Volume 4 Issue 11 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association July 2007 ARV Arts Center Features Two Artists in July You are sure to find several works of art that are just what you want as the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center features the works of Dena Moore and Gina O'Connor.   Moore creates art in both watercolor and photography. Among her travels is a trip to Africa where she captured many intriguing images of that country. Her artist statement says, "We live in a visual society. Beginning with the most basic elements of color and shape we base our ideas of life on visual images. I believe that art can help a person of any age to better relate to the world around them. I have been given a great blessing in being able to express my thoughts and views through art. Most of my artwork centers around what I consider my greatest blessings. As you view my artwork, you are viewing my experiences. Welcome to my world."   O'Connor is a graduate of University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. Gina primarily uses raku in ceramics and oil paintings, but also works in wood, bronze, watercolor and mixed media. Her pottery pieces will be on display during the July exhibition. "Some of my major influences have been artists like Anselm Kiefer, Salvador Dali and Thomas Moran. My primary artistic goal is to strive similarly for a complete and cohesive effort of my physical, emotional, intellectual and instinctual capabilities to achieve this kind of expression," O'Connor said.   A Gallery Walk; along with Meet the Artists and Reception marking the opening of this exhibition will be Sunday, July 1 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. During the same time Sunday Family Funday will be taking place in the Arts Center classroom. This is an activity for youth and their families to create a work of art. All supplies and instructor are furnished. Both events are free and open to the public.   For more information contact the Arts Center at 479-968-2452 or visit them online at www.arvartscenter.org.        Lake Dardanelle State Park Fourth of July Week Here are some fun things to do during Fourth of July week! Sunday, July 1st 1-1:45 pm- Wildflower Bingo 4-5 pm- Turtle Talkin' 6:30-8:30 pm- Kayak Tour- Be sure to sign up early for this enjoyable trip through areas of Lake Dardanelle via recreational kayaks! Monday, July 2nd 9-9:30 am- Hidden Creatures Tuesday, July 3rd 9-11 am- Morning Kayak Tour 1:30-2 pm- What's for Lunch? 2-3 pm- Snakes Alive! 4-4:30 pm- The Great American Camper Quiz Wednesday, July 4th 9-10 am- ROCKETS! 11 am-12 pm- Fourth of July Craft 2-2:45- Ice Cream in a Bag 3:30-4:30 pm- The Bald Eagle, Our National Symbol Thursday, July 5th Family Fun Day! 9-11 am- Baths for the Birds 1-3 pm- Owl Pellets 6-7 pm Frisbee Golf Around Dusk- Sunset Cinema Friday, July 6th 3-4 pm- Snake Show 9-10 pm- Star Gazers Challenge Saturday, July 7th 10-11 am- Native American Games 1:30-2 pm- What' for Lunch? 2-2:30 pm- Nature Tales 8:30-9:30 pm- Fireside Stories For more information or to sign up for the kayak tours, call 479-967-5516   Mount Nebo Remembers Day! Sunset at Mt. Nebo Join the staff and Mount Nebo residents as they share memories of the mountain. Special programs pertaining to the mountain's history, including a walking tour, hayride, slideshow, speakers and a story swap are on the agenda. Anyone with memories to share is encouraged to participate. Contact the park for more details at 479-229-3655       Clarksville, Arkansas' 1st Annual Creek Fest Clarksville, Arkansas' First Annual Creek Fest was a BIG success. Below are some photos from this great event that took place Friday, June 22nd - Sunday, June 24th. Be sure and join them next year, for the 2nd Annual Creek Fest to be held the third weekend in June of 2008. Special THANKS to all the partners who participated in the 1st Annual Creek Fest! Top Row: Creek Kids Area, Donna Douglas (Elly May) & Bronson Middle Row: Happy Tymes Jazz Band, Ron Whiteturkey, Fishing Derby Bottom Row: Rachel Fields Band, Wallace Poole- Tribute to Willie Nelson GREAT ARKANSAS PIG OUT 2007 Join the folks in Morrilton, AR as they celebrate their 18th Annual "Great Arkansas Pig Out". There will be free concerts including Doug Stone, Riverbilly and Elizabeth Cook. There will be lots of contests to enter, such as the Petit Jean Meats Hot Dog Eating contest, the National Hog Calling contest or you can just roam through the children's park where most activities are free. Or bring you lawn chair, sit and enjoy the free entertainment. You can also participate in the horseshoe pitching, tennis, volleyball or softball tournament, run in the 5K or ride in the Tour De Oink Bike Race! See artisans display their hand-crafted wood work, jewelry and more. "Pig Out" on