No tricks, just treats as we wrap out September and welcome in October and the Fall.

Recent Activities

Another great speaker. Sam McGuire was a real delight of a human. Such a wonderful person to meet and learn about. Having her her speak to out chapter here in the Ozarks was a treat.

Sam spoke at Fayetteville library in the Ziggler room. [Recording to come]. We did a meet and greet on Friday and Sam joined us briefly at the farmers market in Fayetteville before speaking and finished up at Pizzeria Ruby for post event social and food. 

Below are a few of the action item links Sam mentioned.

https://atheists.org/get-involved/

States of the Secular State https://states.atheists.org/

https://www.secularsurvey.org

Up Next is our Final speaker for our Summer Speaker Series is a Thursday night Oct 22nd in Bentonville, at the library see you there. 

October 22nd (Thursday) – 6:00pm to 7:00pm @ Bentonville Public Library – Fish Stark (American Humanist Association)

Secular Speaker Series with Fish Stark (American Humanist Association) – Come join us for our final speaker series event of 2026 as we listen to Fish Stark, Executive Director for the American Humanist, and has been at the forefront of Church/State Separation issues. Get tickets here!

Farmer Market – Story Time – Local FFRF Victory

On Saturday Sept 26th before speaking event we tabled at Fayetteville farmers market and we had a lady come up and thank FFRF for our work to help cancel an unconstitutional field trip someone in her family reported to FFRF. Report a violation to national FFRF. Link

Check out our Victory Points Page, to see the full story of how Lakeside School District – Cancels Unconstitutional Religious Field Trip. FFRF sent letter regarding Letter Regarding Unconstitutional Religious Field Trip for Lakeside School District. The official email from Bruce the schools Superintendent.

Special Event – Billboard Photo Op

Join us for an upcoming FFRF billboard campaign photo op this weekend – October 11th (Sunday) – 11:30am

FFRF Billboard Group Photo – Meet at the parking lot of La Huerta Mexican Restaurant (4901 S Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764) for a Group Photo. Optional lunch to follow.

The campaign features the message “Vote Like Your Rights Depend On It — Because They Do” and directs viewers to ffrf.us/vote. Below is an example of the creative so you can see what the billboards will look like. The Ozarks Chapter was one of only 19 chapters selected to participate, which speaks volumes to how our chapter is receiving a lot of attention at the national level. Way to go!

This digital bulletin is located at Hwy 71B 300 South of W Lakeview Dr., 4915 S. Thompson E/S, Springdale, AR, N/F (D05N1). The best viewing spot is in the parking lot of La Huerta Mexican Restaurant, located at 4901 S Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764.

If you cannot make it this weekend. Email us photos or tag us on Facebook with any post of yourselves or other groups. The FFRF billboard campaign running in select markets across the country from Oct. 5 through Nov. 1

Consider giving to the FFRF Action Fund.

Upcoming Events and Activities

Even though the Summer Speaker Series and farmers markets are coming to an end for the season. November and December will be a busy few months for us. Below is a list of events as we approach the end of the year. We will have road side clean up, diversity day, and a secular Sunday. December we plan to put up the bill of rights display at the Capitol again. December will have NWA Freethought Festivus event on Dec 23. Join us.

October 10th (Saturday) – 7:30am to 12:30pm

• Bentonville Farmers Market – Come join us for the final Bentonville Farmers market of the season as we engage the community on secular values.  Look for us in the Free Speech area at 2nd Street and A Street Promenade.

**JUST ADDED** October 11th (Sunday) – 11:30am

• FFRF Billboard Group Photo – Meet at the parking lot of La Huerta Mexican Restaurant (4901 S Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764) for a Group Photo. Optional lunch to follow.

October 16th to 18th (Friday to Sunday) – All Day

• FFRF National Convention (Milwaukee, WI) – for those interested attending this national event.

October 22nd (Thursday) – 6:00pm to 7:00pm @ Bentonville Public Library

• Secular Speaker Series with Fish Stark (American Humanist Association) – Come join us for our final speaker series event of 2026 as we hear from Fish Stark, Executive Director for the American Humanist, who has been at the forefront of Church/State Separation issues.  Get tickets here!

October 24th (Saturday) – 7:30am to 12:30pm

• Fayetteville Farmers Market – The Ozarks Chapter of FFRF will be at the Fayetteville Farmers Market for the final time in 2026!  Come meet likeminded freethinkers and spend time chatting with fellow citizens of the Ozarks.

November 1st (Sunday) – 7:30am to 10:00am

• Adopt-A-Highway Road Cleanup – Our final road cleanup of 2026 falls on Daylight Savings time where we roll back our clocks by one hour. This is a perfect way to “donate” your extra hour to a good cause! We will start at Onyx Coffee (101 E Walnut Ave, Rogers, AR 72756) at 7:30am and carpool to the site at 8:00am.  The 1 mile section of road takes approximately 90 minutes to clean, and we anticipate returning to Rogers by 10:00am. Orange vests and trash bags will be provided. We recommend wearing long pants, gloves and hat (sunscreen and bug spray, if needed). We have plenty of “grabber tools” to borrow of these can be purchased online separately. Please come support the Ozarks Chapter of FFRF by keeping Arkansas beautiful!

November 7th (Saturday) – 10:00am to 5:00pm

• Fall Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, AR – the Ozarks Chapter of FFRF will be tabling during this event. More details to come!

November 15th (Sunday) – 10:00am to 11:00am

• Sunday Secular Meeting @ Ozarks Natural Foods (380 N College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701) – Come join us for our monthly business and social meeting. 

December 19th (Sunday) – 10:00am to 11:00am

• Sunday Secular Meeting @ Onyx in the Momentary (507 SE E St, Bentonville, AR 72712) – Come join us for our monthly business and social meeting as we wrap up 2026 and look to plan our fiscal 2027.

December 23rd (Sunday) – 6:00pm to 8:00pm

• Festivus Celebration – Our esteemed Chip Ballew will be hosting another entertaining edition of Festivus. This is a Save The Date. More details to be shared in a future newsletter.

Updates to the Website

• Added the September issue of the Newsletter.
• Added the September issue of the Meeting Minutes.
• Updated the Speaker Series page to add pictures.
• Added Pictures to the Media Galley
• Updated Upcoming Event – Adding Billboard photo op and December events!
• Updated victory points – adding October FFRF Freethought today, as well as Emailed Victory.
• Added new Ally Links
• Multiple Blog posts!