The sun is blazing, the cicadas are buzzing and August is in full swing. This means the 2023 school year is approaching fast — fortunately, kids have several chances to celebrate its last hurrah.
On Friday the Dexter Aquatic Center is hosting a Back to School Party from 5:30-7 p.m., with a special admission of $1 for all participants.
In Poplar Bluff, the Black River Coliseum Aquatic and Fitness Center is showing Pixar’s “Luca,” with a twist — moviegoers can watch the fish-out-of-water tale in the pool. This “dive-in” movie costs $2 for a poolside seat and $5 for a float. Open swim is 7-8:30 p.m. and the film begins at 9 p.m. Those choosing to keep dry should bring a chair or towel to sit on, or they can sit on the bleachers.
— Dexter Aquatic Center Back to School Pool Party, 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 11. WHERE Dexter Aquatic Center. COST $1. WHAT A special $1 swim to celebrate the new school year.
— Hearts for Rescue Bake Sale/Meet & Greet, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 13. WHERE Petco in Poplar Bluff. COST Baked goods priced as listed. WHAT A bake sale to support local foster organization Hearts for Rescue, as well as a chance to meet adoptable dogs.
— Dive-In Movie: “Luca,” 7 p.m. Aug. 13. WHERE Black River Coliseum Pool. COST $2 to watch from the poolside and $5 to watch in a tube on the water. WHAT BRC and the Bank of Missouri present an open swim and dive-in movie. Open swim is 7-8:30 p.m. with admission and “Luca” begins at 9 p.m. Poolside watchers should bring their own towel or chair, or sit in the bleachers.
— Can You Dig It? Kids’ Gardening Adventures, 4 p.m. Aug. 16. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST No cost listed. WHAT Learn to garden with the Butler County Master Gardeners. This month’s topics are the parts of the plant and which plants are edible. This monthly series is intended for ages 7-15.
— 8th Grade Open House, 3-5 p.m. Aug. 16. WHERE Poplar Bluff Junior High School. COST Free. WHAT A drop-in event for students entering 8th grade and their parents. Students are encouraged to come meet the teachers and bring the schedules mailed to their homes.
— 7th Grade Open House, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 16. WHERE Poplar Bluff Junior High School. COST Free. WHAT A drop-in event for students entering 7th grade and their parents. Students are encouraged to come meet the teachers and bring the schedules mailed to their homes.
— Freshman Orientation, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Aug. 17. WHERE Poplar Bluff High School. COST Free. WHAT An event welcoming incoming freshman to PBHS.
— Blood Drive, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 17. WHERE Saint Francis Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, third floor conference room. COST Free. WHAT Save lives by donating blood to the American Red Cross. There is currently a severe shortage of blood donations. Donors will receive a $10 e-gift card to their choice of merchant and be entered for a chance to win gas for a year — a $6,000 value.
— Poplar Bluff Chamber Gun Slingers Tournament, 4-6 p.m Aug. 18. WHERE Black River Shooting Supplies. COST $250 for a three-person team renting guns and ammunition, $150 for a three-person team bringing their own gun, and $150 for beginner/solo competitors. WHAT A competition to find the best gun slingers in town, and a gun raffle to boot. All experience levels are welcome but participants must be 18 or older. Only centerfire pistols with open sights are allowed. Register at info@pbchamber.org. More information available on the Poplar Bluff Chamber Facebook page.
— Yoga Basics, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Kara Cummings presents a yoga class for all skill levels. Be sure to bring a yoga mat or towel and wear comfortable clothing.
— Water ski team exhibit, 1-5 p.m. Aug. 20. WHERE Wappapello Lake, Redman Creek Recreation Area COST Free WHAT The Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club teams will perform shows at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
— Fundraising Mini Sessions by Briana Feverston Photography, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 20. WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST $30. WHAT $10 of the proceeds from each photo session benefits the Foundation or Children’s Performing Arts of Southeast Missouri and their upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Sessions can be booked through Briana Feverston Photography on Facebook or brianafeverston@gmail.com. This is event was rescheduled from July 30.
— Concert at Forum Fifty Fifty, 7 p.m. Aug. 20. WHERE Forum Fifty Fifty. COST Tickets are $10 on Eventbrite. WHAT Bands THIS IS ME BREATHING, HARD GRAVES, THE DOUBTED and SACRIFICE THE SACRED performing live. All ages welcome.
— Stars and Stories Hour with Margo Martin, 11 a.m. Aug. 25. WHERE The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library, Bloomfield. COST Free. WHAT The museum invites families to their latest Stars and Stories Hour. Guest Margo Martin will read a story to attendees and talk about her journey with Goldenhar Syndrome. A craft and snack time will follow.
— Viking shield craft day, 10 am.-2 p.m. Aug. 27. WHERE The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library, Bloomfield. COST Free. WHAT Visitors will get their viking on and create foam shields similar to what these legendary Norse warriors used. Very limited supplies available. Craft will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
— Naylor High School Class of 2010 Reunion, 6 p.m. Aug. 27. WHERE Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill. COST Food priced according to Haffy’s menu. WHAT The Naylor Class of 2010 will celebrate a belated “10 year” reunion in the private room upstairs that also offers balcony space and a personal bartender. Food and drink can be purchased after arrival and each person is responsible for their own tab. This event is adults only.
— Artist Showcase, 7 p.m. Aug. 27. WHERE The American Legion in Poplar Bluff. COST $10 admission. Vendor slots are $50. WHAT Musical performances by Dez Pro, Hypeman Jones and Shynique Clay. Raffle giveaways for three free studio sessions, three video shoots and five photo shoots with SGI Records, plus three free beats produced by DezPro. Events includes a $100 twerk contest.
— Fireside Chat with Joe, 6 p.m. Aug. 30. WHERE The Camp at Lake Wappapello. COST Free. WHAT Come join the discussion about Scouting with the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Scout Executive, Joe Sadewasser, and Director of Field Services, Martez Moore. Ask questions, give your input, and help the Council to better serve Scouting programs in Southeast Missouri. Register at https://forms.gle/VcCjqqH2K9QgrGk37.
— Lunch & Learn: Wound Healing and Diabetic Foot Ulcers, 12-1 p.m. Aug. 31. WHERE Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. COST Free and lunch is provided. WHAT Learn about the overall wound healing process, specifically diabetic foot ulcers, and PBRMC’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center. Speakers are Megan Campbell, RN, Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center Program Director, Megan Thompson, FNP-C and Dr. Edward Reese, M.D. Join in person at PBRMC or online using the video call link https://meet.google.com/swk-bvhw-wca. Dial in by phone at +1 662-481-2196. The PIN is 516 644 939#. More information is available at pbrmc.com/wound-care-service.
— International Overdose Awareness Day event, 1-6 p.m. Aug. 31. WHERE Three Rivers College Plaster Building, room 108 COST Free WHAT Butler County Health Department has partnered with Missouri Highlands and TRC to host this event. Refreshments will be served.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@gmail.com.