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@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Underway
Lights & Legends open at Regional Park
The Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends drive-through exhibit opened at Regional Park on Nov. 29 and will remain open until Dec. 31. The display hours are from 6-9 p.m., according to the newsletter from the Pine Bluff Downtown Development. “Arkansas’ largest drive-thru holiday lights exhibition has over 240 displays, many of which are animated. Pine Bluff’s Regional Park is transformed into 1.3 miles of winter wonderland from mid-November through December,” according to ExplorePineBluff.com. Although admission is free, community volunteers accept donations at the end of the drive. Details: Regional Park, (870) 536-7600.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Macedonia church honors pastor, wife
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church at Varner will celebrate the sixth anniversary of the pastor and wife, the Rev. Jarrett and Connie Miles, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. All are invited to join in the praise and worship. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Walter Witherspoon III of True Harvest Baptist Church of Dumas. The Rev. Phillip Puckett is the worship leader.
Kingdom Builders program set
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will conduct its Kingdom Builders Program at 6 p.m. Sunday. The featured speaker will be Sam Gibson, a deacon at New Community. The pastor/apostle is Patrick Lockett.
Monday, Dec. 18
McGehee School Board to meet
McGehee School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at the high school library. The agenda includes recognition of Students of the Month, awards, invoices and financial statement, student academic data or performance information, administrators’ reports, and executive session, according to a news release.
PB school board to meet
The Pine Bluff School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in the district’s Jordan-Chanay Building, 1215 W. Pullen St. Details: (870) 543-4203.
Downtown officials to retire
A retirement celebration honoring Executive Director Joy Blankenship and Barbara Ann Hollis of the Pine Bluff Downtown Development will be held from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 18. The drop-in event will be held at the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, 510 S. Main St. The community is invited to attend, according to the PBDD newsletter.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Urban Renewal board to meet
Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency’s Monthly Board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Details: (870) 209-0323.
Pine Bluff Quilters Guild to meet
The Pine Bluff Quilters Guild will meet at at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4200 Old Warren Road. December’s program will be “unwrap the plastic wrap ball.” Members are reminded to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the local food pantries and that memberships are due in January. The Christmas luncheon will be provided by the guild, according to a news release.
Taylor Field sets holiday event
Christmas at Taylor Field, 1201 E. 16th Ave., will be held from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 19. The community is invited to attend this second annual celebration, according to the Pine Bluff Downtown Development newsletter.
DAR meeting set
The Pine Bluff-John McAlmont Chapter of the DAR will meet at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Lakeside United Methodist Church Center, 1500 S. Olive St. The program will be “Songs of Christmas Past,” and the speaker will be Allison Holland, DAR Docent, according to a news release.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Housing board to meet
The Housing Authority of the city of Pine Bluff will hold its scheduled board of commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Colonial Steakhouse, according to a news release.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. 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 should be submitted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com or shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, Dec. 21
A&P commission to meet
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the A&P Office, 623 S. Main St. Details: Betty Brown, A&P administrative assistant, (870) 534-2121.
JRMC sets blood drive
Jefferson Regional Medical Center will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the south classrooms 2 and 3. A photo ID is required, according to a news release. Walk-ins are welcome, however to make appointments, call 877-340-8777 or visit the Our Blood Institute website at obi.org.
Christian women set luncheon
The Christian Women’s Connection will hold its luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The speaker will be Shelia Pitt Nelson of Pine Bluff. Her topic will be “Christmas Thoughts and Interviews.” The Webb Sisters, a Gospel singing group of Pine Bluff, will sing, according to a news release. The luncheon costs $21, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. Everyone is invited to attend. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance. Participants will be charged for reservations that aren’t kept.
Friday, Dec. 22
1st Ward pantry sets giveaway, parade
The First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will host its 2023 Christmas Giveaway and Parade from 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 22. The parade honors the Pine Bluff High School Football Team, the 2023 5A Conference Champs. The parade will include the PBHS Dance team and cheerleaders, according to a news release. The event also recognizes Bill and Shari Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin. Details: Debra Allen, First Ward Living Grace executive director, (479) 301-1096.
