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.

Decorating Main St.

Each year, before most holiday activities get started, the 20/20 Group puts up lighted garlands, and the large tree of lights created by former Presbyterian Pastor Wayne Wood. Usually the weather is cold and rainy for this, but this year it certainly was cold, but the sun was bright which made everyone 'joyful'!

Pocket Park Ribbon Cutting

Usually in Calico Rock if there's one thing going on, there are several. At the same time that a motorcycle group was having a trip through the area, with participant's donating coats, hats and gloves for the Chamber's Toys for Tots, the 20/20 Group was having a Ribbon Cutting for the Main St. Pocket Park. In an earlier post you saw members of the group working on the park. These photos are of Chamber President Rebecca Greenwood and property donors, Peg and Dean Hudson cutting the ribbon to officially open the park. Group President, David Sugg said that while it will continue to be a 'work in progress', several people have already taken advantage of it to "sit a spell" as the sign says or even hold small meetings on warm fall days.

The property has been provided by Peg and Dean Hudson who actually owned the Vogue Cleaners there. The 20/20 Group, along with funds provided by Frederika Johns honoring her parents, the Silveys, took down part of the cleaner's building, adding shrubs, donated by Derrell Brown and moved to the site by Dale Ivy. Wayne Wood acting as project Mgr. supervised other plantings, a stone path and personally created the Park sign. All general labor and maintenance has been provided by the members of the 20/20 Group. For further information about the group, call 870-297-8760.

'09 Merchant's Open House

One of Calico Rock's Seasonal traditions is a Merchant's Open House. Nearly every business in town decorates or at least gets their Christmas goods out and offers goodies and prize drawings all day long. It isn't just a business day tho, it's a day for visiting with folks you don't always get to see. You take the children along and just enjoy getting into the holiday spirit with the rest of the warm, friendly folks of Calico -- and of course supporting the Chamber of Commerce philosopy of "Shop Local"!

In the photo you can see some of the Hospital Gift Shop "spread" with Mondalyn McCormick and Jimmie Lee Whitaker taking their turn as hostesses.

Calico Rock Shows Off!

We've done it again! For the 3rd time Calico Rock was asked to host a Fam Tour. These are area tours hosted by North Central Arkansas Tourism Council to show people, involved in the business of tourism, what is available in this part of the state. What makes Calico Rock/Pineville special is not just the historic town, the river or the views but the "Welcome" that the the Chamber of Commerce provides. On this visit, President Rebecca Greenwood and Derrall Brown greeted them in town; Derrall once again toured them through town ending on our beautiful bluff at the Knight's cabin. A delicious lunch, home-made soup, and sandwiches with desserts made by Chamber members helped the visitors see what was available to anyone visiting this beautiful place on the White River. Will they share this with others wanting a place to "get away" or bring their business? Oh my, yes! Arkansas is one of the few states that can claim a growing, successful tourism industry and Calico Rock/Pineville is playing a big part in that success.

Autumnfest and 5K Run - '08

The 5K race has winners,... lots of starters,... and of course, some runners who leave the others in their dust -... But plenty of great memories for everyone!

Sign up this year at the Chamber office 297-4129 or tbevill@ozarka.edu.

SEE YOU THERE! 9AM -RAND PARK!

A Calico Rock Welcome!

What a great day! Nobody loves a ribbon cutting better than Calico Rock! It's always nice to give a big welcome to someone new in town and today we turned out to welcome the new Dollar General Store on Highway 56. They had a huge cake for everyone who came in as well as some great reusable shopping bags with goodies in them. They really want to be involved in the community and we're certainly glad to have them! Here you see Store Mgr. Wayne Moates and Chamber Vice President, Dale Ivy litterally cutting the ribbon in front of the store with some of the crowd watching!

Annual Autumnfest 5k Run/Walk-Coming up Oct.3

Well, we're excited! The annual Autumnfest 5k Run/Walk has become a tradition for some families - a challenge for others. In fact last year's 1st place winner, heard about it, ran it, picked up his prize money and was gone! - said most races didn't have prize money !(Hmmm...maybe that's him in the red bandana.) All that to say I don't have his picture but I do have some others. A lot of folks say they just do the 5k for good health AND the most awesome long sleeve t-shirt around! Everyone who enters gets one for the $20 fee ($10-for K-12 students). But here you can see adults and kids receiving prizes for placing in their age group. Top photo, Chris Lareau, from Memphis, was second place overall. Just like the kayak race, those Memphis folks love to come to the beautiful White River for a weekend away from the big city!

For entry forms, contact Race Chairman, Tamra Bevill at tbevill@ozarka.edu, 870-368-2079 or call the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce-297-4129 be sure to mention that you saw it on the blog.

