Two of the big E’s are featured this week in MAIN EVENT: eclipse and Easter.
The Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center will host eclipse-related events Friday and Saturday at Wappapello Lake, while an early Easter egg hunt is also planned for Saturday.
April 8 will mark the first time since 1673 that a total eclipse of the sun will cover the current area of Wappapello Lake. Programs at 7 p.m. Friday, as well as 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, will talk about the science and history behind eclipses, as well as save viewing of the natural phenomenon.
It will be another 300 years until the next such event is visible in Southeast Missouri, organizers said. The event is organized by the Friends of Wappapello Lake.
Saturday’s Easter egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. at Hendrickson Park. The free event will include three age divisions, for youth between 2-10 years old. More than 3,000 filled eggs will be put out. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be provided.
The event is presented by DLE Properties Group Keller Williams Realty, Three Rivers, Butler Co Title Company and USA Mortgage.
Other upcoming events include:
— Textured Hair Tutorial Night, 6 p.m. March 15. WHERE FosterAdopt Connect, 2198 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Foster parents who are not used to styling textured hair can find it challenging or intimidating. Join FosterAdopt Connect for a night of learning on how to take care of your children’s textured hair. Sign up through the link on the FosterAdopt Connect Facebook event page.
— Eclipse talk, 7 p.m. March 15, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 16 WHERE Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center COST Free WHAT Learn about the science, history and safe viewing of a total eclipse.
— Community Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. March 16. WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST Free. WHAT The second annual Community Easter Egg Hunt. There will be three age divisions 2 and under, 3-6 years old and 7-10 years old. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks provided. Come out and hunt for over 3,000 candy filled eggs, and 6 golden eggs with special prices. Presented by DLE Properties Group Keller Williams Realty Three Rivers, Butler Co Title Company and USA Mortgage.
— Children’s Book Reading: Twinkle the Star Mouse, 1-3 p.m. March 16. WHERE Poplar Bluff Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Explore the cosmos with Twinkle the Star Mouse. A children’s book reading and signing followed by an art activity, reception and an illustration display. Refreshments will be provided. This book was written by local author E. E. Arrendale and illustrated by Samantha Blessing Klotz and Rose Anne Stanard.
— Science Sunday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. March 17. WHERE Poplar Bluff Library Main Branch COST Free. WHAT Kids will learn the difference between asteroids, comets and meteors, and paint space rocks using glow in the dark paint.
— Greg Edmondson exhibit opening, March 18 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST Free WHAT abstract paintings by Edmondson will be on display through April 12.
— Story time at Main 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 19. WHERE Poplar Bluff Library Main Branch COST Free WHAT Kids will do a science experiment about rain and see what can they make at home on a rainy day.
— Tips for parents regarding teen cyber security, 5:30 p.m. March 19 WHERE Poplar Bluff Junior High WHAT Poplar Bluff Police Department will present information to parents of sixth through 12th grade students regarding social media and cyber security. RSVP is required at https://forms.gle/jNnTCGhw8HD72HEz9
— Book Buzz Club, 6 p.m. March 21. WHERE The Wine Rack WHAT A social, read-what-you-want book club by the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library. March’s theme is “Judge a Book By Its Cover.”
— MO Highlands Bunny Hop, 5 p.m. March 22 WHERE Hendrickson Park WHAT Missouri Highlands hosts a hop into spring event with a foam-filled fun event. It includes egg hunts every 30 minutes for children aged 1-4, and scavenger hunts for children aged 5-10. Food trucks and the Easter Bunny will be there.
— Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 6 a.m.-noon March 23. WHERE Poplar Bluff Junior High School. COST $6 WHAT Unlimited pancakes, sausage, juice and milk. Proceeds go to maintain/improve Kiwanis Bacon Park.
— Total Cleanup of the Bluff, March 23. WHERE Convenes at the Black River Coliseum. WHAT Beautify Poplar Bluff before the eclipse, and be entered in prize drawings. Breakfast and coffee are provided at the Black River Coliseum from 7-8 a.m. before cleanup supplies are handed out and cleanup areas assigned. Lunch will be provided at noon. All participants will automatically be entered into prize drawings and a 48/48 drawing. For any inquiries, please contact Morgan or Maci at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce at 573-785-7761.
— Free Medical Clinic, 8 a.m. March 23. WHERE Westwood Baptist Church. COST Free. WHAT Footsteps Medical Missions, Inc. in cooperation with Westwood Baptist will be providing a free medical clinic. Services provided are medical services, diabetic foot care, wound care, hearing exam, hair care and hearing aids/if available, reading glasses. Walk-ins welcome,pre-registration is encouraged at footstepsmedicalmissions.org.
— Adventures of an Eclipse Chaser, 2-3:30 p.m. March 23 WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch COST Free WHAT Meteorologist Joe Rao discusses his adventures chasing eclipses around the world over the past 50 years. Hear about the interesting, funny, and poignant occurrences that he has experienced in his efforts to briefly bask in the shadow of the moon. This will be a Zoom presentation with a Q&A to follow. Recommended for middle school and up. Attend virtually at poplarbluff.org/eclipsechaser.
— Chicks Only Eggstravaganza, 4-6 p.m. March 23. WHERE Westwood Hills Country Club COST $30 per person WHAT The second annual women’s event by Three Rivers College an Breakthrough Wellness. Includes refreshments, cocktails, prize drawings and more. For more information, contact Christy Frazier-Moore at 573-987-9680 or cfrazier-moore@bankofmissouri.com, or Michelle Reynolds at 573-840-9077 or michellereynolds@trcc.edu. To register, visit three-rivers-endowment-trust.ticketleap.com
— Mouse Races, 6 p.m. March 23. WHERE The Grotto, 3102 Kennedy Lane/Aad Grotto Road. COST Tickets are $20 at the door, or reserve an eight-person table for $125. WHAT A night of fun and betting at the mouse races. Contact Shawn Hanley for reservations or sponsorship opportunities at (573) 718-1532.
— Storytime at Main 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 26. WHERE Poplar Bluff Library Main Branch COST Free WHAT Whendoes spring come? Kids will find out at storytime.
— Dining in Space, 5:30 p.m. March 26. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch COST Free WHAT A program for ages 8 and up about how astronauts cook and eat in zero gravity.
— Middle School Octo-Studio, 1-3 p.m. March 29. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch COST Free WHAT Kids in middle school and up will learn how to code and create a video game. Participants must bring an iPhone, Android 8 or above or a tablet iOS 15 or above. Some iPads will be available.
— Hands-on sourdough class, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 30 WHERE Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce COST $60-$90 per person WHAT Learn about how to make and care for sourdough bread.