Carolyn Williams, director and curator of The Quilted History, will be honored during the annual Jimmy Reed Jr. Memorial Scholarship Banquet at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Gusher Elks Lodge 560, located at 152 E. 19th., El Dorado. The banquet is being sponsored by the Pride and Progress Club. Tickets for the banquet are $20 each and may be purchased from any Pride and Progress Club member. For more information, contact Wm. Jerome Robinson at 870-918-1512.
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The You Be the Chemist state challenge will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the TAC House in El Dorado, 1101 N. West Ave. Local sponsors are El Dorado Chemical Co., El Dorado Education Foundation, El Dorado School District, Great Lakes Solutions-A Chemtura Business, Murphy USA and Tetra Technologies.
The You Be The Chemist Challenge® is an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades five through eight to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications. The challenge provides a unique opportunity for a variety of individuals and organizations — including schools, members of the chemical industry, educators and other community partners — to come together and show their support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.
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Volunteers in the community will be working on the 41st El Dorado Habitat for Humanity home in this area from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. The new home is located at 537 E. Second St. and all volunteers are encouraged to help construct this home for the Lowery family. On Saturday, the AGR, a fraternity from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, will be volunteering at the site.
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The annual Union County Relay for Life, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, will begin at 6:30 p.m. today at Parker Chapels’ John Gross Recreational Complex/Victor Nipper Field, 3040 Haynesville Highway, El Dorado. The event will include games, food, entertainment and a luminaria ceremony after dark.
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A drive-by drop-off of “Change ‘n SAAC” coin bags will be offered on the South Arkansas Arts Center parking lot from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. today. SAAC has been in the midst of a fundraising effort since February called “Change ’n SAAC.” The community has been asked to support the arts by collecting their extra change for SAAC. Burlap sacks, which were printed with the logo and provided for everyone in which to put their coins, are due by May 1.
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World Tai Chi and Qigong Day will be celebrated at HealthWorks Fitness Center, 304 N. Madison, El Dorado, from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Everyone is invited to attend the two-hour introductory workshop at HealthWorks. The workshop at HealthWorks will be divided into a beginner session, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and then a little more advanced session from 11 a.m. until noon. For more information, call Terry Clark at HealthWorks at 870-862-5442, extension 26.
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Meet Me at the Court will conduct its Mission Project of the month at 4 p.m. on Saturday, starting in the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church-Cordell, 620 Cordell. MMC youth will meet in the Family Life Center to decorate “Love Baskets” and fill them with fruit and fruit juices. The baskets will then be delivered to senior citizens and the “sick and shut-ins” in the community. Project captains are Curtishonna Jefferson, Andrell Brown and Arriana Brown. For more information, call Veronica Bailey at 870-310-0391, Janis Van Hook at 870-314-3481 or Willie McGhee at 870-314-1441.
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South Arkansas Storm is a local basketball team made up of eighth grade boys. They are hoping to raise money to help cover tournament fees for the summer and they will be pumping gas at T-Ricks on the Junction City Highway from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. They will also have a bake sale.
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The El Dorado Wildcats and Lady Cats will have their annual basketball awards banquet at 5 p.m. on Sunday in the El Dorado High School Commons. All tickets may be purchased at the door for $20. Melinda Gatheright, a member of the Agape House Children’s Home executive board of directors and grant writer, will be the guest speaker. Attire will be semi-casual.