Volume 1 Issue 8 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri -Peaks Region Association February 2004   Photo Contest Winners   The winning image for the final category of the "Picture Yourself in Arkansas" photography contest has been selected. Frank Thurston of Battlefield, Mo., submitted the winning photograph for the "Arkansas Landscapes" category -- that of a fall scene at the Buffalo National River. The runner up in the category was Chris Kennedy of Russellville, Ark., who submitted a photograph taken at Falling Water Creek in the Ozark National Forest. Contest judges will next review the image submitted by Thurston, along with the winning photographs from the other five contest categories, to determine the grand prizewinner and overall runner up. The other Arkansas-related categories were wildlife, wildflowers, water, cities and towns, and festivals and events.   The images for each category, along with two honorable mention submissions, are available for viewing at arkansastravel.com Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism   Hikes, Hearts and Hugs Weekend at Petit Jean State Park   Enjoy a romantic getaway this Valentine's Weekend at Petit Jean State Park. Hikes, Hearts and Hugs Weekend, February 14 and 15, 2004, will feature guided trail hikes, the romantic legend of Petit Jean, and a Sweethearts Dinner and Dance. The Sweethearts Dinner and Dance on Saturday, February 14, will begin at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $65 per couple, $35 per extra person. After dinner, spend three hours dancing to all of your favorite songs. A DJ will be playing your special requests from 8 to 11 pm. Beginning at 10 am on Saturday, February 14, you will have the opportunity to participate in various guided activities in the park. Walk along the Cedar Falls Overlook and learn about this inspiring waterfall. Overlook the Arkansas River while listening to the romantic legend of Petit Jean. Hike along the canyon rim to witness the spectacular views and rock formations of Bear Cave. On Sunday morning, February 15, sleep in before enjoying brunch for only $15 per couple. Following brunch, enjoy a short hike to Rock House Cave to view the ancient drawings. Reservations are required for the Dinner and Dance, as well as for the brunch. Call Mather Lodge at 1-800-264-2462 or Petit Jean State Park at (501) 727-5441 or email at petitjean@arkansas.com       "Destination: Arkansas"   The Presidential Guide to Arkansas and the Civil Rights Trail/Heritage Tour, being developed by "Destination: Arkansas," are scheduled for production in early 2004. The Presidential Guide will feature communities and attractions across Arkansas that have a presidential connection. It will encourage visitors to travel the entire state and pique interest about upcoming international attractions. Civil Rights Trail/Heritage Tour will invite a diverse group of visitors, convention and meeting planners, and tour operators to visit, meet and travel in Arkansas. A brochure will accompany the trail and include a listing of attractions and a map highlighting the location of each site.     Conference for Attraction Professionals Slated   TIA's National Council of Attractions will host its annual National Conference for Attraction Professionals Feb. 19-20, 2004, in San Antonio, Texas. The conference will address yield management techniques to increase revenue, employing a guest-centric model to provide outstanding customer service, measuring return on investment for a variety of activities and operations, trends in Internet marketing, employee training and emerging distribution technology. Program and registration information is available at www.tia.org/councils/NCAP_program.asp     Finalists for the Arkansas Tourism Henry Awards Named The winners of this year's Henry Awards will be revealed during the Governor's Banquet on Tuesday, March 9. The Henry Awards are named for Henri de Tonti, the man historians consider to be one of the first "Arkansas Travelers." Governor Mike Huckabee and Miss Arkansas Whitney Kirk will present the awards, following the governor's annual address to the tourism industry. Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Executive Director Richard W. Davies will preside at the awards ceremony. The awards and respective finalists are: THE MEDIA SUPPORT AWARD . . . presented annually to a distinguished individual or organization for extraordinary attention to and/or support of Arkansas's tourism industry through the use of media * Jack E. Hill, Little Rock * Jeff Christenson, Harrison * Matt Fite, Memphis THE BOOTSTRAP AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual, organization or community that has achieved significant success "on a shoestring," having limited means to work with, either in resources or finances. * Arkansas Historic Wine Museum, Paris * EMOBA (Ernie's Museum of Black Arkansans), Little Rock * Imperial Dinner Theatre, Pocahontas THE ARKANSAS HERITAGE AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual, organization or community that has made a significant contribution toward the preservation