Local digest
Court Appointed Special Advocates plan toy drive for foster children The 13th Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will host a Christmas toy and gift drive for foster children in Union County from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Walmart Super Center on North West Avenue in El Dorado.
The annual drive helps to fulfill the Christmas wish lists of children who are in the county’s foster care system, according to Robin Krneta, executive director of the South Arkansas Children’s Coalition, the umbrella organization for CASA.
“We collect toys and monetary contributions for two days each year,” Krneta said. “This effort allows us to provide assistance to several local groups serving foster children. CASA has provided this service for many years and it is popular because people know they can donate to us and help many children at one time.”
CASA volunteers and collection bins will be on site during the drive for the convenience of shoppers, who can purchase an extra item for a child and drop it in the donation bin as they leave Walmart.
Krneta said monetary donations also are welcome. “We typically receive plenty of toy donations, but it is helpful to receive money, too, because that allows us to fulfill wishes of specific items on lists – especially for the older children, who don’t ask for toys.”
For more information, contact Krneta at 870862-2272.
Arts center to host membership art show and arts academy showcase Saturday
The South Arkansas Arts Center will host a day of celebrating its many talented members beginning at noon on Saturday. The community will be able to experience artwork by adult members and students, as well as a performing arts showcase by the Arts Academy students during the day and that night.
Stephanie Lowrey’s ballet classes will dance to the “Waltz of the Snowflake” at noon, followed by the Amy Allen’s Glee students, who will show off their singing talents at a showcase titled, “Hollywood Hits,” on stage at 12:30 p.m. Voice and piano students of Charlsie Falcon will participate in a recital on stage in the Callaway Theater at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Membership Exhibition will hang in the Price and Merkle Galleries. Visual arts students, taught by Mike Means and Maria and Jorge Villegas, will exhibit their artwork in the Lobby Gallery. A reception will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday to honor the artists exhibiting their works.
For more information about these upcoming activities, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www. saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado.
Norphlet Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony set for Monday
The annual Norphlet Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Family Life Center in Norphlet.
The ceremony also will mark the announcement of “Citizen of the Year.” School choirs and the school band will perform, as will area church choirs. Santa is expected to be available for photos from 6-6:30 p.m. The program will start at 6:30 p.m. and
refreshments will be provided to all who want to join in the display of Christmas joy.
Life Touch Hospice to host balloon release and unveiling of Community Wall Life Touch will host a Balloon Release in conjunction with the unveiling of the Community Wall on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. on the east side of the Union County Courthouse. Balloons will be released in honor or memory of loved ones and friends. This will mark the 17th year of the Community Wall. Performing at the event will be the Junction City 1st Grade Choir. The public is invited to attend.
Life Touch has served over 7,300 patients and families in South Arkansas since 1991, in its home care and nursing home programs and since 2007 in the John R. Williamson Hospice House. If you or someone you know would like more information about hospice care, please call 866-378-0388 or visit us at www.lifetouchhospice.org.
United Way plans hamburger plate fundraiser for Thursday The United Way of Union County will have a hamburger plate special fundraiser from 11 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Thursday at the Medical Center of South Arkansas HomeStyle Cafe. The $5 meal will include a grilled burger with all the trimmings, potato salad, baked beans, dessert and a drink.Call 864-3377 or 864-3378 to order and for pickup.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the United Way’s Union County services and programs, including the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of Union County, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Camp Fire El Dorado, Girl Scouts, Champagnolle Landing Wellness Center, HOPE Landing, Literacy Council, South Arkansas Developmental Center for Children and Families, South Arkansas Fights AIDS, Salvation Army, Single Parent Scholarship Fund and Turning Point.
El Dorado Christmas Parade deadline is today Today is the deadline to enter this year’s El Dorado Christmas Parade with the theme “Christmas Through the Ages.” Contact the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce at 863-6113 or online at goeldorado.com for a parade application. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 and at 18th Street and North West Avenue and will proceed south on North West Avenue to downtown El Dorado and will end at Jefferson and Peach streets.