Community

Piggott Public Library and Rector Public Library in conjunction with Arkansas PBS are hosting a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. The local libraries will be collecting new and gently used sweaters and other cold weather items. Collection boxes are available in Piggott at the library and the Chamber of Commerce office and at the library in Rector. Piggott Public Library will distribute items to the community on Dec. 2 at the Christmas on the Square event.

Black River Technical College (BRTC) was recently awarded roughly $1.8 million through the Department of Education (DOE) under the Strengthening Institutions Grant Program. The grant spans five years and will fund a project entitled, “Building the Workforce: Implementing a Career Services Program and Durable Skills Curriculum.” Through this project, BRTC will establish a comprehensive Career Services Program which will include hiring a full-time Director of Student Workforce Readiness.

Mark your calendars for Nov. 9, 10 & 11 as the Mountain View Fall Bluegrass Festival returns to the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View for three days and two nights of traditional bluegrass and gospel music. Proceeds go to support the Music Roots Program in Mountain View Public Schools.

The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University ([nyit.edu/ arkansas]NYITCOM at AState) Library will host a National Library of Medicine exhibit titled, “This Lead Is Killing Us: A History of Citizens Fighting Lead Poisoning in Their Communities.”

Fall is here and cooler temperatures will follow soon. Those of us who like to bake are getting ready to use our ovens and bake some of our favorite quick loaf bread recipes.