Low's Brides of Brinkley

LOW'S

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America's Brides Discover Arkansas's Delta deLUXE

The Road to Low's

Discover the Beauty and Heritage of THE Arkansas Delta

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO FINDING TREASURE IN THE ARKANSAS DELTA

ARKANSAS: THE VICTORIAN WEDDING CAPITAL

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You’ve tackled the who, what and when, but what about the where? This bride chose The Peabody for her wedding day festivities.

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LOW'S

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America's Brides Discover Arkansas's Delta deLUXE

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he Brides of Brinkley magazine has been created to marry the best features of a wedding planner and an Arkansas travel guide. Each year, thousands of women visit Low’s Bridal and Formal Shoppe in Brinkley, Arkansas — the destination that has become better known as the bridal “mecca” of the South. While visiting Brinkley, brides-to-be are encouraged to soak in all of the heritage and tradition the area has to offer. From quaint shops to friendly cafes to antebellum homes, make sure you experience the soul of the Arkansas Delta. Here’s to a pleasant experience while you are here and a lifetime full of happiness.

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A Bridal Mecca

The History of Low’s Bridal and Formal Shoppe in Brinkley, Arkansas

9 Beyond Bridesmaids

Dresses that can be worn on that special day and beyond

10 Road from Low's

Just a few of the wonderful settings in Arkansas to celebrate a beautiful wedding

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14 Great Cakes 18 Experience the Delta

Area attractions you don’t want to miss

28 Delta Treasures

A fun road trip exploring the best the area has to offer

34 Great River Road

One of America’s historic routes steeped in history and flavor

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42 Crowley's Ridge

One of the country’s rarest geological formations

47 Victorian Weddings

Where in Arkansas to have a truly Victorian-themed wedding

This MAGAZINE paid for with a combination of state funds and Arkansas Delta Byways regional association funds.

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PUBLISHED BY

ON THE COVER Bridal gown by Allure featuring a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice available at Low’s.

201 E. MARKHAM, SUITE 200 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201 501) 375-2985 • FAX (501) 375-3623 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Brides take the high road …TO LOW’S BRIDAL in BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS

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or more than thirty years, Southern Belle brides have been beating a bridal path to Brinkley, Arkansas, to choose their wedding gowns at the sign of the Claddagh Wedding Ring, Low’s of Brinkley, the nation’s third largest haute couture bridal and formal wear establishment.

All roads from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee - and further afield - lead to this Holy Grail of must-have bridal fashion.

Brinkley, which is equidistant from Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee, is an unassuming Delta town where residents are outnumbered by the 4,000+ wedding gowns housed in the brick building which was once the Brinkley Railroad Hotel. Today, this 25,000 square foot shrine to bridal elegance provides a one-stop-shopping venue where everything imaginable for the women of the bridal party is artistically displayed: gowns of every design in satin, silk, lace, taffeta, organza and organdy.

Chandeliers twinkle from the elegant, high ceilings, the faint aroma of vanilla and lavender candles permeate the air, and the ambience is calm, reassuring and pleasant. Low’s has a very special “meeter/greeter” to welcome brides and their families and friends: her name is “Blondie.” She’s a real VIP – a Very Important Pussycat - a magnificent Titian Blond/Ivory, long-haired kitty, who just turned up on Low’s doorstep one day, and took up residence. With her purrs and regal beauty, she adds grace and serenity to the proceedings from her throne on the marble counter top at reception.

Sixty of the most celebrated U.S. and international wedding gown designers are displayed, among them Monique L’huillier, Ann Barge, Pronovias, Maggie Sottero, Mori Lee

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by Madeline, Blue Bird/Paloma Blanca, Diamond, Winnie Couture, Nicole Miller, YSA Makino. Thousands of brides come to Low’s Bridal every year to choose their wedding gown, sure in the knowledge that as they walk down the aisle, they will be a vision of bridal beauty and elegance.

Gowns come in a variety of hues of white, ivory, palest blush pink, and, indeed, whatever color the bride desires.

Low’s bridal gowns come in the simplest, unadorned classic shapes, or extravagantly designed and dramatically embroidered with pearls, beads, and crystals. Today, the strapless bridal gown is de rigueur for most brides. At Low’s, however, dresses also are designed for off-the-shoulder, halter, backless, tiny cap sleeves, A-line, full-skirted, mermaid fish-tail, bustles and bows. The style and design of the bridal gown usually reflect the formality of a church or garden wedding service, or a more informal beach affair that needs a dress that travels well in a garment bag to

Marilyn Smith presiding over the guest book at Margo and Bob Low’s reception July 22, 1956.

Dorcas Low Prince on her wedding day at First Baptist Church, Brinkley, AR, May 25, 1980.

the Caribbean or other such exotic tropical destination.

No matter what the bridal style or theme, Low’s has it covered, and then some.

Bridesmaids, MOBs, MOGs and flower girls are catered to, as well. Bridesmaid dresses have come a long way these past few years. “The ‘wear-again’ dress is now very prevalent. These dresses tend to be sleek and sophisticated, and are created to suit every body type. Among the bridesmaid designers at Low’s are: Vera Wang, Saison Blanche, MacKenzie Michaels, Jordan, Bill Levkoff, Dessy, Eden, and Impression.

Junior bridesmaids also are catered to with a variety of exquisite designs in delectable colors ranging from ivory, primrose, ice blue, lavender, pale and jade greens and pink, to burgundies, mauves and autumn hues. Like the bridal and bridesmaid gowns, these junior dresses also are created by top designers such as Bari Jay, Belsoie, Jim Hjelm/ Occasions, Mori Lee, Watters & Watters and Forever Yours.

There are veils of tulle and lace, sparkling tiaras, wreaths and headdresses, flower-petal baskets, hose, shoes, gloves, purses, garters, champagne flutes, cake servers, ring pillows, guest books and bridal memory books.

Some of the top designers of bridal veils and headpieces are on display from Paris Headpieces, Allin Rae, Victoria

Lee Headpieces, Giavan, Giselle Bridal, Bel Aire, Ansonia Bridal Veils, and Symphony. Other designer accessories include Salon Shoes, Grace Shoes, Grazia, Beverly Clark, Dyeables, Benjamin Walk and Coloriffics/Speen.

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ow did Low’s of Brinkley actually start? Margo Low, wife of a prominent pharmacist, was a dab hand at sewing and dressmaking. Her daughter, Dorcas, was the best-dressed girl through school and college. Some thirty years or more ago, Margo was asked to make a simple wedding gown for the daughter of one of the pharmacy’s customers. Margo designed and created the dress in her little sewing room above the pharmacy. That one dress formed the basis for what is today, one of the nation’s most successful bridal and formal wear businesses. Margaret Low’s legacy lives on today.

Margo’s daughter, Dorcas, benefited from her mother’s penchant for design and creation of wedding gowns.

When Dorcas married her beau, Stanley Prince, Margo worked with Dorcas to create the dress of her dreams.

Another chapter was added to the history of Low’s Bridal when Margo retired and Dorcas and Stanley bought and expanded the business. To celebrate their shared Irish heritage, Stanley incorporated the ancient Claddagh BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Low's Bridal and Formal Shoppe in Brinkley serves as a mecca for all things wedding related.

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Ring from Connemara, Ireland - the ring of Love & Marriage - into the newly redesigned Low’s logo, a fitting touch to their joint partnerships in marriage – and business.

Today, Dorcas and Stanley lead this extraordinary haute couture bridal fashion shop with a team of some 40 highly experienced sales consultants, ladies who are the alpha-omega experts on all things bridal. “We advertise in the big bridal magazines,” said Dorcas, “but, Low’s is successful because of word-of-mouth testimonials. Brides’ sisters, parents, cousins, neighbors see a Low’s wedding gown and recommend us to their relatives or friends who are shopping for that very special bridal gown.”

Low’s brides come in all shapes and sizes, all colorings, age, and background.

Each dress is custom made to fit perfectly, whether for a 6’5” size zero or a 5’3” size 22. Careful attention is paid to full figure brides, who can choose from designers such as 2BeBridals, Allure Woman, Casablance, Da Vinci, Forever Yours, Mon Cheri, Private Label/Ginza and Unforgettable by Bonny.

Some brides are as young as twenty, others are older, perhaps professional women, who need a different type of wedding gown.

Each bride is assigned an experienced consultant who will work with her to find that special dress that fulfills the bride’s dreams, highlights and complements her attributes and minimizes flaws.

Every bride leaves Low’s with their special dream dress that fits them perfectly. At Low’s, display gowns range in price from $800 $20,000. Beginning on the ground floor dresses range up to $1,000.

Prices continue to rise with each floor, ending on the top floor in the $20,000 range.

Every year, from December 26

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Margo and Bob Low on their wedding day July 22, 1956.

“Even in these very harsh times, a bride is still a bride, and she still wants her day to shine, her day in the sunshine to remember forever.”

Low’s Bridal & Formal Shoppe 127 West Cedar Street, Brinkley, AR 72021 Tel. 870-734-3244 To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-734-3244

Driving Directions From Little Rock, AR, Memphis, TN, Jackson, MS, Shreveport, LA, Tulsa, OK, Nashville, TN, Fayetville-Rogers, AR and Jonesboro, AR, visit Low’s comprehensive website at www.lowsbridal.com Accommodations For advice on overnight accommodations, call Low’s Bridal & Formal at 870-734-3244, or call your local travel agent.

through January 16, more than 2,800 dresses are marked down by half or more. During the sale, a $4,000 dress can be bought for as little as $650.

During the sale, there can be 130+ appointments on any Saturday. About half of the entire inventory clears after the sale and the remaining sale dresses are available every Saturday.

How does the wedding business fare in these times of global economic meltdown?

“Weddings are like food and medication, you will always find money to buy what you need,” said Dorcas. “Even in these very harsh times, a bride is still a bride, and she still wants her day to shine, her day in the sunshine to remember forever.”

Dorcas and Stanley have some good advice for brides and their families as they begin the process of searching for the perfect bridal gown. “Start early, at least a year before the actual wedding,” they said. Study bridal magazines, and clip the pages with illustrations of dresses - or aspects of dresses you like. Have an idea of what you want before you come to Low’s.

Remember we have over 4,000 dresses here. Brides are seen at Low’s only by appointment. Arrive on time to have a relaxed meeting with your consultant over a cup of coffee, a soda, and cookies in our reception area. The process can take several hours, so factor in lots of time. If brides are coming in from other states, it’s advisable to consider an overnight stay at one of the many great hotels that are easily accessible from the major inter-state highways.

“Above all,” advises Dorcas, “the bride should have the final say as to what dress she wants to wear as she walks down the aisle to place her hand into that of her husband-to-be, and to create that indelible memory of their most special day of days.”

Beyond Bridesmaids B

ridesmaids dresses, like prom dresses, used to carry the stigma that

they could never be worn

Bari Jay gown in mink charmeuse featuring one shoulder with a ruffle design and mink beading.

again. However, today’s dresses serve double duty.

Not only are they perfect for that special day, they make lovely additions to any woman’s formal wardrobe.

All dresses are from Low’s Bridal and Formal Shoppe.

Model: Mindy Shaw.

Far Left, Bari Jay gown in misty blue chiffon with ruched waist and bias band hem.

Middle, Bari Jay gown in navy taffeta with halter neckline and dramatic bow with sash.

Left, Bari jay gown in shadow chiffon with black halter and jewel trim.

Far Left, Belsoie bridesmaid gown in black english net rouched bodice and trumpet skirt, empire waist accented by cosmo taffeta band.

Middle, Watters and Watters halter dress featuring ivory lace with acorn dupioni cummerbund and knee-length skirt.

Left, Bella by Venus dress in navy chiffon with ivory sash.

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Steeped in tradition, The Peabody, Memphis serves as a glamorous setting for your special day.

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The Road from Low's Bridal of Brinkley

By MaureenBridget Gonzalez

Town or Country…Rustic or City Chic

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t is easy to fall under the spell of The Ozarks, originally named Aux Arcs by French frontiersmen. The highways leading to and from Low’s Bridal of Brinkley, offer an ideal opportunity to check out some of the loveliest venues for weddings and

honeymoons. From Mount Magazine State Park & Lodge and Village Creek Resort & Golf Course, to the spectacular Peabody Hotels in Little Rock and Memphis, and the William Jefferson Clinton Library, the choices are as numerous as they are diverse.

