WESTSIDE — Travel Club Meeting

The GHS Smithsonian Student Travel Club will be holding a question and answer meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 2, in the Gentry Chamber of Commerce building, located at 212 West Main Street, Gentry. During the meeting, questions and concerns pertaining to the 2012 spring break tour to Washington, D.C., will be addressed. All students in grades nine through 12 next year are invited to attend with their parents. It is important for students who are interested to become involved now in order to contribute and benefit from this summer's critical fundraising activities.To learn about the trip itinerary and to learn more about the safety and benefits of the program, go to www.SmithsonianStudentTravel.com and enter the EF Tour number 1046013 to get started. Group leader, Shawn Hunter, may be reached at 238-3195 for more information.

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, color, sex, race national origin or disability. The nutrition program is also available to adults - $1.75 for breakfast and $3 for lunch. The meal service is from June 6 through July 31 (except for July 1-4). Breakfastwill 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 will also host a free summer meals program for any child 18 or under from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting June 6, at the Glenn Duffy Elementary School cafeteria in Gravette. The same service will also be 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 will receive his or her first meal each day at no charge. If a second meal is requested, it can be purchased at arate 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 or jason.[email protected].

Decatur Swimming Pool

The Decatur Swimming Pool opened for the summer on May 31. The city will host a free family fun day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 4, to kick off the summer swimming season. Regular pool hours are from noon until 6 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, two-week family passes and pool parties, call city hall at 752-3912.

Free Breakfasts and Lunches

The Boys and Girls Club of Gravette is participating in the Summer Food Service Program and will be offering free breakfasts and lunches to children at the Gravette Unit, 401 Charlotte Street, S.E. Breakfasts will be served Monday through Friday, beginning on June 6, from 8-9 a.m. and lunches from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Children do not need to be a part of the Boys and Girls Club to receive the free meals each day.

Diabetes/Obesity Education

Ozarks Community Hospital will hold free diabetes and obesity education classes the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the OCH cafeteria. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Reservations may be made by calling 344-6464. Contact Kathy Smith, instructor, at 344-6458 for information.

Mt. Zion Vacation Bible School

A one-day Vacation Bible School will be held at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All area children ages 5 through 12 are invited to attend. Children needing rides may call pastor Jheri Roberts at 752-7082.

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.

Care and Share 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.

Citywide Yard Sale

Gravette will hold a citywide yard sale on Saturday, June 11. No yard sale permits will be required for sales held on that date.

Mt. Zion Singing

Regular singing at Mt. Zion Church will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25, and will be held the fourth Saturday of each month thereafter.

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 6 p.m. Each man is asked to bring a main dish or a side for dinner. All men are encouraged to come for the food and fellowship. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact Madden Waits 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.

Sulphur Springs Reunion

Plans are shaping up for the Sulphur Springs All-School Reunion which will be held Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4. Activities will include a ham and bean supper ($7) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the school cafeteria, with lots of visiting to follow. On Saturday, registration at the park will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon at Harbor House (RSVP, $12) with music, dancing, entertainment and visiting at the park pavilion at 7 p.m. Please RSVP with JimmyBrown, 20771 Sibley Road, Sulphur Springs, or contact Brown at 298-3274 or Joe Mills, 870-423-3582.

Pioneer Basketball Camps

The 2011 Pioneer Basketball Camps are coming up and registrations are being accepted. The girls’ camp is set for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, June 13-15. The boys camp will be Wednesday through Friday, June 15-17, from 12 to 3 p.m. each day. The camps will be held in the Gentry High School gym. The camps, for boys and girls who will be in grades 4-7 this fall, will emphasize the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and defense. Competitions will be held for free throws, hot shot and obstacle course, with awards being presented to the winners. The camps will be directed by the Pioneer coaching staff and the Gentry Pioneer basketball teams. Cost of the camp is $40 ($45 late registration). Forms are available from Gentry Pioneer basketball coaches Sean Price and Tim Rippy, at the Intermediate and Middle School offices and on the school website: www.gentrypioneers.com.

Freedom Festival Booth Space

Arts, crafts and general merchandise dealers are invited to take part in Gentry’s annual Freedom Festival on July 4th in the Gentry City Park. The event is from noon on Monday until after the fireworks display at about 10:30 p.m. Booth space is $60 for a 12x12 booth with electricity. For more information or to reserve booth space, call Bev Saunders at 736-2358 and leave a name and address on the recorder. An application form will be mailed or emailed. Forms may also be picked up at Gentry City Hall.

Freedom Festival Softball Tournament

Gentry's Annual Freedom Festival adult co-ed softball tournament will be held in Gentry City Park on Monday, July 4th. Those wishing to enter may contact tournament director Jodye Pool at 790-8988. Teams are encouraged to sign up early because the tournament fills up quickly.

Community, Pages 2 on 06/01/2011