WESTSIDE — Hiwasse First Baptist VBS

The Hiwasse First Baptist Church will be holding a Vacation Bible School program, themed “NYC Big Apple Adventure,” from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., July 25 though July 29. The church is located at 13912 Arkansas Highway 72 in Hiwasse. For more information, call 787-5596.

Cornerstone Baptist VBS

Vacation Bible School, themed “SonSurf Beach Bash,” including Bible stories, crafts, skits, games and songs are planned for children, ages preschool through grade 12, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, just south of Cherokee City, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, July 24-28, with a family night on Friday. For more information, call 736-5400 or 233-9758.

Youth Football Registration

The Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County is accepting registrations for youth flag football in Gravette. Registration continues through Friday, Aug. 5, at the Gravette Boys and Girls Club between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost of registration is $35 for the sport and $20 for a 2011 membership for children who are not current club members. The flag football league is sponsored by the NFL and is a coed league for students, kindergarten through third grade. For more information, call Stephen Johnston at 524-4174 or email at [email protected].

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.

Jolly Good Times Club

The monthly meeting of the Jolly Good Times Club will be held Wednesday, July 27, at the Billy V. Hall Senior Center. Members will gather at 10:15 in the sitting room. Mary Griffin will give the program. The potluck lunch will feature sandwiches by Mary, a salad made by Betty and dessert by Susan. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Story Hour Summer Reading

A story hour is held at the Gentry Public Library each Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, through Aug. 2. Summer Reading is on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. and continues through Aug. 4. Art classes continue at 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, contactthe Gentry Public Library at 736-2054.

Iva Jane Peek Library

The Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur is holding a summer reading program for children ages 6 to 11 through July 28. To register or for more information, stop by the library or call 752-READ (7323).

Decatur Citywide Sale

Decatur will hold a citywide garage sale on July 29-31. Residents will not have to apply for permits or pay a permit fee during the weekend.

Gentry Breakfasts and Lunches

Gentry Intermediate School Cafeteria is serving free breakfasts and lunches for children 18 and under. Meals are available to all children regardless of age. The nutrition program is also available to adults - $1.75 for breakfast and $3 for lunch. The meal service will continue through July 31. Breakfast will be served between 8 and 9 a.m. each weekday morning, and lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call Betty Harrington at 736-2666 or Tammy Snell at 736-2263.

Gravette Free Meals for Children

Gravette Schools is also hosting a free summer meals program for any child 18 or under from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Glenn Duffy Elementary School cafeteria in Gravette. The same service is also available at the Shiloh Kitchen in Sulphur Springs each weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funded as the “Seamless Summer Program,” the meals are available to any children whether or not they attend school in Gravette. It also applies to those 19 and older who meet the state definition of having a physical or mental disability. A child may receive his or her first meal each day at no charge. If a second meal is requested, it can be purchased at a rate of $2.25. Adults can purchase a meal for $3. For more information or to volunteer to assist at the program, contact food services director Jason Carter at 787-4115.

Decatur Swimming Pool

The Decatur Swimming Pool is open for the summer. Regular pool hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The pool will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday for family night. Admission rates are $3 for adults and $2 for children. For more information about summer family passes, twoweek family passes and pool parties, call city hall at 752-3912.

Area Men’s Breakfast

The Decatur UnitedMethodist 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.

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 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.

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 home-delivered meals for Gravette, Decatur and Sulphur Springs, frozen homedelivered 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.

Centerton Day

The 35th Annual Centerton Day will be held at the City Park, 290 North Main Street on Saturday, July 30. This is a fundraiser for the Centerton Volunteer Fire Department and will be an all-day event. The day will start with a 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at 7:30 a.m. A Teeny/Tiny Tot contest will be held at 9 a.m. A parade will start at 11 a.m., followed by an auction at noon. A firemans' muster is set at 3 p.m. More information is available at www.centertonar.us.

Community News, Pages 2 on 07/20/2011