Volume 2 Issue 32 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association FEBRUARY 2006   2006 GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE SET FOR JONESBORO The 32nd Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism, the largest in-state meeting of the travel and tourism industry, will be held in Jonesboro March 5-7, 2006. The Conference brings together professionals from all areas, including attractions, destinations, lodgings, chambers, governmental agencies, and media. This year's theme, "Arkansas Marketing: A Brand New Day," provides great opportunities for meeting industry partners, networking and gaining new knowledge. Along with an outstanding lineup of speakers, a number of educational sessions and panel discussions will be featured. Some of the highlights of the 2006 Conference include an early-bird reception hosted by Jonesboro at Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, a silent/live auction and the annual Henry Awards and Banquet featuring Governor Mike Huckabee. Invitations and registration packets were mailed in January. For more information call Nancy Clark at (501) 682-1120 or email nancy.clark@arkansas.gov. Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism MOUNT MAGAZINE LODGE TO OPEN IN SPRING MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK'S NEW LODGE AND CABINS ARE TAKING SHAPE ON THE BLUFF OF ARKANSAS' HIGHEST MOUNTAIN AND ARE SLATED TO OPEN MAY 1, 2006. ALL 60 LODGE GUEST ROOMS, 44 WITH BALCONIES, WILL OFFER SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE PETIT JEAN RIVER VALLEY AND BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE. THE MODERN, RUSTIC-STYLE LODGE WILL FEATURE A RESTAURANT AND HEARTH ROOM LOBBY, CONFERENCE AND BANQUET FACILITIES, ENCLOSED SWIMMING POOL, FITNESS CENTER AND GAME ROOM. THE 13 FULLY EQUIPPED CABINS FEATURE KITCHENS, FIREPLACES, AND PORCHES WITH HOT TUBS. THE PARK CABINS ARE ALSO SITUATED NEAR THE BLUFF SO GUESTS CAN ENJOY EXPANSIVE VIEWS. THE PROJECT IS THE LARGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE ARKANSAS STATE PARKS SYSTEM AT $36 MILLION. Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism     The 2004-2005 State Parks Awards were presented at the annual meeting of park superintendents and museum directors at the Ozark Folk Center on September 27-29. These are awarded annually for park and museum excellence within the Arkansas State Park System. Winners are selected by regional supervisors and park section managers. Here are the winners: Overall Winner: CANE CREEK Outstanding Park Maintenance: MILLWOOD Outstanding Hospitality: CANE CREEK "GHOST ROAST" Park of the Year, Region I: COSSATOT Park of the Year, Region II: PETIT JEAN Park of the Year, Region III: CANE CREEK Park of the Year, Region IV: LAKE CATHERINE Museum of the Year: ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF NATURAL RESOURCES   JOIN OARK IN CELEBRATING ARKANSAS' HERITAGE The Department of Arkansas Heritage has declared May 2006 as Arkansas Heritage Month. This year's theme is Arkansas Art, "Discover our Treasures." Activities are planned around the State to commemorate Arkansas' rich heritage and to recognize the individuals who have contributed so much to Arkansas' art treasures. These treasures are not limited to those of recognized artists, but also include all the contributions make by Arkansas women and men who have turned necessities such as furniture, quilts, canned foods and garments into beautiful works of art that benefit and enrich family life. Oark 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 re-enactment, and photo contest. There will be demonstrations of "homemaking crafts" including, quilt making, churning butter, soap, bread, candles, candy, jams, and jelly making, to name just a few. Everyone demonstrating a craft will also be selling finished products. Local groups, classes and individuals will be selling handmade arts and crafts. There will be entertainment, games, and contests for the entire family. They are now offering booth space for individuals and clubs to demonstrate and sell their own crafts. Space for food and drink concession stands is also available. Booth space is free so this is an excellent opportunity for your club to raise money while it recognizes contributions made to Arkansas' art treasurers by your members. For more information, call Audrey Farmer at (479) 292-3756 and visit the website of the Department of Arkansas Heritage at www.arkansasheritage.com.   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 Trail Rides Petit Jean Vista Retreat 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. SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER 2006 PROGRAMS AT HEIFER RANCH IN PERRYVILLE, AR Heifer Ranch is where groups come to connect with a community that is actively working to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Now is the time to make plans about participating in one of their many programs. Let the folks at Heifer Ranch know soon if you want to come to the Ranch for a Field Trip, Service Learning, or Global Village 2 program! If you don't have a group, but still wish to participate in one of their programs, Heifer Ranch will be offering three youth programs for individual registrations. Participants must be 6th grade or older and they must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up now for a summer program and remember, they'll continue to accept reservations for Spring 2006 as well. Heifer Ranch also hosts annual picnic events and invites you to join them on their Earth Day Celebration April 22nd, 2006. To learn more about these free public events, click the link below: www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.485461/k.A4F8/Free_Public_Events.htm or give them a call at (501) 889-5124.   Wine & Dine at Wiederkehr's Restaurant Calendar of Events Centerville Sunday, Feb. 12th: Play Day Test -N- Tune 12 Noon till dark Sunday, Feb. 19th: Play Day Test -N- Tune 12 Noon till dark Sunday, Feb. 26th: Play Day Test -N- Tune 12 Noon till dark March 5th is the 1st points race for 2006...gates open at 9 am time trials at 10 am. For more information call (479) 576-4001 or visit their website at www.centervilledragway.com Clarksville Foothills Arena Hwy 103 North in Clarksville Saturday, Feb. 7th: Play Night @ 7 pm Saturday, Feb. 11th: ARA/CRRA Rodeo @ 1 pm & 7 pm Saturday, Feb. 18th: NHBA Barrel Race District 7 ~ Exb 10 am, Race 12 pm Monday, Feb. 20th: Circus Gatti @ 1 pm, 4 pm, & 7:30 pm Tuesday, Feb. 21st: Play Night @ 7 pm Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24th, 25th, & 26th: Brother -in- Law Team Roping ~ 24th 7 pm, 25th & 26th 8 am 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, Feb 19th: Calle Sur ~ Latin Collage playing at the Walton Arts Center 2 pm, admission: $10 For more information call 1-800-264-8636 or visit website www.ozarks.edu Morrilton Petit Jean State Park Sat-Sun, Feb11-12: Hikes, Hearts, and Hugs Here is your chance to plan a unique Valentine's getaway on Petit Jean Mountain. For more information call 1-800-264-2462 or visit their website www.petitjeanstatepark.com Rialto Theater Saturday, Feb 11th: Lincoln Day Dinner, Republican Party of Conway County Rialto Gallery & Theater Thursday, Feb 16th: Teletroupe, "Abraham Lincoln," live performance for school children 9 am & 1 pm Rialto Gallery & Theater Tuesday, Feb 28th: Wildwood Players, "Little Red Riding Hood," live performance for school children 9 am & 1 pm For more information on the events at the Rialto Theater, contact the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce (501)354-2393, or visit their website www.morrilton.com. Be sure to call and confirm dates before making travel plans. We can only learn to love by loving...Iris Murdoch Happy Valentine's Day!