Coming up! Heavenly Highway Yard Sale

Time to get ready for the Yard Sale event of North Central Arkansas! Begun by the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce, the sale last year was 50 miles long. This year it has tripled in length and will be 150 miles of bargains! The sale will be Friday, Sept. 10 and Sat., Sept. 11. Churches along the route are encouraged to participate and offer parking lot space for those not living directly on the route.The Calico Rock Chamber is offering free space in both city parks for those who would like to set up there. Many towns along the way will also be offering special entertainments and also restaurant and lodging specials. For maps of the route and more information contact the Chamber of Commerce website, www.calicorock.us or call the office at 870-297-4129.

Cheer 'em on!

Each year for 52 years, the Scouts of America join in an amazing race of their own! Scouts come from as far away as California and Minnesota to canoe our beautiful Arkansa rivers.One of the stops to change out racers is Calico Rock.It's become a favorite of participants because of the Clinkingbeard's ice cream they can buy on Main St. and the wonderful welcome the town provides under the bridge at the river access. For a number of years now the 20/20 Group and the Chamber of Commerce have provided ice water, watermelon and homemade cookies for the canoers and their families. The Chamber also offers information for the families about places to shop, visit, eat, buy gas etc. It's actually a wonderful event for everyone so plan to be a part of it - this year it will be on Fri., July 30 from 8 - 11am. Please plan to park on Peppersauce Alley, or a side street and walk down to the river as the parking area becomes very crowded with canoe transports. See you there!

Another Fam Tour

The Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce again played host to Fam Tour visitors last week. Fam Tours are actually Familiarization Tours or visits by groups wanting to know more about Calico Rock! This latest group was touring parts of the state for the different Welcome Centers where people stop for information about places to visit in Arkansas.

We always end tours on the bluff - this time at Reed Mac and Anita Perryman's beautiful cabin. The Bluff view acts as the Grand Finale! It's wonderful to listen to the "oohs and ahs" as the group steps out on to the porch and gets that first look at Calico's best resource - the White River!

Springtime in the Ozarks! We may have to go thru a lot of snow to get here but it's definitely worth waiting for! Driving around the Calico Rock/Pineville area is like looking at an "Arkansas- the Natural state" website!

Of course we've already had loads of folks visit who know how beautiful we are and that there's no better trout fishing anywhere, and now we're gearing up for some great events! First will be Ozark Riverfest - April 23rd and 24th, then a Trout tournament and the now famous Kayak Race - Oh, and non-fishing or rowing moms and kids ,the 20/20 Group is starting Sat. morning "walks"on some park routes that everyone can enjoy. They'll start from the Farmer's Mkt. on 56 so you can get your healthy fresh foods as well as some exercise! Springtime in the Ozarks - definitely the place to be!

Looking Ahead

Top Ten Reasons to Visit Calico Rock

The groundhog may have seen his shadow and the weather reports may still say snow but the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce is confident that our usual beautiful weather will return and with it lots of wonderful visitors. Arkansas, the "Natural State", is one of the few states that not only receives major support of its' economy from tourism but is continuing that growth while other states are having to cut tourism budgets. Calico Rock is fortunate to be part of the ever-growing Tourism business. It's wonderful for our community and for our local economy. We don't have to be like some TV hosts and make a joke of the Top Ten Reasons for something. We really have at least Ten Reasons for folks to visit our beautiful part of the state!

1. The river, the bluffs, the woods
2. The trout, the eagles, the deer
3. The cabin, with those amazing views
4. The Chamber of Commerce to tell you about the cabins, motels, area restaurants and the RV Park, etc.
5. Riverfest - April 23-24
6. Trout Tournament - May 15
7. Rodeo - June 11-12
8. Annual Kayak/Canoe Race - June 26
9. Old fashioned fireworks and fun - July 3
10. 50 Mile Yard Sale and Autumnfest/5k Race - AND SO MUCH MORE!

The True Spirit of Christmas

Most of us think of Christmas as a time for giving and getting gifts from family and friends, but many in this community give of their time and money to children they don't even know. This year's Toys for Tots project, sponsored by the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce, provided toys, clothing, and toiletries to 65 local children.

Project Chairman, David Sugg, said there's no way to thank all those who helped this year, but some went the extra mile. Thanks to seven high school Senior-SADD students for shopping for 21 children and to fifteen adults for shopping for 44 children. The local Ministerial Alliance provided the toiletries, and local motorcycle groups provided new warm clothing. There were also anonymous contributors who gave over $1000 and others who put money in the cans placed around town. To Mitchell's Pharmacy and the Family Dollar store, thanks so much for collecting so many wonderful toys. Thanks also to the Food Bank for serving as the primary point of registration for families. All told, well over 100 people contributed in some way to this year's Toys for Tots project - proving again that the true spirit of Christmas is "alive and well" in Calico Rock and Pineville.

Live Nativity

Cold, but 'cool' Nativity Scene

The Ministerial Alliance hosted the first Live Nativity at the new Pocket Park on Main St.despite the temperature working its' way to the low twenties. TACO, a group from the High School, acted as the silent members of the Nativity scene while local talent provided wonderful music.