HOMETOWN EVENTS

Baptist Christmas Tea

The public is invited to a Christmas Tea at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church in Gentry. Tickets are $3 each. You may contact Nancy at 435-1036 or Sherry at 736-3141 for more information. Don’t forget a tea cup and a can of food for the Manna Center. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 23.

UMC Christmas Bazaar

The Decatur United Methodist Church will be hosting an annual Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 2. Many Christmas items will be available for sale, including gift baskets, Christmas decorations, homemade blankets and scarfs, tenderly-used items, children’s gifts and other gift selections, including baked goods. Lunch, including soup, sandwich and dessert, will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To go orders are available and delivery in the Decatur area will be provided. Orders must be placed 30-45 minutes in advance by calling 752-3551. Proceeds from the event will go to area charities and the church’s community outreach program. Donations are also accepted.

UMC 'The Journey' Study Series

The public is invited to attend a DVD-based study of the significance of the events of Jesus’ birth. The study started Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Gravette United Methodist Church. The five-session series, “The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem,” will be held over five Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the church, located at Second and Akron in Gravette. For information, contact Phil Sturdy at 787-5000.

Quilt Class Rescheduled

The monthly quilt class which meets at the Gravette Church of Christ annex has been rescheduled for the month of November. The class will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, rather than the usual third Saturday meeting time. Everyone is invited to attend the class, held at 202 Irving St. S.W. Bring completed quilts or projects in progress and a snack to share.

Food for Book Fines

Gravette Public Library will accept canned food in lieu of overdue book fines during the months of November and December. All items will be donated to the Feed My Sheep food pantry. For information, call 787-6955.

Ensemble Christmas Concert

The Ecclesia College Ensemble will perform a selection of Christmas favorites at Gravette Presbyterian Church during the 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 4. Ecclesia College is a Christian college located in Springdale. The ensemble is made up of seven college students and directed by Freda Goodman. Ecclesia College offers a music ministries major, among many others. Church pastor Bill Bush, a student at the college, invites area residents to attend the service.

Gravette Kiwanis

The Gravette Kiwanis Club holds breakfast meetings at 7 a.m. each Friday at the cafeteria in Ozarks Community Hospital. Guests are welcome.

Decatur Food Bank

Living Water Ministries in Decatur opens its food bank every other Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 1148 Highway 102 West in Decatur. The next open date for the pantry will be Nov. 25. Anyone who needs assistance is welcome. All that is required is an identification (a photo ID is preferred) and current address. For information, contact Larry Long, 549-5645, or Janet Long, 524-2848.

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.

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 in Gravette.

Mt. Zion Singing

Regular fourth-Saturday singing will not be held at Mt. Zion Church during November and December.

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 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 Christmas Parade

The annual Gentry Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 10 on Main Street. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and travel from the east end of Main Street by the railroad tracks to the west end (and the northeast corner of the city park). There will be awards for the best theme, best lighting, best music and best overall. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Stars and Stripes Christmas.” There is no entry fee or pre-registration for the parade. The Gentry Chamber of Commerce will also host an open house and treats with Santa from 4 to 6 p.m. that afternoon in the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Building, 212 East Main. Children are invited to talk to Santa and receive a bag of treats.

Centerton Parade and Tree-lighting

The city of Centerton will hold its third annual Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade is at 4:30 p.m., followed by the tree-lighting ceremony. Those wishing to enter the parade should contact Jenny Robinson at city hall, 795-2750. Entry deadline is Nov. 23.

News, Pages 2 on 11/23/2011