From its towering mountains of granite, formed over hundreds of thousands of years by the gouging of glacial flow, to columns and layers of limestone chiseled by wind and water erosion, the sheer power and solidity of Arkansas permeate the soul.

Hunting and fishing are at the top of the To Do List for sporting couples. The calm waters of deep, pristine, lakes and rivers ripple with the flash of fish breaking the surface on the end of a fishing line. The vast expanse of the many well-maintained state parks is alive with the daily cacophony of birdsong and whispering trees. Well-appointed cabins and camp sites are available and are reasonably priced. Well-maintained hiking trails reward with breathtaking vistas and panoramic views of purple mountains and green valleys, interspersed with flashes of cobalt lakes and silver rivers.

For those who prefer town and city to flora and fauna, the area has a year-long, program of festivals showcasing the blues and jazz, arts, crafts, culture and heritage.

There are super-luxurious hotels, spas, and B+Bs to luxuriate in and enjoy. Here are just a few of the many suggestions that you might consider when planning your unique and special day.

Mount Magazine State Park & Lodge An Arkansas High Point The Lodge at Mount Magazine, 2,753 feet high, is one of the most dramatically picturesque destinations in Arkansas. Located in Mount Magazine State Park, this is the ideal

venue for a wedding and/or honeymoon.

Nestled on a bluff with stunning views of Petit Jean River Valley and distant Blue Mountain Lake, this magnificent mountain property has an aura of romance enhanced by the surrounding scenic beauty of the mighty Ozark Mountains. Designated for outdoor sports and extreme adventure such as rock climbing, rappelling, hang gliding, mountain biking, horse-back riding, and hiking, this is one of the nation’s best destinations of its type.

The natural wood and airy aspects of the building bring the outdoors indoors.

The Lodge’s creature comforts rival those of a chic city hostelry. The Lodge features 60 guestrooms, spacious, luxurious suites and thirteen fully-equipped cabins with one, two, and three bedrooms, fitted with kitchens, fireplaces, covered decks and outdoor hot tubs facing the vista of mountains and deep canyons below. There’s a fully-equipped business center, indoor, heated swimming pool, fitness center and game room. For camping enthusiasts, there are 18 campsites, 2 Class AAA and 16 Class AA with tent options only.

The dramatic setting and first-class facilities make Mount Magazine an unforgettable wedding and honeymoon destination. The banquet space can accommodate up to 192 at 24 eight-person tables. The Skycrest Restaurant seats up to 125.

The park is located at 16878 Highway 309 South, Paris, AR 72855.

Reservations: 877-665-6343, mountmagazine@arkansas.com

St. Mary’s Mountain Wiederkehr Winery Arkansas Wine Country Yes, Virginia, there really is a wine country in Arkansas! In fact the Wiederkehrs have been making Swiss-style wines atop St. Mary’s Mountain, Arkansas, for the past 125 years! And, what a wonderful setting for a wedding, among the vines and aromas of wine in the making. The fall foliage colors form a breathtaking backdrop for spectacular wedding photography. First, take a tour of the Wiederkehr Vineyards with Dennis Wiederkehr, and make sure to have lunch or dinner at the delightful Weinkeller Restaurant. Designed in Swiss alpine style, this vineyard, restaurant, and the Weingarten Hall, which caters for up to 300 guests for the wedding reception, overlooks the majesty of the Arkansas River valley.

The foods and wines are excellent, and the friendly, knowledgeable staff provides very useful guidance on wine pairings.

3224 Swiss Family Drive, Wiederkehr Village, AR 72821 800.622.9463 www.widerkehrwines.com

Village Creek State Park & Golf Resort If flora and fauna, golf, horse-back riding, birding, (there are over 205 species listed), biking and hiking are some of your favorite things, Village Creek State Park & Golf Resort are definitely for you. Whether you decide to hold your al fresco wedding and reception here, with the backdrop of the sights, sounds and aromas of a highland forest, or spend a few days of your honeymoon in one of the beautifully appointed cabins, you will be spiritually nourished and relaxed by nature. And, keep those binoculars at the ready: you never know, you may spot the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker!

The 27-hole, Andy Dye-designed golf course at Village Creek Resort, wends its way through 600 acres inside the park, and soon will be added to the Arkansas BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Golf Trail. The course’s head golf pro, Kevin Patterson, reveals that each nine has a unique layout and each of the 27 holes is unique.

“The design of the course maximizes the natural beauty of the State Park. Dramatic elevation changes blend with the course design,” he said. “The Village Creek waters flow through the course and come into play numerous times. Best of all, the course has been designed to accommodate all levels of golfers.” Patterson predicts that the course soon will be nationally ranked as one of America’s Best New Courses and by 2011, the resort will feature a Clubhouse, Lodge, Spa and Fine Dining.

Crowley’s Ridge Wherever you travel in the state of Arkansas, you are constantly witnessing the results of its 50-million year geological history. You will see the massive power of wind and water that has produced the state’s amazing physical features in rock, sand, stone, lakes and rivers. Village Creek State Park at Crowley’s Ridge is another one of Arkansas’s geological wonders. These are the features that make Village Creek Golf Course so unique.

What makes it so special?? The Ridge is the most distinctive feature on the landscape of southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas.

Crowley’s Ridge was formed during the last glacial period when towers of meltwater scoured the region. The Mississippi cut through and joined the Ohio. The river then moved east of the ridge and left it 300 feet high and dry. Settled by Benjamin Crowley, one of the first European residents of the ridge, Crowley’s Ridge begins just below Cape Girardeau to Helena.

And for Frontier history buffs, a visit to the Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park, just 22 miles south of Low’s Bridal in Brinkley, Arkansas, reveals the historic significance of the point from which the Louisiana Purchase survey commenced in 1815. Today, the two original “witness trees” are marked by a commemorative, inscribed, granite stone.

Tel. 870.238.9406, 800.264.2467 www.villagecreek@arkansas.com Golf Shop: 870-238-6500 www.theresortatvillagecreek.com

Helena-West Helena A mighty river runs through it. Helena-West Helena, is the heart and soul of “heritage tourism,” an old river city that has lived through the Civil War, the Louisiana Purchase, and the

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place where blues music really began. While Rodgers movie, is, indeed, a very special Eureka Springs is the undisputed capital of setting for a city wedding. Management Victorian weddings, Helena-West Helena has and staff are romantics at heart, and they Victorian charms of its own, and then some. go all out to create a flawless, memorable Packed with history, the town is filled with event for bride and groom, their families historic buildings and landmarks. Look for and friends.

Civil War sites, the Confederate Cemetery The hotel’s top catering and culinary staff and take a stroll through local history on the continually wow guests with artful, visually River Park Levee Walk. Drop by the Delta pleasing presentations. It begins with catering Cultural Center at Cherry Street and find out managers Leigh Lusk and Anne Baker, who more about this historic place, the story of specialize in planning wedding celebrations at the Delta, and of Old Man River, who just The Peabody. Intimate rehearsal dinners set keeps rollin’ along!

The Carriage Square complex on Columbia Street features two beautiful Victorian settings for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

The gardens are pure Victorian grace and charm with gazebo, fountain, stage, walkways and formal lawn. Visit the one-of-akind boutiques and shops at The Carriage Square and experience the grand blending of the old and new Delta. Also located within the Carriage Square complex are two authentic Victorian mansions, the Magnolia Hill B+B and the historic Solomon House where you’ll find Southern cuisine at its best. This plantation-style home was built in 1925 The meticulously restored Pillow-Thompson House is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture in the South, well worth a visit.

Tel. 870.338.6874 www.carriagesquare.net Mt. Magazine lodge sits nestled on Helena-West Helena is a center a bluff high atop one of the most for music, arts and festivals galore. dramatic views in Arkansas.

In early October, the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival takes place; Wild Hog Music Festival and Motorcycle Ralley takes place in late April. Bikers ride in to jam with music, food the scene, followed by sumptuous, delightful, and fun. Drop in to Granny Dee’s and enjoy wedding day receptions. The Peabody Little some of the finest Southern food anywhere.

Rock, an AAA Four Diamond rated hotel, is Granny Dee is a Helena treasure. Tour da’ known for extraordinary service, attention Delta is a new annual cycling event that to minute details and flawless, memorable takes participants by Ole Man River, over gatherings.

Crowley’s Ridge, and by the rich agricultural Lusk and Baker assist couples in selecting fields of the Delta. the right rooms and setups for their rehearsal Tel. 870-338-8327. dinners, cocktail parties, wedding ceremowww.phillipscountychamber.org nies, receptions and more. Popular hotel venues for weddings include the intimate Riverview and Pinnacle Rooms and the The Peabody Little Rock opulent Arkansas and Peabody Ballrooms.

One of Little Rock’s most luxurious All offer beautiful views of the Arkansas downtown hotels, once described by a local River and surrounding city lights. editor as a set for a Fred Astaire and Ginger

Leigh and Lusk also work closely with members of the hotel’s award-winning culinary team to ensure that the chosen theme of the wedding is reflected in the careful selection of menu items, correctly paired with wines. Executive Chef André Poirot, a native of France, applies his awardwinning skills to create menus for groups of all sizes and budgets, and often features custom touches such as signature drinks and specialty hors d’oeuvres.

And, that’s not all. Truly exquisite wed-

ence, couples can even employ the famous Peabody Ducks to truly put the “march” into the march down the aisle!

Tel. 501. 906.4000 www.peabodylittlerock.com.

The Peabody Memphis From first dates, engagement celebrations to storybook weddings and honeymoons, The Peabody Memphis has been setting the gold standard and fulfilling dreams for nearly 140 years.

Kisler, who brings a passion for innovative, creative cooking as well as European grace and style to the menu, can handle it all.

Kisler’s culinary flare is complemented by five-star Pastry Chef Konrad Spitbart, who dazzled Hollywood stars with his sweet concoctions at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel before coming to Memphis, where he has made his mark with his dramatic, exquisite wedding cakes.

Like The Peabody Little Rock, the welltrained management and staff and, of course, the world-famous mallard ducks are willing to go the extra mile when it comes to putting together unforgettable nuptials.

Don’t forget the fairytale ending — The Peabody Memphis offers luxurious Romeo and Juliet honeymoon suites, which features a two-story sitting room and a spiral staircase leading up to the tastefully-decorated bedroom.

Tel. 901-529-4154, 800-42-DUCKS (38257), www.peabodymemphis.com

The Madison Hotel, Memphis This luxurious, 110-room boutique hotel is ideally placed in downtown Memphis, with easy access to all of the world-renowned attractions of this Delta city. The hotel sparkles with the bold use of colors and geometric patterns.

Style is the operative word here. It is the first Small Luxury Four Diamond hotel in Memphis and continues to live up to its reputation for superb service and attention to every detail.

The hotel also was rated in Conde Nast’s Top 75 U.S. Hotels and in Travel+Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World. For those who prefer a contemporary hotel setting for their nuptials, with outstanding catering and décor, The Madison is the answer.

Tel. 901.333.1200 www.madisonhotelmemphis.com

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens ding cakes are designed in consultation with bride and groom. Not only do the cakes look like heavenly works of art, they taste divine. Talented Pastry Chef Heidi Eppling creates commanding cakes that taste as heavenly as they appear. All are served by professional bartenders and servers, leaving bride and groom and their guests to totally relax and enjoy the festivities.

For added delight, The Peabody Little Rock guest services staff can surprise wedding guests with thoughtful touches, including guestroom turndown services, gift baskets and even in-car party favors, discreetly left by valets. For a truly unique guest experi-

Known as the “South’s Grand Hotel,” The Peabody is located in the heart of downtown Memphis, the unofficial home the blues, and offers brides and grooms a world of memorable ceremonial options, from the ornate Continental Ballroom to the Art Deco-styled Skyway and adjoining Plantation Roof. The hotel offers a variety of reception rooms of various size and styles, designed to suit any wedding — whether it’s a party of four or 4,000.

Looking for a trend-setting couture catering and cakes to more traditional fare?