of some aspect of Arkansas's natural, cultural or aesthetic legacy. * Carnal Hall, Fayetteville * Delta Cultural Center, Helena * Wolf House, Norfork THE GRAND OLD CLASSIC SPECIAL EVENT AWARD . . . presented annually to a festival, fair or other special celebration which has "stood the test of time" and become an established example for the more than 1,200 special events held in Arkansas each year. * Eureka Springs Antique Auto Festival * Turkey Trot Festival, Yellville * Wiederkehr Village Weinfest THE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD . . . presented annually to a community, individual or organization that, through outstanding volunteer spirit, has made a substantial contribution to Arkansas's tourism industry. * The cities of Brinkley, Helena and Marianna * Charles P. "Chuck" Gordon, Russellville * Citizens of McNab THE COMMUNITY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual or organization which has achieved substantial success in the enhancement of its local resources through imaginative and innovative development efforts. * Eureka Springs Group Coop * Lights of the Delta, Blytheville * Showdown at Sunset, El Dorado THE NATURAL STATE AWARD . . . presented annually to a community, organization, special event or attraction which "stands out in the crowd" because of its unique appeal, media coverage, creative approach and/or enhancement of community pride, thus benefiting the state's quality of life. * Arkansas Highway Department's "Pave the Way" campaign * Dardanelle State Park Visitor Information Center * White River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center THE TOURISM SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD . . .presented annually to an individual or organization that has contributed to the tourism industry through leadership "above and beyond" the normal requirements of their jobs. * Arkansas Hospitality Association's, "Hospitality University" * Joseph "Joe" Dabney, Mountain View * Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs For more information on the 30th Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism, contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at (501) 682-1088. Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism .  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 Pope County Betty LaGrone--- ARV Arts Center Yvonda Tilley--- Boston Mountain Copper Co. Andy Thomas--- Lake Dardanelle State Park Lou Vitale --- ARVAC, Inc.   Yell County Mike Hall---Mt. Nebo State Park Jim Holbrook--- Chambers Bank Patti Styles---Centerville Dragway Carole Tackett ---Catfish 'N   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   Tri-Peaks Monthly Tourism Information   January tourism information for the Tri-Peaks region has been sent to 35 states and to Canada, India, and to the United Kingdom. January request totals: Web Site - 42 Phone Inquiries - 9 AR Vacation Planning Kit - 60 Visitors to WEB site - 771 Newsletter emailed - 67 Vacation Package Inquiries - 3   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       Arkansas State Parks, Recreation & Travel Commission Report   A ceremony to introduce the new Arkansas Commemorative quarter was held at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in late October. The event was attended by Governor Mike Hucabee, the First Lady, U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and Miss Arkansas. Approximately 4,000 people sat on 1,700 bales of hay to observe the unveiling. The Governor's band played and a barbecue and fireworks display were also held.   Commissioners and the Department adopted certain criteria for qualifying web sites to be linked to the web site on or from Arkansas.com. The Department encourages all tourism web sites to link to the web site and assist in promoting "The Natural State". For more information, please call Gloria Robbins at 501-682-7614.   The commission approved a cooperative advertising proposal with the Hot Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission and the Magic Springs & Crystal Fall Theme Park. The Department will participate with a funding level of $25,000 for the summer 2004 marketing media blitz in Memphis, Tennessee. Contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088 for more information.   The commission approved the lodge and cabin design, and with moving forward on the construction project at Mt. Magazine State Park. In addition, the commission approved issuing bonds in the amount of $36 million at a fixed rate interest for twenty years. A resolution was adopted authorizing the Arkansas Development Finance Authority to issue $36 million in bonds to finance the lodge and cabin project. Contact Gregg Butts for information 501-682-7743.   