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By admin, September 1, 2010 12:47 pm

Plans are under way for Gentry’s annual fall festival, to be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Gentry City Park.

Sky divers will jump out of airplanes and land in the park at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

A magician will perform throughout the afternoon.

Trout Fishing in America band members Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet

Trout Fishing in America will take the main stage at 3:30 p.m. and perform folk and children’s songs until 5 p.m. The group has been nominated for four Grammies and is a favorite for families across the United States. More information on the band is available online at: http://www.troutmusic.com/bio.htm. To hear a sampling of the group’s music, go to Trout Radio.

Tired Iron of the Ozarks will show off their antique tractors and equipment. They will also be offering free wagon rides all afternoon.

The Gentry Fire Department will host its annual car show in conjunction with the festival. For more information on the show, call Jeff Trammell at 736-9976 or 957-3415.

There will be pumpkin painting and lots of fall festival foods. Gentry United Way agencies will also host games and special activities in efforts to raise funds for the local United Way.

An open talent show is also being planned for the festival. Contestants will be competing for a $300 first prize and a $200 runner-up prize. Prize money is sponsored by Gentry Bank, Decatur State Bank and Bank of Siloam Springs. Only 20 spots are available, so entrants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

The Gentry business district will be decorating for fall around Oct. 1. The best decorated business and/or government building will receive a $100 cash prize. The fall décor will remain through the month of October and November. Arvest Bank is sponsoring the street light and sidewalk décor.

McKee Foods will sponsor the annual quilt fair again this year. Quilts will be on display at the Gentry Public Library from Oct. 8 to Oct. 15. The event is free to the public.

Those wishing to enter a quilt in the show may contact Janie Parks at 936-1498. Entrants are encouraged to contact Parks as soon as possible because of limited space for quilt displays.

Artisans and craft makers are being invited to Gentry for the festival.

“We are offering free booth space to arts and crafters at this Sunday afternoon event,” said Bev Saunders, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director. “We are also offering free booth space to political candidates and educational booths for Gentry Chamber of Commerce members,” she added.

Anyone wishing to reserve booth space may pick up a form at Gentry City Hall or the Gentry Chamber of Commerce building. Only 25 booth spaces are available and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Forms may be requested by calling Saunders at 736-2358 and leaving a name and mailing address for the form on the answering machine.

More than 600 people visited the fall festival last year from all 50 states and two foreign countries, Saunders said.

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By admin, April 15, 2010 9:04 am

Jamie Smilie, of Inola, Okla, operates the saw mill and cuts timber at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks Antique Engine and Tractor Show in Gentry last spring.

GENTRY — Once again it’s time to crank up those old engines and start those antique tractors because it will soon be show time at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks show grounds.

Tired Iron of the Ozarks will hold its spring show Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Admission and parking are free and all are welcome to come out to the show grounds at 13344 Taylor Orchard Road — SWEPCO Road to Marion Lee Road west and south on Taylor Orchard Road to the big sign above the show-ground entrance.

The grounds will be full of old tractors and engines and other antique equipment and machinery, with free demonstrations for the public.

The following is a schedule of events for the three-day show:

• Home antiques building — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

• Blacksmith shop — Friday demonstrations at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; demonstrations all day on Saturday with the Blacksmiths of Arkansas; and shop open to visitors on Sunday.

• Sawmill and bandsaw demonstrations will be held from 10-11 a.m., 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the demonstrations will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1-2 p.m.

• Engine-powered saw demonstrations will be held each day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• A parade of power, featuring old tractors and equipment will be held each day at noon.

• A kiddy-pedal tractor pull will be held by the bleachers at 2 p.m. on Saturday only.

• Tractor games will be held by the bleachers at 2 p.m. each day.

• A Sunday church service will be held at 10 a.m.

• Kiddie train rides will be offered throughout each day.

• A kid-powered backhoe in a stock tank full of field corn will also be available to children for play.

• A kitchen will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day and lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Drinks, chips and ice cream will be served all day.

More information on the 18th annual spring show is available by contacting club president Glenn Smith at 736-2841 or by e-mail at glennsmith736@earthlink.net.

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By admin, March 18, 2010 10:51 am

The annual Easter egg hunt, sponsored by Gentry Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 3, in the city park.