The hotel’s extraordinary culinary staff, including five-star Executive Chef Andreas

One of the loveliest venues for a wedding reception is at the finest, most fragrant, French-style Gardens in the nation: the Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bride and groom and wedding guests stroll through seasonal wildflowers, ablaze with color, butterflies and birdsong. The wedding reception is catered in the beautiful Winegardner Auditorium which is located in the midst of stately trees, and exotic, flowering bushes.

Members only qualify to hold a wedding reception at The Dixon. The membership fee is $1,000 and is worth every cent for a very, very special wedding.

Tel. 901.761.5250 www.dixon.org BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Have your cake and eat it, too By katherine wyrick

A slice of history

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ince antiquity, weddings have been celebrated with a special cake. In ancient Roman times, a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride’s head as

a symbol of good fortune. Fortunately, this custom evolved into actually eating the cake so that a bride no longer has to endure humiliation (except for the first-dance) or ruin her coiffure.

The wedding cake as we now know it began to appear in the late 19th century. Early cakes were simple single-tiered plum cakes, with some variations. This once simple style has evolved into what today is a multi-tiered extravaganza. Traditionally white, they now come in every color and style, allowing you to have the cake you want—and eat it too.

BEST WESTERN INN OF THE OZARKS 207 W. Van Buren US Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632-3648 479-253-9768, 800-552-3785 www.myeurekaspringswedding.com This full-service Eureka Springs hotel offers a wedding package that includes a specially decorated wedding cake.

Sales Managers Terry Berry and Wanda Lowery function much as wedding coordinators would in planning every detail of the reception, including guiding you to the perfect cake of your choice.

“Though we do not actually bake the cakes on site, we have two bakers that do a spectacular job, both in the quality of their cakes and the creativity of their designs,” says Berry.

Asked if they ever receive any unique

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requests she says, “As far as non-traditional bridal cakes, we’ve done individual cakes pre-set at each place setting, cupcake trees or cheesecakes. . . . The most unique cakes have been groom’s cakes, like the Dogs Playing Poker, a Log Cabin and a Tree Trunk with the couple’s initials ‘carved’ into it.

All three of these were designed by Robyn Capps of You Take the Cake, and Cookies Too.” (About half of their clients order grooms’ cakes.)

The traditional tiered, white or off-white icing cake is still the most popular. Many brides like to incorporate color with icing flowers or ribbon to accent their wedding colors.

Asked how important she thinks the cake is in the overall event, Berry says, “No bride has ever said she does not want a cake. We

This chocolate groom’s cake featuring a diamond-shaped design was served recently at a wedding at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks.

This Razorback groom’s cake was created by cake artist Robyn Capps of You Take the Cake and Eat It Too in Berryville, AR and was served at a wedding held at the Best Western Inn on the Ozarks. The multi-tiered wedding cake at right features golden butterflies and uses the green color of the wedding party’s attire to carry out the theme of the event. It was created

by Mickey’s Special Affairs in Little Rock.

consider the cake table the focal point of the reception decorations.”

FYI: The Inn can also accommodate people with food allergies or sensitivities.

COMMUNITY BAKERY Downtown Little Rock 1200 Main St. 501-375-6418, bakery 501-375-7105, cafe West Little Rock 270 S. Shackleford Rd. 501-224-1656 Wedding cake consultants RaGena Quattlebaum Debbie Diener can meet your every cake need, bite for bite.

Quattlebaum used to bake and decorate cakes, so you could say she knows every delicious layer of this business.

She meets with clients to discuss their needs and can accommodate almost any request.

Community Bakery once created a cake for a Fayetteville football player that served 1,000 and had be assembled on-site.

Another couple wanted a Pokemon-theme cake. Are you sure you’re not confusing that with a child’s birthday party request? we ask. Quattlebaum assures us that she’s not.

Another bride brought in a piece of intricate lace from her wedding dress and asked them to match it, which, though challenging, they were able to do. Though a groom’s cake is not mandatory, Quattlebaum says that about 90% of their clients opt for one.

As far as trends, she says that in the past year cupcakes started to “kind of become a thing.”

Most people, however, stick with the traditional, stacked simple look, some choosing to add fresh flowers to a white cake with white icing. Ohhhh, and that icing. Unlike some places that use fondant, Community Bakery uses only buttercream, as they have for 60 years. It may not be as malleable as fondant, but it sure tastes a whole lot better. “We’re an old fashioned bakery . . . For flavor, you can’t beat the buttercream,” says Quattlebaum. How sweet it is.

MICKEY’S SPECIAL AFFAIRS 11614 Huron Lane, Suite C Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 501-221-1989 www.mickeysevents.com/ Mickey’s Special Affairs, specializing in custom designed wedding cakes since 1989, BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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The multi-tiered cake at left continues the colors of the wedding party. The lattice design on this groom's cake, below, and the addition of fresh strawberries makes this an elegant choice. Both cakes were created by Mickey's Special Affairs, Little Rock.

is a Little Rock institution. Collectively, this family owned business has over 40 years of experience in commercial decorating. Their popularity is due to the exquisite designs and superior taste of their cakes.

Mrs. Coleman began her career in baking in 1969 at Koehler Bakery in North Little Rock. In 1989, a co-worker by the name of “Mickey” opened a bakery called Mickey’s Cake Shop. Together, these two ladies took the cake industry to another level (or rather,

decided to keep the name.

Their secret for success is their oldfashion “just-like-grandma-use-to-make” approach to mixing and baking. It gives their cakes a comforting, homemade taste so many people love. This old-school philosophy, coupled with the latest confection designs, is the essence of “something old and something new.”

As far as groom’s cakes are concerned, Qiana Porter, office manager of Mickey’s,

Heidi doesn't make her cakes until that morning, so they're very fresh.

And she uses real butter. Heidi is such a perfectionist. tier), creating customized cakes with an unbeatable taste. In 1997, Mrs. Coleman purchased the bakery from Mickey, but

16 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

says, “The majority of the weddings we bake for do order both bride and groom’s cakes. I would say at least 95%.”

Asked if they ever receive any unusual requests, she tells us, “One of the strangest requests I have had for a wedding cake was a Halloween Horror Theme. The bride ordered skeleton bride and groom topper for her cake.” Well, marriage can be a little scary, so why not make the cake reflect that?

PEABODY LITTLE ROCK 3 Statehouse Plaza Little Rock, AR 72201 501-906-4000 www.peabodylittlerock.com Catering Manager Anne Baker (yes, that’s her real last name) can’t say enough good things about the Peabody’s executive pastry chef Heidi Eppling. She praises Eppling, brought from New Orleans, for her French way of thinking and waxes poetic about her

The Little Rock Peabody's executive pastry chef Heidi Eppling created all of the cakes shown on this page.

Eppling doesn't make her cakes until the morning of the event, so they're fresh. The use of real butter is just one of the elements that makes her cakes "to die for."

creations, like a white cake with raspberry almond filling.

“Heidi doesn’t make her cakes until that morning, so they’re very fresh. And she uses real butter,” says Baker. She enthuses, “Heidi is such a perfectionist.”

Some of Baker’s favorite cakes include a white cake with Bailey’s, a groom’s cake with Italian crème and cream cheese, “the best red velvet ever,” and a decadent devil’s food cake (complete with chocolate mousse filling and ganache on top).

Her groom’s cakes, Baker tells us, allow you to experience yet “another layer of flavor.” “They are the best I’ve ever scene,” she says.

“Her attention to detail is unbelievable,” Baker says, relating the time Eppling created a baseball mitt cake that looked like real

“One of the strangest requests I have had was a Halloween Horror Theme. The bride ordered skeleton bride and groom topper for her cake.”

Well, marriage can be a little scary. leather (but of course didn’t taste like it).

“They just taste special,” Baker concludes.

You have to have your reception at the Peabody to get one of these gems, they can’t be ordered for off-site events, but after such glowing reviews, it just might be worth changing locations.

Cake walk

E

veryone knows that weddings are joyous, momentous occasions—the biggest party you’ll ever have, the best day of

your life . . . fill in with your hyperbole of choice. And there are those who feel that the most important part of this special day is the cake. Okay, sure, the vows, the coming together of friends and family, the love, the dress, the flowers, the music—all crucial elements. But let’s be honest, for the guests at least, it’s really all about the cake. Just try to get a crowd’s attention for the first dance, but announce it’s time to cut the cake, and let the stampede begin.

Thankfully, there are plenty of choices when it comes to finding the perfect piece.

BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

17

Experience the Delta-its Soil

T

ravelers to the Arkansas Delta quickly learn that the region has its own distinct feel.

We think it has something to do with the

fertile soil deposited here by the Mississippi River and the knowledge that what the river gives, it can also take away. This acceptance leads to a special resiliency in the people and diverse cultures that inhabit this area. n We refer to this 15-county area closest to the Mississippi River in Eastern Arkansas as Arkansas Delta Byways because we are linked by two National Scenic Byways: The Great River Road and Crowley’s Ridge Parkway. You can use these routes as major spines through the region, then follow the numerous loops and spurs to venture even further off the beaten path.

Some Tips for Traveling the Delta: Building Murals: Many small towns commemorate their heritage by painting murals on the sides of their buildings. If you’re traveling with children, challenge them to spot these as you drive the region. Look for them in Dermott, Earle, Forrest City, Helena-West Helena, Lepanto, Marion, Marked Tree, Paragould, Piggott, Rector, and Tyronza.

Courthouses: Some of our small towns have grand historic courthouses. This dates to when the county seat was the center of activity for hard-working farmers and settlers They built ornate courthouses to symbolize strength and determination, as well as their aspirations for a prosperous future. Some of the best examples are in Paragould, Osceola, Harrisburg, Clarendon, and Arkansas City.

Festivals/Events: If you happen to be in the Delta during a festival weekend, you are in for a treat. Such events are the best way to see what the region is all about. Along with regional food and music, you can gain insight into the diverse cultures that have inhabited the region over time.

Historic Cemeteries: You’ll notice we have an abundance of historic cemeteries on Crowley’s Ridge. That’s because early settlers, including those who lived in the swampier flat lands, came to the “high ground” to bury their dead. These

18 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Education Center in Piggott

and Soul

BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

19

(Above) One of two buildings that comprise the Delta Cultural Center, Helena. (Opposite page) The Pillow Thompson House in Helena-West Helena Arkansas is a popular Bed and Breakfast. It is a Queen Ann Victorian house built in 1896 by Jerome Pillow. cemeteries often have unusual grave markings and insightful epitaphs. Some are associated with historic churches, while others are in places only family members know how to reach.

Restaurants: There are some great formal dining experiences in the Delta, and certainly we have our share of fast food chains.

But our specialties include the experience of family-style restaurants, blue plate specials, soda fountain sandwiches, and regional staples such as catfish and pork barbecue.

We don’t have a fancy rating system, but we do have a pretty good rule of thumb. Just drive through any small town at mealtime and check out the parking lot. If it’s full of vehicles, you can be assured it’s a good place to eat. And don’t forget, many of the restaurants in the Delta cater to farmers and hunters. That means they open early and serve a hearty breakfast.

Lodging: Full service hotels and chains can be found in bigger towns. But we boast a variety of experiences — from great bed

20 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

and breakfasts to cabins, campsites, RV parks and off-season hunting lodges for those hunting something new. For value, you can’t beat the modern cabins at some of our state parks.

Agricultural Structures: The Delta remains primarily rural, so you’ll see lots of agricultural icons on the landscape, including cotton gins, grain elevators, grain dryers, storage facilities, pivot irrigation systems, precision land levelers, and cotton module builders. You may feel like ducking when a crop dusting plane swoops down right over your vehicle, but don’t worry.

We haven’t lost a single visitor yet.

Agricultural Hazards: If you are traveling during harvest season (SeptemberNovember), you might just find yourself behind a farmer moving equipment to a new field or hauling a load to the grain elevator or cotton gin. That is part of being in the Delta, so just be careful, relax, and don’t get in a hurry. We want you to come back real soon.

Delta Destinations We’ve given the name “Delta Destinations” to some of our region’s primary attractions.

These are places that are open and/or accessible at least five days a week and tell stories of major regional or national significance.

1. Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum, 1021 West Cherry St., Piggott Includes the restored house and barn-studio once belonging to Paul and Mary Pfeiffer, whose daughter Pauline was married to Ernest Hemingway, American novelist and Nobel Prize winner. Hemingway wrote much of his acclaimed novel, A Farewell to Arms, and various short stories in the renovated barn behind the home during his 1927-1940 marriage to Pauline. Owned

by Arkansas State University, the property has its original 1930s furnishings. Guided tours are available on the hour. 870-5983487; http://hemingway.astate.edu.

BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

21

(Above) A family enjoys the flowers outside the Forrest L Wood Nature Center in Jonesboro.

(Below) Lake Poinsett State Park 2. Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum, 1071 Heritage Park Dr., Piggott Located in the early 1930s Tudor Revival home of Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer. Karl Pfeiffer was the son of Paul and Mary Pfeiffer and brother of Pauline Pfeiffer Hemingway. The museum showcases Mrs.. Pfeiffer’s worldclass mineral and geode collection, Native American artifacts collection, and 11 acres of natural landscape. 870-598-3228; www. pfeifferfoundation.com.

3. Arkansas State University Museum, Dean B. Ellis Library Complex, Jonesboro Includes permanent and temporary exhibitions about the natural and human achievements in northeast Arkansas and the Delta region.

Featured exhibits include “Old Town” Arkansas, “Living Off the Land,” an extensive decorative glass collection, and interactive exhibits to promote inquiry-based learning for children.

AAM accredited since 1973. (870) 972-2074; http://museum.astate.edu.

4. Bradbury Art Gallery, Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr., Arkansas State University Jonesboro Features changing exhibitions of contemporary art in all mediums. Regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists are represented to inform viewers of cultural developments across the nation and around the world. 870-972-3471; http://clt.astate. edu/finearts/fowler/bradbury.

22 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

5. Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, 600 E. Lawson Rd., Jonesboro This Game and Fish Commission center tells the story of the unique ridge that traverses the Arkansas segment of the Delta, utilizing indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, an immersive film, a boardwalk, and trails.

The three-story facility adjoins the southern boundary of Craighead Forest Park. Grounds include a 5.5-acre prairie, 2.5-acre pond and approximately 100 acres in woodlands. 870933-6787; www.crowleysridge.org.

6. Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, 117 Main St., Tyronza The historic Mitchell-East Building and adjacent former bank in Tyronza have been renovated

by Arkansas State University to create this museum. During the early 1930s, the building housed the businesses of H. L. Mitchell and Clay East, two of the principal founders of the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union (STFU).

The museum includes photographic exhibits, artifacts, oral histories, music and video focusing on the farm labor movement in the South and the tenant farming system of agriculture.

870-487-2909; http://stfm.astate.edu.

7. Delta Cultural Center, 141 Cherry St., Helena-West Helena Owned by the Department of Arkansas Heritage, this comprehensive museum interprets the history of the Delta through exhibits, educational programs, annual events, and guided tours. Features include unique exhibits on the Delta’s rich blues music history and live weekday broadcasts of the longest running blues radio program, King Biscuit Time, airing on Helena’s KFFA. Exhibits are housed in the ca. 1915 Helena Depot and a nearby Visitors Center. 870-3384350; www.deltaculturalcenter.com.

8. Moore-Hornor House, 323 Beech St., Helena-West Helena Built in 1858-59, this early asymmetrical Greek Revival style home was patterned after the newer Victorian style on the East Coast. It is one of the earliest examples of this type of architecture in Arkansas. In addition to its architectural significance, the main fighting during the Battle of Helena took place directly behind the Moore Hornor House. Open by appointment through the Delta Cultural Center. 870-338-4350; www. deltaculturalcenter.com.

9. Pillow-Thompson House, 718 Perry St., Helena-West Helena Built in 1896 by Jerome Bonaparte Pillow,

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The Lakeport Plantation House and grounds after the restoration by ASU in 2007. It was built in 1859 and is the only remaining plantation in Arkansas on the Mississippi. this house is one of Arkansas’ most outstanding examples of the Queen Anne Victorian architectural style. The ornate house embodies Victorian period vernacular in terms of irregular shape, multiple bays, towers, turrets and dormers. It is owned and operated by Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas and is open for tours. Lunch served the first Thursday of every month.

Call for reservations. 870-338-8535; www. pccua.cc.ar.us/pillowthompson.

10. Temple Beth El, 406 Perry St., HelenaWest Helena This temple was deconsecrated and gifted to the Delta Cultural Center for use as public and museum space. As the oldest synagogue in the State of Arkansas, the congregation dates to 1867. The 1913 Classical Revival structure has a prominent Palladian window and stained glass windows throughout.

Open by appointment through the Delta Cultural Center. 870-338-4350; www.deltaculturalcenter.com.

11. Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, 921 East 4th St., Stuttgart Depicts farm life on the Arkansas Grand Prairie, including that of early German settlers. Scale replica of a village, exhibits on the area’s duck hunting heritage. Also features the famous duck call collection of the late Chick Major, maker of Dixie Mallard Duck Calls. 870-673-7001; www.shareyourstate. com/arkansas/grandprairiemuseum.

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12. White River National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, Off Hwy. 1, St. Charles Interpretive displays educate visitors about the human and ecological histories of the refuge area, the hydrology of the White River, and the bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem. This refuge is the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwoods (160,000 acres) in the state and is located within the floodplain of the lower White River just a few miles above its confluence with the Mississippi River. It is a great spot for bird watching and watchable wildlife.

870-282-8200; www.fws.gov/whiteriver.

13. Arkansas Post National Monument, 1741 Old Post Rd., Gillett Settled by the French in 1686, the remote “Post de Arkansae” was the first permanent European colony in the Mississippi River Valley and played a valuable role in the long struggle between France, Spain and England for dominance of the lucrative fur trade in the region. The original settlement is gone, but the site today includes a visitor’s center, museum, marked driving and walking routes, picnic facilities, and a later Civil War battle site. For information: 870548-2207; www.nps.gov/arpo.

14. Japanese-American Relocation Camp National Historic Landmark, Ark. Hwy. 1, Rohwer The site of a Japanese-American internment

camp during World War II (1942-1945), monuments honor former internees who served in the U. S. armed forces in Europe, as well as the 442nd Japanese-American Unit of the 100th Battalion which distinguished itself in World War II combat.

15. John H. Johnson Home, Courthouse Square, Arkansas City Arkansas City is the birthplace of the founder and publisher of Ebony and Jet Magazines. His childhood home is owned by the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and has been relocated to the historic courthouse square as part of a John Johnson Delta Cultural and Entrepreneurial Center Project. Available for group tours by appointment. 870.575.8411; www.uapb.edu/history/john_johnson.

16. Lakeport Plantation, 601 Hwy. 142, Lake Village This ca. 1859 Greek revival structure is the only remaining Arkansas plantation home on the Mississippi River. It was built for the Lycurgus Johnson family, part of a political dynasty that extended from Virginia to Kentucky to Arkansas. Additionally, the plantation is representative of the westernmost expansion of the antebellum, slave-based cotton economy. Owned by Arkansas State University, Lakeport Plantation interprets the people and cultures that shaped plantation life in the Mississippi River Delta, focusing on the Antebellum, Civil War, and

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Reconstruction periods. 870-265-6031; http://lakeport.astate.edu.

State Parks Some of our state parks have great recreational facilities, cabins and camping, while others are actually museums run by the state park system. A few are combinations of both, with opportunities to experience the Arkansas Delta’s great outdoors, as well as visit interpretive centers that provide insights into the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

1. Crowley’s Ridge State Park, 2092 Hwy. 168 N, Walcott, (36° 2’ 1.3” N / 90° 39.9’ 59.9” W) Cozy log and stone structure facilities include fully equipped, modern duplex cabins with kitchens; a group cabin area with rental kitchen and dining hall; campsites, picnic areas; trails; a fishing lake, and a swimming lake. 870-573-6751; www.arkansasstateparks. com/crowleysridge. Cabin reservations, 1-800-264-2405.

2. Lake Frierson State Park, 7904 Hwy. 141 S, Between Paragould and Jonesboro (35° 58.3’ 20.7” N / 90° 42.9’ 58.4” W) This park is known for its year-round fishing in a 335-acre lake and it springtime blaze of wild dogwoods. Facilities include campsites, picnic sites, a playground, self-guided trail, boat rentals, launch ramp, barrier-free fishing

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pier and visitor center. 870-932-2615; www. arkansasstateparks.com/lakefrierson.

3. Herman Davis Memorial State Park, Hwy. 18 & Baltimore St., Manila One-acre park features a monument to Private Herman Davis, an Arkansas farm boy considered one of World War I’s 100 greatest heroes. www.arkansasstateparks. com/hermandavis.

4. Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, Hwy. 61 and Lake Drive, Wilson Conserves and exhibits the archeological collections from the Nodena site, a 15-acre palisaded village that once thrived (ca.

1400 to 1650 A.D.) on a meander bend of the Mississippi River. 870-655-8622; www.arkansasstateparks.com/hampsonmuseum.

5. Lake Poinsett State Park, 5752 State Park Ln., off Hwy. 163, Harrisburg This 640-acre state park provides excellent fishing, plus boat rentals, a launch ramp, campsites, picnic areas, playgrounds, a nature trail and pavilion. 870-578-2064; www. arkansasstateparks.com/lakepoinsett.

6. Village Creek State Park, 201 County Rd. 754, off Hwy. 284, Wynne The largest state park in Arkansas, Village Creek offers fishing, modern cabins, camping, recreational activities, and a visitor center with interpretive exhibits.

The park includes 25 miles of multi-use trails winding through the rolling hills and hardwood forest of Crowley’s Ridge, and a golf course is being developed. Horse trails are open March through November.

870-238-9406; www.arkansasstateparks. com/villagecreek.

7. Parkin Archeological State Park, Junction of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 184 N., Parkin This site, covering 17 acres, was the largest fortified ceremonial mound and population center in the St. Francis River Basin during the Late Mississippian and early protohistoric period (1350-1650). It is believed to be the Province of Casqui, visited by the Hernando DeSoto expedition in 1541. Visitors also can tour the ca.1910 Northern Ohio School, a one-room schoolhouse once serving the predominantly African American sawmill community adjacent to the archeological site.

870-755-2500; www.arkansasstateparks. com/parkinarcheological.

8. Louisiana Purchase State Park, Hwy. 362 off Hwy. 49, Blackton (34 36’20.4) A 950-foot boardwalk with interpretive exhibits leads to a granite historical marker in the 36-acre swamp interior, commemorating the 1815 starting point for the original survey of lands in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. www.arkansasstateparks. com/louisianapurchase.

9. Delta Heritage Trail State Park, 9871 Great River Road, Watson Ongoing development of Rails-to-Trails conversion features natural and cultural landscapes along the trail, as well as bridges over both the Arkansas and White Rivers.

870.644.3474; www.arkansasstateparks. com/deltaheritagetrail.

The bridge in Helena-West Helena is part of the scenic Delta Heritage Trail.

The boyhood home of John H. Johnson, the founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, is now a museum run by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

26 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

10. Arkansas Post Museum State Park, Hwy. 165, junction with Ark. Hwy. 169, Gillett Five buildings have lifestyle exhibits from Colonial to modern times. Includes dogtrot log cabin, 1930s furnished playhouse, Quapaw pottery, covered wagon, and agricultural equipment. 870-548-2634; www.arkansasstateparks.com/arkansaspostmuseum.

11. Lake Chicot State Park, 2542 Hwy. 257, Lake Village This 20-mile long lake is the largest oxbow lake in the country and is a peaceful setting for fishing and boating.

In addition to interpretive exhibits in the visitors’ center, the park offers campsites, cabins, a pool, fishing dock, pavilions, and a playground. 870-265-5480; www. arkansasstateparks.com/lakechicot. Cabin reservations, 1-800-264-2430.

Aerial view of Lake Chicot.

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27

Finding Treasure in the Arkansas Delta

Dena Woerner

By Dena Woerner

Individually handcrafted-designs can be special ordered or purchased on location at Miller’s Mud Mill Pottery in Dumas, AR.

I

remember the months before my own wedding. It seemed like an endless task of appointments, showers, photography sessions, and dress fittings. What I wouldn’t have given for a day

or two to explore, think, and do something just for myself! When planning a wedding, finding these opportunities are rare; but if you have chosen to travel to Low’s Bridal in Brinkley, I invite you to seize the opportunity to find more than that perfect dress in Arkansas.

