Oct 11–17: The Weekly Holler
— Special Edition —
by Vernon Tucker
Fifty-three years ago this week, on Oct. 10, 1973, one of Eureka’s independent papers ran this ride-along with Larry “Washboard” Kolden and Bloody Mama, the faded red Dodge that carried the mail, the milk, the hitchhikers and the gossip of Carroll County.
The Bureau of Streams & Trees was a public agency with no budget, no authority and possibly one errant employee, but by most accounts it was the best-run “department” in Carroll County.
Larry “Washboard” Kolden. Eureka Misfits Collection. Photo © Vernon Tucker. Do not use or reproduce without permission.
You’ve probably all seen Bloody Mama, a faded red Dodge ½ ton, boiling down a county road at a spanking 20 or 30 miles an hour. As you passed, it was probably the driver’s long blond hair pouring out from under a battered straw hat that caught your glance rather than the white logo on the doors where a Texaco star used to be. In circular lettering around a familiar-looking, five-pointed leaf, it proclaims: Bureau of Streams & Trees.
…eggs for postage, a lending library on the tailgate, hawk feathers as a signal to stop, and a turquoise bracelet that buys a bus ticket to Vermont.
This week in the Holler — a handful of picks:
Honeysuckle Jam — harmonies, warm strings, porchlight vibes
Today, Sun Oct 11 · 4 PM — Gotahold Brewing
Details →
The NightTimers — ultimate honky tonk
Today, Sun Oct 11 · 8 PM — Hillberry, The Farm
Sat Oct 17 · 6–10 PM — Mike’s Kitchen and Cantina
Details →
Avery Waltz “United We Rock” — one-man band, 21+
Thu Oct 15 · 8:30–11:30 PM — The Quarter on Spring
Details →
Mad Hatter Ball 2026: Secrets of the Sunken Kingdom — the annual ESSA fundraiser, 21+
SOLD OUT. To join the waitlist, call the ESSA office at 479-253-5384; they’ll contact you if tickets open up from cancellations.
You don’t have to attend the Ball to bid! The art auction is online and open to everyone: bidding runs Wed Oct 14 at noon to Fri Oct 16 at 8 PM. Preview the auction →
Fri Oct 16 · 5 PM — 1886 Crescent Hotel
Details →
Gullywasher — americana heartland, tradition & innovation
Fri Oct 16 · 7 PM — Gravel Bar at Wanderoo Lodge
Details →
Oktoberfest — Eureka Beer Fest
Sat Oct 17 · 11 AM — Historic Downtown Eureka Springs
Details →
Harvest Witch Festival — when witches take over Eureka: shop hop, cackling and costume contests, drag in the park, dancing at dusk
Sat Oct 17 · 10 AM–9 PM — Basin Spring Park & downtown
Schedule →
Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes — advanced R&B garage band
Sat Oct 17 · 4–6 PM — Basin Spring Park
Details →
Fireman’s Ball – Hearts on Fire — supporting our volunteer fire and first responders
Sat Oct 17 · 6 PM — Best Western Inn of the Ozarks
Details →
Your town this week
Meanwhile, the official departments meet this week:
City Council — Mon Oct 12 · 6 PM — City Hall, 44 S Main, or watch live. On the agenda: a proposed Eureka Springs Housing Authority, an emergency water fund, and a social worker for the Police Department. Agenda →
CAPC workshop — Wed Oct 14 · 5 PM — the city’s tourism commission. Details →
Meet the Candidates Forum — Thu Oct 15 · 6 PM — Eureka Springs Community Center. Local candidates and ballot measures, including the mayor’s race. Details →
Main Street microgrants open — Thu Oct 15. $100–$400 for gatherings that bring neighbors together, Dec through March. Apply →
Early voting starts — Mon Oct 19 · St. Elizabeth Parish Center, weekdays 8 AM–6 PM, Saturdays 10 AM–4 PM. Election Day is Tue Nov 3. See your voting locations and times →
Should theHOLLER keep a “Your town” box every week? Hit reply and tell us.
Heads up: Hillberry wraps up today at The Farm · War Eagle Craft Fair, Thu–Sun at War Eagle Mill · Upscale Resale Bazaar & Bake Sale, Thu–Sat 8 AM–4 PM at the UU Fellowship · Vintage & Artisan Market, Fri–Sat at Pine Mountain Village · Voices from Eureka’s Silent City lantern cemetery tours, Thu–Sat at 5:30 PM.
A few highlights to come: Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival, Oct 21–24 at The Aud · MINIs in the Ozarks, Oct 22–25 · The NightTimers with Richard Burnett, Oct 29 at the Rowdy Beaver · Día de los Muertos, Nov 1–2 in Basin Spring Park · Fall Diversity Weekend, Nov 6–8.
And your weekly regulars are still holding it down — The Lullaby Hour at Chelsea’s and Sunday Sessions with Skye on Sundays, Sprungbilly and Carolina Mendoza on Mondays, the farmers markets Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Soulful Tunes with Don & Scott on Wednesdays, Local’s Night at Lovell Estate, Christopher Plowman at The Rabbit and Los Roscoes at the Gravel Bar on Thursdays, plus trivia, karaoke and open mics all week. All of it, every week, right here:
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