Sunday, Dec. 24
Amos Chapel hosts Christmas event, portraits
Amos Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 1307 W. 16th Ave., will hold its annual Christmas Program at 11 a.m. Dec. 24 during morning worship service. Children will offer speeches and recitals as the church celebrates the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Also, Amos Chapel invites the community to have their pictures taken by MG Photography Services from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 24. Family or individual photos can be taken. They will offer 4X6 prints for $10. The deadline to RSVP is Dec. 19. Details: Dee Clay, (870) 872-2361.
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 27
King Cotton tournament set
The King Cotton Holiday Classic high school basketball tournament will be held Dec. 27-29 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Both Pine Bluff High School and White Hall High School will be among the teams participating. The King Cotton tournament brings teams from all over the country to the Convention Center. Sixteen teams compete over the three-day tournament, according to a news release. For ticket information and more details, visit www.kingcottonclassic.org.
Sunday, Dec. 31
New Community presents Watch Night
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will celebrate Watch Night at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Prayer begins at 6 p.m. The community is invited to attend. The pastor/apostle, Patrick Lockett, will bring the message.
Through Sunday, Dec. 31
Comprehensive Care sets free exams
To commemorate World Aids Day, Jefferson Comprehensive Care System Inc. will provide free primary care exams from now until Dec. 31 at the JCCSI clinics in Pine Bluff, Altheimer, Redfield, and other communities. An HIV blood test will be included in the exam, according to a news release. Participants should call to make an appointment for free exams at these sites: Pine Bluff Clinic, 1101 S. Tennessee St., (870) 543-2380; Redfield Clinic, (501) 397-2261; Altheimer Clinic; (870) 766-8411; Arkansas Baptist College Clinic; (501) 737-2014; College Station Clinic, (501) 490-2440; Little Rock Clinic, (501) 663-0055; and North Little Rock Clinic, (501) 812-0225.
Thursday, Jan. 4
Area Agency sets blanket drive
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, 709 E. Eighth Ave., will host the Share the Warmth Blanket Drive in Jefferson County from Dec. 4 through Jan. 4. The purpose of the drive is obtain blankets to donate to individuals who are elderly or disabled to keep them warm this winter, according to a news release. For more information call Carolyn Ferguson, (870) 543-6309 or Pauline Jones 543-6313 at Area Agency.
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 6
Blues concert series set
The “Blues By Budweiser” concert series will be back for a second season. In collaboration with MK Distributors and RJ’s Grill & Bar, Port City Blues Society will again host live blues concerts the first Saturday of the month at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. It’s a $5 cover charge for non-members. The 2023-2024 concerts include: Jan. 6, 2024 — Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain; and Feb. 3 — Chad Marshall Band. Details: pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.
Through Monday, Jan. 8
NAACP seeks students for academic contests
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP ACT-SO Committee is accepting applications for the 2023-24 program year. ACT-SO, which stands for Afro-Academics, Cultural, Technological, & Scientific Olympics, is a youth initiative of the NAACP. The program, created in 1978 by noted journalist Vernon Jarrett, is dedicated to achieving academic excellence for African American high school students, according to a news release. The committee will accept applications from students enrolled in Watson Chapel, White Hall, and Pine Bluff high schools. First place winners may attend the national contests in Las Vegas in July. Students interested in participating can call Maryann Lee at (870) 718-5330 or Michael McCray at (870) 543-0024 or email Lee at mizmaryann@gmail.com. The deadline for returning the application is Jan. 8, 2024. Competitions will begin in March 2024.
Through Wednesday, Jan. 10
Kingfest marade applications available
Applications are available for the 40th annual Original KingFest™ Celebration Marade in downtown Pine Bluff at 2 p.m. Jan. 15. The application deadline is Jan. 10. The theme is “Living the Dream through Unity in the Community.” Using the theme, Marade participants should display messages on floats, cars, banners, and signs. Awards will be given for the most provocative banner, poster, or float using the Marade theme. Bands can also participate in the “Ninth Annual MLK KINGFEST Lorenzo Smith Battle of the Bands.” Applications are available by emailing a request to pbicvr@aol.com or by visiting the PBICVR office at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., Suite 109 between 10 a.m. and noon. Volunteer opportunities are available for marade workers. Details: (870) 730-1131.