I took a trip through the lower delta region of Arkansas with Brinkley as my starting point. I wanted to find unique gifts, and explore great places to visit with my friends and family. I needed a few tools for my trip: my camera and a Delta Byways brochure.

28 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

The brochure had a great map in the middle section and included great information on some of the towns and communities near Brinkley. With tools in hand and a full tank of gas, I set out on my treasure hunt

through the delta.

The Delta region of Arkansas has an unusual allure to it. From first glance, it is a flat, undeveloped land of almost ghost town communities. It isn’t until you really take time to explore this area that you realize what a

true treasure it is. I heard about this great restaurant in Humnoke, AR called Papa Joes and set out to find it. I left Brinkley taking Hwy 79 through Clarendon, passing Stuttgart and made a small jag over to Humnoke. Papa Joes is a family owned restaurant with fresh wood siding and a front porch that lures patrons in with its hometown feel. I was immediately greeted by a bright smile and seated promptly. The cheese dip, burgers and onion rings paired with a large sweet tea were fantastic, but the homemade desserts were out of this world! The chocolate fried pies and the coconut cream pie were definitely worth the calories. As I finished off the pies, I started to plan my short trip.

Looking at the map, I decided to head to

kim williams

Lake Chicot and check out the fishing opportunities. I left Papa Joes and headed towards Stuttgart passing large farms and small communities.

The Arkansas delta is not only rich in soil but rich in heritage, history, and hospitality. Along my trip, I found several interesting stories. For example, the area of Slovak located in between Humnoke and Stuttgart sits a large, original Sears and Roebuck farmhouse. Like many of the large farmhouses in this area, the supplies were shipped from Pine Bluff, AR, across the Arkansas River, loaded on wagons, and driven by horse to the building site. In the late 1800s and early 1900s there were very few inns for travelers. As a result, this home became overnight lodging for four governors on their way to a meeting.

Unfortunately, the house is not open to tours but I enjoyed learning about its history.

Approaching Stuttgart, I found an amazing hunting supply and outfitting store, named Mack’s. The giant duck in front of the store made this location Delta Gypsy Caravan in historic downtown Helena offers a great selection of gift items for a definite must stop. Almost anything the entire bridal party. an outdoors sports enthusiast could monument in front of the museum and find, but the name sounded interesting want -clothes, hunting supplies, furniture, headed off to the welcome center located so I thought I’d add it to my trip. I took a duck calls, boats, and much more- could at the National Wildlife Refuge. I noticed picture of a historical marker explaining be found at this store. I couldn’t resist and several duck hunting lodges and camps how the town received its name and that purchased a pair of great waterproof boots along my drive. After a stop for gas and a Henry Prange was the first to plant rice in for my fishing trip. After leaving Mack’s, I cold cherry Dr Pepper at the Community the county. stopped at AgPro Companies.

Store, I traveled the short distance to the I took 65 towards DeWitt with an intenIntrigued by the enormous tractors and Wildlife Refuge. Once there, I walked along tion of making a quick trip over to Lake combines, I stopped to snap a few photos a trail to try to catch a few shots of the local Chicot. However, when I reached Hwy 1, but was drawn into the main building of the wildlife. Afterwards, I headed toward the otherwise known as The Great River Road, I dealership by the smell of popcorn. I was exhibits in the welcome center. I was drawn saw an arrow pointing to St. Charles and an surprised to see all of the great gift ideas to the night exhibit. A dark space came arrow pointing to DeWitt. I had a decision in the show room. I purchased a couple of to life after I entered the room. First stars to make. St. Charles it was. I stopped at the children’s books, a miniature tractor, and a materialized in the ceiling. Next, a full moon St. Charles Museum and learned about the hat to protect me from the sun during my appeared as the night sounds of area wildlife rich history of the town and its importance fishing trip. Purchases in hand, I set off for surrounded me. It was all so realistic that to the Civil War. I took a few pictures of the Crocketts Bluff. I didn’t know what I would BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

29

kim williams

A prospective bride browses the selection of glassware and dinnerware at Dragonfly Antiques & Gifts in downtown Piggott.

I imagined myself lying outside on a cool evening looking at the stars and listening to the sound of the great outdoors. Reluctantly, I decided that I better hit the road if I were going to make it to Lake Village by the end of the day. Back on the Great River Road, I headed towards DeWitt.

I quickly found great shopping opportunities in downtown DeWitt. Located on the town square was the Sisters’ Treasures Florist. There I found great bridal gift ideas.

Everything from cozies, stationery, picture frames, candles, gourmet coffee, and stuffed animals were to be had! Also located on the square I found a great fifties-style diner, Lizzie’s. Sadly, I wasn’t able to stop in and try their menu because they didn’t open until 5 P.M. I made a note to make sure and visit DeWitt again to shop and try out Lizzie’s. I again hit the road.

Soybeans, rice and wheat had become my friends, and of course, you can’t forget

30 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

the green tractors working the dirt in the barren fields; or, blocking me from driving very fast along the highway. Thankfully the courteous farmers moved over, when ever possible, and let me pass as they waved or tipped their hats.

In the distance I could see a large structure. It appeared to be protruding out of the landscape, peaking through the trees and touching the sky. As I approached, I realized that it was part of the road and I became apprehensive. It finally occurred to me that it was a bridge…a large bridge. The relief quickly melted away and was replaced with excitement and anticipation. Now I had to go over that big bridge! It wasn’t as scary as I thought. The view was beautiful. Once I crossed the bridge, I was in the town of Pendleton. Riceland has a facility there and I could see rice being loaded onto barges.

Small, quaint houses were dotted along the shoreline of the river. I thought, “wow”;

where else would I have seen something like this just appear out of what seemed like an endless landscape of farms.

In Dumas, I found Miller’s Mud Pottery.

I arrived as they were wrapping up projects for the day. The artists were adding the finishing touches on a series of unique wine toppers. I toured the studio and purchased a serving plate with a unique cross design.

I asked if they ever took special orders for gifts. They assured me that they do take special orders for people all over the country.

In fact, they couldn’t name a state that they haven’t shipped to—even Hawaii! They have even shipped pottery to Japan. Leaving the studio, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful smell of BBQ coming from Vickie’s BBQ and Tunes but I saved my appetite for the Lakeshore Café in Lake Village.

Along the drive to Lake Chicot State Park, beautiful houses face the water. I noticed several people fishing and suddenly realized that I didn’t have a fishing pole, bait, or tackle. The boots and hat were great, but I doubted they were going to help me catch a fish! I drove on to the park and stopped to talk to the park staff. They assured me that I could rent or purchase everything I needed at the park store and it wasn’t going to cost me very much. It was getting late in the evening so I decided to spend the night in one of the cabins located in the park. Luckily, they had a cabin available at a very reasonable price. I dropped my bag in the room and set out for the Lakeshore Café. I dinned on fried catfish, fried corn nuggets, okra, and sweet tea and topped it off with southern bread pudding…delicious, and very reasonable!

The next morning I awoke bright and early hoping to catch a fish I could write home about. A guide took me out to what he called, “a secret bass hole” in a shallow part of the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t having much luck with the fish so I put the pole down and began catching area wildlife with my camera. Everything was so beautiful. I took several pictures of beavers, Great Egrets, a large woodpecker, a few bullfrogs and a big water snake! I made one more attempt to catch a fish and to my surprise, I caught a black crappie! Mission complete, I returned to the open road.

Park personnel had told me about an impressive museum I had to check out before I left the delta. It is named the Lakeport Plantation. I drove out of the park on a different road that took me through downtown Lake Village. The old buildings were really

unique and the lake view was beautiful. As I approached the plantation, I could see the house across the cotton fields. I imagined what this might have looked like back in the years before the Civil War. It must have been a truly magnificent estate!

The paved road turned into gravel and winded around the field to the museum office. I entered the office and paid $5 for the tour and browsed through the restoration exhibits while I waited for the tour to begin.

I couldn’t believe the intact floor cloth that had once been in the plantation. Arkansas State University really went to great lengths to restore and save the home. The tour began in the office where the guide explained the various stages of the restoration process. Next, we walked over to the home. As I entered the large front door, I was struck by a sense of awe. What an amazing showplace this must have been in the days of Scarlett O’Hara!

My footsteps echoed as I walked from room to room across restored wooded floors. We ascended the massive wooden staircase that led to a gathering room. From there, I could see into four large bedrooms where

some of the original furniture sat. Returning downstairs, we went around the back porch to the outside kitchen, the plantation office, and the commissary. The original iron oven that was brought in from Kentucky still rests along the back wall. I imagined having to cook on such an oven as my eyes wondered over to the large wooden chopping block in the middle of the room. I could almost smell

a plantation business, but a home. Still in amazement over this museum, I said goodbye to my tour guide and headed for town.

A friend had mentioned that a great home décor store was located in Lake Village. It is called Paul Michaels. All I can say is “WOW!” What a store. I left with two accent lamps I found at a great price. Another Lake Village treasure that can’t be overlooked is Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales. This little restaurant has received national media attention in recent years. Tourists and tamale connoisseurs travel from all over the country to try Rhoda’s fare. Rhoda’s didn’t disappoint, they were probably the best tamales I’ve ever had. Deciding that it was time to return from my adventure, I set my sights towards home.

We have become a society of hurriedness.

We speed along the road trying to get from one place to another. The days of the Sunday drive are long gone. Gas prices, busy lives, and careers have changed the way Americans travel. Many brides visit the delta region of Arkansas in search of the perfect wedding dress but if they would take just a little bit of time, they can find so much more.

Many brides visit the delta region of Arkansas in search of the perfect wedding dress but if they would take just a little bit of time, they can find so much more. fresh bread, apple pie, and fried chicken as I left the kitchen. Next door to the kitchen was the old commissary. There is still writing on the walls made by the storekeeper with prices and descriptions of wares. This really brought home the fact that this was a living, operating plantation business in the 1800s. Leaving to head back to the front of the house, I noticed a little crypt off in the distance. This is the resting place of one of the Johnson children that died after the Civil War. It reminded me that this wasn’t only

Cottage Mall And Cafe The bright green building on Cypress Street in DOWNTOWN BRINKLEY 322 West Cypress Street Brinkley, Arkansas 870-734-1313 wwwcottagemall.com

Come for lunch..stay to shop!

BE SURE AND VISIT UNJADDY’S ANTIQUES BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Miller’s Mud Mill, Dumas, Desha County Gail Miller, 870.382.5277 www.millersmudmill.com Hand thrown and glazed pottery in distinctive shapes and diverse color palate. Pieces range from bud vases to large platters to complete place settings. Each Miller’s piece is a work of art—get yours today!

Haute Pare, Helena, Phillips County Maureen Jones, 870.338.6986, hautepar@ipa.net Heirloom clothing for children ages newborn through six years. Only the finest fabrics and laces used, all embellishment by hand, embroidery, shadow work and silk ribbon embroidery. Standard line includes day gowns, bibs and bonnets for boys and girls.

Southern Soy Scents, Marion, Crittenden Co. Crystal Warren, 870.394.6290 www.southernsoysecents.com We are proud to offer you 100% all natural, clean burning, soy wax candles. Our candles are environmentally friendly and use one of our most plentiful resources, the soybean.

Our candles are made from 100% soy vegetable wax, and all cotton wicks.

Handwritten, West Memphis, Crittenden Co Jill Denton, 870.733.0913, www.thehandwrittennote.com “Getting back to the art of the handwritten note.” Custom made to order invitations, stationary, handmade notecards, art and announcements.

www.arkansasdeltamade.com 32 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

Meet Arkansas DeltaMade. Representing the rich heritage of the region and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Delta, Arkansas DeltaMade highlights the unique and distinctive products and services made in the Arkansas Delta.

As visitors to the Arkansas Delta, we know you are looking to take home a piece of your experience and support local businesses.

Pairing the natural and cultural tourism opportunities in the region with these locally made products can have a significant economic impact for entrepreneurs and communities from Blytheville to Eudora. Buying local contributes to the preservation of the rural landscape and the revitalization of our small communities, AND gives you a real sense of the soul of the Delta.

