Volume 4 Issue 5 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association November 2006 Johnie Kierre with Petit Jean Meats- Named Charlie Johnson Award Winner at the Tri-Peaks Banquet October 10th, 2006- this year's selection for the prestigious Charlie Johnson Award went to a person that is not only well know in Conway County, but is also well known in the tourism circles around the state. Though he is not one that goes out and seeks recognition and though he is not directly involved in tourism in ways that few obtain. There is rarely an event that he does not put forth the name of tourism. This is not just in the Tri-Peaks area but state-wide and a number of out-of-state events. Mr. Johnie Kierre is an excellent representative for the Tri-Peaks Tourism Association. We appreciate you Johnie, Congratulations! Other Award Winners named at the Tri-Peaks Banquet- Earle Eichenberger; Conway County Peach Pickin' Paradise; Johnson County David Flugrad; Logan County Heifer Ranch; Perry County Michael McAlister; Pope County Montie Sims; Yell County We want to thank everyone for their help with this year's banquet. It would not have been a success without you. THANK YOU!!!   "All about Arkansas" Media Days to Showcase Regions The Departments Communications team will host members of the local, state, regional and national media for "All about Arkansas" media days in January and February 2007 in four events across the state. The divisions, dates of the media day and locations are as follows: Quad I, Jan. 9th at Fort Smith Convention Center; Quad II, Feb. 6th at ASU-Newport; Quad III, Jan. 16th at Lake DeGray State Park; and Quad IV, Feb. 13th at Pine Bluff Convention Center. Each group will host a "Taste of the Region" luncheon, exhibition booths and side trips. For more information, contact Mossolene Hanft at 501-682-1926 or email mossolene.hanft@arkansas.gov. Reprinted from Arkansas' Industry Newsletter   University of the Ozarks News Children of the World International Children's Choir Thursday, November 2nd, 2006, 7:00 p.m. The Children of the World choir was founded to promote unity and the well-being of humanity through music, and to give a voice to the millions of people whose voices need to be heard. Children of the World celebrates the ideas that people everywhere, of all ages and backgrounds, have the same basic needs, feelings and concerns. This universal message is presented by young people, who today have to face a more challenging reality than previous generations. The members of the group represent many countries of origin such as Morocco, Bosnia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, England, Poland, India, China, Russia, Yemen, Korea and others. They perform in their colorful international costumes, sending a message of hope and love around the world to all who are willing to listen. For more information, call 479-979-1000 or visit website www.ozarks.edu. Other U of O News… Tim Ernst: Wildlife Photographer Sunday, December 10th, 2006, 2:00 p.m.   Tim Ernst is Arkansas' Wilderness Photographer. He has been hiking, driving and crawling around the wonderful Ozark Mountains for most of his life, preserving the images he sees on film for everyone to enjoy. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local publications. Some of his credits include National Geographic, Audubon, Backpacker, Outside, Outdoor Photographer, American Hiker, Natural History, Country, Chevy Outdoors, and Arkansas Times magazines; Sierra Club and Hallmark calendars; National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service maps and brochures; Readers Digest Books; and The New York Times. Much of his time these days is spent teaching digital photography workshops from his wilderness cabin in the Buffalo River Wilderness. During his lecture, Mr. Ernst will share his latest photographs and stories as he reacquaints audience members with the wealth of natural beauty waiting right outside our own backdoors.   Reprinted from Ozarks.edu David Martin Named Chief Executive Officer of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Released (Oct. 2nd) Little Rock, AR-- Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, one of the Mid South's largest full-service communications firms, named David Martin as the agency's chief executive officer on October 2nd, 2006. "It's an honor to be named the leader of the agency that gave me my start in this business," said Martin. "Throughout our history, CJRW has been the dominant agency in this market. Working with our senior management and the agency's talented team of communications professionals, we will continue to build our business, expand our services, and provide innovation to produce results for the clients we serve today and those in our future." Martin, who has more than 25 years of experience in marketing communications and research, 11 of them with CJRW, will become only the fourth CEO in the agency's history. This comes only two weeks from the celebration of the founding of the agency 45 years ago. "David is a world-class communications professional," said Shelby Woods, Chairman of the Board. "He is a brilliant marketer who knows how to recognize opportunities, create successful teams, and develop and drive strategies that get results. The employee-owners of CJRW know that David is the right person to lead this agency and guide our clients' successes in the years to come." Martin is a native of Arkansas. In addition to holding a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, David received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Political Science from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. About Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Founded in 