Volume 2 Issue 34

Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association

April 2006

"BOB WILLS DAY" TO BRING LARGE CROWDS One of the largest events downtown since Morrilton's Centennial celebration will occur Saturday, April 1st, when Western Swing music fans gather from several states for the annual concert at the Rialto by the Bob Wills' Texas Playboys Saturday evening. Mayor Nelson and the "Mainstreet Morrilton" volunteers have declared it "Bob Wills Day", with a number of special events planned, in memory of the great showman, bandleader, and musician. Wills created the Western Swing sound during the depression era and continued to be one of the greatest influences on American music during the 1940's and 1950's. Several members of today's Texas Playboys band played with Mr. Wills in the 1950's and 1960's. In a related event, hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls are also expected to be in town for bull riding and barrel racing Saturday afternoon at the Conway County Riding Club Arena, presented by Clay McCallie. It will feature 30 bull riders and 12 barrel racers. For more information call the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce at 501-354-2393 or visit their website www.morrilton.com

The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center is proud to announce the winner
of the pARTy in the PARK 2006 art design contest

The winning design was submitted by Bonnie Peyton. Peyton is a watercolorist who has been painting for 17 years. She has studied under several local artists as well as those more
widely known, such as Melford Zornes, Selma Blackburn and Sheila Parsons.

Peyton has taught painting and drawing classes for children at the Arts Center. "Along with her artistic talent, Bonnie's natural exuberance is one of her greatest assets,"
said Betty LaGrone, Arts Center executive director.

The design will be used on festival tee shirts and other advertising media, LaGrone said.

 

"MOUNT NEBO STATE PARK NEWS"


MOUNT NEBO STATE PARK PRESENTS A
"BIRDING BASICS" WEEKEND
Saturday and Sunday April 1-2, 2006

Join the folks at Mt. Nebo State Park as they celebrate the birds of Arkansas this weekend. It is a great opportunity for you to expand your bird knowledge and birding skills. People of all ages are invited to visit the mountain that really is "for the birds." Activities will go all day Saturday and in the morning Sunday and will include bird hikes, games and a chance to make your own bird house.




MT. NEBO STAR PARTY
April 8th, 2006

At Sunset Point on April 8th just after sunset or about 8:00 pm, Mt Nebo State Park will host its annual spring Star Party! The event includes telescopes and a special guest speaker, Dr. Jeff Robertson, professor and director of Arkansas Tech's Observatory. Look and learn as Dr. Robertson points out and explains objects of interesting the night sky. Dr. Robertson and members of local astronomy groups will be at Sunset Point with telescopes and knowledge of the night sky for anyone willing to participate.
This event is free. Families and people of all ages are invited to attend. Bring a flashlight, blankets or chairs for more comfortable sky viewing. This program is weather dependent and will be canceled in case of rain or heavy cloud cover. The event will be over by 10:00 pm when the park closes.



MT. NEBO STATE PARK TO HOST ANNUAL
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
7:30 AM APRIL 16TH, 2006

Mount Nebo State Park is once again hosting an early morning Easter Service together with the Wesley Foundation from Arkansas Tech on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006 at 7:30 am. The celebration includes music and beautiful scenery atop Mt. Nebo. It is nondenominational service and is open to all. Refreshments will be served immediately following.
Held in the large mountain pavilion there is no better place for such a celebration!

For more information on all the above events call (479) 229-3650 or visit website at www.ArkansasStateParks.com/MtNebo

Wildflower Weekend at Petit Jean State Park
March 31- April 2

Throughout the Wildflower Weekend, programs will focus on wildflowers, their importance to us, as well as their importance to wildlife. You will also be able to
learn to identify wildflowers you find in your own backyard!

A complete schedule of events is available on their website at www.petitjeanstatepark.com by clicking on the programs link.

You may also get a schedule of events at the park visitor center or Mather Lodge.

Oark, Arkansas invites clubs as well as individuals in Johnson County to join them on May 20th, 2006 in this state wide activity to celebrate and recognize contributions made by members of our own community.

