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.
Monday, July 21
Caregivers meeting set
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will conduct its Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting from 11 a.m. to noon July 21. The speaker will be Carolyn Ferguson, Area Agency’s officer of community services, who will discuss the agency’s services, according to a news release. To join the Teams Meeting virtually, use Meeting ID: 247 182 956 690 3 and Passcode: 6s3JA9Yy or call +1 312-625-2266,,477837334# Details: Carolyn Ferguson, (870) 543-6309.
Beginning Monday, July 21
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAM plans registration event
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a fall 2025 class registration event July 21-22 for all new and returning students. On both days, in-person registration will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and virtual registration will be open from 5-7 p.m., according to a news release. Any student who plans to attend UAM’s Monticello campus, the UAM College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) or the UAM College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM) is invited to register on the campus they plan to attend. Visit https://www.uamont.edu/admissions/recruitment.html to RSVP to register for classes. Details: UAM Office of Admissions at admissionsoffice@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1026.
St. John plans Vacation Bible School
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen Ave., will conduct its annual Vacation Bible School from 5-8 p.m. July 21-25. The Rev. Charlene N. Boone is the pastor. VBS is for chilren 3 years and older and for adults. This annual Christian education program is offered to St. John’s members and the public. The theme will be “Growing with Jesus: The Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23.) There will be lessons, role-playing, games, crafts, movies and songs. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is open until July 18. Participants may register on the St. John AME Church Pine Bluff’s Facebook page or by using this link.
Wednesday, July 23
ARDOT to cut ribbon in Monticello
Arkansas Department of Transportation leaders and local officials will meet in Monticello at 11 a.m. July 23 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Scogin Drive Extension. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at Monticello Elementary School, 1037 Scogin Drive at Monticello. At the conclusion of the ceremony, officials will cut a ribbon at the roundabout at Scogin Drive and Jordan Drive. This project constructed a new railroad overpass and two roundabouts – one at the Scogin Drive and Highway 83 Spur (Jordan Drive) intersection and one at the Scogin Drive and Old Warren Road intersection – which will ensure smooth and efficient traffic flow, according to a news release.
UAM sets educator workshop
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources will host a Project Learning Tree professional development workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 23. “Explore Your Environment,” is a workshop that offers interactive opportunities for both formal and informal educators to deepen their understanding of nature and environmental education, according to a news release. Participants will receive PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide, which includes 50 hands-on lessons covering topics such as forests, wildlife, water, energy, climate science and more. The cost to attend is $10, payable on the day of the workshop by cash or credit card. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch. To register, email Traci Rushing at trushing@uada.edu and include your name and phone number. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Wednesday, July 23
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, July 24
Career fair set in White Hall
The Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County will host a Manufacturing Made Easy Career Fair. The career fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road. Admission is free for job seekers. Participating companies include Arkansas Mill Supply, Central Moloney Inc., Suzano, and The Strong Co. Inc., according to a flier. Organizers are still accepting registrations from companies. Details: Felicia Wall, (870) 535-0110 or www.jeffersoncountyalliance.com.
Beginning Friday, July 25
UAPB plans new student orientation
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will kick off new student orientation (NSO) sessions Friday to welcome the fall 2025 class. The sessions include lunch and optional tours. All activities will take place in Henderson-Young Hall, according to a news release. The NSO sessions will include July 25, Aug. 8, and Aug. 20 (during Welcome Week). Each NSO date will include a Meet the Campus Team and Meet Your Academic Advisor session, covering what to expect, new student basics, and class schedules, as well as a Q&A session with campus administrators. Basic Academic Services will advise students with fewer than 30 college credit hours. Students with 30 or more credit hours will be advised by their academic department/major advisor. NSO is mandatory for all new and transfer students. Students must be fully admitted to register for the orientation. To register, visit UAPB.edu or call the admission office, (870) 575-8492. For details, email rigginsc@uapb.edu or call (870) 575-8732.
Saturday, July 26
First Ward pantry gala sold out
First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry has sold out tickets for the annual Black Tie Fundraiser at 7 p.m. July 26 at Sahara Temple, 820 S. Main St., according to a news release. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward the pantry’s mission of feeding those in need. This year the honoree is Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr.
Sunday, July 27
New Community hosts Kingdom Builders
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will host its Kingdom Builders program at 6 p.m. July 27. The featured speaker will be Pam Neal, a long-time educator, business woman, and member of New Community. The church also is hosting fundraisers until September. On Sundays, breakfast will be available for $5 or $6.50 with coffee or juice, served before and after the church’s 8 a.m. service. Also, Sundays after the 11 a.m. service, dinners will be available for $10.
Barraque hosts FRANgelism
Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen Ave., is hosting “FRANgelism” throughout July. “Simply put, FRANgelism is evangelism to our Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors,” according to a news release. Each Sunday, invitations are extended to family, friends and colleagues to attend worship at 11 a.m. All are welcomed to attend FRANgelism. The schedule includes: July 27 — Neighbors. The Rev. Sidney D. Milton Sr. is the pastor.
