Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Magical Evenings enjoyed
Garden adapts to virus safety
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks welcomed “butterflies, garden fairies and pixies” — and their families — last week for Magical Evenings in the Garden. The garden was open for two hours each evening, and guests for the event were invited to “wear their fairy wings or costumes, bring picnics and enjoy the garden in the cool of the evening.” The evenings were in lieu of the annual Firefly Fling.
There were magic wand-making and shadow puppet stations and other “make-and-take” activities, plus a treasure hunt for the little ones. Various local artists provided live music each evening.
“The garden has reopened to the public, and it’s a wonderful time of year to visit! There is so much beauty and color to see in the summertime. Our Butterfly House is also open to guests again, and this is the time of year when it’s very busy with native butterflies,” Liz Atwell, garden communications coordinator, tells me.
She adds that they’ve made some adjustments in order to reopen safely, which include: a new admission window where guests check in, instead of coming inside the building; face coverings are required upon entrance; and new operating hours. They’re open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, but for now are closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Terrific Tuesday Nights continue, however, from 5-8 p.m. through August. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. Restrooms, water fountain, gift shop and building will remain closed.
All guests I saw conscientiously observed social distancing requirements during the Magical
Evenings, I promise. Those without masks in the photos only removed them for the instant it took to snap the photos.
A Virtual Butterfly Summer Camp for kids ages
8 to 11 is set for Aug. 3-7. Campers will receive a butterfly kit, including a newly hatched caterpillar, and will learn how to raise a healthy butterfly and grow a butterfly garden.
Virtual classes for adults will be offered this fall. Topics will include vegetable gardening, native plants and making pumpkin succulents.
The nonprofit is hoping to have its 25th annual Greening of the Garden Gala benefit Oct. 1. Atwell says they are still in the planning stages, but the fundraiser is likely to be a blended virtual and in-person event.
“Being a nonprofit organization, we depend upon the support of the community. Whether it’s through membership, attending a class or event, such as the Greening of the Garden, or renting the garden, we invite everyone to get involved with the exciting things happening out here!”
Atwell added that the garden capacity for hosting small private events and weddings is up to 300 people. “With six cultivated acres and 12 themed gardens, the BGO is a fantastic place to celebrate a special event, safely.”
HOPE CANCER OFFERS SUPPORT
• Free Tobacco Cessation Program: Hope Cancer Resources’ certified health education specialist is available to support members of the community who are looking to quit smoking with nicotine replacement therapy and counseling.
• Emotional Support Through Cancer Battle: Hope Cancer Resources’ team of counselors and social workers are supporting cancer patients and their families every day with a focus on emotional health, no matter the circumstance.
• Virtual Wellness Classes For Cancer Patients and Caregivers: The Wellness Center for Hope at Hope Cancer Resources has created a yoga and fitness class schedule via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Information: (479) 3615847.
EUREKA PLANS YARD SALES
Eureka Springs plans to host its annual autumn Yards And Yards Of Yard Sales Aug. 7-8.
To have your yard sale listed on the map produced by the Chamber of Commerce, call (479) 253-8737.
BLOOD CENTER SEEKS DONORS
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area healthcare facilities, reports a critical shortage of all blood types. The blood needs for area patients have increased, but mobile blood drive cancellations continue. As a result, any mobile blood drives that remain scheduled become vitally important.
CBCO donors provide all the blood for patients at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, as well all northwest Arkansas area hospitals and dozens more across the region. Since the covid-19 pandemic began in March, over 270 blood drives have been canceled or postponed, affecting over 8,600 blood donations.
To find out more about blood donation opportunities, visit the website.
Information: cbco.org.
TOWN HALL TO BE HELD
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks will host a town hall at 11 a.m. July 28 via Zoom.
The town hall will serve as an open forum for veterans and a listening session for VHSO leadership, with the goal of ensuring veterans, their families and beneficiaries have the opportunity to be heard and have their concerns addressed by senior VA officials.
The town hall is open to the public.
The town hall will be conducted via Zoom: Meeting ID: 160 020 1482 Password: 797459 Information: (479) 4444086.
ART VENTURES CREATES ONLINE
A new exhibit, “The Ways We See,” will be open virtually in July and August online at Art Ventures in Fayetteville.
The new exhibit features works by artists Taylor Dolan, Brennen Duffield, Shabana Kauser, Stefan Kellar, Hanna Newsom Doyle, Rhee Reamy and Carl Alan Smith.
The exhibit can be viewed using the Artsteps app. Email contact@artventuresnwa.org for help connecting or to donate to support the artists.
FOLKWAYS HOSTS BOOK SIGNING
If you want to learn more about the mushrooms in your yard or in the woods, come to a free mushroom identification project and book signing with Jay Justice at 10 a.m. July 19 at Ozark Folkways in Winslow.
Justice will attempt to identify specimens of mushrooms and fungi that participants bring to the event. Participation is free, but please limit requested identifications to five specimens per person. Also, he will sign copies of “Amanitas of North America,” which he co-authored. The cost of the book will be $45 ($5 discount from online price).
Jay is one of the co-founders and the scientific adviser for the Arkansas Mycological Society and has been the president of that organization for many years. He has given workshops and led forays in several of the state parks in Arkansas as well as several states adjacent to Arkansas. He currently serves as one of the scientific advisers to the Cumberland Mycological Society in Tennessee and is one of the chief mycologists for the Missouri Mycological Society.
This outdoor event will follow all safety guidelines from the Arkansas Health Department. Face coverings are required for anyone older than 10 when within 12 feet of anyone not in their group.
Folkways will also present Dandelion Heart, a fourpiece folk band from Springdale, in concert July 25. Email info@ozarkfolkways.org for more information.
ART COLLECTIVE GALLERY OPEN
The Art Collective gallery located inside Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in Bentonville has reopened.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 523 S.E. Sixth St.
Face coverings are required.
Information: (479) 8775868.
BLOOD DRIVE SET JULY 23
Central United Methodist Church in Rogers is hosting a community Mobile Blood Drive event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 23 in the west parking lot at 2535 W. New Hope Road.
One donation can save up to three lives, spokeswoman Lindsey Russell says, and all donors receive a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks T-Shirt and $5 gift card while supplies last.
To schedule an appointment, call (417) 227-5006 or go to www.cbco.org/ donate-blood.
Send news about local events, charity fundraisers and family or class reunions to ourtown@ nwadg.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday for Sunday publication. Please include a phone number or email address for publication.