Democrats meet July 13
The Democratic Party of Benton County will meet via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. July 13. Two candidates will be the guest speakers.
Information: Email benton@arkdems.org or bentonsecretary@arkdems.org.
Red Cross
needs blood
This July, the American Red Cross and "Wonder Woman 1984" are joining forces to save the day for patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors this summer, as the covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented supply challenges amid this uncertain environment. Additionally, despite states lifting stay-at-home orders and reopening, many blood drives at businesses and community organizations continue to be canceled as these locations remain closed or restrict the number of individuals at any location.
As part of the partnership, the Red Cross is organizing an epic prop replica giveaway from the new Warner Bros. Pictures film "Wonder Woman 1984," due to hit theaters nationwide on Oct. 2. Those who donate by July 31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win an authentic "Wonder Woman 1984" movie prop replica package, which includes the Golden Lasso and a pair of Gauntlets, identical to Wonder Woman's from the film.
Donation opportunities include:
• Bentonville: 10:20 a.m.-3 p.m., Bentonville Fire and Police, 800 Southwest A Street
• Rogers: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 13, Bass Pro Shops, 2300 South Promenade
• Fayetteville: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 16, Medical Arts Pharmacy, 2515 East Huntsville Road; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 17, Medical Arts Pharmacy, 2515 East Huntsville Road
• Springdale: 1:30-5:30 p.m. July 14, Cross Church Springdale, 1709 Johnson Road
Information: (800) 733-2767.
Grants available
Jimmy Bryant, director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, has announced that grants of up to $5,000 are available to help nonprofit organizations develop local events and projects that promote awareness and enjoyment of Arkansas heritage. The grants are designed to help foster awareness and enjoyment of Arkansas heritage and to assist in planning and implementing meaningful Arkansas projects such as exhibits, events or festivals and curriculum or teaching tools.
"Our constituents always tell us how important these grants are to their communities and organizations," said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. "I am happy that, provided adequate funding, we are able to open the grant cycle so that groups can begin planning projects that will highlight their unique local history and heritage."
Grants guidelines and the application packet are available at www.arkansasheritage.com/Grants/heritage-grant. Online applications must be completed and submitted by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10.
Information: (501) 324-9150 or email debra.fithen@arkansas.gov.
Colcord hosts new pageant
The Colcord Area Chamber of Commerce Pageant Committee and Executive Director Barbara Gray are bringing back the Young Miss and Miss Colcord Pageants this summer to the Dan D. Draper Community Center in Colcord, Okla.
Unfortunately, due to the covid-19 situation, the pageants will be closed to the general public. As soon as the titles are awarded, announcements will be made as to won and will represent Colcord.
Competing for the Young Miss Title will be Aeryn Huls, the 13-year-old daughter of Bryan and Brittany Huls of Colcord, and Carmen King, the 12-year-old granddaughter of Danny and Marsha Davidson of Colcord.
Competing for the Miss Colcord Title will be Kiera Arnold, the 18-year-old daughter of Travis Arnold and the granddaughter of Raymond and Janet Arnold of Colcord; Jenna Bishop, the 15-year-old daughter of Mike and Stacy Bishop of Colcord; Olivia Hopper, the 16-year-old daughter of Josh and Amber Hopper of Colcord; Kadyence Hutton, the 15-year-old daughter of Ambre Hutton of Colcord; Abigail Lyons, the 17-year-old daughter of Tony and Cherale Lyons of Colcord; Michelle Morris, the 18-year-old daughter of Misti Morton and Jeff Morris of Colcord; Jade Potter, the 17-year-old daughter of Danny and Sarah Blevins of Colcord; and Alanna Snell, the 19-year-old daughter of Cynthia Garrett and the late Ryan Snell. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Cheryl Snell of Colcord and Teri Garrett of Siloam Springs.
Information: (479) 215-9424.
Writers' Colony plans Poetluck
The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow will host a virtual Poetluck from 6 to 8 p.m. July 16. Although WCDH has canceled public gatherings until further notice due to covid-19, the new monthly virtual Poetluck online provides an opportunity to hear readings via Zoom or Facebook Live. July's Poetluck features three WCDH writers-in-residence: Jocelyn Cullity, a novelist; Wendy Whelan-Stewart, an academic writer; and Erin Hoover, a poet.
Jocelyn Cullity will be reading from "The Envy of Paradise," set in 1858 India just after the English took over the country. Cullity's "Amah and the Silk-Winged Pigeons" won the 2018 American Book Fest Best Book Award for Historical Fiction. The sequel, "The Envy of Paradise," was published in 2019. Cullity is associate professor in the BFA in Creative Writing at Truman State University.
Wendy Whelan will read from a recent article. Her academic research is focused on the scope of portrayals of breastfeeding in 20th-century American women's literature. She is in the process of compiling her research into a book-length manuscript. Whalen is an associate professor of English at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.
Erin Hoover will read a selection of new poems. Hoover is the author of "Barnburner," winner of a Florida Book Award in Poetry. She teaches at Hendrix College as the Murphy Visiting Fellow in Poetry and serves on the executive committee of the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference.
Following the featured readers, writers joining by Zoom are invited to share their new, original work for up to 10 minutes. Readings may be poems, prose, or songs. To be added to the list of readers, please email director@writerscolony.org. Reading slots are on a first-come basis and are limited to six with an additional reader if time allows. The link for joining the Zoom meeting can be found www.writerscolony.org/events.
Spectators may join us via a watch party on Facebook Live at The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow page: facebook.com/writerscolonyatdairyhollow.
Poetluck is the third Thursday of every month.
Information: (479) 253-7444 or www.writerscolony.org.
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