Volume 4 Issue 3 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association September 2006 GREAT ARKANSAS CLEANUP Petit Jean State Park will be hosting the Great Arkansas Cleanup on Saturday, September 9, 2006. The Cleanup will be starting at 8:00 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m. Lunch will start around 12:00 p.m., and during lunch there will be door prize drawings. Arrive a few minutes early to register and pick up your door prize ticket and other information. Petit Jean has been serving Arkansas as a State Park for over 70 years since its establishment in 1923. The staff of Petit Jean is seeking help to keep the park clean and litter free! Join them for a few hours of litter pickup and be rewarded with a cookout lunch, door prize drawings and a sense of accomplishment for keeping Petit Jean State Park a clean place to visit. For more information, contact the park at petitjean@arkansas.com or call 501-727-5441. Reprinted from Arkansas.com    New Arkansas Websites Available Arkansas State Parks Launches New Website Featuring History and Heritage Sites The hallmark of Arkansas' state parks system is the diversity of its natural, recreational and historic offerings. A new website has just been launched that features the history and heritage sites preserved, conserved and interpreted by Arkansas State Parks. The new site, www.HistoryStateParks.com offers details and photographs of historic homes and buildings, historic towns, museums, Civil War sites, Civilian Conservation Corps structures and other works, "Trail of Tears" sites, archeology sites, national register sites and landmarks, the Ozark Folk Center and historic trees. In addition, research links provide access to a variety of resources for further details and research opportunities. Learn about these places. Experience them. Be inspired by them. Each one reveals Arkansas' chapter of America's great story. New Arkansas State Parks Website Launches that Features Arkansas' Mountain State Parks Mountains cover half of Arkansas. The Ozark Mountains, Arkansas' northernmost range, and to the south, the Ouachita Mountains, each have their own unique geological and cultural history, scenic splendor, flora and fauna. These rugged ancient mountains, along with the distinctive flat-topped mountains in the Arkansas River Valley-peaks like legendary Petit Jean Mountain, Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine-are home to Arkansas State Parks. Visit the newest Arkansas State Parks mini- website www.MountainStateParks.com and learn more about Arkansas' seven mountain parks: Devil's Den State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, Mount Nebo State Park, the Ozark Folk Center State Park, Petit Jean State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. You'll find these state parks, each one rich in natural beauty and history, as unique and captivating as the mountains they grace. Arkansas State Parks Launches New Adventure State Parks Website Arkansas State Parks has just launched its new website for adventure sports enthusiasts: www.AdventureStateParks.com. The state parks offer great outdoor adventures, from exciting outdoor sports to adrenaline pumping extreme adventures for thrill seekers. The diverse topography and breathtaking scenery of Arkansas combine to offer a wide variety of experiences for outdoor sports and extreme adventure enthusiasts. Visit the new website and get details on where to go backpacking, caving, hang gliding, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, river running, rock climbing and snorkeling. Reprinted from Arkansas.com University of the Ozarks News Benson-Nicol named campus chaplain The Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol began her duties at the university on August 1st. Prior to accepting the invitation to join the U of O community; she served for more than two and a half years as the associate pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, AR. Benson-Nicol served a two-year term as a Lilly resident in ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 2001-2003. A native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, she received a bachelor of arts degree with honors from Swarthmore College in 1998, and a master's of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 2001. She was ordained as Minister of the Word and Sacrament on November 11, 2001, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. In its July 2004 cover story, the publication Presbyterians Today featured Benson-Nicol an article titled "40 Under 40: Ones to Watch" as a "rising star" in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Benson-Nicol will organize and lead the university's weekly chapel service and other convocations. She will also provide spiritual counseling for the campus community, coordinate mission and outreach efforts and serve as the university's liaison to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Benson-Nicol was one of five chaplain candidates who were brought to campus during the spring for interviews following a nation-wide search by the Chaplain Search Committee. MORE U OF O NEWS….. Kennedy, "Butterfly" Hill to highlight U of O series Environmental attorney and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and renowned conservationist Julia "Butterfly" Hill will highlight a diverse group of speakers and entertainers who will visit University of the Ozarks during the upcoming academic year as part of the 2006-2007 Walton Arts & Ideas Series. The theme for the upcoming series will be "Blue and Green: A Look at Nature and the Environment" and will include six events throughout the academic year. Kennedy, the third of 11 children born to Ethel Kennedy and the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, will speak at Ozarks on April 26, 2007. He serves as a Professor of environmental law at Pace University School of Law and is co-director of Pace's Environmental Litigation Clinic. Hill, who will visit Ozarks on September 26, 2006, gained world-wide fame as an environmentalist and activist in the late 1990s after spending 738 days living in the canopy of a 600-year-old, 180 foot California Coast Redwood tree to prevent the destruction of the tree and the surrounding forest. In 1999, Hill and other activist founded the organization Circle of Life Foundation. On November 2nd, The Children of the World International Children's Choir will perform at U of O. On December 10th, Arkansas wilderness photographer and author Tim Ernst will visit the university. On February 22, 2007, John Two-Hawks, an American-Indian musician and author, will perform at Ozarks. And, on March 8, 2007, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, in its 41st season, will present a concert on campus. All of the events will be held in the university's Walton Fine Arts Center. Individual ticket prices range from $5 to $15, depending on the event. A season ticket for all six of the events is $48 for the general public or $36 for seniors and youth. For more information on the 2006-2007 Walton Series or to order tickets, please contact Director Ginny Sain at 479-979-1346 or visit their website at www.ozarks.edu.   