Self-defense Class
A women's self-defense class is being offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Harvest Baptist Church of Gravette. The class will be taught by Sgt. Kurt Bana of the Benton County Sheriff's Department. The class is designed to prepare women to handle themselves in an emergency situation and survive the encounter. Arkansas has a violent crime rate higher than the national average and preparedness is a key to survival. Cost for the class is $25 per participant. Every woman is invited to attend, and women are encouraged to bring their daughters to the class, as well. The class will last until noon, with a free luncheon to follow. For more information, contact Terry King at 479-721-1844 or [email protected].
Odyssey of the Mind Fundraiser
Gentry Odyssey of the Mind will hold its annual dinner theatre and silent auction in the Gentry Primary School cafeteria on Saturday, April 30. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Skits start at 6 p.m. Adults are $5; children are $3; and children under 3 are free. Lots of great items are expected at the auction, a quilt will be raffled, and dinner will be barbecue.
Taco Salad Fundraiser
A taco salad fundraiser will be held at the Maysville Community Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Taco salads with a drink will be available for $6. Dessert, pie or cake may be purchased for an additional $2. Takeout orders are available. A bake sale will be held, with whole pies available for sale, or stay for the cakewalk and have a chance to win a decorated cake. The fundraiser is being held by the Maysville EH Club.
70th Anniversary Homecoming
The Plainview Missionary Baptist Church, 42297 S. 654 Road, Jay, Okla., will be celebrating its 70th anniversary homecoming beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Caroliene West at 479-233-9800.
Candy Rain
A "Springtacular Candy Rain" will be held at the Decatur Assembly of God Church on Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. Candy will "rain" down for kids, ages 3-12. Prizes will be awarded. The first 100 arrivals will receive a "Springsational" surprise. Aspecial-needs area will be designated. Bring a basket or bucket to gather candy. The event will be held on the campus of DAG Church, located at 674 N. Main St., in Decatur.
Eagle Watch Earth Day
An Earth Day observance will be held at the Eagle Watch Nature Area on Saturday, April 30. Entomology professor Don Steinkraus will talk about bee keeping. Lynn Sciumbato, of Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Gravette, will be there with birds of prey and other animals. Maintenance projects at Eagle Watch will begin at 9 a.m. Educational programs will begin about 10 a.m.
Farmers' Market
Gravette farmers' market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Old Town Park. Offerings include locally-grown fruits and vegetables, beef and pork, eggs, a variety of plants, baked goods, jams and jellies. Local crafts will also be featured, including handcrafted pens by Williams Woodcrafts. Market vendors set up booths in the covered pavilion at the park. The market accepts WIC vouchers and senior market produce coupons issued by the Area Agency on Aging.
Gravette, Hiwasse Cleanups
Citywide spring cleanups are scheduled in Gravette Tuesday, May 3, and in Hiwasse, Thursday, May 5. During these annual spring cleanups, citizens may dispose of larger items not picked up on the regular trash routes. Items should be placed at curbside no more than a couple of days before the scheduled cleanup. No paint, tires, batteries, chemicals, appliances, electronics or yard waste will be picked up. Lumber will be picked up only if it is no longer than 4 feet, is tied in a bundle and weighs less than 50 pounds. Citizens are reminded that the city has dumpsters available for their use. Arrangements can be made at city hall to use these dumpsters at a cost of $30 per pickup load or $60 for a trailer load. Persons with questions should call Gravette City Hall, 787-5757.
Indoor Garage Sale
An indoor garage sale will be held Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, at the Maysville community center. The sale will open at 8 a.m. both days and continue to 6 or 7 p.m. on Friday. Sellers will start packing up earlier on Saturday. Buyers are invited to come check things out. The gym will be full of merchandise. A concession stand will be open with coffee, cold drinks, hot dogs and other snacks. Booth space is available for $10. For information on booth space, call Robin at 479-822-3052.
NWA Riding Club
NWA Riding Club will be holding bi-weekly play days at a new arena located at 16949 Highway 102 West in Decatur. Play days will begin with exhibition rides at 2:30 p.m., followed by regular events at 3 p.m. Events will include pole bending, keyhole, barrel racing, goat tying (tentative) and flag racing (tentative). The deadline to sign up for events is 2:30 p.m. Upcoming dates include April 23, May 7, May 21, June 11 and June 18. Regular play-day events are $5 each and exhibition rides are $4. Family memberships are $25 per year. NWA Riding Club is a family-oriented, non-profit organization that offers trail rides, fun events and campouts throughout the year in addition to play days. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nwaridingclub.org or call Tom Graves at 712-266-6327.
First Saturday Events
First Saturday events, sponsored by the Gravette Chamber of Commerce, will begin this year on Saturday, May 7. A pancake breakfast will be held at the Gravette fire station from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to benefit the Gravette Fire Department. Highlight of this first event will be an open house at the new Gravette Public Library, 119 Main Street, S.E. Open house will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. There will be refreshments and special events. Other attractions on Main Street will include bounce houses and a motorcycle show and shine.
Outhouse Race
The Southwest City (Mo.) Commercial Club will host its fourth annual outhouse race at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. The event will feature fun and surprises as teams push, pull or drag their "people-powered potties" down Main Street. Contestants build their own outhouses, complete with a toilet seat for the driver, and wear fitting costumes for the event. Awards will be presented, including a people's choice award and "humdinger" award. For more information on the event or entering an outhouse, contact Tammie Martin at 417-762-3257 or Jodi Huston at 417-762-3313. Deadline for entries is May 2.
Yard Waste Pickup
Bagged yard waste will be picked up in Gentry on Wednesday, May 18. Yard waste must be bagged and placed curbside by 7 a.m. to be picked up. The pickup event is one day only.
Gentry Story Time
Gentry Public Library holds Story Time with Grandma Betty each Friday. Grandma Betty will read aloud children's favorite books from 2 to 3 p.m. in the children's area of the library. For more information, call 479-736-2054.
Highfill Food Pantry
The Highfill United Methodist food pantry is open from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. For more information, call the church at 479-736-1275.
Maysville Food Giveaway
A free food distribution is held the first Saturday of each month at the Maysville Bible Church, Hwy. 72 and Cunningham, in Maysville. Anyone who is in need of food is welcome to attend.
Decatur Food Pantry
Decatur United Methodist Church has a community food pantry open the first and third Thursday of each month. The only requirement for the pantry is that one live in the 72722 zip code area. An identification and a piece of mail showing one's residence in the Decatur area is required. There is also a USDA commodity program available which is income-based. Those wishing to do so can fill out an application to see if they qualify.
Lions Club
Gravette Lions Club meets at noon on the first Tuesday of every month at the In-Zone Restaurant on Arkansas Hwy. 59 N. in Gravette and at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at Imagine Before and After School Care, 206 Birmingham St., S.E. The Gentry Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the McKee Community Room in Gentry Public Library. New members are welcome and invited.
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.
Gravette Legion
Gravette American Legion Post 25 meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Civic Center. All veterans are encouraged to attend.
Singing Services
Monthly singing services at Mason Valley Baptist Church Activity Center are held at 7 p.m. the second Friday of each month. The church is located on Arkansas Hwy. 12, between Highfill and Vaughn. Everyone is invited.
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 VFW Meetings
VFW Post 9834 meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. New members and guests are welcome.
Submissions
Submissions to Hometown Events may be emailed to [email protected].
Community on 04/20/2016