Local notes

CEMETERY SEEKS FUNDS

This year’s decoration day and the annual business meeting for McCord Cemetery are canceled due to covid-19 concerns. All families are encouraged to place flowers on their loved ones’ graves. There will be no church service, business meeting or potluck lunch at the cemetery. Some of the Board of Directors will be present on the afternoon of Aug. 14, all day Aug. 15 and from 7 a.m. to noon Aug. 16 to collect donations for cemetery upkeep.

You may also mail donations to John Stewart, president, 19622 Durham McCord Road, Elkins 72727 or to Chambers Bank, 348 N. Center St., Elkins 72727. Please add McCord Cemetery in the memo field of your check.

Information: Email dck coley@sbcglobal.net.

RED CROSS NEEDS AID

Disasters don’t stop during a pandemic and neither does the American Red Cross. That’s why the Red Cross needs local volunteers to help carry out its lifesaving mission during a busy disaster season. To safely provide help and hope, the Red Cross is closely monitoring the covid-19 pandemic and working with local health officials. Find out how you can train now to be a volunteer by visiting redcross. org/volunteertoday.

Information: redcross. org/volunteertoday.

POETS SHARE VIRTUALLY

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow’s virtual Poetluck will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 with Philip Cioffari as the featured reader.

Cioffari is a novelist, playwright and filmmaker. He’s also a tenured professor at William Paterson University in New Jersey where, among other duties, he teaches in the MFA program

in Creative Writing. He was scheduled to teach “Structuring the Novel” at WCDH this August. The three-day workshop and Philip’s residency have been rescheduled for August 2021; however, he will offer virtual, one-on-one writing coaching and critique sessions for novice to accomplished writers throughout August via Zoom.

To learn more about Cioffari, go to philipcioffari. com or read an excerpt from his book, “The Bronx Kill,” published in eMerge, the online literary magazine of the Writers’ Colony, at emerge-writerscolony.org/ the-bronx-kill.

WCDH has canceled public gatherings until further notice due to covid-19, but Poetluck continues to be an opportunity to hear readings from local writers

and others from across the country.

Writers are invited to share their original work for up to 10 minutes. Readings may be poems, prose or songs. To be added to the list of readers, please email director@writerscolony.org or call (479) 253-7444. Reading slots are on a first-come basis and are limited to eight with additional readers if time allows. The link for joining the Zoom meeting can be found at www. writerscolony.org/events.

Poetluck is held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month with writers joining via Zoom and spectators participating in a watch party on the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow’s Facebook page.

Information: (479) 2537444 or writerscolony.org.

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.

FAMILIES WANTED

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for local families to host boys and girls ages 15 to 18 arriving soon to attend community high schools. Students from all over the world have been selected to participate based on strong academics and citizenship; all they need now is hosts. Students are equipped with pocket money for personal expenses, along with accident and illness insurance. Host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries, and personal interests.

ASSE’s top concern is the health of host families, host communities and exchange students. Even as the U.S. and many other countries continue to live under temporary travel restrictions, its organizers say students will not travel unless it is considered safe to do so by the U.S. and foreign agencies entrusted with public health and safety.

Information: (850) 8666508, (800) 473-0696 or host.asse.com.

FSRAM SEEKS ART

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum has issued its annual invitation for a Call for Works. The invitation is for a national competitive exhibition that has been hosted by the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum since its inception in 1948. The purpose of the exhibition is to encourage and recognize professional artists. In addition, this exhibition aligns with the museum’s mission to foster art appreciation in the community.

The isolation experienced by all during the covid-19 pandemic and ever-present eyes of social media has caused many to reflect on their personal perceptions and experiences. FSRAM wants each creative to reflect on their own experiences through visual expression. Please submit work that explores the landscape of your mind and allows other to explore with you.

All works will be for sale. All proceeds will benefit RAM’s exhibits, educational programming and the participating artists.

Deadline for entry is Nov. 13, and accepted entries will be announced Nov. 27.

Information: fsram.org

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.

(Courtesy photo) Abigail Lyons walked away with the 2020 Miss Colcord Scholarship Pageant crown at the event July 18 at the Dan D. Draper Community Center in Concord, Okla. Lyons, 18, the daughter of Tony and Cherale Lyons of Colcord, was also awarded a $100 cash scholarship from G&D Grocery in Colcord, a $100 cash scholarship from the Colcord Area Chamber of Commerce and a $2,000 tuition scholarship to Northeast Technology Center. First runner-up went to Kiera Arnold, who won an $850 tuition scholarship to Northeastern State University. Alanna Snell took the second runner-up spot with an $850 tuition scholarship to Northeastern State University. Michelle Morris, third runner-up, won a $1,200 tuition scholarship to Rogers State University.

(Courtesy photo) The 2020 Young Miss Colcord title went to 14-year-old Aeryn Huls. She is the daughter of Bryan and Brittany Huls of Colcord. As Young Miss Colcord, Huls was awarded a $100 cash scholarship from the Colcord Area Chamber of Commerce. First runner-up was Carmen King, 12. She is the granddaughter of Danny and Marsha Davidson of Colcord. All runners-up were awarded a $25 cash scholarship from the Colcord Area Chamber of Commerce.