Volume 1 Issue 6 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri -Peaks Region Association December 2003   Mount Magazine State Park Receives 2002-2003 Region I Park of the Year Award   Mount Magazine State Park near Paris has been selected as the recipient of the 2002-2003 Region I Park of the Year Award by Arkansas State Parks. State Parks Director Greg Butts presented the award to Park Superintendent David Flugrad and his staff October 30, 2003, at the park. Mount Magazine State Park is located atop Mt. Magazine 17 miles south of Paris on Scenic Highway 309. Mount Magazine is one of the 51 state Parks operated by the State Parks Division, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The State Parks Division presents awards annually for park and museum excellence within Arkansas's state parks system. The 2002-2003 awards honor the Park of the Year, Museum of the Year, Region I-IV winners, and awards for outstanding park maintenance, hospitality, volunteer program, resource management, interpretive program, and special event. Director Butts noted, "Visitor comments, maintenance and operations, budget management, revenue production, interpretive program development, volunteer program activities, community public relations, resource management and many other factors are considered in selecting the award recipients." Mount Magazine was the Region I winner. This region falls within the northwest and west portion of Arkansas. The nine other parks in Region I are Cossatot River State Park - Natural Area near Wickes; Devil's Den State Park near West Fork; Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area near Rogers; Lake Dardanelle State Park at Russellville; Lake Fort Smith State Park at Mountainburg; Lake Ouachita State Park near Mountain Pine; Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park at Prairie Grove; Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena; and Withrow Springs State Park near Huntsville. Greg Butts said, "Superintendent David Flugrad and the staff at Mount Magazine bring credit to the State of Arkansas with their dedicated work. This award recognizes their efforts, the public's response to those efforts, and focuses on their exemplary work in all areas of park management over the past year." Recognizing Mount Magazine for its outstanding fiscal year efforts, Mr. Butts noted that visitors to the park are consistently complimentary about it and are anxiously awaiting the day when the lodge is built. A visitor from Louisiana commented: "Wonderful view, very educational, hope to come back when lodge is completed." Other visitors wrote: "This is the greatest place in the world" and "thanks for your hospitality." Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the vistas of broad river valleys, deep canyons and distant mountains at the park. The elevation makes the mountaintop a cool place to be on hot summer days. The park offers campsites, hiking trails, overlooks, a pavilion, picnic area with restrooms, a visitor center with exhibit gallery and gift shop, and quality, yet diverse, interpretive programs. The park is working to develop a friends group, but even without an official group in place, volunteers have contributed many hours. A 12-member Americorps group, working five weeks, assisted in constructing a monument at the state's highpoint. Ten diverse special events were held at the park this past year, along with 147 interpretive programs that increased 40% from the pervious year. Park visitation increased 32.5% over the previous year. Mount Magazine's interpretive programs have continued to grow. Twenty-two different interpretive programs were given, including 13 newly developed programs. A new living history character-a bear hunter from 1803-was developed to portray the relationship of the Louisiana Purchase with Mount Magazine. Research into 1930s Forest Service and WPA activities on the mountain has led to the discovery of historic trails, which have been used in guided hikes. A major resource management project has been the maintaining of three acres of land as a wildlife food plot. These areas are cleared and replanted every other year. The park supplies the equipment and labor, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission supplies the materials. Another main resource management operation involves maintaining and expanding the wildflower population in the park. Mount Magazine is noted for its large wildflower and butterfly population. Management of the wildflowers helps the butterflies along with enticing visitors to come to the park.   