The MAIN EVENT — Area honors veterans over Memorial Day weekend

This week, the Main Event is honoring veterans.

The Poplar Bluff community will have two opportunities to honor veterans Memorial Day weekend: Saturday at the veterans section of the city cemetery and Monday at the Black River Coliseum.

The American Legion Auxiliary will continue a 30-plus year tradition by placing flags on the graves of veterans buried in the veterans section of the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery. Auxiliary President Betty Gilmore said members will begin placing the flags at 9 a.m. Saturday. At 10 a.m., the group will have a special ceremony and the public is invited to attend.

The SEMO Honor Guard will post colors and fire a 21-gun salute as well as play taps. Veteran Wayne Wilkerson will be the keynote speaker.

Veterans, their families and friends will gather at 11 a.m. Monday at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff to remember and honor those military personnel who died in service to their country.

The Butler County Veterans Council has been organizing and conducting the Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies at least 25 years, said Larry Kimbrow, who is retired from the U.S. Navy.

Kimbrow is the current president of the Butler County Veterans Council.

“The council consists of all interested veterans-related organizations and volunteers from throughout Butler County and the surrounding areas,” Kimbrow explained.

Celebrated on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day predates Veterans Day. First celebrated in 1868, the event was called Decoration Day at the time — a day to celebrate and remember Union soldiers who died during the Civil War.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the VFW Post #6477, which is across the parking lot in front of the BRC.

Kimbrow said, “the council also assists in numerous other veterans related projects and issues throughout the year. If anyone is interested in volunteering or assisting this wonderful organization,” they may contact him at larry.kimbrow@gmail.com.

Upcoming events include:

— Animal Welfare Alliance “Traffic Stop” fundraiser, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 27 WHERE at the intersection of Pine Street and Westwood Boulevard. WHAT AWA volunteers will solicit donations from passing motorists to help pay the costs of medications and spay/neuter operations for dogs and cats in the group’s regional no-kill animal shelter. The shelter is located in the former Hillcrest veterinary clinic.

— Live music in park, 1-4 p.m. May 28 WHERE Redman Creek Recreation Area, Wappapello Lake COST Free WHAT Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music: noon Grace Hicks; 1 p.m. Rising Son; 2 p.m. McAtee Singers; and 4 p.m. Buzzard Run.

— NAACP Picnic In the Park, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 28. WHERE Bacon Memorial Park COST Food is free WHAT NAACP’s first community event will feature games, music, lunch, activities and door prizes, and the chance to meet the NAACP Butler County chapter.

— Don Sahli Oil Painting Workshop, June 1-3. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum, 421 N. Main St. COST $450 per person, materials not included. Friends of Margaret Harwell receive a 10% discount. Buying a $25 Friends of MHAM membership lets participants apply the discount, saving $20 WHAT Sahli is a nationally renowned plein air painter. His workshop is open to artists of all levels, who will learn how to capture outdoor scenes like an impressionist. More info: Museum Director Steve Whitworth at swhitworth@pbcity.org, MHAM at 573-686-8002, MHAM Poplar Bluff on Facebook or mham.org.

— “The Odd Couple,” performed at 7 p.m. June 3, 4, 10, 11, and at 2 p.m. June 5, 12 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST tickets, $10 WHAT Center Stage performs this classic Neil Simon comedy built around a pair of opposites who become roommates.

— Hollywood Logan, the Legendary Drifter, 7-10 p.m. June 3, WHERE Rodgers Theatre COST tickets, $25-$45 WHAT The gospel and R&B artist has a musical career spanning four decades, performing with many other artists, including Three Dog Night, Pattie LaBelle, Alabama, Ray Charles and Dolly Parton.

— Jack Miller Memorial Kids Fun Day, 8-11 a.m. June 4 WHERE Lost Creek Pond COST free WHAT Follow State Highway D to County Road 523 for games and activities for children, including fishing, archery and water safety. More info: Lake management office, 573-222-8562

— Dennis Worley & Red Light Band, 7-10 p.m. June 4 WHERE Wappapello Civic Center COST tickets, $7, children 12 and under free WHAT weekly music and dance, located on Civic Center Road, just north of dam.

— Opening reception for metalworker Jessie Cargas 6-8 p.m June 4. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum, 421 N. Main St. COST Free WHAT Cargas began creating brightly colored, abstract steep sculptures in her 40s. She has since founded Weld Made Art Works, LLC. More info: Museum Director Steve Whitworth at swhitworth@pbcity.org, MHAM at 573-686-8002, MHAM Poplar Bluff on Facebook or mham.org.

— Cruise-In Nights resume June 10, 5-8 p.m. WHERE Black River Coliseum parking lot COST free WHAT This event is for car enthusiasts, featuring both classic and modern vehicles from our region.

— Animal Welfare Alliance will hold a grand opening on 3 p.m. June 17 WHERE At the group’s regional no-kill animal shelter. The shelter is located in the former Hillcrest veterinary clinic. WHAT In addition to operating its shelter, AWA provides $50 subsidies to qualifying pet owners who need to get their dogs or cats spayed/neutered. AWA is registered with state and federal authorities as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. tax code. Donations are tax deductible. Visit the organization at www.awasemo.org or www.facebook.com/awasemo.

— The Stage Company hosts the comedy “Precious Heart” at 7:30 p.m. June 17-18 and 24-25, 3 p.m. June 19, 26. WHERE The Method Playhouse under First United Methodist Church, 500 N. Main St. COST Adults $12, children $6. Tickets available at pbstageco.com and at the door. Tickets purchased for “A Few Good Men” will be honored at the door. WHAT A one-man comedy touring the nation starring Greg Smith as a lively spinster from Precious Heart, Texas named Fleeta Mae Bryte. More info: pbstageco.com and The Stage Company, Inc. Facebook page.

The MAIN EVENT is a weekly roundup of upcoming activities. Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@gmail.com.