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.
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.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
King Cotton starts Dec. 27
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
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.
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.
“Get in the holiday spirit with an awe-inspiring trip through Arkansas’ largest drive-thru holiday exhibition. 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.
Aquatics Center sets Christmas event
The Pine Bluff Carl Redus Jr. Aquatics Center, 400 E. 11th Ave., will present a Christmas Extravaganza from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 16.
Residents can enjoy festive highlights such as a photo area, live music, a concession stand, goodie bags and storytime. There will also be a food demonstration, coloring time, games, prizes and an appearance by a special guest, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
Admission is just per person or free with the donation of two canned goods to help those in need. Details: (870) 850-7620.
Locals in Delta women’s academy
Twenty-five women have been selected for the inaugural class of the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy through Arkansas State University, according to a news release.
Participants include:
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Yulonda James, founder and evangelist, Great Expectations World Outreach;
ARKANSAS COUNTY — Lee Ann Blackwell-Hoskyn, director of East Arkansas operations, Express Employment Professionals; Katrina Brown, customer service manager, Entergy Arkansas;
CLEVELAND COUNTY — Jan Stephenson, director of integrated services, DePaul Community Health Centers;
DREW COUNTY — Caroline White, human resources manager, SeaArk Boats.
The participants are from 17 Arkansas Delta counties and were selected from a competitive field of applicants. The primary goal of the six sessions, which will be held in various cities, is to further develop a pipeline of talented women by equipping them with the skills and networks to become successful leaders, according to the release.
The first session will be in Jonesboro in January. The program concludes in November with a graduation ceremony. Details: astate.edu/a/deltaced/adwla.