I’m a bit puzzled whether to write this piece in the present or past tense. But being an inherent optimist, I will make a leap of faith and assume – and fervently hope – this iconic bird still exists in the wilds of Arkansas. Called “the great chieftain of the Woodpecker tribe” by John James…
By Joe David Rice On average, some 60,000 vehicles pass through Conway every day on Interstate 40. If you’re one of those drivers and haven’t taken a local exit in recent years, it’s time to do so. You’ll find that this centrally-located town isn’t the sleepy little burg it was a couple of decades ago,…
By Joe David Rice About 250 miles northeast of the stomping grounds of the Fouke Monster lies another favorite haunt of cryptozoologists. It’s a stretch of the White River near Newport – and the quarry is an elusive beast aptly named the White River Monster. Although Native American lore is said to have passed down…
By Joe David Rice | Photos by Jamison Mosley & Camille Brewington Tippitt As AY’s travel editor, I’m charged with producing pieces that are objective – or something close to it. But that’s not going to happen with an article on Jonesboro. This fine Craighead County community, you see, is my hometown, the place where…
By Joe David Rice No way could I write this book without a mention of razorbacks. First, the fiercely beloved wild hog is the mascot of my alma mater, the University of Arkansas. But more importantly, the background story on this unique symbol presents a fascinating tale. Following its establishment in 1871, the University of…
By Joe David Rice | Photographs courtesy of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce Nicely situated about 35 miles south of Branson, Missouri, and 45 miles east of Eureka Springs, Harrison is often given short shrift by travelers on their way to these more established tourist destinations. And that’s a shame, because this Boone County community…
By Joe David Rice Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and later claimed Memphis, Tennessee, as home. But in the early days of his career, when he was still a mere prince rather than the King, Presley spent a surprising amount of time on Arkansas stages — usually in the eastern and southern…
By Joe David Rice | Photography by Meredith Mashburn Students of the Bible may recall a reference to the Pool of Siloam, an ancient water source near Old Jerusalem. Some 2,700 years after its construction and about 6,725 miles to the west, American pioneers establishing a townsite along an attractive, spring-fed creek in northwestern Arkansas…
By Joe David Rice Over in East Arkansas, about halfway between Helena and Stuttgart, is a community known as Turkey Scratch. Straddling the Phillips-Lee county line, the unincorporated settlement is what my father would charitably call “a wide spot in the road.” Turkey Scratch has no post office, but visitors will spot a church, a…
by Joe David Rice With summer now in full swing, families across Arkansas are eagerly looking for options for close-to-home getaways. The good news is that the Natural State has dozens and dozens of wonderful choices, many of which aren’t on everyone’s radar. Following last month’s example, we’ll take a look at five more high-quality…
