81 Years of Progress 1921-2002 Volume 3 Issue 8 Published monthly by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce August 2002 Wal-Mart Supercenter Opens The long awaited Grand Opening of the new Clarksville Wal-Mart Supercenter was held on Wednesday, July 17 drawing between 5 and 10 thousand people. Traffic was backed up on I40 with Clarksville Police directing traffic for the first week of operations. Daily customer counts are averaging 4500 since the store opened and sales figures generated are well over what was anticipated. At left, Mayor Callahan and Vicki Lyons cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening. Daily customer counts are averaging 4500 since the store opened and sales figures generated are well over what was anticipated. Leadership Johnson County III to Begin September will mark the beginning of the third Leadership Johnson County classes sponsored by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. This program is an issues oriented leadership development program that has been designed to inform, motivate, and challenge selected participants through education and interaction with community, county and state leaders and decision makers. It brings together potential community leaders to learn more about Johnson County, share learning experiences, exchange ideas, and thus become eager to volunteer their time and talents in the spirit of community service. Anyone residing in Johnson County may apply for admission to the program; fifteen candidates will be selected to participate. Tuition is $250 for program costs. A candidate may pay the tuition or his/her employer may pay the tuition. Arrangements must be confirmed prior to the first meeting in September. Applications must be approved. The class meets one full day per month from September through May. The co-directors for this year's class are Jennifer Moore from Johnson County Title and John Frost from the University of the Ozarks. For additional information or an application, call or come by the Chamber office at 101 N. Johnson Street. (479) 754-2340. Clarksville Convalescent Home Ribbon Cutting was held on Thursday, July 18. Front row: Vicki Lyons, Rusty Honea-President, Kim Lorence, Carrie Johnson, Ronnie Johnson-Administrator, Dr. George Taylor III, Rosanna Taylor, Carrie Taylor, Mayor Callahan, JC Fair Queen Tiffany Steele, Cindy Herron. Back row: Rick Lorence-CEO of Rose Care Inc., and Jerry England. Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce - 2002 Executive Committee Adele Jacobs - President Lee White - 1st Vice President Matt Wylie - 2nd Vice President Ken Golden - Sec/Treasurer Government/Schools Judge Mike Jacobs - Johnson County Mayor Charles Callahan - Clarksville Mayor James Hester - Knoxville Beverly Wagner - Lamar Dr. Rick Niece - Schools Board of Directors Chris Allen…………………………Sara Lee Hosiery Beverly Bale…………………………….Celebrations Steve Burch……………………………....Century 21 Billy Dickerson…………………OK/Harvest Foods Steve Fisher…………...…AR River Valley Dentistry Betty Killough…………………….Tyson Foods, Inc. Cindy Herron………………….....……Regions Bank Don Johnston……..……………...Clarksville Schools Janice Joyce…………………..…Bank of the Ozarks Carol Martin………………………………Individual Robbi Mooney………………....….Mid South Roller Betty Smithee…………………………Regions Bank David Taylor……………………………..Individual Harve Taylor……………………………...Individual Jeff Vire……………………….Back Door Barbecue Freeman Wish………………………....Mazzio's Pizza Darrell Williams……………University of the Ozarks Ken Wood….…….Johnson Regional Medical Center Executive Director Vicki Lyons Chamber Staff Karen Johnson - Administrative Assistant Ramona Cogan - Secretary/Receptionist (479) 754-2340 Fax (479) 754-4923 Email: cjccofc@cswnet.com Website: www.clarksvillearchamber.com New & Renewing Members *Clarksville Convalescent Home *Clarksville Janitorial & Carpet *Oark General Store & Café Garry Campbell Super 8 of Johnson County Calendar of Events August 2 - The Marvin L. Vinson Multi-Purpose Building Grand Opening - 7:00 p.m.; 1611 Oakland Street August 6 - Membership Taskforce Committee Meeting - 4:00 p.m.; Chamber August 7 - Johnson County Community Foundation Board of Directors meeting - Noon; Presidents Dining Room U of O August 9 - Replenishment Blood Drive for J.J. Taylor - 2:00-8:00 p.m.; First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, Corner of Cherry & College Street August 8-10 - Bargains Galore on Hwy. 64 August 14 - Talent Committee Meeting - 8:30 a.m.; Chamber of Commerce August 14 - Johnson County Community Foundation Meeting - Noon; Cane Hill Rm. U of O August 15 - Christmas Holiday Lighting Committee Meeting - 9:30 a.m.; Clarksville Light & Water Conference room August 19 - Clarksville and Lamar School starts August 21 - Chamber Board of Directors Meeting - 11:00 a.m.; Presidents Dining Room at U of O. Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon - Noon; Seay Student Center at U of O. Fair Board Head Herman Ahrens speaker August 23 - Clarksville Lions Club Magic Show - Clarksville High School - 7:30 p.m. August 27 - Strategic Planning meeting for Johnson County Civic & Non Profit organizations to establish Coalition - 10:00-12:00; Clarksville Light & Water Conference Room September 2-7 - Annual Johnson County Fair & Livestock Show ARVTPR 02-03 Officers Elected Officers recently elected to lead the Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association for the 2002-2003 year which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2003 are: President-Vicki Lyons, Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce; Vice President-Jim Holbrook, Chambers Bank, and Secretary-Beebe Huett, Morrilton Chamber of Commerce. ARVTPR promotes tourism in the 6 county areas of Conway, Johnson, Logan, Perry, Pope and Yell counties. Stop by any of these Chamber offices for a Tri-Peaks Visitors Guide full of information on the 6-county regions. Oark General Store & Café This article is a contribution from one of the Chamber's newest members, Nanci Lewis with the Oark General Store & Café. We want to welcome them and say thanks to Nanci for the article! Experience the past and some great food while in Oark. Nestled in the far northwest portion of the county, Oark is a town that is self-sufficient. Historical Oark General Store was deeded and built in 1879. Many of the original families are still present in this community. The café part of the store was added at a later date and today it serves a mighty fine meal. The café