Thanksgiving closings set
Several agencies announced the days they will be closed to observe Thanksgiving Day on Thursday.
Pine Bluff City Hall — All city of Pine Bluff offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday.
Jefferson County — Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday.
Area Agency — Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas and its senior center will be closed Thursday and Friday. Southeast Transportation (SEAT) will be running for dialysis and cancer patients’ appointments.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
CARDS Trash pickup — CARDS, the garbage collector for the city of Pine Bluff, will operate normally Wednesday. Thursday trash routes will be picked up on Friday and Friday routes will be picked up on Saturday, according to https://cardsrecycling.com/holiday-pickup-schedule/.
WM Trash pickup — For customers served by Waste Management for garbage pickup in Jefferson County, the company plans to run a normal schedule this week, according to a spokesman.
State offices — State Capitol offices and state buildings will be closed Thursday and Friday. The Capitol will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and the weekend.
WH sets Christmas Craft event
The Christmas Craft Extravaganza will be held at the James “Jitters” Morgan White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is one new, unwrapped toy or item, or any donation of your choice, according to a spokesman.
There will be more than 65 booths with stocking stuffers, including wax candles, jewelry, specialty and baked goods, wreaths, and more. For more information, contact Gina Prattsville at Gina_Prattsville@yahoo.com or at (870) 941-2337.
Chamber plans luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will conduct its December Networking Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the UAPB Small Business Incubator, 615 S. Main St.
There won’t be a speaker, but networking, according to the Chamber newsletter.
Moe’s Southwest Grill will cater the luncheon. Meals are $15 per person and can be paid for by calling the Chamber at (870) 535-0110.
ASC to feature 2026 Small Works
The Arkansas Arts Council’s annual touring visual arts exhibition, Small Works on Paper, will open Jan. 5 and will be celebrated with a free opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. The exhibition will then travel to nine other venues across Arkansas throughout the year.
Participating artists in the 2026 exhibition include Shawn Penister of Pine Bluff, according to a news release.
Guests may view the artwork in the Altheimer Gallery, experience artist talks, and have light refreshments. The artwork will remain on view through Jan. 26. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Small Works on Paper is a juried visual art exhibition that showcases artwork from Arkansas artists. The artwork can be no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches. This year’s exhibition features 40 pieces of artwork by 40 Arkansas artists.
This year’s Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Kelli Scott Kelley, an artist and professor of painting at Louisiana State University.
As the juror, Kelley reviewed more than 300 artwork entries. Of the selected pieces, two artists’ works were chosen as purchase awards and will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards equivalent to the value of their artwork.
Purchase award recipients were Melissa Lashbrook of Cabot for Putting Down Roots, and Lisa Thorpe of Little Rock for Hello Wholeness.
Waterfowler Hall of Famers named
The Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart hosted a reception Nov. 20 to announce the inductees into this year’s Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame: Brent Birch, former Gov. and Sen. Dale Bumpers, Frank Lyon Jr., David Snowden and David Snowden Jr.
An official induction ceremony will honor these individuals on May 21 at the Country Club of Little Rock. Event proceeds will benefit the Grand Prairie museum which houses the Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame. The event is organized by committee members including Chairman Jim Ronquest, Brent Birch, Greg Churan, Jeff Churan, Anne Marie Doramus, George Dunklin, Lee Ann Blackwell-Hoskyn, Gar Lile, Jenna Ronquest and Fara Foster, according to a news release.
“The Arkansas Waterfowler Hall of Fame allows us to honor the people whose passion, stewardship, and commitment have shaped Arkansas into the nation’s premier waterfowling destination,” said Ronquest. “This year’s inductees represent the very best of that tradition. Their contributions — whether in conservation, community leadership, or the advancement of our waterfowl heritage–have left a lasting impact that will benefit generations to come. We’re proud to recognize their remarkable legacies.”
The May 21 “southern comfortable” induction ceremony will include a pre-dinner reception from 6-7 p.m., live music and a live auction. Additional information and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon at waterfowlerhof.com.