The new Lions Amphitheatre Dedication will be Saturday August 2, 2008 at Woodland Mead Park.  Vic Schedler and Bob Connell with KFFB 106.01 FM will be broadcasting from 6pm to 8pm. Pepsi Products and Popcorn will be provide.  Dedication Ceremonies will be at 7:30 pm followed by a free concert by The Sounds of Praise.  Stories will be told by Stas. 

The amphitheatre, ADA compliant sidewalk will allow access by wheelchairs and walkersset. The amphitheatre is on a gentle slope in the woods surrounding the park, has seating built in seating allowing you to sit on the seats provided, or your favorite lawn chair or blanket. An .  Railing has also been installed in the amphitheatre to make movement to lower levels easier.

KFFB AT SEE ARKANSAS FIRST TOUR IN HEBER SPRINGS

FOLKS LINE UP FOR HOURS TO SIGN UP TO WIN

NORTH CENTRAL AR CAR CLUB JOIN THE IN ON THE FUN

LOUIS SHORT FROM THE SUNTIMES AND BOB CONNELL TALK ABOUT SEE ARKANSAS FIRST

CAROL JOHNSON FROM ASU AND BOB CONNELL TALK ABOUT ASU’S BOAT ENTRY

Upcoming free Fishing Seminars for 2008 will be held at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center and are scheduled as follows:

August 2-Intermediate Trout Fishing 10am-Noon

All seminars are co-sponsored by the William Carl Garner Visitor Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Aquatic Resources Education Program.

The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is located at the west end of the dam on Hwy 25, north of Heber Springs. The Visitor Center is open Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All programs are free and open to the public.

For more information call 501-362-9067.

Country Music legend Earl Thomas Conley and rock’n’roll favorite Night Ranger will headline the 65th Annual White River Water Carnival August 1st and 2nd.  Having sold over 16 million albums including the power ballad Sister Christian and Sentimental Street, Night Ranger will headline a rock n’ roll lineup that promises to be a great show for fans of all ages.  Current band members include Jack Blades on lead vocals, Kelly Keagy vocals, Brad Gillis guitar/vocals, Joel Hoekstra guitar, and Christian Matthew Cullen on keyboards.  Opening for Night Ranger will be local favorite Dog House, along with River Rock Fest winner Mayz End and runner-up Lost Endd.

With over 20 top-ten hits and 17 number one hits, Earl Thomas Conley has found his way onto the radio of a wide variety of listeners.  His first Top 40 Hit, Dreamin’ Is All I Do, put him on the map and soon after he followed with Silent Treatment.  During the span of number one hits and top ten songs, he set a record for the first artist in any genre to have four singles from his album, Don’t Make It Easy for Me, all reaching number one.  Conley was also the first and only artist to appear on Soul Train in 1986.

One of the artists opening for Earl Thomas Conley will be Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.  Dr. Stanley, born in Big Spraddle Creek, VA, is well known for his rich bluegrass voice and banjo playing style called “Stanley Style”.  Stanley was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN in 1976 and in 1992 was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame. In 2000, Stanley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame.  In 2006, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts, as well as being featured in the hit Hollywood movie O Brother Where Art Thou in which he sings the Appalachian dirge O Death, of which, he won a 2002 Grammy Award.  He was also featured in the Josh Turner hit in 2006 Me and God.

Also opening for Earl Thomas Conley is up and coming country music artist Ashton Shepherd.  Ashton, the 21-year old native of Coffeeville, Alabama, whose hit single Takin Off This Pain was released the same month as her premier on the Grand Ole Opry, has proved already she is here to stay on the country music scene. Takin’ Off This Pain is currently number 9 on the Billboard Hot Country Hits and will soon release another single this summer.  Ashton will prove to be a great performer along with Earl Thomas Conley and Dr. Ralph Stanley.

Ticket prices for Friday night will be $20 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission.  Saturday night prices are $25 for reserved, and $15 for general admission.  Tickets will go on sale Friday May 16th in Batesville at the Chamber of Commerce and Tommy’s Famous in Mountain View for a special one-day price of $15 for all seats, for each night.  Tickets at the gate on Friday night will be $25 for reserved, and $20 for general admission and Saturday night will be $30 and $20 for general admission.

For more information about the artists, purchase tickets online, ticket outlets, or other questions, please go to www.whiteriverwatercarnival.com or call 870-793-2378.

The Stone County Democratic Women’s annual Donkey Dinner will be Saturday, July 26 at the fairgrounds in Mountain View. Social hour starts at 5:00 p.m. and dinner will follow at 6:00.

Keynote speaker will be Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. Other special guests include State Treasurer Martha Shoffner, past State Treasurer and candidate for governor Jimmie Lou Fisher, State Senator Paul Miller, State Representatives Monty Davenport and Eddie Cooper, as well as local officials.

The dinner is being catered by Bar None Bar-B-Que. It will include a choice of beef or pork, potato salad, slaw, beans, homemade desserts, and drink. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring many fine items donated by area businesses, politicians, and artisans.

Entertainment will be provided by local musicians Pam Kirby, Ruby Stewart and the Jim Stotts band. Other highlights include Gavin Stewart performing on his Highland bagpipes, and a moving flag ceremony performed by the Junior Auxiliary of the Disabled American Veterans from Heber Springs.

Tickets are $15. Please reserve yours by calling either Pat Stewart (870) 269-4877, or Betty Allred (870) 269-8345. For more information or directions call Pat or Betty. All Democrats and guests are invited to participate.

join us for a special “meet the artist” reception for photographer Phillip Walrod at the Arkansas Craft Gallery at 104 E. Main in Downtown Mtn. View on Friday July 25 from 6-8 PM.

Phillip will talk about his techniques and his transition form a kid with a camera to one of the most talented photographers in this part of the country. There will be an exhibit featuring some of Phillip’s most stunning photographs.

Come on over and enjoy refreshments as you learn about his skill and enjoy meeting/mingling with good friends.

You will think you have reached Gilligan’s Island at the Cardboard Boat Races which will be hosted at Dam Site Day-Use Park on Saturday, July 26 starting at 10 a.m.    A cool breeze from Greers Ferry Lake and the tree covered shore line gives the feel of a Tropical Island as crews  line up for the various competitions of the day.  This year the races may be viewed from Trouble Island or along the Dam Site area.  Some boats will be built for speed, others will compete for the coveted “Pride of the Fleet Trophy” or the “Team Spirit Award.”  A few will make their last fateful trip and vie for the Titanic Award.

Numerous activities throughout the morning and early afternoon will be of interest to many. Don’t miss the World Championship Watermelon Eating Contest; Treasure Dig, Football Throw, various children’s games; and the popular Tug of War competition..

The Boy Scouts will be in charge of parking and volunteers will be coordinating each event.

You will want to stop by the Courthouse Square between 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday to welcome the crew from “See Arkansas First.”