Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com or use our newsroom email pbcnews@adgnewsroom.com to make additions or changes.
Saturday, Oct. 25
Drug Take Back Day set
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will host a Drug Take Back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Super 1 Foods, 2800 S.Hazel St. Similar events are being held throughout the state. Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership and Arkansas State Drug Director’s Office will join the local event. Throughout the day, the community is encouraged to drop off unused and expired medications for safe, anonymous disposal, according to a news release. Details: ARDrugTakeBack.org.
New United sets fall festival
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
New United Missionary Baptist Church, 5601 Cheatham St., will conduct a fall festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release. The Rev. Woodrow Jackson Sr. is the pastor.
Audubon School sets fest
The Audubon School, 2206 Ridgway Road, will host the third annual Fall Fest at 6 p.m. Oct. 25. The event will include a cake walk, bean bag toss, face painting, music, and refreshments, according to a flier.
TOPPS to teach youth sewing
TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Drive, will host a sewing class for ages 8-18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25. Lunch will be served. The course is free and each participant will take away a completed project, according to a news release. For details or to register, call TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.
NAACP Drew County banquet set
Two-time Emmy Award-winning producer Raya Clay and award-winning comedian Nate Williams will highlight the NAACP Drew County Branch’s 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s University Center Green Room. The doors open at 4 p.m. Clay, of Los Angeles, will be the speaker. Williams, of Little Rock, will provide the entertainment with his comedy set. Tickets for the event are $50 each. Tables of eight and 10 are available, as well as souvenir book ads. Details: naacp6042@gmail.com or visit dcnaacp6042.org/events.
Sunday, Oct. 26
St. John observes anniversary
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will celebrate its 156th Anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday. The church invites the community to attend. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Sherita Moon Seawright, the Episcopal supervisor for the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and wife of Bishop Harry Seawright, according to a news release.
Breath of Life observes anniversary
Breath of Life Church, 1313 S Pine St., will celebrate its 42nd Anniversary at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The theme will be “Honoring Those Whose Shoulders We Stood On.” The speaker will be Kymara H. Seals, the policy director of the non-profit Arkansas Public Policy Panel, which addresses social and economic issues.
Eighth Avenue hosts anniversary
Eighth Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 1200 W. Eighth Ave., invites all members, former members and friends to join the 127th Anniversary at 3 p.m. Oct. 26. The guest speaker will be the Rev. M. Kriston Wilson, pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Kirby L. Gulley is the pastor of Eighth Avenue.
Barraque church hosts Women’s Day
Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen St., will present its Annual Women’s Day at 11 a.m. Oct. 26. The guest speaker will be Karres Manning-Center. She is a member of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church. The theme is “Crowned with Grace, Walking in Strength” (Proverbs 31:25.) The choir director will be Pamela Ervin. Choir rehearsal dates are Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
Civic panel to meet
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission meeting will be held in person and via Zoom on Tuesday at noon. Participants are asked to RSVP to confirm attendance. To attend by conference call, dial (978) 990-5002 with access code: 7020010, according to a news release. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
The Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesdays. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, Oct. 30
Health agency plans fall festival
ArchWell Health, 2801 S. Olive St., will present a fall festival from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 30. People are urged to join the agency and other vendors for people 60 and older to discover local resources available as well as visit with other residents. Refreshments will be served and participants may wear costumes, according to a flier. To RSVP or for details, contact Sarah Ann Bost (501) 484-9552 or sarahann.bost@archwellhealth.com.
Free shredding event set
A free fall shredding event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at Saracen Landing. People can shred old papers safely and securely. There’s a limit of 10 boxes per person and items must be sorted and metal free, according to a flier. The event is hosted by the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean and Beautiful Commission. Details: Kelli Kennedy, Clean and Beautiful director, (870) 543-4901 or cbcommissionpb@gmail.com.
Friday, Oct. 31
Pantry to give lunch to first responders
The First Ward Living Grace Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will give a free hot lunch to first responders from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 31. All first responders are invited to join the pantry for lunch. “This is our way of saying thank you to the everyday heroes who protect and serve our city and surrounding areas,” said Executive Director Debra Strickland Allen of the First Ward Living Grace Pantry. “Their commitment to safety, courage, and community deserves recognition and gratitude.”
Police change site of Fall Festival
The Pine Bluff Police Department’s annual Fall Festival will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at 120 W. Fifth Ave. (former Bank of America building) at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Pine Street. There will be food, prizes, games and other activities. Attendees are welcome to wear family-appropriate costumes to the event, according to a news release. Details: (870) 730-2042.
Shekinah Glory sets fall festival
Shekinah Glory Global Ministries, 1800 W. 73rd Ave., will hold a fall festival from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31. The community is invited to attend. There will be music, food, candy and more, according to a flier.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 31
Stuttgart church sets fall fest
A fall fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at First Christian Church in Stuttgart. There will be craft vendors, a soup and chili luncheon, bake sale, silent auction and other activities, according to a news release. To rent a table or for more details, call Jeannie Teaney at (870) 267-8450.
