Hometown Events

Local Audubon Field Trip

The public is invited to join a Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society-sponsored field trip to Eagle Watch Nature Trail, just west of Gentry, on Saturday, Feb. 2. Meet-up time is at 9 a.m. in the parking lot, just off Arkansas Highway 12. Joe Neal and Terry Stanfill will co-lead the birding event. The trail is a half-mile-long, easily-walked trail to a viewing platform where numerous bald eagles and other species of birds are often seen. The event is free and open to the public.

Benefit Luncheon Planned

A luncheon is planned to benefit Sulphur Springs resident Larry Becker, 44, who is in need of a kidney and pancreas transplant to live. The benefit, planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Steve’s Place on Hibler Ave., will feature a full-course chicken noodle dinner, along with a silent auction of donated items.

GYO Baseball/Softball signups

Gentry Youth Organization 2013 baseball and softball signups are ongoing. Forms are available at all Gentry school campuses or by contacting Kevin Hodges at 233-9001. The form submission cutoff date is Feb. 8, and the final day for signups will be at the Main Street concession stand on Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost for softball signups, ages 5-16, or boys’ T-ball and baseball, ages 5 through 12, is $45.

DHS CAP Conferences

Decatur High School will be holding CAP conferences with parents Feb. 5-7. All parents are required to attend to discuss their student’s class schedule for the upcoming year, career and scholarship opportunities, and Smart Core Classes. A letter with scheduling information will be sent home with students this week. For more details, call the school office at 752-3983.

Retooled and refueled

A “Retooled and Refueled” essential Christian life skills seminar is being planned at the Gravette Church of Christ, with a date and times yet to be announced. The seminar will focus on living debt free and worry free. Those interested may call 787-6459 to check on seminar dates and to see if seats are yet available.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, Feb. 3, is not only Super Bowl Sunday, it is “The Souper Bowl of Caring” at First Christian Church in Gravette. The church is collecting cans of soup and canned goods for the “Feed My Sheep” Food Pantry to try to help “tackle hunger” and is also collecting monetary donations to go to the food pantry. Donations of soup and canned goods are now being accepted. The public is invited to assist members of First Christian Church as they join other churches around the country in making a difference.

Gravette Annuals Search

The Gravette Historical Museum is trying to complete an entire set of Gravette school annuals. Anyone willing to donate an annual, please call Lavon Stark at 787-5678. Years needed are all years prior to 1946, ‘50, ‘52 to ‘58, ‘60 to ‘67, ‘73 to ‘79, ‘80, ‘81, ‘84, ‘97 to ‘99, 2001, ‘02, ‘04, ‘07, ‘11, ‘12.

Annual Awards Banquet

Gentry Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet is Thursday, Feb. 28, with dinner at 6 p.m. and the program at 7:15 p.m. Please contact Chamber director Bev Saunders to reserve tickets at $20 per seat, 736-2358 or [email protected]. Nominations for awards may be sent to the Gentry Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 642, Gentry, AR 72734, or by email to info@gentrychamber. com, no later than Feb. 3. Nominations are being accepted for 2012 Citizen(s) of the Year, Business Person(s) of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Organization, Silver Award (More than 25 years of community service). Other awards will be considered if nominees don't fit one of these categories. Simply write down the person’s name and contact information and a brief summary of why they are being nominated.

Drug Prevention

Materials

Gravette Middle School Parent Center has a parental awareness kit from the American Foundation for Drug Prevention, Inc. It includes seven VHS tapes, entitled “Is There Really a Problem?,” “Is Your Child Drug Free?,” “How to Talk to Your Kids,” “Setting the Boundaries,” “Understanding My Role,” “Drugs and Their Effects,” and “Drug Free It’s Up to Me.” These videos may be checked out by parents of students at Gravette Middle School. Those interested may contact Mike Walker, parent involvement facilitator and media specialist at Gravette Middle School, at 787-4160 or mike.walker@ gravetteschools.net.

Decatur Library Story Time

The Iva Jane Peek Library will hold story time from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the first Wednesday of the month, starting in February. All ages are welcome. The story time will focus on preschool-age children. For more information, call 752-READ (7323).

