DAR to meet
The Pine Bluff-John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Lakeside United Methodist Church Center, 1500 S. Laurel St. The program will be “The Saracen Nation in Arkansas,” according to a news release.
St. John to give away food
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will give away food boxes to those in need Saturday from 9 a.m. until all food has been distributed.
State ID’s are required to receive one box per family. Pickup will be in front of the church on Cherry Street. For safety reasons, recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles and open their trunks, according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The church’s Soul Food for the Mind, Body, and Spirit Feeding Ministry is presenting the program along with community partners, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
To help support the Feeding Ministry, participants may mail financial support to: St. John AME Church-Feeding Ministry, 1117 W. Pullen St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, or electronically through Givelify St John AME Pine Bluff. To volunteer, email Pearl Matlock at pearl1948@sbcglobal.net. The Rev. Chestine Sims Jr. is the pastor.
VA Regional Office expands hours
The Little Rock VA Regional Office expanded service hours at its satellite location at the John L. McClellan VA Medical Center, in Room 1C-151B at the VA Medical Center on 4300 W. Seventh St. in Little Rock.
The satellite location is now open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to further assist veterans, spouses, and survivors with their VA benefits, according to a news release.
“We listened to our veterans and heard they wanted these extended hours,” said Public Affairs Officer Jay K. Mergenschroer. “A claims representative will now be at the VA hospital all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a convenient and easy location for veterans to use because they are already there for other VA services.”
VA Regional Offices provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents. This includes disability compensation, survivor’s benefits, pension and fiduciary service, education and training, vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, life insurance coverage, and home loan guaranties. Details: http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or (800)-827-1000.
Pruning workshop set March 6
The art of pruning — knowing what and how to cut — is a key component to growing healthy, productive fruits, nuts and berries, according to a news release.
Horticulture experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be demonstrating proper pruning techniques on March 6 during a workshop at the Fruit Research Station, 1749 State Highway 818, near Clarksville. The workshop runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $20 and registration deadline is March 1.
For more info contact Meredith Crawford at mcrawford@uada.edu or (479) 754-2406. Participants may register at https://aaes.uada.edu/events/2024-field-days/fruit-pruning-field-day/
“Nutrients and protection from pests are only part of the equation for growing healthy and productive specialty crops,” said Jackie Lee, resident director of the Fruit Research Station, part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “Our hands-on workshop is for fruit and pecan growers who want to sharpen their pruning skills for better plant growth and yields.”
The workshop will demonstrate pruning techniques for peaches, blackberries, muscadines/grapes, blueberries and pecans.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.