Local Events

Local Events

WHAT
The 1st Annual William H 'Bill' Ahrens Memorial Benefit

WHEN & WHERE
June 23, 2000
@ 10:30 PM
Hosted by Kinkead's
1004 1/2 Garrison Ave
Fort Smith, AR
501-783-9988

All proceeds benefit:
Fort Smith Fights AIDS
The American Heart Association

Performers Include:
Shanel Herrington
Oddessy Zinn
Amanda Brookhaven
Barbie Grant
Keisha Kye
Kimberly Kress
Bianca Wise
Sadie Brooks

Gay Community Loses Good Friend Ft. Smith: -

On May 1, 1999, the gay community lost a good friend and someone who was fiercely protective of gays in general. His name was William H. "Bill" Ahrens, III.

Bill was the stepfather of Stephanie's three children. Stephanie's daughters, Melanie Van Wagner of West Palm Beach, FL; and Sandi Sibley of Ft. Smith; are both lesbians. Bill was very proud of both of them.

Bill was born and raised in the Great Kills Community on Staten Island, NY. He graduated from Tottenville High School, spent four years in the United States Air Force, and worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Manhattan for nine and a half years.

Bill and Stephanie moved to Arkansas in July 1990 and lived in Calico Rock for five and a half years before moving to Ft. Smith in 1996.

They became very involved in the gay community after moving to Ft. Smith. Bill started going to female impersonation shows and had five "girls" he called his. They are Miss Oddessy Zinn, Miss Shanel Herrington, Miss Amanda Brookhaven, Miss Hallee Sinclair and Miss Barbie Grant. Along the way, he added Miss Sadie Brooks and Miss Bianca Wise to his growing list of "girls"!

In his honor, the 1st Annual William H. "Bill" Ahrens, III Memorial Benefit will be held June 23, 2000, at 10 :30 PM at Kinkead's, 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave., Ft. Smith. The proceeds from the benefit will go to Ft. Smith Fights AIDS and the American Heart Association.

Some of the scheduled performers are: Oddessy Zinn, Amanda Brookhaven, Hallee Sinclair, Shanel Herrington. Barbie Grant, Bianca Wise, Sadie Brooks, Keisha Kye, Kimberley Kress and a couple of surprise guests!!

Plan to attend this worthy benefit and come to see who will be there to surprise you!!!