The Downtown Newport Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday starting at 7:00 a.m. under the market pavilion next to Newport Lake. Vegetables include green beans, cucumbers, squash, new potatoes, onion, garlic and green tomatoes. Red tomatoes will be ripening soon.
On Saturday, June 29, Gränges Monster Fun Nights will have THEY Improv Theater from7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. located inside the NEDC/Newport Area Chamber of Commerce building. Everyone come out to laugh as THEY will lead a group through funny skits and participate in the funniest person in Newport competition.
The Newport Senior Center will have seated Tai Chi for Arthritis at 10:00 a.m. Tai Chi is recommended exercise by the CDC and the Arthritis Foundation to reduce pain and to improve flexibility and balance. The class will be taught by Cynthia Abel on July 1, 8, 22, 29, and August 5. For more information call (870)207-7597.
Tuesday, July 2, Farmers Electric will host Monster Peace Theatre One Small Step: The Real Life Journey to Outer Space beginning at 6:00 p.m. located at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. Bright Star Children’s Theatre will lead young people on a journey from the very first flight by the Wright brothers to the thrilling moment when people first walked on the moon. This event is FREE to everyone.
The American Red Cross will have a Blood Drive on Wednesday, July 3, at Merchant and Planters Bank Community Room located at 915 Highway 367 North from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Be sure to make plans to stop in and give the gift of life.
The Downtown Newport Farmers Market will have Kids Day/Farm Day on July 6, starting at 7:00 a.m. The Little Red Hen will be back along with live music, the 4-H petting zoo, baked good, and drawings for prizes.
Also, on Saturday, July 6, the Jackson County Conservation District will be having a Fishing Derby located at the Lockwood Park by the Downtown Newport Farmers Market. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and fishing starts at 9:00 a.m. Prizes for smallest fish, largest fish, and most fish caught will be given. Winners will be announced at 10:00 a.m. and must be present to win. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Melanie O’Tinger (870) 523-8986 for more information.
On Friday, July 12, Unity Health Harris Medical Center will have a Lunch & Learn “Caring for the Caregiver” at 12:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1. When a loved one has dementia, caring for them can be one of the most difficult roles a person can assume. Self-care is essential for a person that carries out this role. April Ash will discuss relaxation techniques and stress management. Lunch is provided. Please Call Jennifer at (870) 523-8911 by July 1, to reserve your spot.
On Thursday, July 25, Harris Ford Classic will have a four person scramble located at the Village Creek Golf Club that will benefit IMAD. Tee off will begin at 10:00 a.m. and be $400/team. There will be multiple hole in one prizes including a new 2019 Ford Ranger. Call Shane at Harris Ford (870)523-5559 or (870)512-9141 to register.
Add your community event. Email details to director@newportarchamber.org.
Don’t forget to check for new jobs on our website. Go to www.newportarcity.org and click on “Job Opportunities.”
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Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.