HOMETOWN EVENTS

WESTSIDE — Stuff the Buss

Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette is participating in the “Stuff the Bus” drive to collect supplies for school children. Items can be dropped off at the hospital front entrance until Aug.19. Items needed include crayons, glue sticks, scissors, Kleenex and pencils. All will benefit children in the Gravette schools.

One Dollar Rummage Sale

An “Everything’s $1 or Less” rummage sale will be held at the Decatur Assembly of God’s new church building on West Main Street from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 13.

Open House at Gentry Schools

Open House will be held at Gentry Intermediate School - for grades 3-5 - from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. Open House at the Gentry Primary School - for grades K-2 - is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11. School Supply lists are on the Intermediate and Primary Schools' web page.

Meet the Teacher Night

The Gravette Upper Elementary Meet the Teacher Night has been rescheduled. Class lists will be posted on the front of the building Wednesday, Aug. 10. Parents and students are encouraged to come by the school from 5 to 6 p.m. that evening to meet the teachers.

Lecture Series on Revelation

The Women’s Ministry of First Baptist Church in Gentry will be hosting a fall Bible study - an 11-week DVD lecture series on Revelation, titled, “Here and Now / There and Then,” by Beth Moore. One group will meet on Sundays, beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 28. Another group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, beginning, Aug. 30. The community is invited to attend the lecture series. The cost of the book is $9.

‘Kidz Krusade’ at Gentry

“Kidz Krusade" at First Assembly of God in Gentry will be held Friday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Aug. 21. Friday and Saturday night services begin at 7 p.m. Sunday services will be at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Evangelists are Bob and Jan Teel from Maysville, Okla. There will be puppets at each service. “Kidz Krusade” is for children, ages 4 through 12. The church is located at 821 East Main Street, just east of Dollar General. For more information, call 736-8415.

Blood Collection Drive

Community Blood Center will hold a blood collection drive this Saturday, August 13, at the Teasley Drug Store parking lot inGravette. Hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be free cholesterol screenings offered to persons who desire to take advantage of the service.

Hot Wheel Show and Swap Meet

The Sixth Annual Hot Wheel Show and Swap Meet is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Jay Community Center, 429 S. 9th St., Jay, Okla. The Die Cast Madness event will include thousands of Hot Wheels, Johnny Lightning's, Greenlights, M2, games and custom contest. The event is free to the public. The first 50 kids receive a free Hot Wheel.

Highfill Blood Drive

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15, at the Village Market and Grille, 14939 W. Arkansas Highway 12, in Highfill. Eligibility requirements include weighing at least 110 pounds, being in general good health and present required identification.

Supply Giveaway

First Christian Church of Gentry has held two 2011 school supply giveaways for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12 needing assistance with the costs of a new school year. If any additional supplies remain, another giveaway will be held Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the church (Second and Giles). The event will include food, fellowship and fun. For questions, call 736-8669.

School Kickoff Party

A back-to-school kickoff party will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Aug. 13, at the Decatur United Methodist Church. There will be games, music and pizza. There will also be prizes, backpacks filled with school supplies. For more information on attending or donating, please call Peggy Beal at 752-3233 or Russ Hall at 366-5429.

Class of ‘56 Reunion

The Gravette High School Class of 1956 will hold its 55-year reunion at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Berean Ministry building, 303 Birmingham, S.E., in Gravette. For more information, call Colleen (Foster) Dickinson at 787-6285.

Class of ‘71 Reunion

The Gravette High School Class of 1971 will hold its 40-year reunion from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, in the banquet room of the Gallery Cafe in Decatur. Classmates are requested to meet at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at the Gravette Civic Center to ride in the annual Gravette Days parade. For information, contact Virgil Jasper at 236-5939, or Kathryn Ramirez at 640-1741.

Alzheimer’s Benefit Triathlon

Drs. Jason Glass and William McCollum will represent Ozarks Community Hospital in a triathlon Aug. 20 at London Park Pavilion in Bella Vista to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Events will include a 500-meter swim, 15-mile bike ride and 5K run. Post-race activities will include hot food, awards and great give-aways. OCH is collecting donations for the Alzheimer’s Association and will be sending a group to cheer on the team.

Gravette Library Book Sale

A book sale will continue throughout the month of August at the Gravette Public Library, 407 Charlotte Street SE, in Gravette. Hardback books are on sale for only 25 cents and paperback books may be purchased for 10 cents.

Blood Collection Drive

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood collection drive from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the Ozarks Community Hospital, 1101 S.W. Jackson in Gravette. There is a particular need for Apositive and O-negative blood types at this time. Donors of all types are always needed to meet the 275 donations required every day to supply 37 area hospitals.

