Spring River Gem and Mineral Club announces remaining 2026 schedule

The Spring River Gem and Mineral Club has announced its program schedule for the remainder
of the year, kicking off with the club's annual summer picnic on June 5.
Regular meetings are held at 10 a.m. at the Thunderbird Center, 62 N. Lakeshore Road in
Cherokee Village, Ark.
Following the June picnic, the club will resume its educational presentations. The upcoming
schedule includes:
July 3: Author and investigative journalist George Jared of Talk Business & Politics will present
"Conversations with a Serial Killer." The program, which details a murder in Melbourne, Ark., is
part of the club's "Only in Arkansas" and "Ozark Academic History" series.
Aug. 7: Lydia Tackett, an earth science professor at Missouri State University in Springfield, will
present "Predator and Prey Relationships Through Time." The paleontology-focused program
will explore what influences changes in predator and prey relationships.

Sept. 4: Julie Morrow, an archeologist at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, will present
"Investigating Arson at Greenbrier Town." The program will highlight the largest archeological
site in Arkansas, focusing on a densely settled 16th-century Native American town occupied
from the 1400s to shortly after 1500.
Oct. 2: Kent Adler, director of the advancement of Scottish heritage at Lyon College, will present
"Scottish Heritage in North-Central Arkansas." The program, also part of the "Only in Arkansas"
series, will feature live bagpipe playing.
Nov. 6: Ryan Parish, an earth sciences professor at the University of Memphis, will present
"Lasers, Stone Tools, Ancient Human Behavior." The anthropology and human paleontology
program will discuss the evolution of human behavior.
The club will conclude its 2026 season with a Christmas party on Dec. 4.
For more information about the club or its upcoming programs, call 870-847-3109 or 870-847-
2693.