Through Thursday, July 31
Registry seeks state women artists
The Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (ACNMWA) is accepting applications for its biennial Juried Artist Registry of Arkansas women artists. The application is available on the ACNMWA website at www.acnmwa.org/programs/juried-artist-registry. The deadline to apply is July 31 and there is a $20 entry fee. The application is open to all artists who are residents of Arkansas at the time of application. The registry will be featured on the ACNWMA website from October 2025 to October 2027, according to a news release.
Beginning Saturday, Aug. 2
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: Aug. 2 — Kent Burnside Band; Sept. 6 — Big Al & The Heavy Weights; Oct. 4 — Garry Burnside Band; Nov. 1 — Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Moscow church observes 138th anniversary
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moscow will celebrate its 138th Anniversary at 2 p.m. Aug. 3. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Lee Whitiker, pastor of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, accompanied by his congregation. The Rev. Stanley R. Blair Sr. is pastor of New Hope church.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Chamber announces luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. The speaker will be Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., according to the Chamber newsletter. Lunch will be catered by Simmons Cafe. The cost is $15 and must be paid in advance. Details: The Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Beginning Friday, Aug. 8
Dollarway ’75 Class sets reunion
The Dollarway High School Class of 1975 is planning its 50th class reunion and all members are encouraged to participate. Aug. 8 — the meet n’ greet will be held from 5-10 p.m. at the John W. Fallis Waterfront Facility in Pine Bluff Regional Park. T-shirts will be distributed during the meet n’ greet and members are urged to place T-shirt orders now. The meet n’ greet is for adults only, according to a news release.Aug. 9 — The class picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the waterfront facility in Regional Park. The grill master will be Dollarway’s own William “Bill” Sprinkle. Ages 5 and younger can attend free. Aug. 9 — DHS Class of 1975 Prom/Banquet will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight at the waterfront facility, for adults only. The dress code is semi-formal and colors are red, white and black. Aug. 10 — The church fellowship will be 10 a.m. at Family Church, 2309 S. Poplar St., where Elder Roosevelt Brown is the pastor. Joyce C. Williams Brown is the reunion facilitator. Details: (870) 692-2543.
Through Friday, Aug. 15
Community foundation offers grants
Nonprofits in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County can apply for Giving Tree Grants through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation (PBACF), an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted between now and Aug. 15 at arcf.org/givingtree. Any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital in Jefferson County is eligible to apply. Grants are not made to individuals or small businesses, according to a news release.
Friday, Aug. 29
Alumni offer scholarships
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter is offering scholarships. The deadline to apply is Aug. 29. The chapter will hold its 2025 scholarship gala at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Proceeds will go to the scholarship fund, according to a news release. The scholarships are available only to students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50. Eight scholarships of $1,000 per award will be presented. Submit your application to walkert@uapb.edu or deliver in person to: Dr. Tanya S. Walker, Scholarship Chairperson, UAPB – Corbin Hall Office 100. Details: Tanya Walker, (870) 575-8718; Chapter President Mary Liddell, (870) 643-2383.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Taste of PB, business pitch event set
The 1899 Project will present the Taste of Pine Bluff and $10,000 Pitch Competition from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 6 at the ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. “Get ready for an unforgettable night of flavor, innovation and community unity,” according to a news release on Stuff in The Bluff.com. There will be sample dishes from Pine Bluff’s food vendors, entertainment, and networking opportunities. The event is is free and open to the general public. To attend, see details on Eventbrite. Sponsors include U.S. Bank, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, Sept. 12
UAPB alumni plan scholarship gala
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter’s 2025 Scholarship Gala will be held Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The center has a clear bag policy, according to the news release. The theme of the gala is Journey of Knowledge: Empowering Minds, Igniting Futures. This event will recognize some outstanding community partners while the proceeds will reward some deserving University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students (including 2025 graduates of Jefferson County high schools,) according to a news release. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 per table. Tickets may be purchased from 3-5 p.m. July 2 in the UAPB Football Stadium breezeway or during the chapter meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 8 at the Pine Bluff Public Library, 600 S. Main St. Contact the following for tickets, to submit print ready ads for the souvenir booklet, payments and donations: Shannon Hendrix (870) 718-3472 or (870) 692-3099. Checks are payable to PBJC UAPB AM&N Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 9288, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. All monies for tickets and ads are due by Aug. 15.
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 9
UAPB 1975 Class sets 50th reunion
The AM&N/University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Class of 1975 will host its 50th class reunion during UAPB’s Homecoming 2025. Reunion activities will include an invitation to the donor’s banquet on Oct. 9; recognition during the annual homecoming alumni assembly; banquet/gala on Oct. 10 from 6-9 p.m. in the STEM Building at UAPB; the annual homecoming parade and the football game. To sustain the class scholarship fund, each class member is asked to donate $1,000 to the Class of 1975 Scholarship Endowment Fund, according to a news release. The reunion registration form and donor form can be accessed via the AM&N/UAPB Class of 1975 Facebook page under “files” or members can email uapbclassof1975@swbell.net for additional information.