Calico Rock always has something going on ...so save these dates :

Sept. 11, 12 - 50+ Mile Yard Sale

Sept. 5 (note this change) - Dollar General Ribbon Cutting

11 am.- hot dogs, too!

Oct. 3 - 5k Race and Autumnfest,

Vogue Cleaners Pocket Pk. Ribbon cutting

Nov. 21 - Merchant's Holiday Open House

Dec. 4 - Christmas Parade, tree lighting etc.,etc.



These dates are mainly Chamber of Commerce related. I'll gladly add other groups and their info. if you'll get it to me!

(For instance we always know we can find good entertainment on Sat. nites at our wonderful Music Hall in the old Methodist Church!)

Check this blog often , comment, and you'll find current info. on all these upcoming events. You can also check http://www.calicorock.us/ or call the Chamber office at 297-4129

Well, it looks as though some members of the 20/20 Group are already taking advantage of the pocket park next to the old Vogue Cleaners. Actually, they were meeting to discuss what needs to be done next. Because they try to do all labor themselves it may seem that things are progressing slowly but it is already a restful spot on land donated by Dean and Peggy Hudson where part of the old building has been removed. They've enlisted some help along the way with some funds donated by Frederika Silvy Johns. Charlie Eldridge put in the wonderful stone walkway leading from the stairs up into the park. Watch the area as plantings are added with the hope of a Fall ribbon cutting.

Fifty Mile Yard Sale!

Just in time for "Back to School", Fall Cleaning", "Change of Seasons", etc.etc. the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce is planning the biggest yard sale our area has ever seen. It's called the Heavenly Highways Yard Sale because it will run all along Highway 5 from Mountain View to Calico Rock, then loop onto Hwy.56 to Hwy.177, going through Pineville, all the way to Salesville and back down to Calico on route 177S.

The Sale is September 11 and 12 and you can be part of it! Many Churches along the route will be using their parking lots, or just use your own property and invite family and friends to share for more fun! If you don't live on the route you can reserve a spot at Calico Rock's King Park by calling the Chamber office ahead of time at 297-4129. There is no fee involved for any of this unless you would like your address listed on the map. There is a $5 fee to cover map and advertising costs.

Maps will be available at several locations (the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber office) and online at http://www.calicorock.us/

This kind of sale has become hugely popular all over the country - it benefits those with things to sell as well as those wanting to shop. Also, while saving - or making- some money you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Ozark's Heavenly Highways!

Scout Canoe Race - Calico Rock

Have you ever done something "just to be nice" and have it turn out to be so much fun? For several years the 20/20 Group has joined with the Chamber of Commerce to welcome the Scout canoers of the White River Canoe Race. This year there were about 160 canoers and their families! They come from ALL over! This year there was even a group from California! There are others from Minnesota, Louisiana, etc. etc. For many it's their first trip to AR. so they get a wonderful impression of AR. and of course especially of Calico Rock. We offer lots of cheering, some homemade cookies, a few slices of watermelon and BEST of all - apparently - ice cold water! Many of their families then head up to Main St. and Hwy. 56 for a little lunch and shopping before meeting up with the kids at Allison for the last leg of the trip to Batesville. Besides the fun of meeting so many great people it's fun hearing how much they look forward to the Calico Rock "switchout" each year and how many of those same folks will be back on their vacations!

Special Note: I'm new at the blog business but put us in your "favorites" and come back as I get the hang of adding pictures of the fun.

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We love Calico Rock! The beautiful White River flows right thru Calico -offering some of the best trout fishing ,eagle watching , kayaking and canoeing. Old Main St. comes right up from the bridge welcoming visitors to a place that more and more is offering our visitors beautiful places to stay, good food to eat and events for the whole family to enjoy.

3rd Annual Kayak (and now canoe) Race

Have you ever been to a party and wondered what it was that made it one of the best ever? Saturday was the CalicoRock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce Kayak and Canoe Races. Numbers were down, the heat index was around 106 but everyone - from the OLYMPIC KAYAKER to the Chamber members said it was one of the best days ever! Maybe it was having Olympic star Mike Herbert there to tell us he loved the river and the warm greetings from the town or maybe it was Margaret Hankin, from Tucker, AR riding thru with her husband and stopping to play the ancient Chamber piano and sing so wonderfully that we carried speakers outside for the whole town to hear, ... or maybe it was just the White River and the folks who live here.

As always every participant said they would love to come back, during the year with family and friends and certainly for the races next year. We can't wait ! I'll be sure that dates and times are posted on the blog for everyone to get signed up!