serves breakfast with a daily homemade special as well as an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on the weekends which includes homemade biscuits and gravy and fried potatoes, just to name a few. On weekends the town comes alive when the café serves its famous smoked ribs, rib eye steaks, catfish and frog legs with all the country style extras included. The Store & Café has been known for their street parties, which have entertained such famous music personalities as Pat Travers, Rachel Fields Band, Kornfield County and The Molly Hatchet Band. The original store still stands on the grounds and has been converted into a pool and gaming room called Elmos Pool Hall, nick-named after a long time resident of Oark. This isolated town decided to restore the run down building so that they might have a place to meet recreationally during the hard winters. The names and the story of why the building was restored was incased in a time capsule buried on the property so that the story could be discovered in the future. Besides having great food, The Oark General Store & Café serves as the wildlife checkpoint and seller of hunting licenses for hunters in the Ozark National Forest. Call about the store's cabin that sleeps eight on private 80 acres - a hunter's dream. Come and stay the day and canoe in the Mulberry River or swim in the famous swimming holes, have some great food and enjoy all that the Ozark National Forest has to offer. Historical Oark General Store and Café is located off Hwy. 103 to Hwy. 215. They are open from 5:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the weekends. Their phone number is (479) 292-3351. Johnson County Fair & Livestock Show Article courtesy of Herman Ahrens - Fair Board Head Each year on Thursday night of the Johnson County Fair, businessmen and women gather together to help support the 4-H and FFA kids at the Annual Jr. Livestock Auction. The auction is a way to support and reward a hard six months to a year of work with their projects. Some people may think that this is an easy way to make money. We assure you it is not. It's a way for kids to learn discipline, responsibility, hard work ethics, and much more. They have paid their price for the payoff they get at the livestock auction. From the bumps to the bruises, to the sweat and tears, these kids have put in long hours every day and week to prepare these animals for this one night of fame. Kids their age, ages 9-19, usually have other things on their mind: swimming, hanging out with friends, and going to the movies, and yes these kids still make time for that, only after the animals have been taken care of. For many they will be doing good just to make their money back at the livestock auction because by the time they pay for the animal, feed bills, and all the supplies and necessities they may need, they have a large bill on their hands. For those who still have money left over, most of them are saving for college, a vehicle or even for next year's market animal. The Johnson County Fair Board would like to extend an open invitation to anyone who would like to come to this event whether you are a buyer, a spectator, or even a fan of these kids - you all are making a difference in their lives. The livestock show takes place Thursday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. with the auctioning of the livestock following at approximately 8:00 p.m. Bargains Galore on 64 The third annual Bargains Galore on 64 will be held August 8-10. Communities all along Highway 64 reported thousands of visitors on each of the three days last year. Businesses and individuals are asked to have antique or good-quality flea market booths along the entire 130-mile route from Ft. Smith to Conway. The more booths that are available, the more visitors/shoppers it will attract. Plan now to participate! A Replenishment Blood Drive for J.J. Taylor sponsored by United Blood Services, the First Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 9th from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church. Eighty-two units of blood were used in 2 heart surgeries in Houston for J.J. and the Johnson County supply is critically low right now. All donations will stay in the community so call Rosanna Taylor at 754-6387 to make an appointment to donate blood next Friday. Walk-ins are also welcome. Special Mobility-Impaired Deer Hunt to be held November 2 and 3 on the Dardanelle Wildlife Management Area at Clarksville. Five permits will be issued to people whose mobility is permanently and severely impaired by paralysis or amputation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking applications for this hunt. Applicants must submit a completed application form, identification and a doctor's letter verifying their disability to the Corps by September 16. A random drawing will be held on September 17 to select the five hunters. This hunt will provide proper access and hunting blinds to individuals who are capable of using a firearm, but whose ability to access most hunting areas is restricted. It is a joint effort between the Corps, the city of Clarksville, area businesses and industry, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Arkansas Disabled Sportsmen Association and the Central Arkansas Buckmasters. Hunters will be limited to muzzleloaders only, no center fire cartridge firearms will be allowed. Application forms may be obtained at the Corps' Ozark office at 6042 Lock and Dam Road or by calling (479) 667-2129. The City of Clarksville would like to extend an invitation to the citizens of Clarksville and the surrounding community to join in the Dedication of our newly constructed Marvin L. Vinson Multi-Purpose Building Friday, August 2, 2002 7:00 p.m. 1611 Oakland Street The building contains a computer room, meeting rooms, walking trail, office and basketball courts that can be converted to four small courts or two regular size courts on which different ages can play. Committee Spotlight Christmas Lighting Program Committee Carol Martin, Chair - 2002 The Christmas Lighting Program Committee co-ordinates and plans the implementation of the holiday lighting program for Clarksville and Johnson County. The goals of the committee are to enhance the Holiday Tour of Lights through a 5-year strategic plan that includes funding new and enhanced decorations at the Court House, city parks and street banners. If you would like to be involved, call the Chamber at 754-2340. <<Home Page>>