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Archive for November, 2009

Jack Haskins, Sharp County Ranger for the Arkansas Forestry Commission was the guest speaker for the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting at Fredrick’s restaurant in Highland Nov. 17.

After being introduced by Chamber President Charlotte Goodwin, Haskins addressed the audience about tree damage that resulted from the recent ice storm, as well as tornados, straight line winds and extremely wet weather experienced by the county over the last year.

Haskins told the audience if a tree has only a quarter of the limbs damaged, the chance for survival is very good. He used the numerical analysis to go on to say if half of the tree was damaged, it may or may not survive, but only trees with over three quarters of their branches damaged have the least chance of survival.

He also told of the dangers of walking in the woods after Mother Nature’s fury. Haskins, said many trees have what he called “widow makers” in them and this means just what it sounds like; large limbs that are hanging in the trees that could fall at any time and those in the woods or even in yards should exercise extreme caution when walking near or under such trees.

Several audience members also questioned Haskins about damages and if trees might survive. Another question was about trees falling due to saturated ground conditions. He said this isn’t likely because trees have a huge root base, although they may lean, he said falling is not something that he has seen a lot of in the county. Haskins referred others to the county’s Extension service for questions about clipping and pruning.

Beth McIntire-Bess, vice-president also addressed the crowd regarding surveys that area businesses will soon be receiving regarding the upcoming Connect Arkansas broadband access possibility. Bess encouraged members to take time to fill out the surveys and told them that this type of Internet connectivity could be very beneficial to the area in respect to attracting new business for economic development.

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce meets monthly at Dutch treat luncheon at a various restaurants in the area on the third Tuesday of each month at noon. The next regular meeting will be Dec. 15. The location of the meeting will be announced at a later date.

The Hardy Advertising and Promotions Commission (A & P Commission) will host a Hospitality Training Seminar on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010, from 6pm until 9pm at the Hardy City Hall.

 This seminar is for every business owner or manager within the Hardy City Limits that is interested in teaching key employees the art of “Good Hospitality” that should be shown to visitors and local residents.

Sign up now by calling the Hardy City Hall at 856-3811.

 Deadline for sign up is January 6th, 2010.

 This seminar is free. Refreshments will be provided by the A&P Commission.

Many individual tourism-related businesses and attractions fail because they begin at the wrong scale. While finding a local entrepreneur often is an essential piece to building and tourism and economic development program you want, make sure that local person is supported in the same ways that I hope you support all local entrepreneurs. In particular, they need to do market research and be sharp and realistic about expectations. Read the rest of this entry »

Now, more than in previous decades, people respond well to quality and taste. The trip is about the experience. People with more money to spend in your town are particularly apt to be sensitive to incongruous elements that seem to ruin the atmosphere.

The most appealing towns and cities demonstrate that not every single building and business must contribute to the ambiance, and that a place can still be a magnetic destination even with a few mistakes thrown in. But try to avoid mistakes all the time, and thus to minimize the number of mistakes actually made. Read the rest of this entry »

Then you need a technique for converting one tourist attraction, which most locations already have, or can uncover or create, into more than one attraction. If you have one of something, attempt first to develop more attractions that people with similar interests would enjoy.

Sometimes in smaller communities the additional attractions need to take the form of organizing a tour or joint promotion that extends over several nearby towns. In one area where I worked, about eight wineries in four or five towns over a 30 or 40 mile area combined marketing efforts with considerable success. You may have seen antique stores combine to help antiquers hop from one town to the next, to the benefit of all. Read the rest of this entry »

Tourism and economic development are good partners by the very definition of economic development we use–a new activity that generates income from outside sources for your community.

To have at least a partial connection between tourism and economic development, you’ll need:

• At least one tourist attraction, which we define as something someone outside your community would want to see or do. Read the rest of this entry »

As we all take our turns eating out at our neighborhood resturants…if you’ve had a good experience, then, please share it with the rest of us. On the other hand, if your experience was less than you’d desire it to be, then tell the resturant. There is NO one in business who wouldn’t appreciate being told how you really feel. What is done afterwards is totally up to them.

Here’s my review of my first 8:30pm visit to Fredericks Family Resturant. Upon arrival, I couldn’t believe that I could still have breakfast! Astounded, I ordered a western omlet, crispy hash browns and hot FRESH coffee (even this late in the day). The omlet was heaven, filled with all the western fixins, and the taters were just as I liked them…crispy on the top, and delicious throughout. My mother showed at 8:45 and ordered the sugar FREE blueberry pie (home made by Sharon) with whipped cream topping. She ate it all up and did everything but lick the plate clean.

That was last week, tonight 11-24, I again went to Fredericks and had a delightful Grilled Cheese sandwich and home made tomato soup…the soup was amazing. Thick and rich. Sharon makes the soup too.

It is such a blessing to have a place like Fredericks that is open late (till 9pm everyday, 3 on Sundays) and be able to have breakfast ANYTIME!!!

Thanks Bill, Sharon and team for bringing great home styled fresh food to our area. May we all be hungry and find you open when we get there.

Marc Herring

Ozark Classic Crafts Mall

So…here is what this particular area is all about. Here we can share our stories of Hardy and the lives we have had and continue to have. We can tell our tales of how, why and what brought us here and the love for Hardy that we all share.

I’ve had the priviledge of falling in love, running a great business and meeting great friends, watching seasons pass, leaves fall and meeting all the wonderful people who live and travel to and through Hardy. What a wonderful place to experience life. I love Hardy and I’m glad that I’m here.

Marc Herring

Ozark Classic Crafts Mall

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Today on Main Street in Hardy visitors and locals  had the opportunity to purchase some wonderul jams, and bake goods provide by the Hardy Methodist Church Ladies.  This was part of a fund raising event for their church.

In addition to the ladies selling goods in the park on Main Street their was also wonderful live entertainment provided to keep you entertained while shopping along the downtown area.

Even some local tourist were able to come up on the stage and get into the fun!  The weather was great for walking around the strip. Even though Hardy may be the smallest main street in Arkansas, it has the biggest heart !!

Today in Hardy at the Old Hardy Gym during a local Bazaar  they were asking for participants of women who were at least 18 and older to be part of a unique study benefiting breast cancer research. 

This is put on by Spit for the Cure which is a research study currently lef by Martha Phillips, Ph.D. and conducted at the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and Winthrop P. Rockfeller Cancer Institute at UAMS.

DNA samples and answers from the questionnaire will be used to create a bank of information for future studies. Each participants personal identification will be protected through the use of a unique ID. Researchers will access the samples and data to address specific questions related to the factors affecting breast cancer.

Recruitment of participants during events throughout the state will put Arkansas women in the forefront in the fight  against breast cancer.

 If you would like for a Spit for the Cure recruiters to attend your community event, please contact:

Shana Fetters at (501) 296-1131