1961, Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods is one of the largest full-service marketing communications firms in the Mid South. The company ranks 17th in the Southwest in Ad Week's most recent rankings. The agency provides clients with strategic planning and program execution across a wide range of communications and marketing services including traditional advertising, direct response, media planning and placement, market research, public relations, photography, interactive media, public affairs, publishing, and video production. CJRW, which also owns Jones Productions, has offices in Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas, and a newly formed interactive team in Seattle, Washington. CENTERVILLE DRAGWAY Where Racing Action is at its best! Nov. 4th & 5th: 2 Day Bracket & Racer Appreciation Weekend & Race of Champs Nov. 11th: Street Legal/Test N Tune Nov. 12th: Team Race (Get those teams ready!) Nov. 18th: Street Legal/Test N Tune Nov. 19th: Awards for 2nd Half, Points Winners & Combo Race $25 Entry Nov 25th: Last Street Legal Night For more information visit their website www.centervilledragway.com  Trail of Lights Highlights Displays, Parades, Events The Annual Trail of Holiday Lights brings thousands of visitors from across the region to view the many twinkle lights, live performances and concerts, larger-than-life displays and enjoy family activities offered in towns all over the state. It encourages travelers to spend time during the holidays in different locations and communities across the state. The 2006 brochure began distribution this month in Vacation Planning Kits (VPKs) and features 65 participating communities along with a map. Distributing partners include again this year Coulson Oil Shell Superstops and Bank of America locations across the state, and new to the program are 33 Best Westerns of Arkansas. Brochures will be available to the partners' customers shortly before Thanksgiving and the holiday rush. A total of 180,000 brochures will be distributed among industry partners, Arkansas Welcome Centers, visitor centers, the Little Rock airport, VPKs and the participating communities. It will also be available for download at Arkansas.com. Reprinted from Arkansas' Industry Newsletter Let's Ride Features New Routes The Let's Ride brochure published by Parks and Tourism has been reprinted with three additional Southern Arkansas motorcycle tours. The brochures, which resembles a leather-bound travel journal, offers 20 pages of helpful information and attractions, beautiful full-color photography and a foldout map highlighting a total of eight suggested motorcycling tours. The three new rides include step-by-step driving instructions and suggested points of interest to see along the way. New routes consist of a 155-mile tour from El Dorado to Hot Springs, a 188-mile stretch from Texarkana to Queen Wilhelmina State Park and a 289-mile two-day tour on the Great River Road that stretches from Blytheville to Lake Chicot State Park. Due to high demand for Let's Ride last year, the Department has printed 50,000 new brochures to be distributed in Welcome Centers, selected state parks and visitor centers. It will also be available for download at Arkansas.com. Reprinted from Arkansas' Industry Newsletter   The Paris Ponderosa Vacation Rentals Grand Opening Ceremony took place this past Saturday, October 28th, 2006. According to the owner Mr. William Hughes, the event was a big success! Below is a photo of Vicki Lyons, Tri-Peaks President and owner of The Ponderosa, William Hughes For more information about the Paris Ponderosa, visit their website at www.parisponderosavacationrentals.com 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. 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. 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. Tri-Peaks Members   New & Renewing Members American Realty, Inc. America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks 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 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 Paris Ponderosa Vacation Rentals Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean State Park Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Riverfront Antiques & Galleries 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 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 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Clarksville Foothills Arena Nov. 4-5: Arkansas High School Rodeo Nov. 12: AOK Barrel Racing Finals; call 479-497-2688 or visit website www.foothillsarena.com for more information Downtown Nov. 12: Merchant's Christmas Open House from 1-5 pm Nov. 24: Merchant's Early Bird Sale from 7-10 am; call the Chamber at 479-754-2340 or visit website www.clarksvillearchamber.com Morrilton Petit Jean State Park Nov. 24-26: Petit Jean Mountain Rendezvous; call 501-727-5441 or visit website www.petitjeanstatepark.com for more information Paris Downtown Nov. 25: Paris Lighting Ceremony & Christmas Parade; call 479-963-2244 or visit website www.parisaronline.com for more information Russellville Lake Dardanelle State Park Nov. 1 - Feb. 28: American Bald Eagle Lake Cruise; call 479-967-5516 for more information Historic Downtown Nov. 3: First Friday Downtown Art Walk; call 479-967-1437 or visit www.mainstreetrussellville.com for more information Pope County Fairgrounds Nov. 3-4: 36th Annual Arkansas Valley Arts & Crafts Fair; call 479-229-4200 for more information Nov. 30: 20th Annual Russellville Christmas Parade; call 479-968-2530 or visit www.russellvillechamber.org for more information Quote of the Month All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope… Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) Happy Thanksgiving!!!