Through Friday, Oct. 31
EHC set pecan fundraiser
The Jefferson County Extension Homemakers are selling pecans and chocolate covered peanuts, according to a news release. The fundraiser includes: 1 pound bag of Fancy Mammoth (Georgia) Pecan Halves for $15; 1 pound bag chocolate double-dipped peanuts for $15; and New Holiday Foods Cookbooks for $5. All orders must be placed and paid for by Oct. 31. Forms can be picked up at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office, 500 Idaho St. EHC members will call participants when the pecans and peanuts arrive. Details: Brenda Robinson, Jefferson County EHC president-elect and pecan sale chairman at (870) 540-6970.
Great Arkansas Cleanup set
Keep Arkansas Beautiful has opened registration for the 2025 Great Arkansas Cleanup, Arkansas’ largest fall community improvement initiative. The campaign runs through Oct. 31. KAB asks Arkansans to do their part and help the agency reach its goal of having all 75 counties participate again this year. Volunteers, including civic groups, businesses, local governments and individuals, are encouraged to register their cleanup events at www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com to receive free supplies such as trash bags, gloves, safety vests and shirts while supplies last.
Saturday, Nov. 1
Agri Hall of Fame seeks nominees
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its next class of inductees. The nomination deadline is Nov. 1. The Agriculture Hall of Fame recognizes Arkansans who have contributed significantly to the state’s largest industry while spotlighting their contributions to the state’s economic development. Since its first class was selected in 1987, a total of 198 men and women have been inducted, according to a news release. Debbie Moreland, chair of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, says anyone can nominate a person believed worthy of the honor. The nomination form is available at https://www.arkansasaghalloffame.org/pages/member-nomination-form/. Forms can also be requested by calling (501) 228-1609.
Blues by Budweiser concerts set
The 2025 Blues by Budweiser concert series will be held at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members, according to a news release. The line-up includes Nov. 1 — Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain, who have won numerous blues competitions across the mid-south. The concert series is sponsored by MK Distributors.
Sunday, Nov. 2
Judah honors bishop and wife
Judah Restoration Worship Center, 2401 S. Main St., will celebrate the 33rd Pastoral Anniversary of the bishop and wife, Esau Watson Jr. and Paula Watson, on Nov. 2. At 11 a.m., the featured speaker will be the Rev. Darrell Martin. At 3 p.m., the guest speaker will be the bishop, Anthony Martin.
New Faith honors pastor, wife
New Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Fir St., will celebrate the 14th Pastoral Anniversary of the Rev. S.E. and Cassandra Shaw at 3 p.m. Nov. 2. The Rev. Silas Roaf Sr., pastor of St. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker and the Rev. William A. Shaw, pastor of Pleasant View Ministries, will be the worship leader. Music will be featured by the Mt. Nebo Mass Choir. This year’s theme is “Guided by Grace, Leading with Love” (Jeremiah 3:15), according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
Friday, Nov. 7
EHC Holiday Foods Show set
The annual Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Holiday Foods Show will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 412 W. Sixth Ave. The doors will open at 9 a.m. Tickets are $25 and are available by texting (870) 718-1846 or contacting any Jefferson County Extension Homemaker for assistance in getting tickets, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Nov. 7
AGFC offers schools grants
More than three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools to teach conservation education this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities. All wildlife and fishing fine money collected last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants that teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their schools, according to a news release. Teachers and administrators have until Nov. 7 to apply for a conservation education grant at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant.
Saturday, Nov. 8
WHHS JROTC dinner, auction set
The White Hall High School Junior ROTC Booster Club will host its Fall Dinner and Auction from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 8 at White Hall Community Center. Dinner will be catered by Texas Roadhouse and participants may choose steak or chicken, according to the flier. “Support our cadets — strengthen our program,” the flier said. Tickets are $25 each. Tickets won’t be sold at the door. Details: White Hall High School, (870) 247-3255 or see Facebook.
Saturday, Nov. 15
Vaughns to lead Veterans Parade
U.S. veteran and Tuskegee Airman Thomas Franklin Vaughns has been named the grand marshal for the Pine Bluff Regional Veterans Parade, scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 15 in downtown Pine Bluff.
Sponsors include the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Arsenal, city of Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Convention Center, MK Distributors, Pine Bluff Military and Veterans Museum, Saracen Casino Resort and ExplorePineBluff.com.
Through Saturday, Nov. 15
Brian Wolf exhibit on display
The ARTx3 Campus is hosting the 24-piece exhibition “Strange Awakening” by Brian Wolf at the Loft Gallery at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. “Strange Awakening,” his latest body of work, is the culmination of self-discovery, acceptance and artistic transformation that began in 2023. “Strange Awakening” will be on view through Nov. 15 by appointment. The exhibition is sponsored by the Kline Family Foundation, according to a news release.