Hometown Events

Gentry American Legion Meeting

Londagin-Hardcastle American Legion Post 159 of Gentry will host its monthly meeting on Saturday, March 18, in the McKee Room (adjacent to the Gentry Public Library). Veterans are invited to bring a sack lunch and join the post for fellowship at 11:30. The general business meeting starts at noon. All honorably discharged and currently serving veterans from all wars are invited to attend. If you have served as a Reservist or in the National Guard and spent a day on active duty (with orders), you are eligible to join the American Legion. For more information, contact James Wilbanks, adjutant, at 479-233-1631.

NAGS to meet on March 27

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society meeting will be Monday, March 27, at 6 p.m., at the Bentonville Public Library. Mark Olsen, the ambassador for the genealogy software Family Tree Maker, will present a program called An Introduction to Family Tree Maker Update 24.1. He has been its ambassador since 2016 and has worked in the genealogy industry since 2007. The public is welcome.

USDA Home and Home Repair Loans

USDA Rural Development will conduct a presentation regarding several programs for private citizens and community leaders at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at the Gentry Public Library. The two housing programs to be discussed are part of Benton County Rural Development and include Section 502 Direct Home Loan and Section 504 Home Repair Program. Both programs are aimed at low-income/ very low-income citizens, and some of the programs are aimed at senior citizens. Grants and loans are available to low-income senior citizens for home repairs. Loans are also available to low-income citizens for purchasing or building a home. Other programs will include Rural Development presenting information on community programs, and business and industry programs. USDA staff will be available until 1 p.m. for one-on-one guidance on the available programs. Call the library at 479-736-2054 for a reservation. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Gem and Mineral Society Spring Show

The Northwest Arkansas Gem and Mineral Society will hold its annual spring Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on April 1 and 2 at the Siloam Springs Community Building, located at 110 N. Mt. Olive Street in Siloam Springs. Admission is $3 per person, with children under 10 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The show will feature fancy gems, beautiful minerals, ancient fossils, shiny stone home decor, and alluring finished jewelry for the adults and a kids’ corner for those 6-16 with lapidary crafts and games designed to encourage children to learn more about earth sciences.

Sulphur Museum Reopens

The Sulphur Springs Community Museum, located in the city park, reopened on Sunday, March 5. Open hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Sunday and the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

Gravette Tree Giveaway

The city of Gravette will hold a tree giveaway Saturday, April 29, from 8 to 9 a.m. (or until the trees are gone) at the top of Old Town Park, 110 Park Drive. Trees are provided through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to two per household. Proof of residency in Gravette city limits, including Hiwasse, is required. Trees available include pecan, tulip poplar, Chickasaw plum, sand cherry, black cherry, swamp white oak and bur oak (list is subject to change).

Bella Vista Radio Club

The Bella Vista Radio Club holds monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at ALETA, the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. All radio amateurs and others interested in acquiring an FCC license are invited. The meeting location is at 3424 S. Downum Road, Springdale. Exams are administered at the Bella Vista Police Department at TowneCenter at 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Details are on the club’s website, www. BellaVistaRadioClub.org, or from Tom Northfell, 479530-0967.

Coffee with Elected Officials

The City of Gravette hosts Coffee with Elected Officials from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers, located at 202 Main Street N.E. in Gravette. Guests are invited to drop by for a cup of coffee and to meet and chat with Gravette’s elected officials, including the mayor, city council members, and the city attorney. The city council convenes at 5:30 p.m., immediately following Coffee with Elected Officials. Upcoming Coffee with Elected Officials dates for 2023 are April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Neighbors for Neighbors

The Neighbors for Neighbors program in Gentry is still accepting donations to help local residents who are struggling to keep up. Non-food items, money, gift cards and personal care items may be donated by contacting the Gentry Chamber office at 479-7362358 or info@gentrychamber.com. Those needing a neighborly helping hand may contact the chamber office as well. Other dropoff locations include the Chamber office, Gentry Public Library, Gentry City Hall, and Pioneer Pizza.

Friends of Library Book Sales

Friends of the Gravette Public Library book sales will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the Friends book sale room, 407 Charlotte Street S.E. (old library building). Enter through the east door.

Sulphur Springs Library

The Sulphur Springs Library is now open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with over 4,700 books and 300 DVDs available for checkout. Membership is free for anyone with a Benton County address.

Kiwanis Meetings

Meetings of the Gravette Kiwanis Club are held at 7 a.m. on the first and third Fridays of each month in the cafeteria at Ozarks Community Hospital and are open to the public. Members are asked to park in the back parking lot and enter through the back door. Breakfast will be provided.

Lions Club Meetings

Meetings of the Gravette Lions Club are held at 12:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center. Lunch is available. Visitors are always welcome. Those needing assistance paying for eye exams or eyeglasses should call Jeff Davis at 479-250-0125 or Linda Damron at 479-2983511. The Gentry Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the McKee Room at the Gentry Public Library. Persons needing assistance paying for eye exams or glasses should call Roberta Defraga at 479445-2775.

Hot Roll Fundraiser

The Billy V. Hall Senior Activity and Wellness Center is taking orders through Wednesday, April 5, for fresh rolls for your Easter dinner. Fresh rolls from this fundraiser are being sold at $6 per dozen. Call 479787-4950 to order. Orders can be picked up on Friday, April 7, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Center, located at 1870 Limekiln Road in Gravette.