barbecue and gator, but that's not all! Located in food alley is lots of some of the best food in Arkansas and there is always room for one more at the trough! Don't forget the Pig Chase! Watch as children from ages 1 to 12 chase greased pigs over a muddy field. The winners don't get to pig out on the pork, but do get to take home some great prizes. For more information on the Great Arkansas Pig Out of 2007, visit them online at www.pigout.info. Fourth of July week at Mount Magazine State Park Sunday, July 1st 6-7 am- Sunrise Walk 9-9:30 am- What Can We See From Here? 2-2:30- Butterfly Gardening Wednesday, July 4th 9-11:45 am- "Dripping Spring" Hike 2-2:45- Eras of Change Thursday, July 5th 9-9:30 am- "Old Lodge Trail" Hike Friday, July 6th 9-10 am- Wildlife Tracking 2-3 pm- Wild Encounters Saturday, July 7th 9-11 am- "Four Trails" Hike 2-2:30 pm- Magazine Bears More 4th of July Fun!!! Altus Jul 4: Fireworks Display @ the Altus Park…call 479-468-4684 for info Morrilton Jul 4: Fabulous Fourth at Cherokee…call 501-354-6300 for info Jul 4: July 4th Fun & Games Day @ Petit Jean State Park… call 501-727-5441 for info Russellville Jul 4: Community Fireworks Display @ Old Post Road Park… call 479-968-1272 for info       WELCOME NEW TRI-PEAKS MEMBERS! Russellville Boys & Girls Club- PO Box 1477 Russellville, AR 479-968-2452   Tri-Peaks 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. Karen Hofford- Conway Co. Baxter Sudduth- Conway Co. Carol Martin- Johnson Co. Pat Kowalewycz- Johnson Co. Nancy Rogers- Johnson Co. Bro. Mel Stinson- Logan Co. Becky Bariola- Logan Co. Lynn Wright- Logan Co. Doug Brandon- Perry Co. Bill Greene- Perry Co. Ron Knost- Pope Co. Andy Thomas- Pope Co. Lou Vitale- Pope Co. Patty Styles- Yell Co. Carole Tackett- Yell Co. Mike Hall- Yell Co. Please Note: The next Tri-Peaks Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday, August 7th, 10:00 a.m. at Lake Dardanelle State Park.These meetings are open to the public. Tri-Peaks Members   New & Renewing Members American Realty, Inc. America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Tech University Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Arkwest Communications, Inc. (formerly Yell Co. Telephone) Best Western Inn-Russellville Best Western Sherwood Inn- Clarksville The Copper Outlet Catfish "N' Centerville Dragway, Inc. Chamberlyne Country Club Chambers Bank Chart Bank City of Atkins 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 Dixie Cafe' First Electric Cooperative Fairfield Inn & Suites Feltner's Whattaburger First National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Frannie's Cabin in the Ozarks Great Arkansas Pig Out Hampton Inn-Clarksville Hampton Inn-Russellville Heifer International Lake Dardanelle State Park Liberty Bank Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oppelo Flea Market Ozark Advertising & Tourism Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean Mountain Petting Zoo & Trail Rides Petit Jean State Park Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Riverfront Antiques & Galleries Russellville APC Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce *Russellville Boys & Girls Club Russellville Marina Boat Repair & Cabins Satterfield Oil Company Savanah's Riverfront Cafe' Stoby's Subiaco Abbey & Coury House Super 8 Motel-Morrilton Super 8- Russellville The Grapevine Restaurant The Winthrop Rockefeller Center TJ's Country Store University of AR Community College-Morrilton U.S. Forest Service-Clarksville U.S. Forest Service-Russellville U.S. Forest Service Mt. Magazine Ranger Dist. United Country All Star Real Estate University of AR Division of Continuing Ed-Fayetteville University of the Ozarks-Clarksville Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons Ron Knost Lou Vitale * Denotes New Member Black Bears at Mount Magazine State Park SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Clarksville Jul 26-29: Annual Peach Festival, Downtown. Call Ken or Jan @ 479-754-9152 for more information Dardanelle Jul 21: Mt. Nebo Remembers Day. Call 479-229-3655 for more information Morrilton Jul 4: Fabulous Fourth at Cherokee. For more information call 501-354-6300 Jul 4: July 4th Fun & Games Day @ Petit Jean State Park. For more information call 501-727-5441 Paris Jul 4: Great Race- part of the American Great Race For more information call 479-963-2244 Jul 7: Walks Through History Tour @ Logan Co. Courthouse For more information call 501-324-9880 Russellville Jul 4: Community Fireworks Display @ Old Post Road Park For more information call 479-968-1272 Jul 20-21: Summer Fun Square Dance Weekend @ Russellville Middle School For more information call 479-967-3951 Please contact your area Chamber of Commerce to confirm event dates July Quote Imagination is more important than knowledge…Albert Einstein (1879-1955)