Volume 4 Issue 9 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association May 2007 ESPN2 Features Arkansas Track in Reality Show The Centerville Dragway is the subject of a new reality show on ESPN2 that began airing earlier this month. A total of 16 "Pipes" episodes will center on the drag racing track and 12 competing crews from Arkansas and across the country. Each show begins with two teams who are tested for how they improve their car's performance, and the winner moves on to the next round. Filming began in February, according to track co-owner Patty Styles, and will continue through June. Local broadcaster Joan Early hosts the show, along with veteran racer Matt Hartford. It airs Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit PipesTV.com or CentervilleDragway.com. More Centerville News…   10th Annual All Motorcycle Shootout Sunday, May 27th, gates open at 9:00 a.m., time trials begin at 10:00 a.m., and eliminations begin at 1:00 p.m. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE BIGGEST NO-E RACE MELTDOWN!!! The biggest NO-E Race will be held June 17th. $100 entry fee $5,000 to Win. Win a Points Race in NO-E and receive free entry into this race. Stay tuned for more information on this event.      EXPLORING ARKANSAS CAVES Blanchard Springs Caverns Those who explore the natural wonders of the Arkansas Ozarks-miles of unspoiled forests, lakes, rivers and much more-might not realize there is another wilderness just beneath the surface. Below scenic mountains, lush valleys and clear-running streams is an often dazzling underworld-the limestone caves of the Ozarks. Visitors who venture beneath the surface will find subterranean lakes and streams, mazes, crystals, fossils, cave creatures such as blind trout and salamanders, and an array of formations with names like flowstone, helicite, stalagmite and stalactite. Most of the Arkansas caves come with a story, usually about how the cave was discovered. Around some swirl legends and ghost tales. Still others recall the days when saber tooth tigers and ancient tribes used the caves for shelter or when desperados used the caves to hide from lawmen and from fellow criminals. Of the nearly 2,000 documented caves in north Arkansas, eight are privately owned, commercial tour caves open to the public. The U.S. Forest Service operates Blanchard Springs Caverns near Mountain View. Access to the caves varies. Some of the entrances are steep, with stairways or ramps that lead into the interior. Inside there are varying degrees of access, with some level and some uneven walkways, narrow passageways, stairs and ramps. Visitors with questions about access should check with cave operators or group tour planners before entering a cave. Some caves in Arkansas are open throughout the year, although days of the week vary by season. Others are open only from spring until fall for people who wish to go cave spelunking. Some offer other attractions, such as museums, gift shops, a reconstructed mountain village and more right on site. Admission is charged at all the caves in Arkansas. For more information and a list of caves in Arkansas, visit their website at www.arkansas.com.   May is Arkansas Heritage Month The theme for Arkansas Heritage Month 2007 is "Our Business is Heritage: Preserving, Protecting, Promoting." During the month of May, Arkansans are invited to celebrate our state and local heritage with special events and programs. It's important to know where we've come from and how it affects our future. There are many ways to participate in Arkansas Heritage Month. A Heritage Month event might be a nature walk, research project, pictorial display, museum exhibit, festival or concert. To make it easier for more communities and organizations to showcase their heritage, grants are available to help them develop meaningful Heritage Month events and programs in their area. The Heritage Month grant process opens each year in November, with grants awarded in February for Heritage Month events to be held in May. Grant awards can be up to $5,000 for a qualifying event. Fore more information about this program, email randy@arkansasheritage.org. The Department of Arkansas Heritage helps promote all Heritage Month events on website, in the Storyline newsletter and in Heritage Month marketing effects. Walker Teacher Education Program Dedicated Clarksville, AR-The University of the Ozarks dedicated the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program in honor of the Northwest Arkansas philanthropist who has donated almost $10 million to the University since 2001. The ceremony took place in front of more than 300 students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of the university in Walker Hall, the new teacher education and communications building that was opened in 2002 with a $7 million gift from Pat and her late husband Willard Walker. In December, the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation of Fayetteville donated another $2.96 million to endow the maintenance and operations of Walker Hall.   More U of O News... Mrs. Helen Robson Walton…1919-2007 It is with deep sadness, tempered by extreme joy for a life marvelously lived, that University of the Ozarks honors the passing of one of its strongest champions, Mrs. Helen Robson Walton. Mrs. Walton's association with the University began 50 years ago when she brought one of her sons to a Presbyterian Church camp on the campus. Over the years since, she expended great amounts of her personal energy, leadership, and resources in a tireless effort to support the University's Christian mission of educational service. In capacities ranging from a simple volunteer, to Trustee of the college, to Chair of the Board, to Honorary Lifetime Chair of the Board, there was never a break in her support of the students Ozarks serves. The results of her work now grace the campus in countless ways. Physical examples of her caring leadership include the Walton Fine Arts Center and the Robson Memorial Library. Less visible, but with a tremendous positive impact on thousands of lives, are her creation and support of the Walton International Scholar Program and many other scholarships at the University. Mrs. Walton's legacy on the U of