After more scouring the totally wonderful Encyclopedia of Arkansas, I found one of the great nuggets: Mother Teresa came and visited us here in Little Rock in 1982. I didn’t expect to see where she made her public address, either — more on that in a minute.

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- Reid

Ray Winder Field has hosted many a legend, mostly baseball players, as expected. Ray Winder also hosted Mother Teresa, who addressed a crowd to pray over the Abba House, a temporary home for pregnant women and new mothers who have nowhere to live. The house is still in operation, still staffed by the Missionaries of Charity, and operates entirely on donations. The link above will give you contact info if you feel compelled to support their work.

Father Joseph Nielson, OCD, began caring for homeless women expecting children in the late-’70s, primarily at the apartment of Patricia Plaisance. There, volunteers gave new mothers a sense of security and support as they cared for their babies. Over time, the ministry grew far too big for an apartment, so Plaisance and her husband, James Grabher, moved into a house in southwest Little Rock, where Nielson kept bringing women. As they continued taking in more women, they understood they needed a helping hand.

In 1981, the Diocese of Little Rock purchased the property with the intent of supporting and growing the mission further. In 1982, Bishop Andrew McDonald wrote to the Missionaries of Charity, asking Mother Teresa to take over the shelter. Via a representative, Mother Teresa said she needed to see the facility before taking it over.

In June of 1982, Mother Teresa came to Little Rock to tour the ministry and decided the Missionaries of Charity would agree to take it on. Before leaving town, she and Bishop McDonald led a prayer service at Ray Winder Field, where more than 5,400 people gathered.

So now, each time you’re scooting along I-630, take a look at the old Ray Winder site and imagine not the home runs and occasional ball hit over the Screen Monster, but one Mother Teresa of Calcutta leading the crowd in prayer.

Saturday: HarvestFest in Hillcrest
It’s the 32nd year of Kavanaugh Boulevard’s street party: live music, the dog show, a beer garden and a kids’ zone. If you only do one thing Saturday, do this. More info.

Saturday evening: NPR Tiny Desk Contest: Arkansas Showcase, The Hall
Three Arkansas acts picked from the state’s entries to the NPR contest: Jupiter’s Flytrap (Conway), Brae Leni (Little Rock) and Rachel Fields and the Blues Therapy Group (Prairie Grove). Doors are at 5 p.m., the show at 6, all ages. The Hall

Sunday evening: The Dolly Parton Tribute Show, White Water Tavern
Come see local legends Whoa Dakota, Emily Fenton, Adam Faucett, Annie Ford, and Stephanie Smittle pay homage to the Queen. Tickets are $10 and available at White Water’s website. A portion of the proceeds will go toward Dolly’s Imagination Library.