Mark your calendar

Through Aug. 31

s Join Hobbs State Park staff for snorkelling. Snorkelling is the practice of swimming on or through water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually fins. Use of this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort. The primary appeal is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without the complicated equipment and training required for scuba diving. Join a Hobbs State Park interpreter guide to truly appreciate Beaver Lake as few have. There will be a short pontoon boat ride to an unspoiled, quiet cove, searching for the hidden diversity of underwater life. Times and dates are: 1-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25; 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. All participants meet at Rocky Branch Marina, 8872 Rocky Branch Marina Road, Rogers, AR 72756 -- Arkansas Highway 12 east from Rogers to Arkansas Highway 303 north to Rocky Branch Marina Road. Wear appropriate clothing for swimming, including water shoes and sunscreen. Participants must wear a life jacket. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and the adult must be in the water. Life jackets, masks and snorkels provided. The cost is $20 for adults (13 and up) and $10 for children (through age 12). Preregistration and payment required. To register call: 479-789-5000.

Sept. 9

s Entries are now being accepted for the 40th Ozark Quilt Fair, Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Quilters and quilt lovers are invited to display new and antique quilts for show and sale on the museum grounds. The entry fee is $10 per exhibitor. Cash prize Viewer's Choice awards will be given for first ($50), second ($35), and third ($15) place winners in both new and antique quilt categories. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Entry forms are available at the museum website, shilohmuseum.org, or by calling 750-8165. The Ozark Quilt Fair is sponsored by Arvest Bank.

Sept. 24

s Jim Warnock, a "throughhiker," will tell his story at Hobbs State Park. He recently completed a backpacking trip on the 210-mile-long John Muir Trail. This trail runs south through the High Sierras from Yosemite National Park to the summit of Mount Whitney. The trail never dips below 7,000 feet and crosses numerous 11,000-foot passes. Warnock will bring his backpack, and explain what it took physically and mentally to complete the hike. His adventure was documented in breathtaking photographs which we will see. He will then transition to the Ozarks while making the point to show that there is no scenic let down with local scenery. If you are a short distance hiker or a through-hiker, you're not going to want to miss this program. The event begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. There is no cost. Hobbs State Park visitor center is located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. For more information, call 479-789-5000.

Sept. 30

s Join the second annual NWA Christian Fellowship Trap Shoot & BBQ Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Bella Vista Property Owners Association Gun Range, 16301 Rocky Dell Hollow Road, Gravette. Three-person teams of men, women, and young people can compete for the first place trophy. More than one team per church is OK. Partial teams of less than three are encouraged to join in just for fun, or can pair with other partial teams in order to compete for the trophy. Event sign-in/admission begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $35 per person and includes coffee and donuts, range fees and ammunition, and BBQ lunch plates with all the fixings. Additional plates are only $9 per person. Early registration form and fees need to be received by Friday, Sept. 1, to participate. Entrants under 18 must have their parent or guardian sign the release form to participate. For more information contact Hoss Diego at 479-250-9949 or email [email protected].

Through September

s Spend an evening on Beaver Lake while paddling a kayak guided by a park interpreter. Learn the basics of paddling while exploring a calm area of Beaver Lake. The finale will be gazing west into the sunset. Recreational kayaks, paddles and life jackets will be provided. Bring a bottle of water, bug spray, flashlight, and dress for the weather. The event begins at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. Dates and times are Aug. 25, 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 8, 15, 18 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 25, 29 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children (6-12). Registration and prepayment required. For more information and to register call 479-789-5000.

Through 2017

s Mother Nature announces her reading dates at Hobbs State Park for the rest of 2017. Every second Saturday of the month she drops in at the park's visitor center to tell timely stories to her little human friends. Readings begin at 10:30 a.m. Story time will be followed by hands-on nature-craft activities. Humans of all ages are welcome, however most stories target those 3-6 years of age. Mother Nature's readings at Hobbs State Park for the rest of 2017 (She said that we all should put this list on our refrigerators so we don't forget to visit her.): Sept. 9, Autumn in the Woods: Preparing for Winter; Oct. 14, Bats - Not Really Scary; Nov. 11, Stories the Osage Nation Tells; Dec. 9, Squirrels - Busy All Year 'Round. Meet Mother Nature in the lobby of the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area visitor center located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the intersection with War Eagle Road. There is no cost. For more information, call 479-789-5000.

Oct. 1

s There will be a host of free and fun family-orientated events that take place at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area Sunday Oct. 1. Activities will take place at Historical Van Winkle Hollow as well as the Park's visitor center, both located on Highway 12 east of Rogers. Bring the entire family to learn about how it was done in the past. Schedule for Historic Van Winkle Hollow 1-4 p.m.: Blacksmith Demonstration, Early Food Preservation, Old Timey Games, Music, Stone Tool making Demonstration, Van Winkle Historical Presentation (Great history), Pre-historic Musical Instruments, Female Civil War Soldier, Dutch oven Demonstration, "Snake Oil" Salesman, Pioneer Homesteader, Tall Tales Tellers. Schedule for Hobbs State Park Visitor Center 1-4 p.m.: Weavers, Lace makers, Spinners, Music, Short hikes. There is a free shuttle. Park at the visitor center parking lot on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. The free shuttle will run constantly from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. between the visitor center and Historic Van Winkle Trail. All of these family activities are free and the public is welcome. For more information, call 479-789-5000.

Oct. 15

s Do you still have the heebie-jeebies from watching horror films? You may be a coimetrophobe. Coimetrophobia is the fear of cemeteries. On the other hand, you may be a taphophile like the upcoming speaker at Hobbs State Park, Abby Burnett. A taphophile visits cemeteries for fun, and like Abby they take an interest in cemeteries, tombstones, or the memory of past lives. In Abby's presentation she will show us gravestones that give us clues, and we will have to figure out how that person died. Not only are Abby's programs extremely entertaining, they are always fun. Whether you are a coimetrophobe or a taphophile, you will be glad you came to Abby's program at Hobbs State Park. The event is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Hobbs State Park located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. There is no cost. For more information, call: 479-789-5000. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www.ArkansasStateParks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea.

Community on 08/23/2017