The mission of the Arkansas DeltaMade program is to increase awareness of products and services unique to the Arkansas Delta while offering entrepreneurs access to markets and the opportunities to grow and expand their local businesses.

We hope you’ll join us in supporting these local entrepreneurs - artists, craftspeople, food producers, authors - and experience the soil and soul of the Arkansas Delta.

www.arkansasdeltamade.com

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Discover the Great River

Helena-West Helena plays host to the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival each fall.

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Road

O

ne of America’s historic routes passes through Arkansas’s Delta – you will recognize it by the green and white pilot wheel signs that mark its passage through the state. The Great River Road-Arkansas National Scenic Byway is part of a

10-state route from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico along both sides of the Mississippi River. From an ankle-deep trickle at its headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to a mighty giant that exhausts itself just below New Orleans, the ever-changing river has captivated travelers for centuries. You can experience the rich natural and cultural heritage of this region as you wind your way along lands shaped by the river.

The river rarely shows itself throughout the Arkansas segment of the route. But its handiwork is evident in the natural landforms and fertile soil that once nurtured only swamps, bayous and bottomland forests. Today the region has some of the most productive agricultural land in the world, thanks to the river’s alluvial floodplain commonly known as the Delta.

Over time, diverse cultures inhabited the region, leaving echoes of their history on the landscape. From mound-building Indian cultures, to French and Spanish dominion, to Arkansas statehood, the people of this region have been dependent on the bounty of the land and the rivers.

While much of the history of this region precedes that of its neighbors in Mississippi and Louisiana, its agricultural economy did not begin to develop until shortly before the Civil War. Prior to that time, much of Eastern Arkansas was little more than dense woodlands and forbidding swamps. Thus, it was some of the last land in the Delta to be converted to agricultural use. To do so required inhabitants who were a far more rugged, hardscrabble lot than their more genteel southern neighbors. You’ll see much of that same determination and resilience in the people who inhabit the region today.

Arkansas Stories The Great River Road-Arkansas was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2002. Designation requires, among other things, that a route meet at least one of six intrinsic qualities: cultural, historic, archeological, natural, recreational, or scenic significance. Below are some of the stories of the route that make it a distinctive destination for visitors.

Taming the River Harnessing the river and harvesting its gifts required cutting the bottomland timber, draining the swamps, and developing floodways and massive drainage systems. Areas such as Mississippi County and Crittenden County have massive grid works of drainage ditches, built to take advantage of the rich soil that otherwise would be under water much of the time. Almost every square mile is bounded by a drainage ditch. To keep the river from reclaiming the land, complex levee systems--the tallest in the world--have been built, hiding the river from view. Most of these levee segments are visible from the route; others are an integral part of the route. While some have paved roads along their crown, most are topped with gravel roads. These are generally drivable as an alternate trip along The Great River Road, provided one does not mind sharing with the cattle that are apt to be grazing on either side. In addition to the levees, major state-of-the-art pumping stations exist along the route to control water entering and leaving the lands protected by the levees.

These include the W.G. Huxtable Pumping Plant at Marianna, reputedly the largest of its kind in the world.

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The Arkansas City Museum.

Agricultural Landscape From spring through fall and winter, the fields along the route are a changing canvas. Cotton, the “white gold” that has been the mainstay of the Delta, dots the entire 362-mile route. Along with cotton, crops including soybeans, wheat, rice and corn occupy center stage. Arkansas leads the nation in rice production, and most of it is grown right along the Great River Road.

While soybeans were first introduced as an alternative crop to rebuild the soil, today it is the primary crop in the region, surpassing even “King Cotton.” Travelers also will find milo, pecan orchards, fruit crops and catfish farms on their journey.

Modern Agricultural Practices Modern methods used to obtain maximum crop yields are a source of fascination for visitors. Among these are precision land levelers utilizing laser technology, pivot irrigation systems that snake their way across the fields, helicopters and small planes that provide “crop dusting” services and large module builders that have made cotton trailers almost a relic of the past. Large agricultural headquarters, sophisticated on-farm and commercial storage and drying facilities, state-of-the-art cotton gins, and full-service grain elevators are interspersed with aban-

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doned small-farm headquarters, old barns, and deserted gins that once characterized nearly every town.

Small Town Lifestyles Modern farm practices have led to major changes in towns along the route.

Gone is the day when the farmer took his crops to town, and the family made a day of it-- utilizing crop proceeds for shopping and socializing. Today many of these same towns are little more than ghost towns, if they remain at all. Vestiges of this way of life remain, however, and visitors still can stop in some of these small towns and find an old-fashioned soda fountain or a hardware store with a place for congregating around a pot-bellied stove. It is still possible to visit with some of the elders of the towns on their “whittling” benches in the town square or in front of the local bank or barber shop.

Generally the center of social activity was the county seat. Its importance was reflected in the magnificent courthouses built in these towns, often the most ornate structures for miles around. For hard-working farmers and settlers, these courthouses represented their strength and determination, as well as their aspirations for a prosperous future.

Music Heritage The culture along the Great River RoadArkansas is most extensively celebrated through

the special music that has emanated from the Delta. From folk and rockabilly to blues and jazz, the Delta has contributed to and developed these musical traditions. Country and western musicians from the Arkansas Delta, such as Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Charlie Rich, often described the lives of Arkansas laborers and small farmers through the lyrics of their music. Similarly, the blues tradition, which came directly from the cotton fields, was a powerful form of expression for rural blacks in Arkansas, producing or nurturing such legendary figures such as Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Louis Jordan, Albert King, Howlin’ Wolf, and scores of others. Helena-West Helena is host to the well-known Blues and Heritage Festival, while other music festivals take place throughout the region.

From River to Rail to Road The rise and fall of many towns in the Arkansas Delta region has been dependent on modes of transportation. At one time, the Mississippi River was the only artery that connected the region with the rest of the world, and by the mid 1800s, many of the river towns were bustling. The river eventually swallowed many of these towns, while others were totally abandoned when the railroads came through, shifting development away from the river. In the late 1800s, sawmills sprang up everywhere, accompanied by

miles of railroad tracks laid throughout the region to haul the lucrative and plentiful hardwood timber to mills and factories in the north. Towns for the timber workers and railroad men grew up beside the tracks and replaced the river towns as the centers of commerce. Today, most of the hardwood forests are long gone from the region, and passenger service along the busy railroads ceased to exist long ago, meaning many of the railroad towns have gone the way of the river towns. Travelers to the region today will find some abandoned buildings, or perhaps a cemetery or church, that mark some of these ghost towns, while other towns have vanished without a trace.

Desha County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse is a landmark in Arkansas City.

Heritage Commemoration Many towns along the route have local or county museums that focus on interpreting life in an earlier era. Some are operated by local historians and volunteers, so you won’t always find them open. But don’t give up easily. They often post a telephone number and are glad to open for visitors. Even if there is no museum, chances are there is a mural or collage painted on the side of one of the buildings or floodwalls in town to celebrate the town’s heritage. Festivals and special events remain a major aspect of many of these towns today and are reminiscent of the various cultures that have inhabited the region, from African-Americans to the various European ethnic groups.

The River’s Handiwork While the Arkansas Delta landscape has undergone tremendous change, visitors along the Great River Road route have numerous opportunities to experience the Delta as it existed prior to human habitation. This is a region that was shaped over millions of years by action of the Mississippi, Ohio and Arkansas rivers. As the rivers scoured out and flattened the landscape, they left rich deposits of alluvial soil, in some places hundreds of feet thick. Meandering rivers were constantly altering their courses through the region, creating oxbow lakes, bayous and wetlands.

The largest natural lake in Arkansas, and the largest oxbow lake in the United States, is Lake Chicot, located at the southern end of Arkansas’s Great River Road. This lake was created when the Mississippi River cut a new path and shortened its journey to the Gulf.

Today there are more natural lakes in this Great River Road region than elsewhere in Arkansas. Bayous provide ribbons through the landscape, including portions of the BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Helena-West Helena hosts Thunder on the Byways, where riders experience the scenic beauty the Great River Road.

300-mile Bayou Bartholomew, the longest in Arkansas.

Hardwood Forests Visitors will find a number of hardwood forests along the route, including the St. Francis National Forest, with both upland forests and bottomland timber. Further south along the route, cypress, tupelo and willow (all hardwoods that can flourish in standing or seasonal water) occupy the wettest of the lowlands. Some of the largest cypress trees date back 600 to 800 years. Many of these cypress swamps present dramatic scenic vistas for visitors. Other areas not submerged for great lengths of time have extensive oak and hickory stands. The White River National Wildlife Refuge, the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwoods (160,000 acres) in the state, is part of this region. Situated just a few miles above the confluence with the Mississippi River, the refuge is from three to 10 miles wide and extends along the White River for 90 river miles. Areas within the refuge have been designated “Wetlands of International Importance.”

Watchable Wildlife The entire Great River Road region is home to an abundance of wildlife. The swamps provide habitat for beaver, muskrats, raccoon, mink, duck and geese, as well as alligators. The bottomland forests provide the

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most productive wildlife habitat in the state, with an abundance of deer, bear, squirrel and turkey. The route is located along the Mississippi Flyway, the largest flyway in the country, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi County and the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge in Crittenden County are both important areas for migrating/winter waterfowl and neotropical birds. The White River National Wildlife Refuge includes the largest concentration of wintering mallard ducks in the Mississippi Flyway; large concentrations of snow and Canada geese; numerous species of wading birds, shore birds and raptors; active bald eagle nests, and a healthy population of native black bears.

De Soto Expedition, 1541-42 The Great River Road-Arkansas travels through some of the same region as the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who crossed into what is now Arkansas on June 18, 1541, probably at Sunflower Landing near Helena-West Helena. The expedition headed north, and accounts describe spending several days in the province of Casqui. This is believed to be the present-day Parkin site, which is rich in evidence from the Mississippian period.

Several Spanish artifacts have been recovered at Parkin, and an outstanding exhibit describing De Soto’s expedition is available at the site. De Soto died the following year during his travels, and legend has it that he

was buried in Lake Chicot at the south end of Arkansas’s Great River Road.

New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12 These natural disaster events changed the Great River Road-Arkansas region significantly, contributing to the creation of what is known today as the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Sunken Lands in Northeast Arkansas. Both of these areas are viewable from a loop off The Great River Road. Interestingly enough, the earthquakes, along with the War of 1812, actually paved the way for large-scale migration to the area. Soldiers returning from the war, along with victims of the earthquakes, were given land government grants that could be used in Louisiana Purchase lands not already claimed by Spanish land grants or Indian treaties. This necessitated a survey of the entire Louisiana Purchase Territory. Starting point for this 1815 survey was deep in the Arkansas swamps, now marked by a monument. This Louisiana Purchase Monument State Park site is located on a loop off the main Great River Road route, with a boardwalk leading into the swamps.

Civil War Arkansas’s location on the Mississippi River made it a strategic location in the battle for control of the transportation routes during the Civil War. Numerous Civil War

sites exist throughout the region along the Great River Road. These include The Battle of Helena, which took place July 4, 1863.

The Union victory reaffirmed its control of eastern and northeastern Arkansas and made the capture of Little Rock later in the year possible. In addition to the Union batteries, there is a Confederate Cemetery at Helena-West Helena.

There are Civil War monuments and markers throughout the region, including a marker at St. Charles commemorating both Union and Confederate soldiers who lost their lives when the single most deadly shot of the Civil War was fired into the boiler of a Union gunboat, the Mound City. The Battle of Ditch Bayou in Chicot County was the last significant battle on Arkansas soil and is interpreted with markers at the site.

Remnants of the old East-West Military Road are evident at Marion in Crittenden County, along with a marker commemorating the loss of life on the Sultana, the worst marine tragedy in American history and one of the worst in world history.

Flood of 1927 The 1927 flood is remembered as the

Miller’s Mud Mill Pottery in Dumas.

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The oxbow lake that is Lake Chicot is a rare opportunity to see hordes of egrets in a sea of cypress trees. event that visited the greatest economic disaster on the region, caused the demise of many remaining river towns, and resulted in abandonment of the federal government’s “levees only” policy for flood control.