Fun events going on in the River Valley ABBEY ARTS FESTIVAL AT SUBIACO Join the folks at Subiaco Abbey for their 7th Annual Festival of Fine Art, Arts & Crafts and Entertainment & Foods on Saturday, September 9th, from 10:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE! Come and enjoy the festivities! For more information call Subiaco Abbey at 479-394-4321 or visit them online at www.subi.org. STARS OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY SHOW TO BENEFIT ARKANSAS HOSPICE (Concert proceeds help support construction of Arkansas Hospice's new 20-bed River Valley Inpatient Hospice Center to be built in Russellville) Stars of the Grand Ole Opry featuring Jim Ed Brown presented by AR Hospice of Russellville will be held at Tucker Coliseum from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, September 10th. Others that will be performing are Jimmy Cajun Newman, Margo Smith who is known for her yodeling and Ray Pillow (the man who discovered and produced "God Bless the USA" with Lee Greenwood). Local artist The Setian Twins will open the show at 1:30 p.m., while everyone comes in. The MC will be Little Rock radio station KSSN's Bob Robbins. Tickets are $22.50 children 8 & under are free! Call 1-888-498-2050 for more information.     9th Annual Fall Petit Jean Antique Auto Sale & Swap Meet And 6th Annual Military Vehicle Rally & Swap Meet On top of Petit Jean Mountain September 20-23, 2006 ~ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily CENTERVILLE DRAGWAY Where Racing Action is at its best! Sept. 2nd: Street Legal/TNT Sept. 3rd: Bracket Points Sept. 9th: Street Legal/TNT Sept 10th: Closed Sept. 16th: Street Legal/TNT Sept. 17th: Bracket Points Sept. 23rd: Street Legal/TNT Sept. 24th: Closed Sept. 30th: Street Legal/TNT For more information visit their website www.centervilledragway.com WIEDERKEHR VILLAGE 43rd ANNUAL WEINFEST SEPTEMBER 30th The Tyrolean-style activities begin early in the day with tours of the historic wine cellars. Activities include, Grape Stomp, Sing-a-Long, door prizes, wine tasting, polka lessons, tram rides through the vineyards, carriage and horseback rides. Live music and the aroma of International Cuisine fill the air. Arts and crafts displays and lots of games. There will also be a Dog Show and Mercedes and Porsche show. For more information call 479-468-9463 or visit their website at www.wiederkehrwines.com. GLOBAL VILLAGE DAY AT HEIFER RANCH SEPTEMBER 30th Experience a "world tour" at this free, day-long celebration. Take a self-guided walk through their Global Village, which replicates housing from around the world. Other activities include hayrides, culturally appropriate crafts, educational exhibits of livestock and farming projects and much more. For more information contact the folks at the Ranch Events office at 479-889-5124 or visit them online at www.heifer.org/ranch. Admission is free. Join the folks at the Paris Ponderosa Vacation Rentals Activity Tours & Recreation Center for their Pre-Grand Opening on Saturday, September 2nd, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.   At the Pre-Grand Opening there will be food, drinks, music, local business booths, and free guided tours of The Ponderosa. Also, you can purchase tickets to win a "dinner for 2 at The Ponderosa" or a "One Night Stay for 4 with dinner", or a "Weekend Getaway for 4 at The Ponderosa", which will also include dinner. We hope to see you there! The Ponderosa is located in Paris, Arkansas at the heart of beautiful Pine Ridge among the Ozark National Forest and it majestically overlooks famous Mount Magazine. They are located along the scenic route of Highway 309. Just look for The Ponderosa sign in their very own wagon from the Old West. For more information on what The Ponderosa has to offer, call 479-963-1533 or email them at parisponderosavacationrentals@yahoo.com DID YOU KNOW? Did you know Mark Martin, Racecar driver on the Nascar Circuit, was born and raised in Batesville, Arkansas? He cut his teeth on the many dirt tracks around The Natural State before making it big on the Winston Cup Series. Martin continually ranks in the Top 10 Winston Cup Standings. 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 Vineyards in Altus CALENDAR OF EVENTS Altus Wiederkehr Village Sept. 30th: 43rd Annual Weinfest, call 479-468-9463 for more info Post Familie Winery Sept. (last weekend): Wine Fest/Harvest Celebration, call 479-468-2741 for more info Clarksville Johnson County Fair Grounds Sept. 5-10: 108th Annual Johnson County Fair, call 479-754-2340 for more info Foothills Arena Sept. 16-17: AATRC Team Roping Sept. 22-24: Josey Clinic (hours set by clinic @ enrollment) for more info on the above events, call 479-497-2688 or visit website www.foothillsarena.com Byrd's Adventure Center Sept. 23-24: Beech Grove Bandit Harescramble, for more info call 479-667-4066 or visit website www.byrdsadventurecenter.com Dardanelle Sept. 16th: 57th Annual Mount Nebo Chicken Fry, call 479-229-3328 for more info Morrilton Sept. 2: Founder's Day @ Petit Jean State Park, call 501-727-5441 for more info Sept. 19-23: 99th Annual Conway County Fair, call 501-354-2377 for more info Paris Mt. Magazine State Park Sept. 2-4: Hang Gliding Fly-In, call 479-963-8502 for more info Perryville Sept. 5-9: Perry County Fair, call 501-889-5604 for more info Heifer Ranch Sept. 30th: Global Village Day, call 501-889-5124 for more info Russellville ARV Arts Center Fall Classes & Workshops starting in Sept. Call the Arts Center for more info @ 479-967-2452 or visit website www.arvartscenter.org ARV Arts Center Sept. 10th: Sunday Family Fun Day, call 479-967-2452 for info Sept. 12-16: Pope County Fair, call 479-968-7098 for more info Sept. 30th: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series, call 479-967-1437 for more info QUOTE OF THE MONTH That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved…Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)