Decatur FFA Fundraiser

The Decatur FFA is selling Blue & Gold Sausage for the next two weeks as a fundraiser for the FFA and the trap shooting team. To purchase sausage, contact a Decatur FFA student or call the high school office at 752-3983.

Gravette Baseball/Softball signups

January is the month to sign up for spring baseball and softball in Gravette. Registration for the programs is open through the end of January for ball players, ages 4 to 18, at www.leaguelineup. com/gravette. In-person registration is still possible at the Arvest Bank Conference Room from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31. Fees are: Boys 4-12, $35; Boys 13-15, $75; Boys 16-18, $100; Girls 4-12, $35; and Girls 13-16, $50. Family discounts and scholarships are available. Players not signed up by Jan. 31 will pay a $10 late fee and cannot be guaranteed a spot on a team. Any players interested in trying out for Gravette League Travel Teams should contact the following board members: 7-year-old Baseball, Tim Betz, 270-9942; 8-year-old Baseball, Tony Kildow, 787-0250; 11-12-year-old Baseball, Kevin Cole, 871-1365; 6U-8U Softball, Bill Romine, 640-4588; 10U Softball, Jerel Ellis, 531-3416; and 12U Softball, Tony Kildow, 787-0250. Those playing on the travel teams will also play on their league teams. Tryouts will be held in January, so contacting coaches as soon as possible is advised. Veteran coaches and new volunteers are needed. The only requirements are to love working with kids and knowledge of baseball or softball. Application forms are online at www.leaguelineup. com/gravette or may be obtained by calling Tony Kildow for more information, 787-0250. The League will be accepting applications for umpire positions until Jan. 31. Experienced umpires and people wanting to get started are encouraged to apply. Applicants may sign up at www.leaguelineup.com/gravette.

Gravette Driver’s Ed

Students at Gravette High School who wish to take Driver’s Ed are advised to make application now. Coach Kevin Cole will be instructor for the 30 hour course which will be held April 8 to May 21. Classes will be from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the High School Health Room. Only three missed classes are allowed. Applicants must have a driver’s permit and proof of insurance. Cost of $150 is due by April 5. Class size traditionally is limited and enrollment and payment can be completed at the GHS front office. For information, contact Coach Cole at 871-1365.

Community Food Bank

Decatur Methodist Church offers a community food bank from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month, located at 230 Third Street. The food pantry requires identification and proof that mail is received at an address in the 72722 zip code, such as a utility bill, rent deposit or bank statement. The USDA Commodity Program is also available. It is income based, therefore proof of income is required. Those receiving food stamps are automatically qualified with an acceptance letter.

Decatur Food Pantry

United Christian Charities has opened a food pantry in downtown Decatur for anyone needing food in the northwest Arkansas area. The hours of operation are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The point of contact is Tina Holt, 435-5699.

Feed My Sheep Hours

The Feed My Sheep food pantry in Gravette is open each Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Maysville Food Pantry

Maysville Missionary Baptist Church opens its food pantry, Our Healing Hearts, every fourth Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for those in need.

Praise and Worship

Maysville Missionary Baptist Church holds a praise and worship service at 6 p.m. every third Sunday night, with refreshments following.

Care and Share Vouchers

Care and Share vouchers are only issued on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Care and Share Specialty Shop, 103 Huntington Street S.E., off Hwy. 59 South in Gravette. In an emergency, appointments may be made. Call 344-6114.

Tired Iron of the Ozarks

Regular meetings of the Tired Iron of the Ozarks are held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Tired Iron clubhouse located at the club’s show grounds on Taylor Orchard Road southwest of Gentry. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Gravette American

Legion

Gravette American Legion Post 20 meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. All veterans are encouraged to attend. The next meeting is Feb. 19.

Gentry Lions Club

Gentry Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the McKee Community Room at the Gentry Public Library. Guests are welcome.

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.

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.

Men's Fellowship

First Baptist Church of Gentry has a monthly men's fellowship gathering at 8 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. All men are welcome to come for food and fellowship. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact Madden Waits at 736-5009.

VFW Meetings

Decatur VFW Post 9834 meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. 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.