HOMETOWN EVENTS

Sulphur Springs Celebrarion

An Independence Day Celebration is set for Saturday, July 2, at the city park in Sulphur Springs. Following are some of the events planned for the day: Fishing Derby from 8 to 10 a.m.; Cake walk at 10 a.m.; Chicken barbecue, starting at 11 a.m.; Volleyball, beginning at 11:30 a.m.; River rat race at 12 noon; Free watermelon at 2 p.m.; Beauty contest at 2:45 p.m.; Horseshoes, beginning at 6 p.m.; and Fireworks at dusk. Other events throughout the day include a car bash, dunking tank, greased pig contest and more. A full schedule of events will be posted in the park. The Sulphur Springs Fire Department will be selling hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Centerton Fourth Fest

The First Baptist Church of Centerton, located at 351 West Centerton Blvd., will be hosting its Annual Fourth Fest Celebration on July 4th, starting at 7 p.m. There will be a community picnic on the east lawn of the worship center to include inflatables, free hot dogs and burgers, free ice cream and a concession stand. Lawn chairs are suggested to watch the largest fireworks display in Centerton.

Decatur PTO

The Decatur Northside Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization will meet at 6 p.m., July 12, at the Gallery Cafe. The PTO will be reorganizing and the meeting will cover the election of officers and initial planning and scheduling of activities for the 2011-2012 school year. All parents and teachers are urged to attend.

Story Hour Summer Reading

A story hour will be 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. For more information, contact the Gentry Public Library at 736-2054.

Iva Jane Peek Library

The Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur 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

The Decatur, Gentry andGravette Public School Districts will receive Public School Choice Applications until June 30. 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.

Gentry UMC Bible School

Gentry United Methodist Church invites children of all ages to Vacation Bible School from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through Thursday, June 30, to discover Jesus through an “Ocean Odyssey.” The classes include an evening meal. For more information, call 903-2979.

VBS at Decatur UMC

Vacation Bible School at Decatur United Methodist Church is set for 6 to 8 p.m., through June 29. There will be games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling and snacks. Pre-school through sixthgrade children are welcome. The theme is “Pandamania” and will focus on how great God is. For more information, call Peggy Beal at 752-3920 or 752-3233.

Assembly of God Revival

First Assembly of God Church in Gravette will be holding a revival through June 29. The evangelist is Greg Summers from Sapulpa, Okla. Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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 (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 anychild 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, two-week family passes and pool parties, call city hall at 752-3912.

Free Breakfasts, 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.

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 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 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 eastof 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 home-delivered meals for Maysville home-bound seniors or other services the center offers, call Mary Kay Kelley, director, at 787-5950.

Kids’ Crusade at Gravette AG

Gravette First Assembly of God will hold Kids’ Crusade, with the theme, “Inside Out, Upside Down, on Main Street,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly, July 18-21, for children, ages 3-12 years.

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.

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.