This week's events

Feb. 14

An Affair to Remember

NEWPORT — Members of Keep Newport Beautiful will hold An Affair to Remember at 6 p.m. in the Brick Room on Front Street. The event will feature a meal, which includes appetizers, lasagna or shrimp Alfredo, rolls, salad, desserts and a drink. There will also be music. Tickets are $20 each, and the proceeds will benefit Keep Newport Beautiful projects. Tickets may be purchased from Shirley Williams at the Newport Economic Development Commission building, 201 Hazel St.; or from Judge Jerry Carlew, Peggy Stephens, Polly Sharp, Carole Ann Young, Joe Harris, Helen Bullard, Tara Salinas or Ronnie Kay Erwin.

Valentine’s Day Buffet

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Skillet Restaurant at Ozark Folk Center State Park will offer a Valentine’s Day buffet for sweethearts. For the cost, serving times and more information, call (870) 269-3851, email ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com, or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

Feb. 15

Artist Lecture

BEEBE — Artist Brittany Wilder will present a lecture to art students on her exhibit Confessions of an Alter Ego at 1 p.m. at the England Center at Arkansas State University-Beebe. The lecture is also open to the public, with a question-and-answer session to follow. The England Center Art Gallery will feature Wilder’s artwork through March 1. Admission to the gallery, at the corner of Center and Orange streets, is free. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (501) 882-4495.

Quapaw Quartet Concert

BATESVILLE — The Quapaw Quartet, the resident string quartet of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, will give a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room of Brown Chapel at Lyon College. The quartet will perform a selection of classical music in the annual West Concert. The concert series is endowed by Dan and Sydney West. Dan West is a former president of Lyon College. For more information, contact Chandra Huston at (870) 307-7488.

Feb. 15-17

Black History Celebration

SEARCY — The Black History Awareness Committee will present a weekend celebration, Developing Our Future, on Friday through Sunday. Fitzgerald Hill will serve as keynote speaker at 7 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Searcy. The Hendrix Family Choir will also perform. There will be a Black History Parade through downtown Searcy at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. White County Medical Center CEO Ray Montgomery will be the parade’s grand marshal. At 5 p.m. Sunday, there will be a concert at First United Methodist Church featuring the Arkansas Baptist College Choir. For more information, call (501) 268-6535.

Feb. 16

Cherokee Village Chili Supper

CHEROKEE VILLAGE — Men from the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church will hold a chili supper from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the church, at the intersection of Otter and Keno drives. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Tickets may be purchased from the men of the church or at the door. Pie and a choice of drink will be included.

Prayer Meeting

BEEBE — Declare His Glory International will hold a prayer meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Open Arms Assembly, 1103 N. Fir St., for the upcoming Merging Streams with Dutch Sheets event. The public is invited to attend.

Potato-Basket Weaving Workshop

POWHATAN — There will be a potato-basket weaving workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Powhatan State Park. The cost is $30 per person, and supplies will be provided. Space is limited, and attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch. For more information or to register, call (870) 878-6765 or email powhatan@arkansas.com.

Feb. 18

Creative Writers Meeting

SEARCY — The White County Creative Writers will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Simmons First Bank, 401 S. Main St. WCCW President Dot Hatfield will discuss how to write a short story. The club meets the third Monday of each month. The first visit is free. For more information, visit www.whitecountycreativewriters.org or call (501) 982-1793.

Feb. 19

Orchestra Concert

SEARCY — The Harding University Community Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Chance, will present a winter concert at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Center Recital Hall. The orchestra features string music, including the Sospiri op. 70 by Edward Elgar, Serenade for String Orchestra by Anton Dvorak and Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok.

Ongoing

Cognitive Meditation Course

SEARCY — There will be a five-week course on Cognitive Meditation: The Art of Relaxation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 19 through March 19 at First Christian Church, 2721 W. Beebe-Capps. For more information, call (501) 207-3118.

