HOMETOWN EVENTS
Decatur Christmas Parade set for Friday
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas parade through downtown Decatur on Friday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. The theme for this year’s event is “A Very Merry Decatur Christmas.” The lineup for the parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in front of Decatur City Hall on Maple Avenue. The jolly old elf himself will make an appearance somewhere in the parade lineup. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand in the Decatur community room at city hall following the parade. To enter a float in this year’s event or for more information, call 479-752-3912.
Gentry plans Christmas Parade on Saturday
Gentry’s annual Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 9. Lineup (at Railroad Avenue and Main Street) begins at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and will proceed west down Gentry’s Main Street. This year’s theme is “O Christmas Tree.” In addition, Santa Claus will be at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce office, 212 East Main Street, for visits and photos with children from 3 p.m. until the parade lineup. Parade entries need not preregister but should lineup at 5:30 p.m.
Pearl Harber Day concert scheduled in Bella Vista
A “God Bless America” concert, in remembrance of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attack on America, will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista. The 17-piece JM Band will present a two-hour patriotic concert, hosted by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas, the JM Band of Bella Vista and the Bella Vista POA. Everyone is welcome to attend the free public concert. No tickets or reservations are required, just come early for best seating.
‘From Christmas to the Cross’ theme of nativity
Ozark Adventist Academy is inviting area residents to take a journey back in time and walk through the streets of Bethlehem, all the way to Calvary, and experience the sights and sounds of the birth of Christ, His life, His crucifixion and His resurrection. A cast of 90 to 100 participants will portray the events of Christ’s life, “From Christmas to the Cross,” in a live, walk-through nativity from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, at Ozark Adventist Academy, 20997, Dawn Hill East Road, Gentry. There is no charge for admission, and golf carts will be available to take those unable to walk through the live nativity. For those who would like, OAA will be collecting nonperishable food items to contribute to the local food pantry at the Total Life Community Center, Siloam Springs. This center distributes food weekly to local families in need. For more information, call 479-736-2221 or email euglena1370@yahoo.com.
Sonshine Quartet to sing Sunday in Gravette
The Sonshine Quartet will hold its “A Christmas to Remember” concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Gravette High School Performing Arts Center. No ticket is required, but a love offering will be taken for the work of the nonprofit Eagle Family Ministries. Special guests for the concert will be choir director Jerry Ratzlaff, pianist Sharon Norberg, and choir members from Ratzlaff choirs in the 1960s and 1970s. Jerry will direct several choral arrangements during the concert.
Book sale to be held at Decatur Library
The Iva Jane Peek Public Library in Decatur will hold a book sale from Dec. 14 through Jan. 1, with books available for children, teens and adults for $1 per bag. For more information, contact the Decatur Library at 479752-7323.
Health enrollment ends Dec. 15 for health plan
Open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace continues through Dec. 15. Log onto HealthCare.gov, fill out an application and enroll in a 2018 marketplace health plan. The deadline is Dec. 15 and coverage starts on Jan. 1, 2018. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital offers free assistance for anyone interested. Contact Laura Craig with eligibility screening services at 479-215-3137 to schedule a free appointment today.
Decatur UMC Pantry open first, third Thursdays
The Decatur United Methodist Church Food Pantry is open the first and third Thursday evening of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and offers food boxes to Decatur residents, and a USDA Commodity Program to residents of Decatur and other communities without a commodity program. All that is needed is a valid identification, a utility bill or piece of mail showing an address in the 72722 ZIP code area. The commodity program requires income information. For more information, stop by the church during food pantry hours.
GFA Food Pantry open Tuesdays at Gentry church
The GFA Food Pantry at the First Assembly of God in Gentry is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. The church partnered with the NWA Food Bank and Rural Compassion to receive food to be given away, including canned goods, fresh vegetables, bread, milk and dairy products, eggs, and meats as part of the only certified food bank in Gentry. Other items such as toilet paper, shampoo, cleaning products, baby supplies, etc., are also available as supplies last. Clients are asked to call for an appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment to receive food assistance, call 479-736-8415.
Lions Club meetings set in Gravette, Gentry
The Gravette Lions Club meets at noon, the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Subway sandwich shop, 901 S.W. First Ave., Suite D, in Gravette. 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.
Tired Iron club meets third Tuesday of month
Tired Iron of the Ozarks antique engine and tractor club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the club’s show grounds, located at 13344 Taylor Orchard Road in Gentry. For more information, visit the club’s website at www.tiredironoftheozarks.org.
Gravette Kiwanis Club holds breakfast meetings
The Gravette Kiwanis Club holds breakfast meetings at 7 a.m. each Friday at the cafeteria inside Ozarks Community Hospital. Guests are welcome.
Gravette Legion meets third Tuesday of month
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 planned
Monthly singing services at Falling Springs Church are held at 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month. The church is northwest of Gentry and west of Decatur on Falling Springs Road.
Gravette museum seeks school yearbooks
The Gravette Historical Museum Commission is trying to acquire Gravette High School yearbooks to add to the museum’s collection. Annuals are still needed for the years 1957, 1958, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1998 and 1999. Those willing to donate the above annuals are asked to call museum commissioner Lavon Stark at 479-787-5678.
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