BBQ Meals Benefit Seniors

The Billy V. Hall Senior Center in Gravette will be selling barbecued sandwiches and meals at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, at the center (originally scheduled at Pop Allum Park) to benefit the Senior Center and its Meals on Wheels Program. A barbecued sandwich meal with baked beans and chips will be available for $5, or an a la carte sandwich for $3. The center provides Meals on Wheels throughout the area, including Decatur, Sulphur Springs and Gravette, and is supported by fundraisers.

Avenue of Flags Weekend

The Avenue of Flags will be flying in Gravette’s Hillcrest Cemetery over Gravette Day weekend. The flags will be raised at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, and fly continuously through Sunday, Aug. 14, when they will be lowered at 5 p.m.

Gravette Farmers’ Market

The Gravette Farmers’ Market will be open its regular hours, from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 13, at its usual location in Old Town Park.

GED Classes Resume

GED classes will resume at the Gravette Public Library, 407 Charlotte Street SE, on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Classes will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday. Class members must be at least 18 years old and needing a GED. No preregistration is required. Just show up at 5 p.m. Aug. 23, to be enrolled.

Gravette Kiwanis

The Gravette Kiwanis Club holds breakfast meetings at 7 a.m. each Friday, at the cafeteria in Ozarks Community Hospital. Guests are welcome.

Chuckwagon Races

Rush Springs Ranch in Jane, Mo., will hold the Midwest Chuckwagon Races on Aug. 12-14. Other activities include a ranch rodeo, extreme cowboy races, moonlight rides, Xtreme Mountain Obstacle Course demo, kids games, live music, dance, horse and mule races and cowboy church. A full schedule is available at www.rushspringsranch.com or by calling 417-435-2422, 479-841-0488 or 479-721-2994. Vendors are welcome.

HIPPY Enrollment

Home Instruction for Parents or Pre-school Youngsters is taking enrollments for free in-home instruction for pre-school children to those who qualify. The program provides 9-10 books and 30 weekly lessons for children, ages 3 or 4, to help prepare them for kindergarten. To enroll or receive more information, contact the HIPPY office, 549-9046, or instructor Tawny Donell at 224-6473 or 544-1114.

Decatur Food Bank

Living Water Ministries in Decatur announced it will open a food bank each Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1148 Highway 102 West in Decatur. Anyone who needs assistance iswelcome. All that is required is an identification (a photo ID is preferred) and current address. For information, contact Larry Long, 549-5645, or Janet Long, 524-2848.

Area Men’s Breakfast

The Decatur United Methodist Church has a men’s breakfast the second Saturday of each month, beginning at 8 a.m., at the Gallery Cafe in Decatur. All area men are invited to join the group for good food and Christian fellowship.

Emergency Help

Families in Gravette School District wishing to apply for emergency help with food or utilities may make application from 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, at the Main Street Care and Share store in Gravette.

Mt. Zion Singing

Regular singing will be held at Mt. Zion Church at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month.

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.

Decatur Food Pantry

The Decatur United Methodist Church offers a food pantry program and a commodity food program for residents in Decatur on the first and third Thursday of every month, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Men's Fellowship

First Baptist Church of Gentry has a monthly Men's Fellowship Gathering on the third Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. All men are encouraged to come for the food and fellowship. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact Madden Waits at 736-5009.

VFW Meetings

Decatur VFW Post 9834 meets on the first Tuesday of each month - at 7:30 p.m. New members and guests are welcome. The facility is three miles east of Decatur on Arkansas Highway 102, right on Tilly’s Hill Road, and the first building on the right.

Gentry Senior 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 JackieBader, 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.

Gravette Senior Center

The Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, at 1870 Limekiln Road, is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many activities are scheduled and lunch is served every weekday. For information on hot homedelivered meals for Gravette, Decatur and Sulphur Springs, frozen home-delivered meals for Maysville home-bound seniors or other services the center offers, call Mary Kay Kelley, director, at 787-5950.

Job Fair/Workshop

A job fair and workshop will be held at the Gravette Public Library Sept. 20 and 21. Classes will be held on resume writing and job interviews. Sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open and free to those from Gravette, Decatur, Gentry and Sulphur Springs. For more information, call the library at 787-6955.

Golf Scramble

Teams are being sought for the four-person 18-hole golf scramble that will benefit Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center in Gravette. The annual event, sponsored by Delta Trust, will be held at Highlands Golf Course in Bella Vista Sunday, Aug. 28. Four-man team, four-man senior team, mixed team (men and women), men number-two tee, senior men number-three tee and women number-four tee teams will be playing for honors. Entry fee is $35 per person, $140 per team (does not include green fee or cart) and Mulligans, 4 for $5. Prizes will be awarded, along with a catered dinner to be provided at Highlands Clubhouse. Entry deadline is Aug. 22. For information and entry forms, call 876-6400.