David Flugrad, Superintendent, Mount Magazine State Park, 16878 Highway 309 South, Paris, AR 72855,/ Phone: (479) 963-8502 / E-mail: david.flugrad@mail.state.ar.us. Press release from State Parks Division Department of Parks and Tourism   Park of the Year Awards The staffs of the following state parks are also to be congratulated as recipients of 2002-2003 excellence awards: Volunteer Program of the Year-White Oak Lake; Outstanding Park Maintenance - Village Creek; Outstanding Hospitality - Ozark Folk Center & Queen Wilhelmina; Outstanding Interpretive Program - Old Davidsonville; Outstanding Special Event - Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Celebration; Outstanding Resource Management - Cossatot River-Natural Area; Park of the Year, Region II - Woolly Hollow; Park of the Year, Region III - Cane Creek; Park of the Year, Region IV - Millwood; Museum of the Year - Plantation Agriculture Museum; Overall Winner- Cane Creek.   . ARVTPR Shopping   Altus- Post Familie Vineyards & Winery, Wiederhehr Wine Cellars;Centerville, Centerville Dragway; Clarksville-Sherwood Best Western, Coldwell Banker, Comfort Inn, Gretchen's, Hampton Inn; Danville-Chamberlyn Country Club, Fowler's Restaurant, Janice's Flower World, Uni-Stor; Dardanelle- Bay Ridge Boat & Golf Club, Catfish N; Morrilton-Conway Wholesale Beer Dist., Museum of Automobiles, Oppello Flea Market, Petit Jean Area Antique & Collectible Dealers Association, Petit Jean Meats, Petit Jean Trail Rides, Super 8, Tanyard Springs, Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar; Oark- Oark General Store & Café; Ozark- Byrd's Adventure Center; Paris-Cowie Wine Cellars & B&B, The Grapevine Restaurant; Perryville- Williams Junction Grocery, Russellville-AR River Valley Arts Center, Best Western Inn, Boston Mountain Copper Co., Cliff Goodin Realtor, Collector's Gallery, Comfort Inn, Dixie Café, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Whataburger, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn/Cagle's Mill, PDQ Stores, Stoby's, Super 8; Subiaco - Subiaco Abbey     2003 Trail of Holiday Lights   From north to south, east to west and all points in-between, Arkansas will be glowing with lights, lights and more lights throughout this holiday season during the 8th annual Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights. A record 72 communities are participating, including first-timers Corning, England and Russellville. The trail begins in the northwest corner and goes clockwise around the state for those travelers who want to see them all, or visitors can stop and start anywhere along the way. The Arkansas Trail Holiday of Lights brochure includes a map as well as descriptions of the displays along with many photographs. In most cases, the brochure lists specific display dates. "Cool Yule Deals," will be featured on the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Web site. Click on the Holiday Lights icon at http://www.Arkansas.comwww.Arkansas.com. Holiday lights extravaganzas in Arkansas range from decorated courthouse squares, downtown districts and residential areas to lake resorts and city parks. Some of the more unusual locations on the trail include a bridge at Bull Shoals, Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Funland at Burns Park in North Little Rock, the marina at Iron Mountain Resort on DeGray Lake and the winery at Wiederkehr Village near Altus. The largest of the exhibitions (more than six million brilliant bulbs) is in Blytheville where visitors can see animated lighted characters from author John Grisham's best-selling novel "A Painted House." Some of the exhibits are drive-through while others are walk-through or drive-by. Other activities taking place include parades, visits from Santa Claus, caroling, Christmas concerts, business open houses and tree-lighting ceremonies. Free brochures will be available at all Arkansas Coulson Oil's Shell Superstops and Bank of America branches and all Arkansas Tourist Information Centers.  INCREASE SALES   "Won't you be my neighbor" isn't just a catchy line from a popular children's television host. It's also a good motto for your property if you'd like to increase business by targeting often-overlooked local markets. Take a look around your neighborhood and learn who your neighbors are. As you take note of your neighbors, brainstorm ideas for possible guests that each business or organization might have for your property. Hospitals, for instance, may recommend lodging options for family members of patients or they may host medical conferences whose participants will need a place to stay. Colleges need rooms for parents of prospective and current students, alumni returning for special events, and visitors to campus events. Churches may be looking for a place to hold a meeting or conference, or they may keep a list of local properties to recommend to couples who need a block of rooms for