Massive efforts began at this time to build a system of drainage ditches, floodways, and other flood control systems that crisscross the land today. This flood is representative of numerous major floods that have occurred in the region throughout history, wiping out entire towns in one day. The largest town to go was Napoleon, once the county seat of Desha County, which disappeared entirely in the Flood of 1874. When Mark Twain revisited the region in 1882, he could not locate the once-prosperous town. His captain in Life on the Mississippi declared, “There isn’t any Napoleon any more. Hasn’t been for years and years. The Arkansas River burst through it, tore it all to rags and emptied it into the Mississippi … Everything. Just a fifteen minute job, or such a matter.”

Archeological Significance Evidence of human habitation in the area traversed by Arkansas’s Great River Road is documented to 12,000 years ago.

The entire area is rich in archeological sites, beginning with Paleo-Indian hunt-

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ers, fishers and wild plant gatherers and evolving through the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods. These moundbuilding cultures developed complex societies that utilized gifts from the lands and the waters, including creating towns and social life; developing hunting, fishing and agricultural patterns; and establishing complex trade networks. Evidence of many of these civilizations has been destroyed by rivers, by agricultural practices, and by other forces of man and nature, but there are numerous other sites that have been preserved, including the Hampson Archeological Museum State Park at Wilson and the Parkin Archeological State Park, located on a spur off the Great River Road.

Other sites especially rich in archeological evidence are in and around the former Eaker Air Force Base in the Blytheville area.

Research indicates continued occupation of this region over the past 2,500 years, with major prehistoric components dating from the late Woodlands and Early and Late Mississippian periods.

Hunting and Fishing Recreational qualities in the region are primarily associated with hunting and fishing, along with the recreational

opportunities presented by the many lakes and streams. The 350 lakes in the White River National Wildlife Refuge are teeming with bass and panfish, while Lake Chicot, Arkansas’s largest natural lake, is loaded with bass, crappie and other gamefish.

Other popular fishing spots along the route are Wapanocca Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Bear Creek and Storm Creek Lakes in the St. Francis National Forest, Old Town Lake at Lakeview, the White River within the wildlife refuge, the Arkansas River in the Dumas area, Connerly Bayou at Lake Chicot, and Grand Lake. Favorite spots close to the main Great River Road route include Mallard Lake in the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, and Lake Monticello.

Duck hunters won’t find a happier hunting ground than the Arkansas Great River Road region. The Mississippi Flyway brings more than a million mallards to Delta rice fields and flooded timber each year, as well as plenty of other waterfowl species.

Favorite waterfowl hunting spots include Big Lake Wildlife Management Area, St. Francis Sunken Lands, Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, White River National Wildlife Refuge, and the Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Helena Bridge over the Mississippi River.

There are plenty of places to eat along the Great River Road.

Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis.

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Crowley's Ridge

T

he Natural State is abundant with pristine waterways and verdant terrain harmoniously enhanced for your recreational pleasure

with cozy cabins, luxurious lodges, distinctive dining experiences and stores stocked by modern artisans and crafters. Brides traveling south from Missouri to Low’s have the opportunity to stopover at one of the country’s rarest geological formations – Crowley’s Ridge. The Ridge is a unique crescent-shaped landform created over millions of years. Located primarily in Arkansas, the ridge extends for more than 200 miles, from the Mississippi River just below Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas. Only 12 miles across at its widest point, the ridge rises 200 feet in stark contrast to the astonishingly flat floodplain of the Delta region.

More than 50 million years ago, this entire region was covered by the Gulf of Mexico. As the water receded, ocean bottom sediments remained in the abandoned bay, to be washed away in turn by rivers flowing from the North during the Ice Age. At that time, the Mississippi River flowed Antiques, collectibles, art, gifts and handcrafts can be found at Cotton & Kudzu west of the ridge and the Ohio River flowed east on Cherry Street in Helena-West Helena.

River. Because the surrounding Delta flatlands have been cleared, of the ridge. As they meandered the landscape, carving out deep first by the timber industry and then for agricultural uses, much of channels and carrying off the ocean-bottom material, the ridge was the plant diversity in eastern Arkansas is restricted to this narrow left as a sliver of land between river channels. belt of vegetation.

The ridge was built up even further by deposits of fine silt called In many ways the existence of Crowley's Ridge, and the plant “loess.” The loess, formed by slow but powerful action of glaciers diversity it supports, is a geological and historical accident. The grinding rocks into “flour,” was carried south by glacial melt water ridge served as a refuge for plants and animals migrating south, and then blown by the wind onto Crowley's Ridge. then north again in response to glaciations. The present-day occurEarthquakes also played a role in shaping the ridge. Movement rence of many unique plant communities on the ridge may be along fault lines at the margins of the ridge lifted it slightly higher remnants of flora stranded here by changing climate at the end than the surrounding land and tilted the adjacent land away from the of the last Ice Age. ridge, thereby shifting the rivers away and preventing erosion.

When Europeans entered the scene 200 years ago, the flora and Crowley's Ridge today is characterized by rolling hills and fauna of the ridge survived another siege. The steep topography hardwood forests, composed of species that thrive on well-drained and erodible soils discouraged intensive agriculture, and plant comuplands. Many of the plant communities of the ridge are unique munities were valued as home sites. in Arkansas and more reminiscent of forests east of the Mississippi

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A multi-million dollar championship golf course is under construction at Village Creek State Park near Wynne.

Crowley’s Ridge Parkway was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1998.

Designation as a scenic byway requires, among other things, that a route meet at least one of six intrinsic qualities: natural, archeological, cultural, historic, recreational, or scenic significance. While most noted for its unique natural qualities, all six are important assets of the ridge.

Archeology Crowley’s Ridge has been an area of intense utilization throughout 12,000 years of prehistoric habitation. Early inhabitants selected campsites, base camps and villages

on the ridge and effectively exploited the rich resources of the wetlands, rivers and forests.

Parkin Archeological State Park, located approximately six miles east of the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway, provides significant insight into the Parkin phase (c 1400-1650 A.D) of the Mississippian Period. The site features a rectangular planned village with a plaza, surrounding mounds and evidence of a large population. It is enclosed by a wide moat on the northern, eastern and southern perimeters, and the western border is the St. Francis River. Upward of 400 houses could have existed at Parkin.

This site is believed to be the province of Casqui, described in accounts of the DeSoto expedition in 1541 as the capital of the mound-building cultures of this region.

Several Spanish artifacts have been recovered at Parkin, and an outstanding exhibit describing DeSoto’s expedition is at the park.1541, which was the “capital of the mound building cultures in this region.

The earliest recognized cemetery in the New World, containing the graves of a small group of Native Americans who died approximately 10,500 years ago, also has been discovered on Crowley’s Ridge. Artifacts recovered indicate a population involved in BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Parker Pioneer Homestead hunting, gathering and fishing, and living in small semi-permanent villages. They buried their dead in cemeteries, a practice previously associated with horticultural societies beginning about 6,000 years ago.

Exhibits from all major phases of prehistoric culture on Crowley’s Ridge and in the Delta region are located at the Arkansas State University Museum, along with locally discovered artifacts at various county museums.

Scenic Beauty Crowley’s Ridge provides the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in eastern Arkansas, due to the uniqueness of the topography and the variety of floral species.

The route is especially dramatic in the fall,

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when changing leaf colors in old growth forests are spectacular. In the spring, the ridge comes alive with dogwood, peach and apple blossoms, and wildflowers.

One of the most beautiful segments of the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway is a 15-mile stretch of gravel road through the St. Francis National Forest. The trees form a full canopy over the road in many places. At higher elevations, the route offers some of the most fantastic views in Arkansas. An alternate low road brings travelers in touch with wetlands and wildlife, including alligators.

Much of the scenic beauty results from the pastoral vistas. Along the route, one finds small farmsteads, rolling pastures and livestock -- primarily horses and cattle. Each county has its share of picturesque rural

scenes. Typical are old wooden barns; rural churches and cemeteries in peaceful settings; country stores; fields of cotton, soybeans, milo and rice; orchards in full bloom; quaint springs; and colorful meadows.

History The first documented settlement of the ridge is credited to Benjamin Crowley, a veteran of the War of 1812 who later settled in Greene County. The ridge was the only suitable location for settlement throughout the 19th century, as the majority of the region was still a vast swamp most of the year.

The only way to get through the swampy flatlands of Eastern Arkansas was to follow a North-South route down the ridge.

Over the years, this route was known by

The Hemingway Barn Studio is a lovely historical setting for a wedding. various names, reflecting its major uses at the time: the Buffalo Trail, the Indian Trail, the Chalk Bluff to Helena Postal Road, the Military Trail.

Towns grew up along this route, Civil War skirmishes took place along the route, and people buried their dead along this route.

The proliferation of historic cemeteries is not difficult to understand. Even the flatlanders came to the ridge to ensure burials on dry ground.

While the ridge was sparsely settled until the late 1800s, the abundance of hardwood forests attracted timber men from the north after the Civil War, and sawmills soon dotted the ridge. The coming of the railroads in 1882 to haul the timber out of the region led to the rise and fall of many of the towns on the

ridge. Like the roads, the railroads traversed the ridge, causing new towns to spring up along the tracks. Most of the county seats on the ridge also were relocated to new sites closer to the tracks, making ghost towns of some former seats (Wittsburg, Gainesville and Bolivar), and causing decline in others (Boydsville and Madison).

Culture One of the most predominant and famous elements of culture on the ridge is music associated with the Blues tradition at Helena. From the cotton fields and the cotton gins to the Mississippi River loading docks, Helena was the cradle of “Delta Blues,” the music that symbolizes rural life along the Mississippi. Helena was home

to the some of the greatest Delta Blues music including Robert Johnson, Robert Jr. Lockwood and Sonny Boy Williamson.

The annual fall King Biscuit Blues Festival attracts thousands of fans from around the world. A Blues Symposium also is held at Arkansas State University.

Literature is represented on the ridge as well. One of the world’s greatest authors has roots on the northern end of the ridge.

Ernest Hemingway married Pauline Pfeiffer, eldest daughter of the wealthy Pfeiffer family of Piggott, who owned 63,000 acres of land in Clay County. During the 13-year marriage, Hemingway enjoyed hunting trips to the forests and rivers of the ridge. Arkansas State University has acquired the Pfeiffer home and the barnBRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009

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Crowley’s Ridge State Park studio where Hemingway wrote portions of A Farewell to Arms. The properties are being restored to their 1930s condition to operate at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center.

One of the nation’s best known contemporary American artists chronicled life on the ridge and the Delta in his paintings. Carroll Cloar, whose work hangs in the Smithsonian, was from Earle, Ark. As a boy he experienced life on the farm and in the small towns dotting the ridge and the Delta. His most famous paintings record the happenings in daily life of a time gone by. Arkansas State University will feature his work in the Delta Art Gallery now under construction.

In addition to these better known cultural aspects, most counties on the ridge celebrate their culture through small rural museums, and nearly every town has an annual festival. Folk crafts and folk art also abound on the ridge. These include

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woodworking, quilting, yard art, mailbox decoration, tie-hacking, fishnet making, duck decoys, and folk toys.

Recreation Recreational opportunities along the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway are extremely varied and ample. Large and small cities, rural communities, agricultural lands, highlands, river bottoms, wetlands, four state parks and a national forest along the corridor lend themselves to many diverse recreational opportunities.

NCAA Division I athletics at Arkansas State University feature football, basketball, volleyball and other sports. Three public golf courses are adjacent to the parkway.

In addition, each county offers at least one private golf course.

Small game, rabbit, quail, squirrel and dove, as well as large game (white tail deer and turkey) can be found throughout the

ridge corridor. The Mississippi Flyway, together with agricultural practices and the numerous river bottoms, offers ideal conditions for excellent duck and goose hunting. Except for the St. Francis National Forest, all hunting along the parkway is on private property.

Crowley’s Ridge, Lake Frierson, Lake Poinsett and Village Creek state parks, along with the St. Francis National Forest, provide year-round opportunities for birding, fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming (seasonal), bicycling, tennis, wildlife watching and photography.

Six public lakes encompassing 2,200 acres and three rivers provide excellent bass, catfish, bream and crappie fishing.

