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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.

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By admin, August 28, 2009 10:50 am

The Farmer's Daughters, a Gentry group, won last year's talent contest.

The Chamber of Commerce is continuing to make plans for the upcoming Oct. 10 Fall Festival. Included in the planning are the following activities and events:

• Miss Octoberfest;

• Sky divers from Sky Ranch in Siloam Springs;

• Car show sponsored by Gentry Fire Dept.;

• Softball tournament;

• Horsehoe  tournament;

• Poker run;

• Quilt show;

• Kyla Horton concert;

• Pumpkin painting;

• Wrestling show;

• Turning Point worship concert;

• Tug-a-fire-truck contest;

• Food and games;

• Inflatable rides;

• Safari rides and petting zoo;

• Talent show;

• Wagon rides;

• Balloons;

• Entertainment by Meagan White;

• Food booths and game booths hosted by Gentry United Way agencies;

• Commercial booths;

• A televised Razorback game; and a

• Blast from the past concert.

Featured entertainment at this year’s festival is Blast from the Past, featuring the music of Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. These entertainers and their bands will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the Gentry City Park.

The concert will be free, but concert goers will need to bring their own lawn chairs if they wish to listen in comfort.

Honoring Twitty is Randy Holland, two-time winner of “You Can Be a Star” in the Nashville Network.

Bill Holden will pay the tribute to Orbison. He is from Branson, Mo., and has been performing with Tony Orlando for the past five years. Holden also performed in the famous “Legends in Concert” at Las Vegas.

Barry Humphries will perform the music and style of Elvis. He is a police officer by day but is “Elvis” at night. Humphries is a guest performer on cruise ships and was one of the top Elvis impersonators at the Isle of Capri National finals in Biloxi, Miss.

“We are so excited to have this group coming to Gentry for this event,” said Bev Saunders, executive director for the Gentry Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve been working on it for a while. They will join a growing list of entertainers, including Meagan White of Springdale, Kyla Horton of Marshall and the Turning Point Praise and Worship Team from Gentry. This is going to be a great day for our community and lots of fun,” Saunders said.

“We’ll have lots of other fun things happening as well, including a car show, wrestling exhibition, inflatables for the kids, sky divers, arts and craft booths, lots of food, co-ed softball tournament, free wagon rides, an antique tractor show, an incredible quilt show in the library and more. We hope everyone will plan to spend Oct. 10th in the Gentry Park,” Saunders said.

And, with the Fall Festival fast approaching, it’s time once again to enter quilts in the annual quilt show.

The quilt show is set for Oct. 9-16 at the Gentry Public Library. The Fall Festival is on Saturday, Oct. 10, and many visitors are expected to view the quilts on that day. But the show will go on, and visitors are expected throughout the following week.

Last year’s show featured more than 85 quilts from across the region, with some being very rare and unique. Show coordinator Janie Parks expects even more quilts to be displayed this year.

Quilt makers may enter modern, antique, miniature and appliqué quilts, either hand- or machine-stitched.

Applications may be picked up at Parks Lumber Co., 121 S. Nelson Street, Gentry.

For more information or application forms, call Janie Parks at 479-936-1498 or 736-2340.

Gentry’s Got Talent, an open talent show, will begin around 3 p.m. in the performing pavilion. A $200 cash first-place prize and a $100 cash runner-up prize will be awarded. The prizes are sponsored by Arvest Bank.

Entry forms may be obtained at Gentry City Hall or by calling 736-2358 to receive one by mail. There is no entry fee for the competition, but forms must be postmarked no later than Oct. 5 or turned into Gentry City Hall no later than Oct 6. Due to time restriction, entries could be limited. They will be accepted on a first-come basis — including postmarks.

Check-in for participants and CDs will be at about 2 p.m. in front of the performing stage in the park. Judges’ decisions will be final. All ages are encouraged to participate.

Arts and craft vendors are also invited to be a part of the Gentry Fall Festival as well. Vendors many pick up a application forms at Gentry City Hall or call 736-2358 to receive an application by mail. The deadline for vendor booths is Oct. 5. Booth space starts at $50 for a 12-by-12-foot space. Larger booth spaces are available.

