GENTRY — Gentry Christmas Parade

“A Christmas to Remember” is the theme of this year’s Gentry Christmas parade set for 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12. The parade, sponsored by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, will begin at Curran Feed Store and travel west to the Gentry City Park. Float entries should be lined up at 5:30 p.m. Awards of $100 in Gentry Bucks will be presented for the best theme, the best lighting and the best music. A $200 grand prize in Gentry Bucks will be presented to the best overall float - theme, lighting and music combined. Santa will pass out treat bags and visit with children from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the parade at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce building. He will not be in Carl Gym following the parade this year. Plans are also being made for choirs and carolers to perform in front of the Chamber building from 3 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 12. For more information, call the Chamber office at 736-2358.

Christmas Lighting Contest

All Gentry businesses, schools and government offices are being invited to participate in this year’s Christmas lighting contest. The Gentry Chamber of Commerce will present $100 to the best decorated business. Judging will take place Dec. 12. Business owners wishing to make sure their business is included in the contest are being asked to call the Chamber office and let the Chamber know when decorations are up so no one is missed in the judging. For more information, call the Chamber office at 736-2358.

High School Dance

The Gentry High School Athletic Booster Club is sponsoring a dance at the Carl Gym following the basketball game on Dec. 11. The dance is for students, grades 9-12. Admission is $5.

Community Christmas Dinner

Highfill Community Christmas Potluck Dinner, sponsored by Highfill Hay Daze Committee, is set for 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, at the Highfill Community Building. Meat and drinks will be furnished. Items will again be collected for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Pajamas, underwear and socks for children, ages newborn to 17 are needed.

Gentry City Council

The Gentry City Council holds regular meetings in the city court room at 6:30 p.m., the first Monday of each month. The Gentry Planning and Zoning Commission meets in city hall at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

Gentry School Board

The Gentry School Board holds regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the school district board room.

Springtown Council

The Springtown Council meets at 6 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month, in the new community building.

Highfill Council

The Highfill Town Council will hold its next regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the community building. The next planning commission meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Highfill Community Building. The town’s citywide cleanup will be the week of Dec. 9 - curb pickup only. Highfill Town Hall will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas and again on Jan. 1, 2010, in observance of New Year’s day.

Kids Club getting underway

The Gentry Church of God (Holiness) is starting a Kids Club. This will be a special time of games, fun, crafts and learning for children ages 5 through 12. Club meetings are held each Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (except Christmas eve). Club meetings will be led by Jeannie Merkley. For more information, please contact Pastor Dan at 787-5787.

Gentry Senior Activity Center

Gentry Senior Activity Center, at 121 East Main Street (just east of the Gentry Public Library) is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals and rides to the center and activities are available Monday through Friday by calling Jackie Bader, the center’s manager, at 736-0378. Van routes are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - Gentry, Highfill and Springtown; and Tuesday and Friday - Gentry and Decatur.

News, Pages 2 on 12/09/2009