors, a police car, a race car, a backhoe and other heavy equipment for children to explore. For more information, call Lauren Ashley at (501) 912-2433.
Searcy Christmas Parade
SEARCY — The 2019 Searcy Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Spring Park.
Holiday Craft Fair
SEARCY — A Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Carmichael Community Center.
Pancakes With Santa
BEEBE — The Kiwanis Club of Beebe will present Pancakes With Santa from 8-11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Beebe High School. The event will feature photos with Santa, a holiday movie, breakfast and more. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 for families. Children ages 3 and younger may eat free.
Jacksonville Christmas Parade
JACKSONVILLE — The 62nd Annual Jacksonville Christmas Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 on Main Street. The event will feature illuminated floats, Santa, dance groups and more. For more information, visit cityofjacksonville.net.
Cabot Christmas Parade
CABOT — The 2019 Cabot Christmas Parade will begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at Dakota Drive on West Main Street. The theme is A Storybook Christmas. The event will feature marching bands, clowns, veterans groups, Santa and more. For more information, visit cabotparks.com.
The Pied Pipers Christmas Show
SEARCY — Harding University’s improvisational children’s theater troupe, The Pied Pipers, will perform their annual Christmas show at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.
Arts and Crafts Sale
BATESVILLE — First Church of the Nazarene, 1611 Harrison St., will present its seventh annual Christmas in the City arts and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7. A lunch of chili, pinto beans and cornbread will be served. To reserve a 9-by-9-foot booth for $25, call (870) 698-1994 or (870) 793-8233.
Craft Fair
CABOT — Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, 4100 Arkansas 89 S., will have a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Vendors will offer blankets, towels, wreaths, napkins, pot holders, jewelry, Christmas decor and more. Lunch, for $5, will include homemade soup, chicken and dumplings, creamy tacos, chips, cookies and a drink. The fair is sponsored by the Brown Bag Ministry.
Women for Harding Tour of Homes
SEARCY — The 37th annual Women for Harding Searcy Tour of Homes will take place from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 8. Tickets are $20 in advance at Hardingtickets.com or $25 the day of the tour. For a listing of featured homes or to purchase tickets, visit harding.edu/alumni/women/homes.
EdenSong Regional Chorale Concert
HEBER SPRINGS/FAIRFIELD BAY — The EdenSong Regional Chorale, a 32-voice group under the direction of Analea Cook, will present its annual Christmastime concert at two venues this year: at First Baptist Church, 201 N. Fourth St. in Heber Springs, at 2 p.m. Dec. 8; and at the Fairfield Bay Community Center Theater, 110 Lost Creek Parkway, at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Both concerts are free, although donations to the EdenSong Music Fund are appreciated.
Commencement Ceremony
SEARCY — Harding University will host its Fall Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 in Benson Auditorium. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for guest seating.
Cookie Class
MELBOURNE — Ozarka College in Melbourne will offer a cookie class for children ages 10 to 13 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 14. The class will be taught by Amy Lynn Queret-Mitchell, director of the Ozarka Culinary Program. Participants will make homemade carnival and sugar cookies and take home a plate of cookies. The course fee is $25, with all supplies included. For more information or to register, email Queret-Mitchell at amy.mitchell@ozarka.edu.
Near Year’s Eve Battle of the Bands
SEARCY — The Performing Arts Center on the Square and Quattlebaum Music will present the Near Year’s Eve Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Center on the Square. To enter a band for a chance to sell merchandise, win $400 and book a free private concert, send two songs to creative@centeronthesquare.org by midnight Dec. 4. Video is encouraged but not required. The lineup will be announced Dec. 5.
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.