Quilts were on display at the Gentry Public Library during the festival.

Fire from the Firestorm Fire Truck destroyed an old RV at last year's festival.

For more information on Blast from the Past, visit: www.blastfromthepastshow.com.

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By admin, August 18, 2009 12:22 pm

Lions Club members put up flags along Gentry's Main Street.

Nestled in the beautiful Ozarks, along Arkansas Highways 12 and 59, Gentry is a growing and thriving community of more than 3,000 people.

Gentry boasts more than 160 businesses, including restaurants, bed and breakfast establishments, small industry/manufacturing plants, retail stores and service-oriented businesses. Gentry’s largest employer is McKee Foods Corporation, maker of the famous Little Debbie^TM and Sunbelt^TM snacks. McKee foods celebrated 20 years of manufacturing in Gentry and dedicated a 40,000 square-foot expansion to the existing plant in 2002. The company thrift store is located on the corner of Arkansas Hwy 59 and Main Street. Visitors come from about a 100-mile radius to take advantage of the discounted cookies and cakes.

The town is governed under a mayor-city council plan. Wes Hogue is the Mayor of Gentry. The City Council members are Janice Arnold, Jason Barrett, Michael Crawford, Clara Garrett, James Furgason, Kevin Johnston, Kyle Jordan and Janie Parks. The City Clerk is Jo Ellen Martin and the Water Department Finance Manager is Melissa Smith. All city officials can be reached at (479) 736-2555. The City Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Gentry receives its water via the Benton and Washington County Water Authority, otherwise known as Two-Ton. Two-ton water gave rural communities in the two counties access to a reliable source for large quantities of water for municipal, agricultural and industrial application. The City of Gentry recently finalized a rural water system to serve areas outside the city limits.

The city also features 24-hour police and fire protection. The Police Department consists of eight full-time officers under the direction of Police Chief Keith Smith. The Fire Department (www.gentryfire.org) and First Responder program is housed in a new facility under the direction of Fire Chief Vester Cripps. All firemen have extensive training and the majority are EMT’s.

Gentry is a progressive city with an active plan for the future. The goal is to reduce urban sprawl and preserve the local historic structures which Give Gentry its unique character.

In keeping with the city’s design philosophy, an expansion for the city’s rapidly-growing public library grew into a project to not only provide the library with the necessary room, but also construct a community center, museum area and small park, all by renovating an historic structure at the town’s center. This unique project has provided modern facilities on the inside while preserving the building’s original facade. Residents of Gentry passed a half cent sales tax in 2002 to fund the bond for the project. The Gentry Public Library is operated by a host of volunteers under the direction of librarian Darla Threet and the Library Board. The library offers books for children, youth and adults. It also features free books on tape, VCR and DVD movies, music CD’s, and free wireless Internet. Faxes can be sent and copies can be made for a small fee.

Gentry is home of the Pioneers, the official mascot of the Gentry School District. The district is known for the quality of its education and modern facilities, with a new primary school building, middle school building with a high school/middle school cafeteria, and baseball/softball complex. The district encompasses Highfill and a portion of Cherokee City. Competitive sports programs include football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, baseball, fast-pitch softball, track and soccer. School programs feature special classes for the gifted and talented student, advanced placement courses and an active arts program at all grade levels. The school district provides strong support to community education and civic needs. Gentry is also home to Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Academy, Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, Faith Christian School, and a Mennonite school.

Gentry has an active religious community with churches of many different affiliations, including Assembly of God, Baptist, Church of Christ, Mennonite, Seventh-day Adventist, United Methodist and others. Most denominations offer programs for youth and families as well as regular religious services.

For youth, the community features an active youth sports league, with football, basketball, baseball, softball and tee-ball teams. The Gentry City Park features basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a walking trail, pavilions, and a playground. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy one of Gentry’s most unusual features – the Wild Wilderness Drive-Thru Safari, owned and operated by theWilmoth family of Gentry. The wildlife park features many indigenous and exotic animals and birds, plus a petting zoo. It is one of Gentry’s most popular attractions.