This will be the 4th year Oark has celebrated Heritage Day and the event has grown each year. Many activities are already planned for May 20th, including a museum, civil war reenactments, and photography and art contest. Some of the art featured will be from Art Waves the Clarksville Area Art Guild, Micki Nelson with Mystic Mountain Metals and Rebecca Holden with Rebecca Holden Studios.

For rules on the photography and art contest, call Audrey Farmer or Barbara Sampley at 479-292-3353 or the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce at 479-754-2340. All entries can be dropped off at the Oark Public School or the Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce by Tuesday, May 16th.
All entries will be judged Wednesday, May 17th.
The ribbons and prizes will be exhibited on the entries May 20th at the Heritage Day events.

Hand built Slipware Pottery- April 11th, 18th & 25th

Gourd Art & Decorating- May 4th, 11th & 18th

MOSAIC GLASS WORKSHOP

Instructor Lynn Brooks will be giving a Mosaic Glass workshop on Tuesdays May 16th, 23rd & 30th. This class will be involved in making a small (8x10) frame project and then a large window project. These projects are very similar to traditional stained glass pieces. Registration cost includes glass for projects and glass nippers. Students will provide goggles, glass cutter and 8x10 wood frame with glass. The large windows may be provided by students or purchased from Lynn for $5.00. This class will be held at Brenda Bain's classroom from 6-9 pm.
Registration cost is $75.00.

For more information on these workshops or any other questions,
call Jim Reasoner at 479-754-2399

Looking for things to do? Lake Dardanelle State Park April 2006 Spring is a great time to enjoy the wildlife and plants which are making new beginnings all around us. Make Lake Dardanelle State Park one of your favorite places to visit, and take advantage of all the activities they have to offer! Beginning Saturday April 1st and every Saturday during the month of April, join the Lake Dardanelle Staff for Fish Feedings, Snakes Alive!, Owl Prowl and many other fun activities. For more information call the park at 479-967-5516

Lake Dardanelle State Park Rollin' on the River Summer Day Camp Session 1: June 19 - June 23 Session 2: July 31 - August 4 9 am - 4 pm Adventure seekers ages 8-12 are invited to join the Lake Dardanelle folks for a week of outdoor excitement. The days will be spent learning about the environment around Lake Dardanelle through games, crafts and hands-on activities. Cost: $85 per child, lunch and snack will be provided each day. Registration fees must be paid one week in advance. Forms may be picked up at the Visitor Center.

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS NEWS

San Diego State Trainer is Featured Alumni Speaker

San Diego State University head athletic trainer Don Kessler will be the featured guest speaker during the University of the Ozarks' 2006 Alumni Lecture Series scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 7th, in the Walker Hall on the U of O campus.

The event is part of the university's 2006 Alumni Weekend. Kessler will be presented with the university's Alumni Achievement Award during the Awards Lucheon April 8.

The public is invited to attend Kessler's presentation April 7 and there is no cost for admission.

For more information, call 479-979-1000 or visit website www.ozarks.edu

Ouachita National Forest Prohibitions Information

Special Closures to all areas within the Ouachita National Forest until further notice
Order No. OA-LE-01:

Hitching, tethering, hobbling, or corralling a horse or other saddle or pack animal within
100 feet of any live, running stream

Hang-gliding from designated sites only 36 CFR 261.53(e)

Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of
posted instructions 36 CFR 261.14(l)

Operation of all terrain vehicles and other unlicensed off road vehicles 36 261.54(d)

Standing or fishing from the bridge on Forest Service Road 106 across Little Missouri River 36 CFR 261.53(e)

Special Closure for the Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex Area
Order No. OA-LE-04:

Operating an off road vehicle in area after sundown or before sunrise 261.55(l)

Occupancy and Use for the following Shooting Ranges-
Booze Hollow, Brushy Hollow, Pegion Roost, Jessieville, Kiamichi, Peeler Gap, Acorn,
Reed Mountain, Oden, Bear Mountain, Kelly Branch and Buck Ridge.
Order No. OA-LE-20:

Possessing beverage defined by state law as an alcoholic beverage. 261.58(bb)

