When severe weather threatened the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s (UAM) fall semester welcome-back concert, a new student lounge became the unexpected hero. 

On the evening of August 18, UAM held a grand opening for Weezy’s, the campus’s new sports-bar-style student lounge in the John F. Gibson University Center. At the same time, country artist Patrick Averill performed on the University Center lawn in UAM’s first campus concert since 2016, bringing students, faculty and staff together for a long-awaited night of music and entertainment. 

Then the clouds rolled in.

Shortly after the concert began, rain and lightning swept across campus, and hundreds of people fled back to their cars and dorms. However, instead of ending the festivities, more than 100 students sought refuge in the University Center, setting the stage for an unforgettable opening night at Weezy’s. Students packed into the lounge, filling the couches and chairs and mingling beneath the glow of Weezy’s bright neon-green sign. Averill happily continued his acoustic setlist inside, turning Weezy’s into a concert venue. 

With the storm in the background, students sang along, cell phone lights glowing in the air, and Weezy’s became exactly what it was designed to be: a welcoming place to connect, unwind and build community. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello Forestry Club will host the Tall Pines Timber Challenge on Saturday, September 12, at the Bradley County Fairgrounds as part of the Bradley County Fair.

Designed as a fun, family-friendly introduction to forestry and timbersports, the Tall Pines Timber Challenge will give members of the public an opportunity to learn about forestry skills and traditions while participating in a friendly competition. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to join in, and the emphasis is on having fun and trying something new.

The event will have divisions for both youth and adults. 

A youth division will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to participants ages 10 through high school seniors. Youth competitors will test their forestry knowledge and skills in events including tree identification, forestry equipment identification, compass and pacing and a tree cookie toss.

The adult division, open to participants ages 18 and older, will begin at 1 p.m. and will feature traditional timbersports events such as crosscut sawing, axe throwing, Jack and Jill, and more.

No experience is necessary to participate. UAM Forestry Club students will demonstrate the events throughout the competition and help participants learn how each event works. For events requiring a partner, Forestry Club members will also be available to team up with participants who need a partner.