O campus is a beautiful and radiant tapestry woven of countless fine threads of kindness and generosity. The students she has touched and those that her work will benefit in years to come; are all blessed by the truly special life she lived. The Walton family has designated the University of the Ozarks as a recipient for memorials to Mrs. Walton. For more information, visit their website at www.ozarks.edu. For more information on the above events; contact the U of O at 1-800-264-8636   Hospitality Training Seminar to be held May 8th The Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Hospitality Seminar on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at the Hampton Inn in Clarksville. The first class will be held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and the second class will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This seminar will be presented by Kristine Puckett with Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Your entire service team will benefit from this class. The will learn how to deliver exceptional service and partner with customers, resulting in more repeat business, great word-of-mouth advertising and increased profitability. There is no charge for attending but prior registration is required due to limited space. To register call the Chamber of Commerce at (479) 754-2340 Impact of Travel on the Arkansas Tourism Regions 2006 County Total Expenditures Generated Payroll Generated Employment Generated State Tax Generated Local Tax Visitors Conway $21,411,892 $4,627,205 288 $1,402,668 $534,513 110,285 Johnson $25,061,068 $5,524,279 343 $1,635,992 $535,180 127,803 Logan (East) $4,957,827 $1,017,187 59 $335,006 $157,365 21,870 Perry $13,049,543 $2,121,941 124 $832,592 $471,872 55,271 Pope $127,806,271 $22,461,203 1,367 $5,964,503 $1,968,228 606,643 Yell $12,414,237 $1,918,819 114 $796,606 $364,929 51,581 Total $218,311,205 $42,763,901 2,590 $14,263,721 $6,261,183 1,020,691   Lake Dardanelle State Park Day Camps 2007 Rollin' on the River Daycamp June 25 - June 29 River Valley Adventures Daycamp July 23 - July 27 9 am - 4 pm Each camp will be slightly different, so come to one or both just make sure you don't miss out! Adventure seekers ages 8-12 are invited to join the folks at Lake Dardanelle for a week or two of outdoor excitement. The days will be spent learning about the environment around the lake through games, crafts and hands-on activities. Cost is $85 per child, lunch and snack will be provided each day. Registration fees must be paid one week in advance. Forms may be picked up at the Visitor Center. For more information call the park at (479) 967-5516.   Arkansas River Valley Arts Center News The Sound of Music Performance Dates Friday, June 29th & July 6th, 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 30th & July 7th 8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 1st & 8th 2:00 p.m. at the Witherspoon Auditorium on Tech Campus For more information call the Arts Center (479) 968-2452. News from the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual "Arts in the Air" Family Festival on Saturday, May 5th. Activities start at 10 am and include hands-on workshops for people of all ages, an awards ceremony for the statewide student art contest winners and an evening "Cinco de Mayo" Mountain Party with their own Salsa Band! For more information contact Julie Hall at 727-5435.   Mount Nebo State Park 5th Annual Tri-Peaks Challenge May 17-20 Do you crave adventure? The Tri-Peaks Challenge, hosted by local cyclists, is a 3 day bike race encompassing Arkansas' three river valley peaks. The race will pass over Petit Jean Mountain, Mount Magazine and end on Mount Nebo. Mt. Nebo 5k May 19 Join in Mount Nebo State Park's "Race for Red" to benefit the local chapter of the American Red Cross. This short run begins @ 9 am. For more info on these activities, call the park at (479) 229-3650 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. Jerry Garcez- 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. Jim Holbrook- Yell Co. Mike Hall- Yell Co. Please Note: The Tri-Peaks Board of Directors Strategic Planning meeting will be held Tuesday, May 1st, 9:00 a.m. at the Catfish N' in Dardanelle.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 Arkansas Valley Bank-Russellville 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 Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oppelo Flea Market 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 Marina Boat Repair & Cabins 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 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 Discovering Nature at one of Arkansas' State Parks SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Clarksville May (Mid): Oark Heritage Day Celebration. Call Audry Farmer 479-292-3353 for more info May 11-13: AATRC Team Roping 8 am @ Foothills Arena May 18-20: Heartland Tour Barrel Race @ Foothills Arena For more information on Foothills Arena; call 479-497-2688 Dardanelle May 11-12: 19th Annual Yell Fest Call Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce 479-229-3328 May 25-28: Memorial Day Weekend Activities For more info call 479-229-3655 Morrilton May 27: Mustangs on the Mountain @ Petit Jean State Park For more information call 479-489-5874 May 28-Sep 4: Interpretive Programming Season @ Petit Jean State Park For more information call 501-727-5441 Paris May 1-Oct 1: Music on the Square downtown Call Kenneth Vines @ 479-963-2413 for information May 5: 12th Annual Arkansas Wine Heritage Day. Call 479-963-3990 for information Perryville May (Mid): Fourche River Days Call 501-889-1571 for details May (Mid): Perryville Motorcycle & Music Festival The best Little Rally in Arkansas! Call 501-889-2292 for information Russellville May 4-5: Relay for Life @ the Old Post Park Call 479-970-0356 for details May 9-12: 1st Ann FLW Tournament Lake Dardanelle For more information call 479-967-1762 May 11-12: 7th Ann Rummage Around Rails @Train Depot For more information call 479-967-1437 Please contact your area Chamber of Commerce to confirm event dates.   May Quote Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meaness. George Sand...(1804-1876) Don't forget Mother's Day May 13th, 2007