HOMETOWN EVENTS

WESTSIDE — Iva Jane Peek Library

The Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur is now open new longer hours. The library will be open from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday in addition to 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The library will hold a summer reading program for children ages 6 to 11 from July 5 through July 28. To pre-register or for more information, stop by the library or call 752 - READ (7323).

Public School Choice Applications

The Decatur, Gentry and Gravette Public School Districts will receive Public School Choice Applications until June 30, 2011. An information sheet and an application may be downloaded at www.decatur.k12.ar.us, www.gentrypioneers.com or www.gravetteschools.net or picked up in person at the superintendent's office during office hours.

Summer Festival planned at Falling Springs Church

SummerFest 2011 is set for 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 11, at Falling Springs Church, located four miles west of Decatur on Falling Springs Road. The church is inviting all to come out for an afternoon of fun, games, food and fellowship.

Special guests will be Luke Harper, with music team Tera and Justin Thompson.

Pee Wee Cheer Sign-ups

Gravette Pee Wee cheerleader sign-ups will be held Saturday, June 11, from noon to 4 p.m., at Arvest Bank, with a final sign-up day scheduled June 25, same place and time. This is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. For details, contact Kim Durham, 366-2476, or Lesli Fournier, 248-705-0470.

Kids’ Fishing Day

A Kids Fishing Day will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the C.B.

Craig Fish Hatchery, located at 977 West Fish Hatchery Road.

This is for children 12 and under. Each pond will be stocked with catchable-size fish. Bring fishing tackle and bait. There will be a limit of three fish per child and also only one rod or pole per child.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Members of American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista will hold a flag retirement ceremony for the American flag beginning at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, Flag Day.

The event will be held at the Veterans' Wall of Honor on the north shore of Lake Bella Vista.

Following established protocol, the veterans will burn old, worn, tattered and otherwise unusable American and other flags that have been donated in recent months. Flags will be accepted through the beginning of the ceremony. Patriotic music will be provided by the 106th U.S.

Army Band. Bring lawn chairs for the evening's festivities.

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 will continue through July 31 (except for July 1-4). 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 or jason.carter@ gravetteschools.net.

Decatur Swimming Pool

The Decatur Swimming Pool opened for the summer on May 31. 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 is offering free breakfasts and lunches to children at the Gravette Unit, 401 Charlotte Street, S.E. Breakfasts are served Monday through Friday, from 8 to 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.

Feed My Sheep Food Drive and Yard Sale

The Feed My Sheep Food Pantry will hold a food drive and yard sale Thursday and Friday, June 9 and 10, at 608 Birmingham Street, S.E. The event will open at 6 a.m., rain or shine. Items available include a cook stove, dryer, tools, clothing for all ages and in all sizes, and much more. For more information, call 212-1237.

Coffee with the Mayor

Coffee with Centerton Mayor will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 18, at Centerton City Hall, located at 290 North Main Street in Centerton. The event is an informal town hall meeting with the mayor and other elected city officials. Coffee and donuts will be served. At 11 a.m. the Centerton Street Department will have an open house at its new facility, located at 251 West Highway 72. Chicken and hot dogs will be served. Centerton residents are invited to come out and see the facility.

Diabetes/Obesity Education

Ozarks Community Hospitalwill 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. Yard sale permits for sales on other dates may be purchased at city hall. The cost is $5 and a sale may be held for up to three days. Only three sales may be held at a location during a calendar year. Residents planning a sale can secure information at city hall.

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 ofeach 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.

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 e-mailed.

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.

Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show

On July 23 the American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista veterans will host a spaghetti dinner, talent show and silent auction to raise money for their building fund. The event, from 4-8 p.m., will be held at Ambassadors for Christ Academy, 8579 West Ford Springs Road, off of County Road 40. Tickets are $20 a couple or $15 per person and available from any Post 341 member, or by calling 899-3267. A limited number of acts will be entered into the talent show, which will pay cash prizes for the top three acts.

Call the same phone number to reserve a space. Anybody wishing to donate new items for the auction should call that number as well.