Assisting with the event this year will be the Gentry High School National Honor Society.

About 1,000 prizes will be awarded, with a bicycle awarded as the grand prize in each of four age categories: 3 and under; 4-5 year olds; 6-7 year olds; and 8-10 year olds.

The bicycles are being provided by Gentry Family Dentistry, Dr. Stubbs and Dr. Lamb; Community Physicians Group — Gentry Medical Center; and Arvest Bank.

For more information, contact the Gentry Chamber office.

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By admin, March 9, 2010 6:16 pm

Arbor Day will be observed in Gentry Thursday, with trees being planted on the Gentry Primary School and Intermediate School campuses.

Trees will be planted at 10 a.m. on the Primary School campus and at 12:30 p.m. on the Intermediate School campus. Students at the schools will assist with the planting activities.

Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue, city council members, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Bev Saunders, urban forestry coordinator Patti Erwin of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Scott Carney and Terry Stanfill of SWEPCO and Delia Haak of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership are also scheduled to be present for the special event.

A special Illinois River Watershed Partnership concert, featuring Marshall Mitchell, will be held on both campuses Friday — 10 a.m. at GPS and 2 p.m. at GIS. Mitchell will entertain the students and sing about protecting area rivers and streams with riparian buffers.

More tree planting activities are planned for 9 a.m. through noon on Saturday morning at the Eagle Watch Nature area. Plans are in place to plant trees along the Little Flint Creek, which passes through the nature area and into SWEPCO Lake. The trees are being planted to preserve the riparian buffer and to provide wildlife habitat along the nature trail. Volunteers from the Bloomfield 4-H Club, Gentry National Honor Society, the Gentry School’s Science Club and from the general public will plant the trees at Eagle Watch Nature Area.

Trees will also be planted Saturday on private lands owned by the Feemster Family along the Flint Creek near Arkansas Highway 59. The Gentry High School Cheerleaders will assist in this planting.

The observance of Arbor Day in Gentry and the tree planting activity is all a part of a move by the city to become a Tree City U.S.A. In a proclamation, Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue proclaimed March 11 Arbor Day in the city.

Working with the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and the city councils of Gentry and Springtown, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership obtained a grant to help establish a riparian buffer along the Flint Creek and its tributaries in the Gentry and Springtown area. Flint Creek is a tributary of the Illinois River and a part of Illinois River watershed. The buffer is to help prevent runoff of fertilizers and chemicals into the waterways and improve the quality of the river.

A tree survey was completed by urban forester Peter Rausch. The city plans to consider and adopt an ordinance establishing an advisory committee to serve as a tree board. The board would help the city develop a tree management plan and establish guidelines for the planting, care and removal of trees which are on public and city-managed properties.

The Gentry tree-planting project is a part of the 2010 riparian project organized by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.

In a press release, IRWP invites the public to participate in the 2010 Riparian Project to be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, March 13, and explains the project’s purpose and goals as follows:

What is a riparian buffer? A riparian buffer is the area of land next to a creek, stream or river — the stream banks and flood-plain area. In nature, riparian buffers can include trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers.

Why are riparian buffers important? Riparian buffers decrease stream bank erosion, filter sediments and pollutants commonly found in runoff, provide storm water storage, increase wildlife habitat, provide cooler water and air temperatures and increase groundwater infiltration. Riparian buffers provide environmental and recreational benefits to creeks, streams and rivers, and improve water quality and downstream land areas.

How can one participate? The public is invited to volunteer at one of the six locations listed below. Activities will include planting green ash, bald cypress, and short-leaf pine seedlings as well as cleaning up trash and debris. Snacks and drinks will be provided. To volunteer, e-mail contact@irwp.org or call (479) 238-4671.

Locations

Fayetteville — Clabber Creek, meet at Holt Middle School, Rupple Rd.;

Gentry — Little Flint Creek, meet at Eagle Watch Nature Trail, Hwy. 12 West;

Rogers — Turtle Creek, meet at Home Depot northwest parking lot, I-540 Pinnacle exit;

Siloam Springs — Sager Creek, meet at La-Z-Boy Ballpark fields;

Springdale — Spring Creek, meet at Grove Street Park;

Tahlequah — Townbranch, meet at Felts Park, Basin Ave.

