Volume 5 Issue 8 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Peaks Region March 2008   ROCKEFELLER INSTITUTE TO HOST EVENTS FOR ARCHEOLOGY MONTH Ben Swadley shares his knapping technique with a group of Cub Scouts PETIT JEAN MOUNTAIN, Ark. — In commemoration of Arkansas Archeology Month, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas System has planned a variety of activities that the whole family can dig into.On Saturday, March 1, the Arkansas Archeological Survey station at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute (WRI station) will host an Archeology Month open house from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Ben Swadley, renowned flintknapper and director of the Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott, Ark., will demonstrate his craft at the open house. At 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., children can participate in a hands-on activity that explains the process of knapping a flake tool.Tours of the WRI station will also be available throughout the day. The Arkansas Archeology Survey relocated their station to the Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain in July 2007. The station is housed in the Teaching Barn, a new facility built as part of the “Heritage Farmstead.” When completed, the demonstration farm will be typical of a self-sufficient farm of the time period from 1933 to 1953. On Tuesday, March 4, Dr. Kathleen Cande, project archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, will present a program entitled “Rediscovering Davidsonville: Arkansas’ Oldest County Seat.” The program is part of the Arkansas River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society’s monthly meeting. These meetings are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m. in the Teaching Barn.To learn more about the Arkansas Archeology Month activities at the Rockefeller Institute, contact Dr. Skip Stewart-Abernathy, WRI station archeologist, at (501) 727-6250 or sstewartabernathy@uawri.org. For more information, visit www.uawri.org or call (501) 727-5435.    87th Annual Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Banquet The Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet will be held Thursday, March 20th, 6:30 p.m. at the University of the Ozarks Seay Student Center Main Dining Room.The format of the upcoming event is a party ambiance allowing guests the opportunity to socialize. Dining will be in a buffet setting with a menu that includes a variety of tempting delicacies that will be presented throughout the evening. Awards will also be presented in the following categories: Community Pride, Small Business of the Year, Corporate Business of the Year, Community Volunteer of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Pillar of Progress/Lifetime Achievement, Ambassadors Award and Educator and Youth of the Year. Tickets to the banquet are $30.00 and are available at the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce office located at 101 North Johnson St. For more information on the banquet or awards criteria/procedures, please call 479-754-2340. 9th Annual Children’s Miracle NetworkTalent Show Clarksville, Ark.— Saturday, March 8, 2008 Clarksville Fine Arts Building Registration Fee: $30 in advance $35 day of show Admission: Adult $6 ~ Child $3 Contact Natasha Wilson or Janiece Rackley at 479-754-4500 for details Light refreshments will be available Sponsored by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6082 34th Annual Governor’s Conference March 9-11 Marketing, Networking, Learning Opportunities Abound at 34th Annual Governor’s Conference: Several workshops at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism will focus on how to better market products and utilize resources at the state and national levels. During Thursday’s General Session, author Dr. Joseph Michelli will present “The Starbucks Way: Creating the Ultimate Customer Experience,” detailing how Starbucks created coffee phenomenon by turning the ordinary into extraordinary. His bestseller The Starbucks Experience delves into how outstanding customer service, making people a priority and focusing on five basic principles created ferocious brand loyalty. The Communications Section will offer “The Tourism Toolbox: How to Tap into Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism publicity Opportunities in 2008,” and “Food and Wine Pairing: A Toolkit for Memorable Experiences” will be discussed by Robert J. Harrington, University of Arkansas Hospitality Program chairman. Several other keynote addresses are scheduled, along with breaks and hospitality rooms for networking with vendors and other tourism professionals. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit Arkansas.com or contact Nancy Clark at Nancy.Clark@arkansas.gov or 501-682-1120 Keep Arkansas Beautiful Picks up 4.7 Million Pounds of Litter Just over 20,000 volunteers picked up more than 4.7 million pounds of litter during the fall 2007 Great Arkansas Cleanup, according to final results recently released by the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. The fall campaign, promoted annually by Keep Arkansas Beautiful, involved 190 local events in 51 Arkansas counties. The 20,384 volunteers, organized by 72 event coordinators, picked up litter from 8,943 miles of roadway, 135 parks and public areas and 1,439 miles of shoreline and also closed 40 illegal dumping sites. The volunteer-driven effort provided the state and participating communities a cost-saving benefit of $1.7 million.The Great Arkansas Cleanup began more than 35 years ago as the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Cleanup. In 1985, then U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers guided legislation requiring an annual pickup event during the weekend after Labor Day on all federal lands. The commission also recently elected 2008 officers, including Randy Frazier of Bigelow as chairman and Bill Scruggs of Yellville as vice-chairman.    