Barrier-free fishing piers are provided at Lake Walcott, Lake Poinsett, Lake Frierson and Storm Creek Lake (National Forest). All lakes are accessible by vehicle and provide boat-launching facilities.

Arkansas-

Capital of Victorian Weddings

By MaureenBridget Gonzalez

A

merica’s “bridal belt” loops its way through some of North America’s most visually beautiful, geologically awe-inspiring territory - Arkansas - “The Natural State.”

Arkansas is a highly sensuous chunk of Planet Earth which is utterly distinct from its

surrounding neighbor states. The sights, sounds, textures, aromas and tastes are palpable and unique. n From the grand location of Mount Magazine Lodge, the rustic cabins of Village Creek Resort, the African Safari Lodges of Turpentine Creek with its big cats, to cities like Little Rock and Memphis, Arkansas has everything – and then some. n Themed weddings

are very much in vogue these days. Nuptials are being conducted on the beaches, on the ocean floor, and floating high above the earth in hang gliders. However, when it comes to themes, the romance, traditions and sheer beauty of the Victorian era wins hands down.

Where to Have an Authentic Victorian Wedding “Eureka” – You Found It! Eureka Springs, the Victorian Wedding Capital of The South In the early days of Eureka Springs, people came to “take the waters.” The healing powers of the Eureka Springs waters are

well documented, and as in days of yore, hundreds of thousands of visitors seeking cleansing and rejuvenation still come to the springs every year.

Nowhere in North America is there a yearround wedding venue that is more aligned with the concept of authentic Victoriana than Eureka Springs. This town with its beauti-

ful, colorful, Victorian gingerbread B+Bs and stately historic hotels, seems to cling precariously to the side of Mount Crescent, pinned into the solid hilly rock that supports this community of painters, sculptors, writers, poets, restaurateurs, hoteliers - and plenty of adorable eccentrics. Because of its unique, eclectic diversity, Eureka Springs is the quintessential destination for a modern day, or Victorian-themed wedding.

As well as a wedding venue, Eureka Springs and the surrounding areas are rich in attractions, art and music festivals. There’s the annual Passion Play (the largest outdoor drama in the nation), and lots of places to visit, such as the eccentric Quigley Castle.

Eureka Springs has it all, from rehearsal dinners to wedding ceremonies and receptions, and honeymoons. There are shops and boutiques, boutiques and shops displaying and selling all manner of ephemera, paintings and sculptures, one-of-a-kind pieces of art glass, jewelry, colorful scarves and shawls,

The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs

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well-known local residents.

Among the many other restaurants of note are the Grand Taverne at Grand Central Hotel, Basin Park Hotel Balcony Bar & Restaurant (the best place to people-watch), the Bavarian Inn, a cozy restaurant specializing in German and Czech foods and specialties, Gaskin’s Cabin Steakhouse serves the best prime rib, while DeVito’s is the multi-award winning Italian restaurant in town. The newly-opened Mexican restaurant, Casa Colina, specializes in delicious, authentic Mexican dishes and is housed in a meticulously restored Victorian house.

As you explore the lovely old streets and alleyways of Eureka Springs, you almost expect to see Queen Victoria and Prince Albert drive by in a horse-drawn carriage.

You will most certainly see bride and groom in full wedding regalia riding in white, open carriages drawn by beautiful horses, as they wend their way through downtown to their wedding reception.

Here are just a few suggestions for wonderful places to hold a wedding, whether a full formal affair, or a small family gathering. And, yes, elopements, and renewal of wedding vows are beautifully catered to as well.

Thorncrown Chapel provides a glorious nuptial setting.

clothing, and antiques galore.

Eureka Springs also is known as a center for gastronomy. Its many busy, award-winning restaurants, bistros, pubs, and coffee shops, attest to the lure of this most unusual Arkansas mountain community. Well worth the visit is the beautiful Crystal Dining Room at the Crescent Hotel, where fine wines are decanted table-side and Sunday Brunch is a memorable dining experience. Rogue’s

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Manor Restaurant with its nooks and crannies, all tastefully decorated, is built right into the rock face, complete with a trickling spring waterfall, which is visible behind a glass panel. The entire side wall of the bar is painted in the manner of Rembrandt’s immortal painting of The Night Watch which hangs in the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, Holland. The characters in the painting depict owner Smith Truer and his wife, Debbie and

The Crescent Hotel, built in 1886, is the jewel in Eureka Springs’ crown. With a total of 76 luxurious guestrooms, including eight suites and private cottages, this hotel has hosted thousands upon thousands of weddings through the years. Weddings are held in the lovely Crystal Dining Room, and The Conservatory. Atop the hotel is the Faculty Lounge with its outdoor Sunset Terrace. Weddings also take place in the Fountain Gardens and East Lawn. The Crescent Hotel is known as the most haunted hotel in America, but the ghosts honor the “Do Not Disturb” signs on the honeymoon suites.

Information at 800.03.4940. www.crescent-hotel.com The New Moon Day Spa and Salon at The Crescent Hotel has a comprehensive menu of spa treatments, from the relaxing, soothing to the invigorating scrubs. All spa

services are available for couples in the private duet rooms, a wonderful way to have quality time together in preparation for the excitement and stress of the Big Day! The Aveda Salon provides state-of-the-art wedding hairstyles, makeup, manicures, pedicures. A unique and much sought-after service is the exquisite Bridal Studio, a private room specially created for the bride and her wedding party. There are comfortable sofas and chairs, a three-way mirror, a cooler for champagne and flowers and a full private bathroom. www.newmoonspa.com Downtown, there’s the 1905 Basin Park Hotel. At seven stoEnjoy fine dining at Rogue’s Manor Restaurant in Eureka Springs. ries, it’s still the tallest building sage, anti-cellulite body wraps are offered.

Sunroom Suite has an enclosed sunroom, the in Eureka Springs. This is the epicenter of And, very popular is the ancient Hawaiian Balcony Suite overlooks Basin Park where downtown Eureka Springs’ happenings. art of Lomi Lomi massage which combines concert performances in the park below can Restored to its turn-of-the-century design, oils and fragrances of kukui, macadamia, be enjoyed in comfort and privacy. The Basin the hotel has 20 Jacuzzi Suites, 8 King Suites coconut, vanilla and jasmine.

Park Hotel has another treat in store for bride and 29 Premium rentals, all of them with 877.SPA.1905. and wedding party, the Serenity Day Spa. their own unique features. Some of the www.serenityspa-eurekasprings.com Massages, facials, body wraps, hot stone masrooms have four-poster, king size beds. The

You’ve found your prince...

Start off in a castle.

We offer one of the most interesting and unique quality dining, lodging and special events experiences in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

The Romance and Serenity of an unforgettable wedding experience awaits you Inn of the ozarks 800•250•5827 www.roguesmanor.com www.castleroguesmanor.com

207 W. Van Buren • Eureka Springs, AR 800-552-3785 • www.eurekaweddings.net

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Wedding Venues, Chapels & B+Bs Thorncrown Chapel The ethereal beauty of the Thorncrown Chapel with its 6,000 square feet of glass and wooden beams set amidst leafy gladed forest, and the stained glass windows of the Gavioli Chapel with its rare Gavioli organ, are glorious nuptial settings.

Castle at Rogue’s Manor For the ultimate fantasy, Renaissance/Medieval-themed wedding, nothing can beat Castle at Rogue’s Manor, just outside of Eureka Springs at Beaver, Arkansas. Walt Disney World move over, make way for Smith Truer, a true Renaissance Man who eats, drinks, sleeps and breaths everything Celtic and medieval.

Smith has created a fairytale castle that would amaze and impress Lady Guinevere and Sir Lancelot.

Built of wood, glass, steel, and iron, this castle, which sits on a high bluff, has to be seen to be believed. It is truly one-of-akind, exquisite in its detail and adherence to the architecture and decor of the era, a masterpiece of construction. The only elements it lacks are a moat and drawbridge! The Great Hall, where receptions take place, streams light in from the surrounding gardens. Spectacular views of mountains and valleys form the perfect backdrop. The honeymoon suite in the round tower defies description. To see for yourself, visit www.smithsroguemanor.com and view the virtual tour. This is a Must-see, Must-do wedding and/or honeymoon venue.

facilities that can no longer care for them. At Turpentine Creek, these magnificent creatures are lovingly cared for and will be pampered there for the rest of their days.

If you’ve ever dreamed of an African safari, but never made it, this is the ideal substitute. Come and visit these big cats and spend a few nights in the magnificent Safari Lodges. Each lodge is of a different design. All of them are true replicas of the most luxurious safari accommodations in Africa, and are decorated with African art and textiles. Cozy in winter, air conditioned in summer, they have all the comforts of home.

Continental breakfast is provided. In the evening, enjoy a sundowner drink and relax in the huge hot tub. You’ll hear your big cat neighbors and their goodnight chat, and you’ll wake up to their morning yawns and stretches. Make sure to do the rounds when it’s feeding time. It’s spectacular. 501.253.5841. www.tigers@turpentinecreek.com Hidden Acres A Wedding at Hidden Acres provides an ultra deluxe wedding cottage for small, but very elegant weddings and affairs of the heart. Up to twelve people can be accommodated for the ceremony and reception. The accommodations are private, elegant and comfortable. For added relaxation, there are fireplaces and hot tubs to soothe and refresh.

800.816.7435. www.aweddingathiddenacres.com

Angel at Rose Hall Angel at Rose Hall is sheer Victorian elegance, charm and beauty. A Four Diamond rated B+B, Rose Hall has exquisite function space for weddings and offers a variety of wedding and honeymoon packages to suit every need and budget.

The Victorian Lace Wedding, Somewhere in Time and the Elopement packages present a smorsgasbord of wedding ceremony choices which can be held outdoors in the Gazebo Garden or inside the mansion. www.the-angel.com

Mount Victoria B+B Inn Mount Victoria B+B Inn is one of the most celebrated B+Bs in the nation. It was named the best B+B Inn in 2007-2008, and was chosen by OPRAH for her 2008 Sweepstakes. Originally the presbytery for St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, the house now provides peace and beauty from every vantage point. The graceful lawns, flowering trees and bushes provide backdrop for butterflies, song birds, fireflies – and the distant bells of St. Elizabeth. 888.408.7979. www.mountvictoria.com

Bonnybrooke Farm Bonnybrooke Farm at Misty Mountain is a private mountain retreat with five romantic, beautifully decorated, fully-equipped, self-catering cottages. A private 20-acre property, Bonnybrooke is nirvana for those active couples who like to hike and climb.

Elopements are catered to here amidst the serene beauty of forest, flora and fauna. The views of Misty Mountain at daybreak or at sunset, are breathtaking. Pack a picnic and hike to the top of Flat Rock for spectacular views. 866.522.6903. www.bonnybrooke.apexhostingcompany.com

Eureka Springs Hideaway Eureka Springs Hideaway lives up to its name. It’s located amidst the surrounding woodland alive with the sounds of birdsong, and the gobble-gobble of wild turkey. This property caters to small weddings and honeymoons. 800.252.9582. www.eurekaspringshideaway.com

Out of Africa: Safari Lodges Out of Africa: Safari Lodges at Turpentine Creek Big Cat Refuge.

And, now, for something completely different. Experience the thrill of hearing tigers and lions calling to each other. Just a few miles out of Eureka Springs, is a truly sensational sanctuary for some 120 big cats, lions and tigers, leopards and bobcats that have been rescued from private owners or other animal

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Main Street Inn & Angels Among Us Wedding Chapel Main Street Inn & Angels Among Us Wedding Chapel is another beautiful Victorian venue. There are three fairytale ginger-bread houses: the Blue House, the Peach House and the Yellow House.

The Angels Among Us Wedding Chapel accommodates up to 75 guests indoors or outdoors. Full catering services are provided for the wedding reception. Breakfast is delivered every morning to bride and groom in the various houses. Couples can enjoy lunch and dinner in nearby restaurants., www.angelsonmainstreet.com

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Love at first sight. scrumptious feasts. Spectacular Festivities. stress free.

The joyous union of unfaltering service and culinary excellence.

onLy at the peabody.

Three STaTehouSe Plaza • liTTle rock, arkanSaS 72201 501-906-4000 • caTering 501-399-8040 52 BRIDES OF BRINKLEY n 2009