Beginning Friday, Jan. 12
Artist INC LIVE free seminars set
The Arkansas Arts Council will sponsor Artist INC LIVE, an eight-week professional development session for Pine Bluff, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance. People are urged to join local creatives Jan. 12-14 in virtual, three-day workshops to learn what it takes to succeed in a creative field. Registration and participation is free. The sessions address the specific professional challenges creatives in all disciplines face. The organizer waves the $150 participation fee. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 11. To register for the free professional development sessions or for details, visit https://www.maaa.org/event/artist-inc-express-arkansas-statewide-virtual-2/
Saturday, Jan. 13
Gillett to host Coon Supper
The Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Club will host the 80th annual Coon Supper at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Gillett High School Gymnasium. The club continues to use all proceeds from the Coon Supper to fund scholarships and will award more scholarships to seniors graduating in 2024, according to a news release. The event will be attended by many national, state and local politicians, and people from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. For ticket information, contact Larry Bauer at (870) 830-4002, or write to P.O. Box 577, Gillett, AR, 72055. For program information contact Wes Long at (870) 830-0160.
Pre-Coon Supper reception set
The 12th annual Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett. The 80th Gillett Coon Supper will follow at the Gillett School Gymnasium at 6 p.m. Jan. 13, according to a news release. Tickets are $50 each to the pre-supper reception. Tickets to the Coon Supper may be purchased by contacting Larry Bauer at (870) 830-4002. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Becky Barnes Campbell at (501) 912-7560 or Gabe Holmstrom at (479) 409-3329.
Through Saturday, Jan. 13
USDA extends deadline for discrimination form
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the deadline for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program from Oct. 31, 2023 to Jan. 13, 2024. The new deadline will give eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners more time to apply for assistance, according to a news release. This program delivers on Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides financial assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.
Beginning Sunday, Jan. 14
Pizza and Prayer set
Prayer and Pizza for children will be held from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 14 at St. Peter’s Rock Missionary Baptist Church and Feb. 11 at New Community Church. The group will serve pizza, sponsored by area businesses, and intercessors will pray and encourage the youth. These monthly sessions will continue at various churches. “Please join the movement through prayer for our children,” said Dee Clay, organizer. The event is free and open to the general public. Pastors and youth leaders are urged to participate.
Saturday, Feb. 10
WH police plan ball
The White Hall Police Officer’s Association will present Hollywood Nights, the 2024 Policemen’s Ball. The gala will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the White Hall Community Center. The event will be catered by Fowl Smokin’ Swine and the entertainment will be provided by Aces Wild Band, according to the flier on the White Hall Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page. For details, tickets or to reserve a table, call (870) 247-1414.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Jefferson Foundation sets gala
Jefferson Regional Foundation will host the Winter Wonderland Ball 2024 at the White Hall Community Center on Feb. 24. The cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. followed by entertainment, according to a news release. Details: Laura Beth Shaner, (870) 541-7210.
Underway
Covid-19 vaccines, testing available
The Arkansas Department of Health, various pharmacies and healthcare providers offer the covid-19 vaccine, tests and other information about coronavirus. Details: Call the Arkansas Department of Health at (800) 985-6030, visit the website at healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan or contact area medical professionals, according to spokesmen.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian offers free financial classes
Unity Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC), 2712 S. Bay St., invites the community to its free Small Business and Personal Financial Education classes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Recent subjects included “The Importance of Having a Financial Plan” and “Financial Literacy,” according to Stuff in the Bluff website. “You cannot afford to miss out on these life-changing classes. We are practicing social distancing and will have hand sanitizer wipes available,” according to the site. Anthony Armstrong is the senior pastor. Details: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or (870) 329-1182.