McGehee slates school board meetings
McGehee School Board meetings will be held at 5 p.m. May 20 and July 15 at the high school library. Details: (870) 222-3670 or www.mcgeheeschools.org.
Central Park neighbors to meet
The Central Park/Shady Grove Community Watch Group will meet at 6 p.m. May 9 at Family Church, 2309 S. Poplar St.
“Let’s continue to keep one of the longest established Watch Groups in our city alive! Hope to see you then,” spokeswoman Joyce C. Brown said in a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
First Ward Living Grace sets giveaway
First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry will give away Mother’s Day bags and groceries at its location at 1201 Commerce Road from 3-5 p.m. May 9. The bags of personal care products are valued at $98 each. Groceries will include hams, chicken, flour and more, according to a news release.
Raven’s Nest to give away food
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open May 11 from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
Johnny Cash topic at DAR
The Pine Bluff – John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1:30 p.m. May 21 at the Lakeside United Methodist Church Center, 1500 S. Laurel St.
The program will be “The Johnny Cash Statue in the Capitol’s Statutory Hall in Washington, D.C.” The presenter will be Rita and Wayne Cash of Pine Bluff, who are relatives of Johnny Cash. The hostesses of the meeting will be Sabrina Self and Claire Holmes, according to a news release.
Christian Women’s Connection sets lunch
The Christian Women’s Connection invites the community to its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.
The speaker will be Pat Smith of Lancaster, Texas, an educator and author of “Roots and Branches,” her memoirs.
At the luncheon, Smith will discuss “Finding Pearls” and give an art presentation, according to a news release.
Although she dropped out of high school at 17, Smith now holds her master’s degree in business and human relations. She was the rehabilitation specialist at Cedar Valley College and is now retired from teaching.
Smith is also a member of the Ellis County Art Association, where she offers art classes. She loves all colors and finds inspiration everywhere. She paints, sculpts and creates art. She will demonstrate how to create art, which is symbolic of how God has brought beauty from difficult events in her life, according to the release.
The luncheon costs $21, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. 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 not kept.
Smith’s memoirs, “Roots and Branches,” is available for purchase at Amazon and other outlets, according to the release.
Area Agency sets fan drive
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host its Beat the Heat Annual Fan Drive May 18 through June 29 in Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Lincoln and Jefferson counties.
People who want to donate a fan or an air conditioner should call the agency in their area. All donations will remain in their designated county. For applicants to receive a fan, they must be disabled or 60 years old or older, according to a news release.
To obtain a fan, call the agency. The applicant’s name will be placed on a waiting list amd the applicant will be notified by a case manager or the coordinator on the date and time the fan may be picked up.
Distributing the fans will depend on the number of fans received. Applicants will be asked to present ID and an award letter from Social Security or Department of Human Services.
If the agency should receive any air conditioners, an applicant must have a doctor’s statement with diagnosis indicated, their ID, and an award letter. Details: Carolyn Ferguson, (870) 543-6309 or Pauline Jones, (870) 543-6313.
Super 1 observes 40th anniversary
Brookshire Grocery Co. celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Super 1 Foods banner Wednesday. The company has several stores in the Jefferson County area.
The first Super 1 Foods store opened in Alexandria, La., on May 1, 1984. In 2004, Super 1 Foods expanded into Arkansas. The 49th store will be celebrated with a grand opening May 8 in Lafayette, La., according to a news release.
“My grandparents, who founded the company, were committed to serving their neighbors and community through the grocery business,” Brad Brookshire, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a news release. “All these years later, this is still at the core of who we are and how we operate as a company. We look forward to serving customers and communities for many years to come. I am proud to see how far our Super 1 Foods banner has come and am excited for the future it will have.”