an upcoming wedding. It's not enough to know who is in your neighborhood. They have to know who you are too. You have to give these organizations a reason to think of you first when they have a need for lodging or meeting space. How do you become more visible in your community? Get involved with the local AHA chapters, the local chamber of commerce or local convention & visitors bureau. Serve on a committee or contribute in some way that benefits the group. Make sure your brochures are available to be distributed. Make it a point to call on your neighbors to introduce yourself and your property. The purpose of your visit is not to hard-sell them, but rather to let them know a little about your property's features and benefits - what you have to offer that they might need someday. You can also use these introductory visitors to discover just what kinds of lodging needs they might have now or in the future. In addition to visiting the neighbors, you can also invite them to come to your place for a visit. Host a reception or mixer for the businesses and organizations in your community. Light refreshments, property tours, and a casual atmosphere where folks can get to know each other can be a positive way to build goodwill and good business.   And when one of your neighbors does send some business your way - no matter how large or small - be sure and show your appreciation. A thank-you note, a fruit basket, or a voucher for a complimentary appetizer or dessert at your property's restaurant (if you have one) are easy and inexpensive ways to let your neighbors know you're happy with their referral. Information from this article was adapted from "To Increase Sales, Take a Hint from Mister Rogers" by Elizabeth Johnson, Public Relations Manager, Educational Institute of AH&LA. - from the AHA Newsletter   TALENT SHOW   The 18th Annual Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Talent Show is slated for Saturday, December 13th at the Walton Fine Art Center on the U of O Campus. Preliminaries will begin at 8:30 a.m. and Finals begin at 7:00 p.m.Tickets for the entire day are $6.00 and are now available at the Chamber of Commerce office at 101 N. Johnson. For additional information or an application for the talent contest you may go to the Chamber website http://www.clarksvillearchamber.com   Arts Cooperative The Clarksville Central Business District Committee is working on the creation of an Artists' Cooperative/Fine Arts Guild for area artists. The committee is working on a location in downtown Clarksville. Your help is needed. The first step is identifying those artists who might be interested in a place to display, sell, or teach their arts, in a space/lease sharing arrangement. Artists working in any medium - oils, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, art woodwork, or others - are asked to call the Chamber office, 754-2340.    The Arkansas State Park Recreation & Travel Commissioners Report   Entertainers Hall of Fame-On October 3, 2003, an induction ceremony was held in Pine Bluff for Arkansas natives, Ms. Barbara Hendricks, Mr. Walter Norris, Mr. John Grisham, Mr. William Grant Still, Mr. Freeman Harrison Owens, Mr. Steve Stephens and Mr. Ronnie Dunn.   Aristotle Report- Commissioners approved the new main page design for Arkansas.com.   Park Directives- Following a 30-day public comment period and a public hearing, the Commission approved one new park directive and revisions to a second. Park Directive 3070, Firearms, Explosives, and Fireworks has been revised to be in compliance with Act 1110 of 2003 that permits persons to carry a concealed handgun into a public park, persons on a journey, and lists places within a state park where concealed handguns are not allowed. A new park directive Use Permit Policy established criteria procedures, fees, and special considerations for the granting of Use Permit Agreements for residential access (individuals and developers), utility companies and highway departments through state park lands.  Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourist Association Vicki Lyons- President Beebe Huett - Secretary/Treasurer Board of Directors Conway County Beebe Huett --- Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Buddy Hoelzeman --- Museum of Automobiles Karen Hofford --- Morrilton Mayor's Office Wally Scherrey --- Petit Jean State Park Johnson County Pat Kowalewycz --- U S Forest Service Vicki Lyons --- Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Carol Martin --- Individual Nancy Rogers --- Hampton Inn Logan County David Flugrad ---Mt. Magazine State Park Bro. Mel Stinson, OSB --- Coury House Retreat Center Lynn Wright --- First National Bank Debbie Westlake-Allen ---Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Doug