Volume 4 Issue 4 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association October 2006 Tri-Peaks Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony is slated For Tuesday, October 10th The Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Annual Banquet will be held Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the Yell County Wildlife Federation building located on Hwy 22 West of Dardanelle. The format of the upcoming event is a party ambiance allowing guests the opportunity to socialize. Joe David Rice with Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism will be the guest speaker this year. There will be food and music as well as a silent and live auction. Awards will be given to an individual or to an organization in each of the six counties for Tourism Person or Organization of the Year. There will also be a Charlie Johnson Award given. Tickets to the banquet are $25.00 each and are available at the Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks office (101 N. Johnson St. Clarksville). You can also purchase tickets from any of our Board of Directors: Conway County- Baxter Sudduth, Wally Scherrery, Buddy Hoelzeman or Karen Hofford. Johnson County- Vicki Lyons, Carol Martin, Pat Kowalewycz or Nancy Rogers. Logan County- Bro. Mel Stinson or Lynn Wright. Perry County- Doug Brandon or Bill Greene Pope County- Betty LaGrone, Andy Thomas, Ron Knost or Lou Vitale. Yell County- Patty Styles, Carole Tackett, Jim Holbrook or Mike Hall. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other tourism oriented businesses. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please call us at 479-754-6543 or toll free at 1-800-561-6508.   Arkansas Delegation Attends TIA Travel Leadership Summit A 13-member delegation from the Arkansas tourism industry attended the TIA Travel Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. last week. Attendees met with congressional leaders in roundtables and individually to help achieve favorable policy and legislative outcomes at the federal level. The summit also served to raise awareness of the economic, social and cultural impact of tourism, business travel, and meeting and conventions business with the Administration, Congress, state and local government, and the media. Those attending from Arkansas included (from left) Dan Aylward (Magic Springs), Steve Arrison (Hot Springs CVB), Phillip Petty (Governors Office), Shelby Woods (CJRW), TIA President & CEO Roger Dow, Jim Shamburger (SPRTC chairman), Dr. Ruth Hawkins (Arkansas Delta Byways), Nancy Clark (Parks & Tourism), Jack Moyer (Crescent Hotel), and Joe David Rice (Parks & Tourism). Not pictured are Montine McNulty (AHA), Marilyn Heifner (Fayetteville A&P), Allyson Twiggs (Fayetteville CVB) and Jay Bunyard (SPRTC). Reprinted from Arkansas' Industry Newsletter "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 Mount Magazine Frontier Day Celebration The 27th Annual Mount Magazine Frontier Day Celebration will again be hosted by Paris. The event is a day full of entertainment, contests, and lots and lots of fun. Anyone attending the event is encouraged to dress in Frontier appropriate attire! Some of the traditional contests are Log Sawing, Nail Driving and Beard Growing contests, with a new event this year that will bring out the Brawn in Brawny, a Hay Bail Throwing Contest! To register for any of the contests, you can contact the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce or download a registration form from their website at www.parisaronline.com. You can also register the day of the Festival at the Chamber Booth on the square by 10:00 a.m. Reprinted from parisonline.com   ~ GRAND OPENING CEREMONY~ The Paris Ponderosa Vacation Rentals Grand Opening Ceremony is set for Saturday, October 28th from 10 am ~ 6 pm. There will be VIP Tours, food and music. We hope to see you there!       Arkansas Fall Color Reports Just a Click Away By Kerry Kraus, travel writer AR Dept of Parks & Tourism Autumn in Arkansas, with its splashy show of brilliant colors, is a very popular travel season. Residents and visitors alike eagerly look forward to the changing of the leaves and cooler temperatures. And, of course, EVERYONE wants to know when to color peak will take place. Unfortunately, there is no reliable method to predict this several months out, but there is the next best thing ~ weekly fall color reports from the very people who live in the areas and watch the leaves change in person. The first report appeared September 28th at www.arkansas.com. "As cooler weather finally begins to settle on The Natural State, many folks are already eyeing the sumac and black gums, looking for the first hints of fall foliage," said Joe David Rice, tourism director with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. "In fact, staff members report that potential tourists began calling in May, asking for updates on when the leaves would turn." Rice added that the fall season is important to the state's economy, luring travelers from all around the country. Each week new reports will be posted on www.arkansas.com after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and will be noted with a fall foliage icon. These reports will also be available by calling the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at 501-682-7777 or its visitor information toll-free number 1-800-NATURAL. In addition to the latest information on color changes, the Website will also have suggested scenic routes for viewing the foliage and attractions along the way. The fall season in Arkansas not only showcases scenic drives and gorgeous colors, it is also a very busy time for festivals and events. Numerous activities are scheduled each weekend from one corner of The Natural State to the other. Information on these can be found in the calendar of events on www.arkansas.com. Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism 21st Annual Talent Contest Slated for Saturday, October 21st, 2006 This year will be the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce's 21st Annual Talent Contest. The event will be held at the Clarksville High School Fine Arts Center. Preliminaries will begin at 8:30 a.m. and Finals at 6:30 p.m. Contestants may enter once in each of the following categories: musical solo, musical group/duo, dance solo, dance group/duo, & Breakthrough with 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places being awarded in each category. For additional information or an application for the talent contest you may go to the Chamber website at www.clarksvillearchamber.com or contact the Chamber office at 479-754-2340. The general public is invited to attend. Tickets are available at the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Under 5: free, 5-12: $4.00, & over 12: $6.00; admission includes access to the Preliminaries and Finals. 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. Reprinted from Ozarks.edu       CENTERVILLE DRAGWAY Where Racing Action is at its best! Oct. 1st: Points Race/Arkansas Z Club Oct. 7th: Street Legal/TNT/Street Radial Shootout Oct. 14th: Street Legal/Test N Tune Oct. 15th: Points Race & Cop Cars are back Oct. 21st: 14th Ann. Street Legal Shootout 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 Halloween on the Mountain Petit Jean State Park Oct. 28th Slip into your most frightful costume and join the park staff for an evening of fun. All ages will enjoy the ghoulish games, refreshments and friendly competition. Join the fun…. If you dare! For more information call 501-727-5441 or visit their website at www.petitjeanstatepark.com. ARV Arts Center News CASTING CALL AUDITION NOTICE Auditions for the Christmas Story will be Sunday, October 8th, 2 pm and Monday, October 9th at 6 pm in the Gardner Auditorium, 1000 S. Arkansas St., Russellville, No special preparation is required. Males and females of all ages are encouraged to audition. There are a limited number of solo roles, but many performers are needed for other parts and to form the choir. There is no age limit. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to join the production with your children. This is the re-telling of the birth of Christ. It is a wonderful Biblical production with performances on December 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10th. This is the 11th anniversary for this production and all who have seen it give it rave reviews. HOLIDAY JUBILEE 2006 The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center is celebrating 25 years of cultural and artistic educational service to the area. In honor of this special event a gala Silver Anniversary Celebration will be combined with their annual fundraiser. Since the event will be held in the fall instead of the Christmas Holiday Season, it will be called "Fall in Love with the Arts." This event, previously known as Holiday Jubilee, will be at the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center 1001 East B Street, Russellville on Friday, October 20th, 7:00 - 11:30 pm. The public is invited to purchase tickets for $25 per person in celebration of their 25th Anniversary. For more information on these events, call 479-968-2452. 23rd Annual Fall Senior American Special @ Petit Jean State Park October 17-19, 2006 As the seasons change and fall arrives, Petit Jean State Park begins gearing up for the 23rd Annual Fall Senior American Special. This year's event will be held October 17th-19th. The event will feature some traditional favorites as well as new, never before seen programs! Beginning at 2 pm on Oct. 17th, seniors can register for events throughout the week. Refreshments will be provided during this time in the CCC Room of Mather Lodge. Highlights for the week include: a CCC Hike into History presentation by Park Interpreter BT Jones, Helping Arkansas Wild Kritters (HAWK), a program by wildlife rehabilitator Lynn Slater, and Backyard Wildlife program by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission biologist Marcus Kilburn. Additional programs include Snakes Alive, Nature Photography 101, Calling All Frogs, Stinging Biting and Venomous Things and many more! Make plans to join the folks as the leaves begin changing colors on top of Petit Jean. While designed for seniors, everyone is invited to participate in the fun and fellowship. All events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of events, visit website www.petitjeanstatepark.com and click on Programs. Or call 501-727-5441. WALKS THROUGH HISTORY October 7th, 2006 Dardanelle Courthouse Take a walking tour of historic Dardanelle. Meet at 11:00 a.m. in front of the courthouse. STAR PARTY November 18, 2006 6-8 p.m. Mount Nebo State Park This is your last chance this season to join the folks at Mt. Nebo for an evening of stargazing. Bring your blankets and join Dr. Jeff Robertson, Arkansas Tech University's observatory director at Sunset Point. Program is weather dependent. Admission is free.   Quote of the Month Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved… Helen Keller (1880-1968) 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 ARA Rodeo State Finals to be announced call 479-497-2688 or visit website www.foothillsarena.com for more information Marvin Vinson Center Oct. 7: 4th Annual Fire Safety Awareness Parade & Kidsfest, call 479-979-7328 or visit www.rfd1.com for more information JC Fair Building Oct. 14: DHS' 5th Annual Teacup Auction for the Kids, call 479-754-2355 for more info Morrilton Petit Jean State Park Oct. 17-19: Fall Senior American Special Oct. 28: Halloween on the Mountain, call 501-727-5441 for more information on these events Paris Downtown Oct. 7: 27th Annual Frontier Day, call 479-963-2244 or visit website www.parisaronline.com for more information Perryville Oct. 28: Fall Fest, call 501-889-1571 for more information Russellville ARV Arts Center Oct. 8: Casting Call Audition Oct. 20: Holiday Jubilee, call 479-968-2452 for more information on these events Arkansas Hospitality Presents the Annual Fall Trade Show & Expo Join them at the Statehouse Convention Center on October 25-26, 2006 For more information, call 501-376-2323 or visit website www.arhospitality.com. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!!