Centerville Dragway March 1st   Play Day 12 pm—Dark               March 2nd Sunday Bracket Points March 8th Play Day  12 pm—Dark March 15th Play Day 12pm—Dark                            March 16th Bracket Points March 22nd Play Day 12pm—Dark March 29th Play Day 12pm—Dark                          March 30th Bracket Points For more information contact the folks at Centerville (479) 576-4001 www.centervilledragway.com   Artwork of Martha Smoke to be exhibited at the AR River Valley Arts Center The artwork of Martha Smoke will be exhibited posthumously at Arkansas River Valley Arts Center in Russellville during the month of March. The show will highlight a progression of 37 years of her work beginning at age 12 when she began oil painting classes with well-known artist Gertrude VanCleave. Members of the family of Martha Alewine Smoke will be on hand to visit with you during a reception that is open to the public Sunday, March 2, 1-3 p.m. This will probably be the last time this many of her works will be on exhibit in one location. Also on exhibit will be the annual CenturyTel High School Exhibition and Competition. The third exiting exhibition and competition on display is “Arts in the Air—Art from the Heart. So if you want to see an exceptional art show you are invited to come to the Exhibit Opening Reception and awards presentation Sunday, March 2nd from 1-3 p.m. You are sure to see works that you will enjoy and appreciate. Exhibits and receptions are open to the public free of charge.For more information, contact Betty LaGrone at 479-968-2452.   Corps of Engineers to Open Campgrounds in Ouachitas All campgrounds at Lakes Ouachita, Greeson, and DeGray will open March 1 with modified services, according to a recent announcement from the Vicksburg District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Modified services include less frequent trash pick up, janitorial services, and grass mowing. The plan provides an opportunity for campers and visitors to have a direct impact on the future of the campgrounds by volunteering to supplement the modified services. The Corps will monitor campgrounds to determine the success of the modified services and volunteerism, according to officials, and assess the quality of service in relation to the quantity of open campgrounds with public safety as the top priority. The Corps had cut back on campground schedules due to flat budgets and increasing costs for operation and maintenance of facilities. However, concern for how that would impact the local economy spurred conversation between several local, state and federal organizations and representatives, resulting in the new schedule with modified services. For more information on volunteering, visit mvk.usace.army.mil and click on Hot Topics: Arkansas Lakes Campgrounds or email LakeOuachita@usace.army.mil.   Mount Magazine State Park Senior Naturalist: Mountain History Thursday, March 13th, 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.This programming is particularly for history buffs: Enjoy a closer look at the settlers and development of the mountain during the Great Depression. The day’s programs include audio-visual programs, a hike to historic sites, and artifacts. Contact park staff for more information at 479-963-8502 Petit Jean State Park Great Escape Weekend & Easter Egg HuntMarch 22-23 Celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring with Petit Jean’s Great Escape Weekend. Families will enjoy free outdoor activities including nature walks, spring nature demonstrations, and entertainment. The weekend will conclude with an Easter egg hunt for 2000 eggs. Contact the park staff for more information at 501-727-5441 Welcome New Members! Ozark Inn & Suites Ron & Joan Olmstead 1711 W. Commercial St. Ozark, AR 72949 Arvest Bank 1107 S. Rogers Clarksville, AR 72830 Community Events Clarksville Mar. 8: 9th Annual Children's Miracle Network Talent Show @ the Clarksville Fine Arts Bldg. For more info call Natasha Wilson or Janiece Rackley at 479-754-4500. Mar. 18: Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast Mar. 20: Annual Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce Banquet 6:30 p.m. @ the UofO Mar 31-Apr 3: Basic Computer Training Class. Call the Clarksville Chamber @ 479-754-2340 for more info. Morrilton Mar 15: Archeology Day @ Petit Jean State Park For more information; call (501) 727-5441 Russellville Mar 26: Annual Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Performance @ Witherspoon Hall on ATU Campus For more information; call (479) 229-2041 Mar 29: ATU Fishing Tournament held at Lake Dardanelle State Park. For more info call Christie at 968-8900.     Quote of the Month To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act...Anatole France (1844-1924) 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. Regina Olson- 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, March 4th, 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. *Arvest Bank of Clarksville 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 *Ozark Inn & Suites 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' Spadra Marina 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 Williams Junction Grocery Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons Ron Knost Lou Vitale * Denotes New Member   Our Mission Statement— The continued improvement of the economy of the region through the promotion of increased travel and tourism and the continuous development of the tourism product.