Brandon --- First Electric Cooperative Tami Tanner ---Chart Bank Pope County Betty LaGrone--- ARV Arts Center Yvonda Tilley--- Boston Mountain Copper Co. Andy Thomas--- Lake Dardanelle State Park Yell County Mike Hall---Mt. Nebo State Park Jim Holbrook--- Chambers Bank Patti Styles---Centerville Dragway Carole Tackett ---Catfish 'N Lou Vitale --- ARVAC, Inc.   101 N Johnson Clarksville AR 72830 (479) 754-6453 Fax (479) 754-4923 1-800-561-6508 Email: info@arvtripeaks.com Web: www.arvtripeaks.com New ARVTPR Member Donnie Crain, owner of Diamond State Brochure Distribution Service has joined the tourist association. Located in Perry County, Diamond State has 25 brochure racks in Central Arkansas with brochures showing the many things to do and see in Central Arkansas. http://www.experiencearkansas.com       Tri-Peaks Monthly Tourism Information   November tourism information for the Tri-Peaks region has been sent to 30 states. November request totals: Web Site - 18 Phone Inquiries - 13 AR Vacation Planning Kit - 44 Fall and Winter Inserts - 79 Visitors to WEB site - 696 Newsletter emailed - 59 Vacations Package Clicks Bear and Deer Hunt - 9 Unique Romantic Getaway - 42 Petit Jean Mountain Adventure - 14 Romance in Paris - 1 Romance the One You Love -26   ARVTPR Vacation Packages ARVTPR has five packages on the Arkansas.com site romance packages http://www.arkansashotdeals.com/details.asp?id=627 http://www.arkansashotdeals.com/details.asp?id=628 http://www.arkansashotdeals.com/details.asp?id=753 outdoor sports and adventure http://www.arkansashotdeals.com/details.asp?id=687 http://www.arkansashotdeals.com/details.asp?id=626     Calendar of Events December - January 2003  Clarksville Dec 1,8,15,22,29 Team Penning Hurley Arena Dec 2,9,16 Barrel Series Hurley Arena Dec 6 U of O Children's Theater presents "Peter Pan" Dec 6 Christmas Parade Main Street 6:30 Dec 6,7 Bobby's Roping School Hurley Arena Dec 7 U of O Choir Lessons and Carols; Raymond Munger Memorial Chapel Dec 13 Chamber Talent Show U of O Dec 27 Rope America Team Roping Hurley Arena Dardanelle Dec 5 Christmas Parade Morrilton Dec 4 Annual Christmas Parade, Christmas in the Park opens / Night of Luminaries at UACCM. 354-2393 Dec 5 Rialto Gallery Photography Display photos of Mayor Nelson Dec 5 Christmas Featuring the DUNLAP SINGERS, CRAIG BOYLE, JIM MAHAN 7:00 PM Dec 6 Gospel Concert by HEAVEN'S ECHOES & THE CRUSADERS 7:00 PM Dec. 7 Christmas Movie, A CHRISTMAS STORY, 2:00 PM $1:00 Donation Dec 12 Christmas at the Rialto Dec 13 Christmas Movie, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at 2:00 PM, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION at 7:00 PM. $1:00 Donation Dec 14 Christmas Movie, A WONDERFUL LIFE, 2:00 PM, $1:00 Donation Dec. 19 RIALTO GALLERY, 6:00 PM Reception for Mayor Stewart Nelson's Photo Display Mt. Nebo State Park Dec 6 Victorian Christmas Open House Petit Jean State Park Dec 6 Christmas Open House Mather Lodge Russellville Dec 4 Christmas parade downtown Russellville Dec 4-28 Downtown Tinsel Town Festival Dec 5-6 13th Annual Arts & Crafts Christmas Sale Dec 6 5K Reindeer Run 479-967-1762 Dec 6 Tinsel, Trees, and Trumpets-Russellville Symphony Guild 479-890-7249 Dec 13-27 Ice Skating Rink Opens call 479-367-1762 for dates & times Subiaco Dec 3 Walter Auditorium, An evening of Delta blues Dec 14 Annual Festival of Advent/Christmas Lessons and Carols Service, St. Benedict Church Jan 21 Christmas in January Sturgis Quartet assisted by Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Walter Auditorium     The Great Arkansas FestivalFest   FestivalFest encourages consumers to travel the state visiting festivals and special events. Consumers must visit five of the 13 highlighted festivals and get a frequent festivity card stamped. Once five stamps are collected, contestants must mail the cards by Jan. 1, 2004. For more information, visit arkansas.com/calendar. Cards are being distributed at Tourist Information Centers, Little Rock's Clear Channel Metroplex and participating festivals.     