New & Renewing Members America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Arvac Inc. Best Western Inn-Russellville Best Western of Arkansas Best Western Sherwood Inn- Clarksville Byrd's Adventure Center The Copper Outlet Catfish "N' Centerville Dragway, Inc. Chamberlyne Country Club Chambers Bank Chart Bank City of Morrilton City of Paris City of Perryville City of Russellville Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce Coffee Creek Resort & RV Park Collector's Gallery Comfort Inn-Clarksville Comfort Inn-Russellville Conway Co. Wholesale Beer Dist. Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Cyber Creek Design Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce Days Inn Morrilton Diamond State Brochure Distribution Service Dixie Cafe' First Electric Cooperative Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites Feltner's Whattaburger First Arkansas Valley Bank-Russellville First National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Great Arkansas Pig Out Gretchen's Fine Gifts Hampton Inn-Clarksville Hampton Inn-Russellville

Heifer International Hot Springs Convention & Visitor's Bureau Lake Dardanelle State Park Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Morrilton KOA Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oark General Store & Cafe' Oppelo Flea Market Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean State Park Petit Jean Vista Retreat PDQ Stores of Russellville & Dover Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Russellville APC Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Satterfield Oil Company Savanah's Riverfront Cafe' Stoby's Subiaco Abbey & Coury House Super 8 Motel-Morrilton The Grapevine Restaurant The Winthrop Rockefeller Center University of AR Community College-Morrilton U.S. Forest Service-Clarksville U.S. Forest Service-Russellville University of AR Division of Continuing Ed- Fayetteville University of the Ozarks-Clarksville Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Williams Junction Grocery Yell County Telephone Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons

Executive Board of Directors

President: Vicki Lyons- Johnson Co. 1st Vice President : Buddy Hoelzeman- Conway Co. Secretary/Treasurer : Betty LaGrone- Pope Co. Wally Scherrey- Conway Co. Beebe Huett- Conway Co. Karen Hofford- Conway Co. Carol Martin- Johnson Co. Pat Kowalewycz- Johnson Co.

Nancy Rogers- Johnson Co. Bro. Mel Stinson- Logan Co. David Flugrad- Logan Co. Lynn Wright- Logan Co. Jan Allen- Logan Co. Doug Brandon- Perry Co. Bill Greene- Perry Co. Andy Thomas- Pope Co. Theresa Pelton- Pope Co. Lou Vitale- Pope Co. Patty Styles- Yell Co. Carole Tackett- Yell Co. Jim Holbrook- Yell Co. Mike Hall- Yell Co.

Rockhouse Cave at Petit Jean State Park

Calendar of Events

Centerville
Saturday Street Legal Nights begin April 1st
For more information call (479) 576-4001 or visit their website at www.centervilledragway.com


Clarksville

Foothills Arena
Hwy 103 North in Clarksville
Friday-Sunday, April 7th-9th: Alpaca Show at 9 am
Sunday, April 23rd: AOK Barrel Race ~ Exh. 12 pm, Race 2 pm
For more information on Foothills Arena, contact Nila Moore (479) 497-2688, website www.foothillsarena.com
email foothillsarena@centurytel.net

University of the Ozarks
Sunday, April 23rd: The Bevin Trio- "Music for Awhile"
Walton Arts Center 2 pm, admission: $10
For more information call 1-800-264-8636 or visit website www.ozarks.edu

Byrd's Adventure Center
April 7-9: 9th Annual Ozark Challenge Sprint Adventure Race
For more information or to register visit www.ozarkchallenge.com
April 22: Earth Day Mulberry Trails Cleanup
April 28-30: Byrd's River Boogie
For more information call Byrd's Adventure Center @ (479) 667-4066 or visit their website www.byrdsadventurecenter.com


Morrilton
Petit Jean State Park
Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2: Wildflower Weekend
Saturday-Sunday, April 15-16: Great Escape Easter Weekend
Admission is FREE
For more information call 1-800-264-2462 or visit their website www.petitjeanstatepark.com

Rialto Community Arts Center
Saturday, April 1: Bob Wills Day Downtown Morrilton
For more information visit www.morrilton.com

Russellville
Saturday, April 22: Annual Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Performance Witherspoon Hall on the ATU campus. For more information call 479-967-2433

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.
Nothing is that important…Natalie Goldberg