WESTSIDE HOMETOWN EVENTS

Schools Start Thursday

Schools in Decatur, Gentry and Gravette resume classes on Thursday morning. Drivers are urged to use extra caution due to children, school busses and increased traffic.

Gravette Band Instruments

A beginning band instrument meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 19, in the Gravette Middle School Band and Choir Complex.

Pride Night Planned at Gravette Schools

Gravette Lion Pride Night is scheduled for Aug. 20 and includes the following events: Junior high volleyball from 6-6:15 p.m.; senior high volleyball from 6:15-6:30 p.m.; golf (at the football stadium) from 6:40-6:45 p.m.; junior high cheerleaders from

6:45-6:55 p.m.; junior high football from 6:55-7:05 p.m.; band from 7:05-7:15 p.m.; senior high cheerleaders from 7:15-7:25 p.m.; and senior high football at 7:25 p.m.

Decatur Storm Cleanup

Residents can drop off debris from the Aug. 1 storm at the Edmiston ball field parking lot on Austin Street through the end of the month. Only limbs and brush may be dropped off. Other materials will not be accepted.

Open House at Gentry Schools

An open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Gentry High School.

Sulphur Springs Food Pantry to open

The First Baptist Church food pantry in Sulphur Springs will open their food pantry from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Aug. 21, at the church, located at 200 South Duff Street, in Sulphur Springs.

Decatur City Council

Decatur’s city council meetings are held at 6 p.m., the second Monday of the month, in the city council room. For more information, call 752-3912.

Decatur Town Hall Meetings

The Decatur School District town hall meetings are held at 7 p.m., the third Monday of the month, in the high school cafeteria. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend.

Decatur Blood Drive

The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at Simmons Foods, 250 Main Street in Decatur, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Aug. 27.

Benefit Planned for the Starrs

Jim Starr who, with his wife Katie, operates Squeaky Clean Window Cleaning, is recovering from injuries he suffered in a recent job-related accident. Northwest Christian Center will sponsor a “Squeaky Clean Car Wash” fundraiser to benefit the Starrs from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29, at the “C” Store Station across from the Gravette Police Station.

Gravette Library Seeking Volunteer

Gravette Public Library is seeking a volunteer to operate the Wednesday morning bookmobile service to the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center. Betty Adams, who provided the service for many years, is retiring. For more information or to volunteer, call library manager Kim Schneider at 787-9677.

Decatur Food Pantry

The Decatur food pantry is open from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The pantry offers free non-perishable food to Decatur residents. The pantry is located at the United Methodist Church in Decatur. Participants need to bring identification showing they have a 72722 ZIP code. For more information, contact the Methodist Church at 752-3551.

Gentry Class of 1970 Reunion

The Gentry High School Class of 1970 will have its 40th reunion on Sept. 4 and 5. There will be a gettogether from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, at the McKee Community Room in the Gentry Public Library. The class will also have a gathering at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, at the home of Berta Carl Norris. For more information, call Berta Carl Norris at 736-2269.

Gentry High School Alumni Reunion

Gentry Alumni Association will be having its Alumni Banquet at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Gentry High School / Middle School cafeteria. Cost per person is $20.00 and final reservations need to be made by Aug. 1. Alumni forms can be picked up at Gentry Library or by contacting Lemuel Cripps at 736-8574 or Berta Norris at 736-2269 or by e-mail at bjnorris_2000@yahoo. com.

Gentry Classes of 1960 and 1961

The Gentry High School Classes of 1960 and 1961 will hold a combined reunion, with all who have been class members, whether graduates or not, invited to attend. The group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, at the Masonic Hall in Gentry. A second get-together will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Gentry City Park. For more information, call Maryelle McDowell at 736-2058.

NWA Riding Club play days set

The NWA Riding Club continues to meet at 6 p.m. every other Saturday night until Nov. 1, at the enclosed arena at the Luca-Don Equestrian Center, 23236 Arkansas Highway 12, west of Gentry. Ribbons are awarded nightly, with an awards banquet at the end of the season. There are five age classes, with events including poles, barrels, flags, speed and mutton busting. Memberships are $30 per year for a family, but there is no charge for nightly events. The NWA Riding Club is a nonprofit, non-alcoholic and drug-free environment for families. For more information, call 752-3466 or 899-3259.

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.

Town of Highfill

Highfill’s next council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 14, at the Highfill Community Building. The planning commission meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 24.