The Commission approved the 2003-2004 Advertising Plan for Arkansas State Parks. The plan includes printing the Arkansas State Parks 2004 Guide Books, individual park brochure, web site enhancement, billboards, magazine and newspaper ads, and radio and television promotion spots. For information contact Joan Ellison at 501-682-2873. New Roller Coaster Coming Soon   The suspended looping coaster has arrived in Arkansas from the Netherlands and will be ready for Magic Springs and Crystal Falls' summer 2004 season. The roller coaster is valued at $7 million and is 10 stories tall. It will feature two 20-passenger trains, where riders will be suspended below the track rather than riding in cars. Visitation to the park is expected to increase because of the new roller coaster, resulting in economic benefits for Hot Springs. For more information and photographs of the construction, visit www.magicsprings.com.    2004 LITTLE ROCK MARATHON The 2004 course will cross the Arkansas River, pass through Little Rock's historic neighborhoods and conclude at the Arkansas State Capitol. The complete course, along with event and registration information, volunteer information, photos from last year's race, and even suggested training schedules for those wishing to race this year, is posted online at www.littlerockmarathon.com. Participants can register for the 26.2-mile marathon at the Web site. Planned as a kick-off event for the race, the Little Rock Marathon Health and Fitness Expo will take place at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on Friday, March 5, from noon to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The expo will include sporting goods exhibits as well as demonstrations and seminars. For more information about the expo, including vendor registration, contact Gina Pharis by phone at (501) 918-5321 or by e-mail at gmarchese@littlerock.com        African-American Exhibit   A selection of drawings and prints inspired by the Arkansas Arts Center exhibit entitled "People and Faces: Images by African-Americans" will be displayed in the University of the Ozarks' Stephens Art Gallery through Feb. 27. The exhibit's purpose is to demonstrate the divergent manner in which African-Americans have chosen to portray themselves across several decades. Many of the exhibition's artists have enjoyed high levels of national fame, including Jacob Lawrence, whose narrative painting style has captured the history and events of African-Americans for more than a half a century. Other artists whose works are included in the exhibit are Kerry James Marshall, John Biggers, Minnie Evans, Clementine Hunter and A.J. Smith. The exhibition reveals to its viewers a range of social messages, artistic media and a glimpse into a broad range of African-American figures from the 1940s to the present. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the exhibit, contact the Humanities and Fine Arts Division at 979-1349. Larry Isch, U of O   17th Annual Collegiate Art Competition   Sunday, February 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center will be hosting an Opening Reception and Awards Presentation for the 17th Annual Collegiate Art Competition sponsored by CenturyTel. Art students from colleges all over Arkansas will exhibit their artwork at the Arts Center throughout the month of February for an opportunity to win the grand prize of $150.00 and a one-person show at the Art Center following graduation. There will be a first place $100.00, second place $50.00 and third place $25.00 prize. The reception is free and open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come view these works from our Arkansas college art students.     Calendar of Events February ~ March Clarksville through Feb 27 exhibit entitled "People and Faces: Images by African-Americans" U of O Stephens Art Gallery Feb 17 Shakespeare Off The Shelf- Walton Fine Arts Center- 7:00 p.m. Feb 21 Miss Ozarks Highland Pageant  Dardanelle Lake Dardanelle State Park Feb 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 Eagle Watch February 7 ,14, 21- Interpreter’s Tales 2 pm - Join our park interpreter in the children’s area of the visitor center to hear a carefully selected nature story and stay for a short activity afterwards. March 15-19 - Nuts About Nature Spring Day Camp Nature Adventure Camp for ages 6-8 at the new State Park Visitor Center during spring break week. Participants will learn about the environment around Lake Dardanelle through games, hands-on activities and projects. Cost is $85 per child and space is limited. Sign up in advance at the park visitor center. Morrilton Feb 4 Lunch and Learn at the Conway County Library with Barbara Satterfield, director of the Baum Gallery, UCA to Feb 28 exhibit of Arkansas Post Office murals March 6 Friends of the Conway County Library roast-and-toast -Katherine Foust, at the Gallery of the Rialto Theater Mount Magazine State Park Mar 10 Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Mount Magazine State Park Lodge & Cabin project - 11:30 am Mount Magazine State Park Petit Jean State Park Feb 14 & 15 Hikes, Hearts and Hugs Weekend (501) 727-5441  Russellville Feb 1 The ARV Arts Center Reception and Awards Presentation for the 17th Annual Collegiate Art Competition Feb 28 Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball, Hughes Community Center, 6:30pm  Subiaco March 19-20 Annual Spring Parents' Weekend and Carnival Subiaco Academy March 31 Subiaco Abbey- Quapaw Quartet, Walter Auditorium, 7:45