Decatur Swimming Pool

The Decatur Swimming Pool will open 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. Regular pool hours will be 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.

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Decatur Seventh Grade Orientation

A seventh grade orientation and parents night will be held in the Decatur High School library from 6 to 7 p.m., May 23. All sixth grade students and their parents are asked to attend to become familiarized with the transition from the elementary school to the high school building. Seventh grade teachers will be available to talk about content areas, academic requirements and answer questions. Topics to be covered include smart core courses, Algebra I high stakes testing and extracurricular activities like athletics and band. For more information contact the school councilors at 752-3981 or 752-3983.

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Decatur Kindergarten and Pre-K Graduation

Kindergarten graduation ceremonies will be held at 9:15, May 25, in the elementary school cafeteria. Pre-kindergarten graduation ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m., May 26, in the elementary school cafeteria.

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Gentry Eighth Grade Promotion

Gentry Eighth Grade Promotion is scheduled for 9 a.m., Friday, May 27, in the Gentry High School Auditorium.

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Decatur Class of 1978

If you were a member of or a friend of the class of ‘78 you are cordially invited to a wiener roast at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 21, at the home of Betty Moore, 21799 West Highway 102, Decatur. Bring your lawn chairs, yearbooks and memories to share. For directions or information, call 752-3654. Food Distribution Program

Angel Food will have food distribution from 10 until 11 a.m., May 21, at the First Christian Church of Gravette. For more information, contact the church.

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Area Quilt Class

A free class for area quilters/crafters will be held Saturday, May 21, at 1 p.m. at the Gravette Church of Christ annex, 202 Irving St. S.W. Anyone interested is invited. Please bring projects in progress and a snack to share.

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Spring Fling Dance

The Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Senior Circle Spring Fling Dance will be from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, May 23, at Siloam Springs Community Building, 101 N. Mt. Olive in Siloam Springs. The dance will feature the band Silverado. All Senior Circle members and those who are 50 and above are invited to attend. Refreshments will be provided. The dance is free to Senior Circle members of all chapters and $5 for non-members. To register, please contact Senior Circle Advisor Aimee Morrell at 549-2443.

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Walk for the Health of It set for May 21

The Siloam Springs Hospital Auxiliary will host its annual Walk for the Health of It event at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, May 21. The 6-mile walk will start at Sager Creek Cabin on the John Brown University campus in Siloam Springs. There is no fee to participate and those who complete the entire 6-mile walk will receive a free T-shirt. For more information, contact Sara Treftz at 524-6547.

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Senior Center Health Fair

In celebration of Older Americans Month, the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center at Gravette will hold a health fair beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 27. The theme for 2011 is “Make Fitness a Goal for Life!” and the public is invited to participate in this annual event, featuring several guest speakers, free blood pressure and pulse-ox testing, blood sugar screening, vision screening and chair massages. A brownbag lunch will be provided, and there will be door prizes from Gravette merchants throughout the day.

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Highfill Cemetery Memorial Services

Highfill Cemetery will hold memorial services at 11 a.m., May 29, at the Highfill Community Building. A potluck lunch will follow.

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Douglas Cemetery Decoration Services

The Douglas Cemetery will hold its annual decoration at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 29. Pastor Bruce Holland will conduct the services and all are invited to attend in remembrance of local veterans, families and friends. Donations to the cemetery may be made at any time throughout the year. Checks should be made payable to Douglas Cemetery, P.O. Box 44, Centerton, AR 72719.

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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.

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Diabetes/Obesity Education

Ozarks Community Hospital will hold free diabetes and obesity education classes the third Tuesdayof 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.

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Gravette Graduation

Gravette High School Graduation ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 21, in the Gravette High School football stadium. In case of inclement weather, it will be moved inside to the competition gymnasium.

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Jolly Good Times Club

The monthly meeting of the Jolly Good Times Club will be held Wednesday, May 25, at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center. Members will gather at 10:15 in the sitting room. Eda Montag will give the program. The potluck lunch will feature meat prepared by Betty, veggies by Jeanne, salads by Eda and Mary and dessert by Susan. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Mt. Zion Singing

There will be no singing this month at Mt. Zion Church because of the Memorial Day holiday. Regular singing will resume Saturday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m., and will be held the fourth Saturday of each month thereafter.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Jimmy Brown, 20771 Sibley Road, Sulphur Springs, or contact Brown at 298-3274 or Joe Mills, 870-423-3582.

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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.

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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 CityPark. 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.

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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 479-790-8988. Teams are encouraged to sign up early because the tournament fills up quickly.

Community, Pages 2 on 05/18/2011