Gentry Lions Club

The Gentry Lions Club meets from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The club is now meeting in the Gentry Public Library’s community room. Visitors are always welcome.

VFW Meetings

The Gentry/Decatur VFW Post meets on the first Tuesday of each month — at 7:30 p.m. New members and guests are welcome. The facility is 3 miles east of Decatur on Arkansas Highway 102, right on Tilly’s Hill Road, and the first building on the right.

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.

Gentry Pickin’ in the Park

Pickin’ in the Park is held at 6:30 p.m., the last Saturday of each month in the Gentry City Park. Musicians and music lovers are invited to come and join in or just sit back and enjoy the music.

Singing Services

Monthly singing services at Falling Springs Church are held at 7 p.m., the first Friday of each month. The church is located northwest of Gentry and west of Decatur on Falling Springs Road.

Address Markers

Gentry Fire Department has reflective address markers available to help responders locate a home or apartment quickly in the event of an emergency. The reflective address markers are only $10 and are made to last for years. For more information, call 228-0694. The signs are also available from the Highfill Volunteer Fire Department. Those in the Highfill Fire District may obtain the signs for $10 by calling 736-5711 or stopping at the Highfill City Hall.

Head Start Enrollment

Northwest Arkansas Head Start program and its curriculum-based child development centers are currently accepting applications for fall 2010 enrollment at all their Gentry and Decatur, locations. Head Start offers a free comprehensive childdevelopment program for children who meet eligibility requirements and were born on or after Aug. 15, 2007. Priority is given to those from lower-income families and to children with disabilities. For more information, call 636-7317 or 736-2406.

HIPPY enrollment now under way

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, a free 30-week parent-involvement, school-readiness program helping parents prepare their children, ages 3-5, for success in school, is taking enrollment applications. Spanish speaking teachers are also available. Books, supplies and lessons are delivered right to students’ homes by the home educator. For information, call Eumia Fullerton at 546-9046 or Tawny Darnell at 544-1114.

Decatur Public Library

Decatur library hours are 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Decatur Assembly of God Van Service

Van service is available to children and adults who need transportation to Sunday morning and evening church services and Wednesday evening services at the Assembly of God Church in Decatur. For more information, contact Stacy Brooks at 790-7171.

Support Group to meet

A men’s and women’s support group for drug and alcohol dependency will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Gentry Senior Activity Center, 121 E. Main Street, next-door to the Gentry Public Library. The meetings are open to all. For more information, call Kim at 233-1391.

Decatur Baptist Children's Program

First Baptist Church in Decatur is beginning a new children's program called Kids' Encounter for children, grades kindergarten through sixth, with fun games and Bible teaching. The program is open to all and will begin from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25. For more information, call 752-3514.

Senior Center Menus

Gravette — Week of Aug. 23 - 27

Lunch Monday: Meatloaf w/tomato sauce, scalloped potatoes, sliced beets, wheat bread, banana pudding w/whipped topping. Tuesday: Tuna salad on lettuce bed w/tomato wedges, saltine crackers, pasta salad, cookie. Wednesday: Beef tips w/ gravy, garden blend rice, steamed cauliflower, cornbread, melon cubes. Thursday: Chicken Dijon, garlic mashed potatoes, spinach, dinner roll, poke cake. Friday: Salmon patty, scalloped potatoes, buttered corn, wheat bread, fruit cocktail. Meals are subject to change. Meals at Center served with choice of 2% milk, buttermilk, coffee, tea or orange juice. Diabetic desserts are available.

Gentry — Week of Aug. 23 - 27

Lunch Monday: Chicken tenders w/honey mustard, potato salad, baked beans, wheat bread, peaches & strawberries. Tuesday: Beef steak fingers, gravy, mashed potatoes, breaded okra, wheat roll, frosted chocolate cake. Wednesday: Chicken fricassee, fluffy rice, lemon broccoli, wheat bread, mandarin oranges. Thursday: Beef steak & mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, buttered corn, wheat bread, fruit cocktail. Friday: Chicken & dumplings, Mediterranean vegetables, tossed salad w/ dressing, wheat roll, fruit cocktail cake.

Center Director reserves the right to change menu at any time.

*****

Submission of items

Items may be submitted for the Hometown Events section by dropping them by the Eagle Observer office or e-mailing them to eagleobserver@nwaonline.