Guest Artist February Exhibit

ASH FLAT — The works of Kaye D. Milligan will be on display at the Ash Flat Public Library during February. Milligan paints with acrylic or oil, using her own abstract-impressionistic style. Mostly a self-taught artist, life experience led her to Puerto Rico, where she had the painted with and was encouraged by international artist Eve Koenig. The vibrant tropical colors there influenced Milligan’s unique style.

Batesville Choral Society Rehearsals

BATESVILLE — The Batesville Choral Society will rehearse from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, 775 E. Boswell St. The group is directed by Michael Oriatti. All interested singers are invited to participate. A concert is scheduled for April 11. For more information, contact Alice Witterman at (870) 793-5928 or alicekw@suddenlink.net.

Black History Month

POCAHONTAS — The Eddie Mae Herron Center and Museum will observe Black History Month throughout February with activities and events that will include hog butchering, quilting, food preparation and lectures. Admission to the events is free. For more information, call (870) 892-4661, email rctourism@suddenlinkmail.com, or visit www.HerronCenter.org.

Upcoming

White County Razorback Club

SEARCY — New University of Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema will speak to the White County Razorback Club at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Sullards Annex at Searcy High School. Bielema will discuss his decision to lead the Arkansas program, spring practice and the upcoming season. Prior to his presentation, Bielema will sign autographs for those in attendance. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at Ronnie McFarland Farm Bureau Insurance, Brian Maddox State Farm Insurance, Richard Cargile Shelter Insurance, Ralph Haymond Insurance and at the Searcy main bank locations of First Security Bank, First Community Bank, Regions Bank, Centennial Bank, Liberty Bank and Simmons First National Bank.

Wind Ensemble Concert

SEARCY — The Harding University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Chance, will present a special concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Administration Auditorium. The performance will feature concert band music by Emmy Award-winning composer Julie Giroux (Dynasty, Karate Kid II, White Men Can’t Jump, The North and South documentary), as well as guest artist and Harding University alumnus Musician 3 Tony Garcia of the U.S. Navy Band, performing the virtuoso trombone solo Colors, by Belgian composer Bert Appermont.

Lyon College Theater Production

BATESVILLE — The Lyon College Theatre Department will present Twelfth Night: or, What You Will, on Feb. 21-24 in the Holloway Theatre. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 21-23 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 24. All Lyon students, faculty and staff will be admitted free. Call (870) 307-7510 for reservations. The play is set in New York City in 1968, a time when sexual identities were forged by what young people chose to wear, echoing the main plot of the play.

Searcy AARP Driver Course

SEARCY — The PrimeTimes of White County Medical Center will offer an AARP driver safety course from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Hubbach Center. Those attending are advised to park behind the hospital off Moore Street and use the elevator to go to the first floor. Frances Mizell will be the instructor. The cost of the course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Members will need to present an AARP card to get the discount. For more information, call Anna Overbay at (501) 380-1050.

Blood Drive

JACKSONVILLE — North Metro Medical Center will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 to benefit the American Red Cross. The blood mobile will be parked in front of the health education building. To sign up, call (501) 985-7249 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the code NMMCJ.

E-book Class

WARD — The Ward Public Library will hold an e-book class at noon Feb. 22. Participants will learn how to use an e-reader and what e-book options are available. Lunch will be furnished, but those planning on attending are asked to call the library at (501) 941-3220 to make a reservation and to bring an e-reader to class. The library is at 405 Hickory, Suite 100.

Scrapbooking Event

ASH FLAT — The fourth annual Crop This House scrapbooking event will be Feb. 22 and 23 at the Ash Flat Church of Christ. Registration is $50, and proceeds will benefit the Rock This House fund. Those who preregister will receive a Crop This House T-shirt, along with a complimentary lunch and demonstrations of techniques. Doors will open at noon Feb. 22, allowing uninterrupted scrapbooking time until 9 p.m. Feb. 23.

