HOMETOWN EVENTS

Mason Valley Baptist

Mason Valley Baptist Church, located at 13998 W. Highway 12 (between Highfill and Vaughn), will be celebrating its 140th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 18. The day will begin with Sunday school at 9:30, worship service at 10:30, catered lunch at noon, followed with an afternoon program of recognition of former pastors and members, church history, singing and memories of the past. Entertainment will be provided by The Cow Patty Creek Rhythm and Gospel Orchestra. All are welcome and invited.

Gentry Senior Center fundraiser

A pancake and sausage dinner fundraiser will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Gentry Senior Center, 121 E. Main Street. Cost for the meal is $6 for adults and $4 for youngsters under 10. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

First Baptist AWANA and Youth Ministry Events

Gentry First Baptist Church invites children to a come-and-go AWANA preregistration for ages 3 through the sixth grade on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. There will be games set up to play while parents are registering their children. AWANA will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Youth Ministry is having a back-to-school “bash” for youth in the seventh through the 12th grades on Aug. 21 at SWEPCO Lake with boat rides, games and a cookout. Meet at the FAC building at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Austin Millsap, youth pastor, or call the church office at 479-736-2646.

Library Homeschooler Sessions

Beginning Aug. 22, Gentry Public Library will host weekly sessions for homeschoolers and their parents or guardians on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. All homeschoolers are invited to attend these free, open-to-the-public gatherings. Activities focusing on art, science, math, technology and reading will be offered. The activities will be based on themes selected by the GPL Homeschool Committee. Committee members include library staff members Lori Johnson and Tammy Coder. Parents and guardians interested in serving on the committee should contact the library at 479-270-4161 and ask for Linda.

Free quilt, craft class

A free class for area quilters and craft enthusiasts will be held at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Gravette Church of Christ annex, 202 Irving Street S.W. Instruction on a quilt block will be given and a “show and tell” session will be held. Please bring finished projects or works in progress and a snack to share.

Genealogical society to meet

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at the Bentonville Public Library, 405 South Main Street in Bentonville. Randy McCrory, local historian and president of Vintage Bentonville online museum, will present “Tour de Benton County.” He will take a look at what communities in Benton County looked like a 100 years ago and review how they have changed. For further information, call 479-271-6820. Everyone is welcome.

American Legion flagpole fundraising

The John E. Tracy American Legion Post at Gravette is conducting a fundraising drive to raise money to replace the flagpoles at Hillcrest Cemetery. The poles now in use are rusting and in need of replacement. Plans are to purchase larger aluminum poles at an approximate cost of $7,800. A Hillcrest Cemetery flagpole fund has been opened at the Bank of Gravett and people may make donations there. Anyone having questions may call post commander Bill Mattler, 479-640-1199.

Art in the Library

Gentry Public Library is seeking local artists, photographers, writers, performers and musicians interested in showcasing their works in public exhibitions at the library. The works will be displayed or performed in a designated area for a specific time period. Works will be juried by a library committee and must be appropriate for the general public. Please contact the library at 479-736-2054 for more information.

Falling Springs Singing

Monthly singing services at Falling Springs Church are held at 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month. The church is located northwest of Gentry and west of Decatur on Falling Springs Road.

First Baptist Pantry

First Baptist Church, located at 213 E. Roller Avenue in Decatur, holds a community food pantry on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the church at 479-2826658.

TOPS in Gentry

Gentry TOPS AR113, a nonprofit group which promotes healthy weight loss, meets every Monday at the First Christian Church Fellowship Room, Second and Giles, with a weigh-in at 2:15 p.m. and the meeting at 3 p.m. There is a small fee to join but the first meeting is free.

Decatur UMC Pantry

The Decatur United Methodist Church Food Pantry is open the first and third Thursday evening of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and offers food boxes to Decatur residents. All that is needed is a valid identification, a utility bill or piece of mail showing an address in the 72722 ZIP code area. Also available is a USDA commodity program to residents of Decatur and other communities without a commodity program. The commodity program requires income information. For more information, stop by the church during food pantry hours.

GFA Food Pantry

The GFA food pantry at the First Assembly of God in Gentry is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. The church partners with the NWA Food Bank and Rural Compassion to receive food to be given away, including canned goods, fresh vegetables, bread, milk and dairy products, eggs and meats. Other items such as toilet paper, shampoo, cleaning products and baby supplies are also available as supplies last. Clients are asked to call for an appointment. For more information, call 479-736-8415.