Travelin' Arkansas Events for December The Christmas Story -A retelling of the birth of Christ in song and dance - a great musical Friday, Dec. 5 and 12 & Saturday, December 6 & 13, 8:00 p.m. and Sundays December 7 and 14 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and under. Gardner Auditorium, South Arkansas Ave., Russellville. Call Arkansas Arts Center 479-968-2452 for information. Re-creating the Christmas spirit of 19th-century Arkansas is the goal of the yearly Christmas and Candlelight at Old Washington Historic State Park. The 17th annual edition of the event will be held from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. (870) 983-2633, online@southwestarchives.com 2684. Ice skating,live music, a "Reindeer Run" and a visit from Santa are on tap for Russellville's Downtown Tinsel Town, to take place Dec. 4-28. One of the largest lighted Christmas parades in Arkansas will kick-off the event at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. A 5K Reindeer Run takes place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Also on Dec. 6, Festival of the Trees, which allows children to create their own ornaments and decorate trees, begins at 10 a.m. The ice skating rink opens Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rink will be open Dec. 14, noon-7 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3-10 p.m. (and for teens only 10 p.m.-midnight); Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Dec. 21, noon-7 p.m.; Dec. 22-24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; on Christmas Day, 2-7 p.m.; Dec. 26-27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Dec. 28, noon-7 p.m. Santa will visit the rink on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, the rink will be open for groups by appointment only Dec. 15-18 from 3 to 7 p.m. Skate rentals $5. Russellville's downtown district is located along Main Street, near the intersection of U.S. 64 and Ark. 7. (479) 967-1762 www.discoverrussellville.org. "Caroling in the Caverns," one of the most unique holiday events in Arkansas, will again be staged the first three weekends in December at Blanchard Springs Caverns, near Mountain View. A limited number of visitors are transported via elevator to a seating area in the cavern's Dripstone area where local musicians perform traditional carols in the cathedral-like atmosphere. Concerts will be held Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. Reservations are required. 1-888-679-2859. A drive-through living nativity of five scenes with live animals including Gobi the Christmas camel will be offered from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 5-6 by Heifer International at its Heifer Ranch in Perryville. Complimentary refreshments and hands-on activities for the kids can also be enjoyed and admission is free. (501) 889-5124 www.heifer.org. Two Arkansas State Parks offer Christmas Open House events in December in addition to the outdoor opportunities available at the parks year-round. The Mount Nebo Victorian Christmas Open House will be Dec. 6 at Mount Nebo State Park. The event includes Victorian-era tree ornaments, decorations and refreshments. Visitors can also meet an 1890s living history character and learn holiday traditions and games. Admission is free. For more information, call (479) 229-3655 www.ArkansasStateParks.com. The park is seven miles west of Dardanelle on Ark. 155. On Dec. 6 and 7, the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Christmas Open House will include living history programs and demonstrations throughout the weekend, as well as tours of Hindman Hall and the historic Latta and Morrow Houses. Admission is free. (479) 846-2990 www.ArkansasStateParks.com. The park is on U.S. 62 in Prairie Grove. Preserving the past that is uniquely Harrison is Heritage on Tour, a holiday tour of historic homes. Six historic homes will be decorated for Christmas. Kay Steffen, director of Main Street Harrison, said the tour is not only a fun, social event, but also an event to raise awareness in the community of the importance of historic structures. The self-guided tour will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 7. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and can be purchased at the Main Street Harrison office, Harrison Chamber of Commerce, both branches of Community First Bank, and downtown on the square at Walter's Dept. Store and the Unlimited Outlet. (870) 741-4889 www.mainstreetharrison.org.      Geocaching in Arkansas's State Parks   Geocaching, high tech treasure hunting with the help of a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device, is another fun outdoor adventure you can enjoy in the State Parks of Arkansas. The parks system's wide diversity of natural and historic settings, landmarks and architectural works, makes the parks great getaways for geocaching sport. Geocaching enthusiasts can test their cache seeking skills in some of The Natural State's most scenic and historic settings. Go to http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/things/geocache/ for details and a listing of Arkansas's 40 state parks where this fun, scavenger hunt sport can be enjoyed. You will also find a link to the official geocaching web site where you can learn about the latest caches in your area, how to hide a cache, and how to start experiencing this sport.  Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season