COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Community meeting in Kansas, Okla.

Delaware County, Okla., Commissioner Danny Duncan will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Northeast Technology Center in Kansas, Okla. This meeting was rescheduled from Oct. 11. Duncan will discuss county government, road issues, bridge construction and the future New Life Ranch Road asphalt overlay scheduled for 2016. He will also discuss funding and equipment issues that the county barn faces. Duncan will take questions from the public at the meeting. The commissioner’s office can be reached 918-253-4432.

Dinner and silent auction

VFW Post 1674 will host a barbecue dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26. The price per person will be $6, and it will be all you can eat. Banjo’s BBQ in Siloam Springs will provide the meal. A silent auction will take place after the meal. Merchandise and services from area businesses with be up for bid. All proceeds will go to the post’s general fund. Those interested in donating something for the event can call post commander Thomas Flatt at 479-220-0380.

Siloam Music Festival Series Fall Concert

Fall Concert - produced by the Siloam Music Festival Series, and headlined by internationally known saxophonist Grady Nichols, a Siloam native, with two gospel choirs and more than 50 local talented musicians - will be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, at Camp Siloam Auditorium, formerly the Baptist Assembly. Organizers say they’re going all out on this one to ensure great variety. Visit SiloamMusicFestival.com for more details.

Free flu shots

The Arkansas Department of Health will provide no-out-of-pocket-cost flu vaccines to anyone from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Community Christian Fellowship Church at Lincoln and Main streets. Volunteers are needed. Call 479-549-3794 for more information.

Share the Warmth coat drive

Two businesses and a church are accepting new and gently worn coats and sweaters of all sizes to distribute to those in need during the cold weather.

Donations can be leftat the office of Dr. Susan Vaughan, 820 Stateline Road; Snappy Dry Cleaners, 618 S. Holly St.; or at Eastgate Church of Christ, 1997 Highway 412 East, until Dec. 15.

Items will be cleaned by Snappy Dry Cleaners and distributed at Clothing Give-A-Way from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the first and third Fridays of each month at Eastgate Church of Christ.

Items also will be offered to nursing home residents and to students at local schools.

More information is available by calling Joyce at 918-422-5811.

Trick or treat downtown

Main Street’s Annual Downtown Trick or Treat will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, with a costume contest at 5:30 p.m. on Broadway Street.

Businesses or organizations that would like to be included in the event should call Main Street Siloam Springs for an application: 479-524-4556 or via email at info@mainstreetsiloam. org. Main Street is also seeking out organizations that would like to provide fun, carnival-style games on Broadway during the event. Examples include corn hole/bean bag toss, dunk tanks, etc.

Free eye screenings for veterans

Dr. John A. Billingsley, III, ophthalmologist at Legacy Eye Center, is offering free eye screenings to area veterans. Veterans interested in a free screening may call 479-524-6115 to schedule a time. Legacy Eye Center is located at 500 S. Mt. Olive, Suite 102, in Siloam Springs.

Christmas gift bazaar

The second annual Christmas Gift Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Community Christian Fellowship located at the intersection of Lincoln and East Main Street. There are still a few booth spaces available but they are likely to fill up fast. Call 524-4011 or email [email protected] for a vendor form or for more information. Booth fee is $30. This is a fundraiser for the Siloam Springs Heritage Festival, which is organized by the Siloam Springs Museum on the fourth Saturday in June.

Square Dance Club

The Ark-oma Whirlaways Square Dance Club is offering an introduction to square dancing lessons at 7 p.m., on Tuesdays at the Community Christian Fellowship Church at 525 S. Lincoln. Dress is casual and music is modern. Everyone is welcome, couples or singles. Partners will be provided for lessons if needed. Lessons are $5.

They began on Sept. 10 and will run for 12 weeks. For more information call Gary and Darlene at 479-824-3950 or Roger and Debbie at 479-848-2991.

Volunteer tutors needed

Dogwood Literacy Council is in urgent need of about five new volunteer tutors. Most volunteers meet their student/students for two hours, twice a week.

Classes meet any time between 8 am until 8 pm - the actual time being determined by when both tutor and student is available. Tutoring is a very rewarding activity for the tutor and an enormous blessing to the student.

Students are all adults who really want to learn English or improve their English, and this can make a significant improvement in the lives of those students who attend faithfully. The Literacy Council’s tutors ranging in age from 18 to 85, and in education from a high school diploma to a doctorate degree. Tutors find this a very rewarding experience. For more information contact John, Annie, or Luis at Dogwood Literacy Council, 100 S Broadway, call 524-4009, or email dogwood.[email protected].

JBU presenting operetta

John Brown University Opera Workshop proudly presents “Patience,” a comic operetta in two acts by British duo W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Set in the 1880s, the show masterfully satirizes the short-lived aesthetic movement through dry wit and memorable music. The show runs Nov. 8-10 and 15-16 in the Berry Performing Arts Center on the campus of John Brown University. For more information, call the box office at (479) 524-7382.

Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Library Bookstore, located in Siloam Springs Public Library, supports year-round library and reading programs for children. Shoppers will find bargains on gently used books, videos, DVD’s and CD’s. Prices generally range from 25 cents to $3. In order to continue in operation, our bookstore solicits donations, especially like-new paperbacks and all children’s materials.

Friends of the Library desires new members who would like to further its mission through payment of dues, volunteering, or fund-raising. Information about membership is available at the library desk or during the Dogwood book sale.

Library events

“That’s Life,” a 13-week workshop presented by Cheryl Keaton regarding life skills will meet from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Siloam Springs Public Library, which runs through Dec. 13. More information is available by calling the library at 479-524-4236.

Kansas Public Library

The Kansas Public Library has lots of activities to enjoy. The library has a new “Freegal Music Service” that offers over 10,000 music labels from 65 countries. A library patron in good standing may download three songs a week for free from https:// eodls.freegalmusic.com. Refreshments will be provided. For more news and updates visit the Kansas Public Library’s Facebook page.

Farmers Market food program

The Siloam Springs Farmers Market announces the beginning of the 2013 Double Your Dollars Program. SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program shoppers can receive matching vouchers on purchases of food items at the Farmers Market. Vouchers are used like cash with market vendors for edible goods. Just visit the Market Welcome Booth to participate or to get more information.

Arthritis Foundation exercise classes

Siloam Springs Senior Activity Center will offerArthritis Foundation exercise classes at 10 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. The classes will be taught by instructor Leigh Lee. To sign up call 479-524-5735. Space is limited. The Senior Activity Center is located at 750 Heritage Court off of Tulsa Street, near the Manna Center and Boys and Girls Club.

Wheelchair ramp assistance

Kind at Heart Ministries is taking applications for wheelchair ramp and porch steps assistance. The service is free. Those who are elderly or disabled or who know someone who is and in need of this assistance can contact Kind at Heart Ministries via email at kindatheart[email protected] or by phone at 479-373-6281.

VFW to start Men’s Auxiliary

VFW Post 1674 in Siloam Springs is looking to add a Men’s Auxiliary. Eligibility requirements include not being a current member of the VFW, at least 16 years of age and be either husbands, widowers, fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons, brothers and half brothers of a VFW eligible veteran. At least 25 applicants are needed to start up the Men’s Auxiliary. Contact Post Commander Thomas Flatt at [email protected] or call 479-220-0380 for more information or to apply for this opportunity.