Local Digest
Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony to be held Thursday The annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday on the Union County Courthouse Square in downtown El Dorado. Everyone is invited to attend.
Pantry fillers collect food for Agape House The South Arkansas Pantry Fillers have announced the “Pantry of the Month” and food drive to collect food for the Agape House. The drive will be held from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Mac’ Supermarket on North West Avenue. All food items can be dropped off at that time, or at Merle Norman or at the Agape House from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For pickup or more information, contact Linda Hodges at 870-725-4830.
Master Gardeners to meet Thursday The Union County Master Gardeners will meet at 5:15 p.m. Thursday in the parish hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The program, “Deer friendly gardening,” will be presented by Linda French.
Diabetes programs to be offered locally Type II diabetes and pre-diabetes will be discussed from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. today at Simmons Bank Community Room, 100 W. Grove St., El Dorado.
“Join us for a facilitated dialog on how we can curb the rising rates of Type II diabetes and pre-diabetes in El Dorado,” said David Monteith. For more information, contact Monteith at monteith. consulting@gmail.com.
Last 2017 Open Mic Night planned at PJ’s
Coffee
The last Open Mic Night of 2017 will be held from 8 until 10 p.m. Friday, sponsored by PJ’s and hosted by the South Arkansas Poets of the Pines. Jim Barton said all talents are considered and door prizes will be awarded. Persons with ideas for performances should contact Barton at jbob214@yahoo.com or “just show up the night of the show and talk to Jim,” he said. All performances should be PG-13 or better.
Local VFW plans
chili supper The local Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2413, will have their annual chili supper at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Post Home on Industrial Road. All members and guests are invited to attend. For more information, contact George Fennell, commander, at 870-3104783.
Casey James to perform at The Griffin Music Hall Thursday Former “American Idol” finalist, Casey Jones, will be performing at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Griffin Music Hall, 101 E. Locust, El Dorado in the Murphy Arts District. He was the third place winner in the ninth season of “American Idol” and recently released his Texas blues album, “Strip it Down,” which features a duet with Delbert McClinton. No tickets are required.
SHARE plans Thursday reception for new president
A welcome reception will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday for the new president and chief executive officer of SHARE Foundation, Dr. Brian W. Jones, at HealthWorks Fitness Center, first floor studio, 304 N. Madison Ave., El Dorado. The event will also be a reception for outgoing president, Linda Stringfellow.
South Arkansas
Caregiver reception set for
Thursday
A “Caregivers are Heroes,” South Arkansas Caregiver Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday at the El Dorado Conference Center, Murphy Hall 1. The free event is being sponsored by the South Arkansas Center on Aging Education Center and refreshments will be served.
El Dorado Chorale to perform Handel’s
‘Messiah’
The El Dorado Chorale, a division of the South Arkansas Arts Center, will present Handel’s “Messiah,” for their 2017 holiday concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado. Everyone is invited to attend the free concert. The community choir includes singers from South Arkansas and north Louisiana and has been presenting yearly programs since 1990.