Civil War Symposium

ASH FLAT — The Ash Flat Library will present a Civil War symposium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Ash Flat Community Center, 11 Arnhart St., across from the Ash Flat Library. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and a welcome will be given at 9:25. The public is invited, and admission is free.

CPR Certification

JACKSONVILLE — As part of National Heart Month, North Metro Medical Center will hold a CPR certification class Feb. 23 in the education building. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to noon and again from 1-4 p.m., with a limit of 26 per class. The class is for ages 16 and older and costs $5 per person. Participants need to register by Feb. 20 by emailing areynolds@northmetromed.com and arrive at the class 15 minutes early.

JA Annual Charity Ball

SEARCY — The Junior Auxiliary of Searcy will host its annual Charity Ball at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Searcy Country Club, 2729 W. Country Club Road. This year’s theme is “Naturally Made in Arkansas,” and the JA will feature Arkansas-made items in the silent and live auctions. The event is the Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s largest fundraiser to support the group’s projects. The evening will include dancing, hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Searcy Country Club chef, a live band and Boom Kinetic. To purchase tickets, stop by Stott’s Drug Store, contact any JA member, email junior.auxiliary@yahoo.com or text inquiries to (501) 400-0778.   

World Day of Prayer

FAIRFIELD BAY — The churches of the Fairfield Bay area are sponsoring a World Day of Prayer at 1 p.m. March 1 at the Fairfield Bay Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills, 250 Dave Creek Parkway. This year's service was written by the women of France around the theme “I Was a Stranger, and You Welcomed Me.” World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday of March. For more information, call Judy Leason at (501) 884-6617.

Gold City Concert

WARD — Gold City, a Southern gospel quartet, will perform at 7 p.m. March 7 at First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. There is no admission charge, but an offering will be collected. For more information, call (501) 843-3336.

Master Gardener Training

BATESVILLE — The Independence County Master Gardeners will hold training classes from March 7 through April 3 for people interested in learning more about gardening. Members in Izard, Independence, Sharp and Fulton counties will work together to conduct the training programs. Upon completion of the training and Master Gardener certification, participants will be asked to donate 40 hours to help with community and educational projects. For more information, call the Independence County Extension Office at (870) 793-8840.

Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser

MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Stone County Scholarship Foundation will have its annual fundraiser, featuring the Southern gospel music group the Isaacs, at 4 p.m. March 9 at Flatwoods Baptist Church. The Isaacs are a family group who perform at the Grand Ole Opry and are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert series. Tickets are available at local banks and from the school district in Mountain View.

Griffithville Alumni Reunion

GRIFFITHVILLE — There will be an alumni reunion March 15 and 16 for all who attended school in Griffithville. For more information, contact Stacy Southerland at (817) 996-7672 or srsoutherland@hotmail.com.

Flea Market and Yard Sales

SALEM — The Fulton County Fair Association will sponsor the 10th annual Spring Fairgrounds Flea Market in conjunction with the Salem Chamber of Commerce Community Yard Sales on April 12 and 13. Vendors will set up the morning of April 12, and flea market hours will be 1-6 p.m. April 12 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13. Secure, inside vendor space is available in the Hickinbotham-Miller Exhibit Building, or vendors who have their own display units can set up outside. For more information or to reserve a space, call the Fulton County Fair Association at (870) 895-5565 or (870) 458-3080 or email fultoncountyfair@centurytel.net. Applications are available online at www.fultoncountyfair.org.

Awards Banquet

WARD — The Ward Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet April 19 at Grace Community Church, 30 Second St. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $25 per person or $175 for a table of eight. For more information, call Sharon Roberts at (501) 743-4395 or Chris Mann at (501) 941-9987.

Annual Jamboree

WARD — The Ward Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual jamboree from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Chamber of Commerce building.

To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Three Rivers Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; send faxes to (501) 378-3500; or email trnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.

Upcoming Events