July
The Smith, Booker, Pondexter and White Families will come together for their annual family reunion beginning July 3rd. Registration is July 3rd, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hope Housing Authority on Texas Street. On July 4th, the annual picnic and program will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be held at 1 p.m. On July 5th, the reunion will begin at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served at 2 p.m. There will be a seed-spitting and watermelon-eating contest beginning at 3 p.m. For more information, call 870-826-0956, 903-224-6340 or 903-691-3133.
The Four States Gospel Music Association presents their 5th annual 2 day southern gospel music convention Friday July 11th at 7pm and Saturday July 12th at 6pm. It will be held at the Buchanan First Baptist Church located at 3635 Buchanan loop rd, Texarkana, TX 5501. For more information contact Rhonda at 903-792-3011.
Melonvine Striders Running Club will hold their regular monthly eating-meeting at 7:00 PM, Monday July 14, at the China Panda Buffet Restaurant. On the agenda will be planning for the Watermelon Festival 5K run/walk and an update on the walking/running/bicycling trail which is now open for use from the railroad’s four mile marker all the way to Stamps, AR! You do not have to eat to attend the meeting. All persons interested in the trail or generally in running/walking/fitness are invited. For race information see www.arkrrca.com.
The Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee on Wednesday July 16th will be hosted by Centerpoint Energy. The coffee is set for 9:30 am until 11am at the Chamber office.
A special Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee is set for Thursday July 17th at North Side Park. The coffee is set for 9:30am until 11am at the Northside Community Center.
Historic Washington State Park will offer a "bow-making" workshop July 19th from 9am until 5pm. Cost is $35 per person. For information or to register phone 983-2684.
The Hope Community blood drive is set for Sunday, July 20th from 11am until 3pm at the Hope Church of Christ-fellowship hall. All donors will receive a gift.
The Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee on Wednesday July 23rd will be hosted by the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council. The coffee will be held from 9:30 am until 11am at the Cairo/Fulton Depot at walnut and Division. The public is welcome to attend.
The 2nd annual Red River Region Heritage Symposium will take place July 26th at Historic Washington State Park. The event will be held from 1pm until 8pm. For information or to register, phone the park at 983-2684.
The Hope Church of Christ, located on Hwy 67 and Rocky mound road, will have its friends' day celebration on Sunday, July 27th. Bible study will begin at 9 a.m. and worship will begin at 9:45 a.m.
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The Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce has received its first shipment of 2008 Hope Watermelon Festival t-shirts. The shirts are available in 4 colors. Shirts are available in 4 children's sizes and 5 adult sizes. The may be purchased at the Chamber office at Main & 2nd. Everyone is encouraged to wear their watermelon festival t-shirts each Friday. The festival is set for August 7th through 10th at Hope's Fair Park.
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is a non-profit organization that utilizes community volunteers to advocate for children who are in foster care due to abuse or neglect. A CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to provide factual information on behalf of children caught in a difficult legal process. As a CASA you help the judge make a decision that is in the best interest of a child; you become the voice of a child who so desperately needs one in court. In this court system challenged by increasing caseloads, a CASA volunteer can make the single greatest difference in the life of a child. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer in your community, please call the CASA district office toll free at 877-893-9793.
The 2008 Acreage Reporting Deadline has been extended to August 15, 2008 due to provision of the 2008 Farm Bill and extreme weather. Late fees will be applied after this date.
Photos of the Prescott High School Prom Grand March are available for purchase at the Prescott/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce. Pictures are $1.00 each, or $10.00 for a disk containing all photos taken. All proceeds will go directly to Prescott High School's Project Prom.
The Southwest Arkansas Development Council and the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council will offer "Creative Thursdays" each Thursday at the Senior Citizens Center in Hope at 102 South Main. Beginning drawing classes will be offered at 9am and beginning art projects will be offered at 10am. The classes are free and supplies will be provided. For information, call the SWADC at 777-2380.
FoodShare Arkansas, a new community food pantry is now open in Prescott on Highway 371 across from Potlatch in Prescott. The food pantry is open Mondays and Fridays from 9:30am until 2pm. The facility is open to residents from Nevada County and the Gurdon area whose income falls within the reduced school lunch guidelines. Persons may learn more by stopping by the facility during business hours or phoning 887-FOOD.
Magnolia Unlimited is giving a $250 stipend to Columbia County residents age 18 and older who successfully complete their GED at the Magnolia/Columbia County Adult Education Center. The center will be giving the GED Exam bi-weekly during the spring semester for those students meeting state and national criteria. The tests will be given more often if there are a large number of qualified students. For information, call 234-6064.
Southwest Arkansas Development Council will begin a program to assist eligible households to meet the costs of home energy consumption. Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program may be picked up at 104 S. Main in Hope between 8am and 4pm. This type of assistance is a one time payment per household per program. For information, phone 777-2380.
St. John's United Methodist Church, located at 814 Hervey St. in Hope, is hosting a Children's Outreach Program every Wednesday, from 9:00 - 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. The program is free for children ages 2 - 4. For information, requirements, curriculum or to register, call 533-4542 or 887-2950.
Hope High School will open their computer labs for public use on Tuesdays from 5:30pm until 8:30pm Community members are invited to take advantage of the labs' internet access and various software programs including the EAST lab.