Partners in the projects are: Cities of Fayetteville, Gentry, Rogers, Springdale, Siloam Springs, Tahlequah, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, Wal-Mart Stores, Sam’s Club, Chick-Fil-A, Snapple, Simmons Foods, Tyson Foods, George’s Inc., Arkansas Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, Lake Fayetteville Watershed Partnership, UA Ecological Engineering Society, Sager Creek Advisory Commission, Razorback District Boy Scouts, Bloomfield and other 4-H Clubs.

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By admin, January 19, 2010 5:43 pm

Gentry Chamber of Commerce is currently taking nominations for the 2009 community awards. The honors, along with the Lifetime Achievement Awards and honors for Arkansas’ Farm Family of the Year winners Bill and Delia Haak, will be presented at the Gentry Community Awards Night, beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25, at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant in Gentry. Nominations are being accepted through Feb. 5 for Organization of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Business Person of the Year. Send nominations, with the reasons for nomination, to P.O. Box 642, Gentry, AR 72734 or e-mail them to info@gentrychamber .com.

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By admin, January 19, 2010 5:38 pm

The Chamber of Commerce / Main Street Association is currently holding its annual membership drive and city directory ad sales campaign.

“This is a great way to support our community and its activities,” chamber director Bev Saunders said. “I hope everyone that appreciates what the chamber does in Gentry will join the chamber.”

“The funding we collect through these efforts is very important to the community of Gentry,” Saunders said. “It’s this organization that brings Gentry its Freedom Festival on July 4th, Easter egg hunt, fall festival, Christmas parade and celebration. It sponsors clean-up and fix-up events for both the commercial district and the park, holds decorating contests, the Miss Gentry Scholarship program, hosts annual community awards, and much more. Everything we do takes money and volunteers. Through the membership and directory ad sales, we can give our members something they will benefit from, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Last year membership numbers were down slightly and the chamber hopes to bring those numbers up.

“We hope to hit 100 members this year,” Saunders said. “We are currently at 40 members. We will continue to sell memberships until the end of February.”

Individuals who would like to join the Gentry Chamber of Commerce may send $25 to Gentry Chamber, P.O. Box 642, Gentry, AR 72734. Businesses may join for $75. Those interested in an ad in the directory can contact Saunders at 736-2358 for more information, including ad sizes and prices.

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By admin, November 11, 2009 12:26 pm

This year, Santa will visit with children before the parade at the Chamber office.

“A Christmas to Remember” is the theme of this year’s Gentry Christmas parade set for 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12.

The parade, sponsored annually by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, will begin at Curran Feed Store and travel west to the Gentry City Park.

Float entries should be lined up at 5:30 p.m. Awards of $100 in Gentry Bucks will be presented for the best theme, the best lighting and the best music. A $200 grand prize in Gentry Bucks will be presented to the best overall float — theme, lighting and music combined.

Santa will pass out treat bags and visit with children from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the parade at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce building. He will not be in Carl Gym following the parade this year.

“This is a change from the way it has been done in the past,” said Chamber director Bev Saunders. “Parents and children are urged to come early in the afternoon to see Santa at the Chamber building, 212 East Main Street, because he will have to leave to be in the parade at 6 p.m. Photos at this event are encouraged if parents want to bring their own cameras. Santa will be talking with the children in front of a fireplace. Anyone who does not come in the 3 to 6 p.m. time slot will not get a chance to visit with Santa and get a treat bag,” Saunders said.

Plans are also being made for choirs and carolers to perform in front of the Chamber building from 3 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 12.

All Gentry businesses, schools and government offices are being invited to participate in this year’s Christmas lighting contest.

The Gentry Chamber of Commerce will present $100 to the best decorated business. Judging will take place Dec. 12. Business owners wishing to make sure their business is included in the contest are being asked to call the Chamber office and let the Chamber know when decorations are up so no one is missed in the judging.

Anyone desiring more information about visits with Santa, the parade or the business decorating contest may call Saunders at 736-2358.

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By admin, October 28, 2009 10:14 pm

Trick or Treat on Main Street will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Local businesses will be open and providing treats for the young ghosts and gobblins along Gentry’s Main Street.

More than a thousand youngsters participated last year.

The event is sponsored by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce.