Holiday Happenings All Over Hot Springs

Christmas lights are showing up in the neighborhoods in Hot Springs – in Historic Downtown, at Garvan Woodland Gardens and in stores and shops throughout the city. I feel as if the whole town is getting into the holiday spirit and it seems almost every day we have a wide array of events to attend. The hustle and bustle of December is upon us and it certainly is an exhilarating time of year.

Some of the exciting holiday events in Hot Springs include:

·         Hot Springs Holiday House from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec.14 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in the Grand Lobby has shopping, Santa, sweets, pictures with Santa and specialty vendors for Christmas shopping. The Holiday House admission in $2 and benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs.

·         Crystal Chimes Celebrate Christmas from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Garvan Gardens is a barbershop chorus that will perform a variety of music with a four-part acappella chorus. Featured quartets include Providence, Four Tune, Crystal Vision and CPAP. The concert is free and open to the public

·         Holiday in the Park at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Horner Hall includes performances by the National Park Community College Choir & Soundwaves, Fun City Choir and additional local high school and elementary school choirs. The entrance fee is two non-perishable food items.

·         Five Star Family Show at 6 p.m. for dinner and 7 p.m. for the show in the evenings and 3 p.m. for the Sunday matinee Dec. 19, 21-23 at the Five Star Dinner Theatre features a two-hour production of Christmas songs and comedy with highlights from the Famous Wilkins Show Stage Career. Prices are $37.95 for adults for dinner and show, $24.95 for the show only, $24.95 for children for dinner and show and $17.95 for the show only.

In our neighborhood at Diamondhead Resort Community we have Santa coming to town at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Clubhouse. Sleigh rides will also be available starting at 5 p.m. The Christmas lights in Diamondhead are worth coming out to see. Many houses are decorated and a drive through Diamondhead is a treat and will put you in the holiday spirit. Add a mug of hot chocolate and it makes for a fun outing.

We enjoy a great community in the Diamondhead area and are eager to have others come and check out the amenities and great folks that live here. If you’d like to schedule a tour, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501. 262.9310 and we’ll be glad to show you around. Diamondhead is part of the Hot Springs community near Lake Catherine State Park. 

‘Voices of Angels’

My favorite holiday music last season in Hot Springs was the ‘Voices of Angels’ concert performed by The Muses. This was the first time I had heard the concert that is performed annually, and it was a lovely afternoon of magnificent music.

This year the concert is at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Muses Cultural Arts Center at 428 Orange St. and at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Anthony Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens. We attended the Sunday matinee last year and felt as if we were in the presence of angels singing holiday music. The musicians were incredibly talented and the choice of music was quite angelic. The setting in the chapel at Garvan Gardens always soothes my soul. The walls are made of glass and the surrounding woods are picturesque. It is one of the most spiritual settings I’ve ever been in.

Add beautiful music and you have the perfect setting to enjoy an afternoon in the chapel that is guaranteed to put you into the Christmas spirit. This year the concert also features ballet dancers from the Hot Springs Children’s Dance Theater who will perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

After the ‘Voices of Angels’ concert last year I was determined to make this an annual holiday event. I came away with a renewed sense of hope and tranquility to begin the Christmas season. Isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

I highly recommend the “Voices of Angels” concert to anyone who wants to experience the peace and love of the holiday season. I’d also like to invite you out to Diamondhead Resort Community to see the beautiful natural area where we live. The Diamondhead community includes homes and lots on Lake Catherine. We also have homes and lots backing up to Lake Catherine State Park, the scenic golf course and the woods with abundant wildlife. We have a beautiful place to live and friendly people who enjoy a great lifestyle. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll be glad to give you a tour of Diamondhead in Hot Springs. 

We have so Much to be Grateful For

I’m one of those people who loves the holidays. This year we are in our new house in Hot Springs and our family is coming to spend Thanksgiving with us. I’m grateful to have a wonderful family and friends to share the holidays with. I’ve learned more about gratitude lately and how quickly changing my attitude to be grateful in whatever situation I’m in changes my perspective. So I challenge us all to look at life from a perspective of gratitude and truly enjoy the holidays.

In Hot Springs we have so many holiday treats starting this weekend and going through December. I mentioned in the last blog about the Holiday Lights at Garvan Gardens that starts this weekend. They are spectacular and something not to be missed. Some additional Thanksgiving events include:

·         Thanksgiving Buffet at Oaklawn – From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Carousel Restaurant. Guests must be 21 to participate.

·         Arlington Hotel Resort & Spa – From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. a Thanksgiving Feast is available. A Thanksgiving Evening Dinner is served from 6-9 p.m. Call 501.609.2575 for reservations.

·         Porterhouse Restaurant – From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. a buffet is offered. Take-home Thanksgiving is also available. Call 501.321.8282 reservations.

·         Bella Arti – From 11 a.m. -10 p.m. a sit down meal is offered. Call 501.624,7474 for reservations

·         Cracker Barrel and Dixie Café offer a regular menu for Thanksgiving.

·         Diamondhead Community Church invites the community for  dinner at noon on Thanksgiving day

If you’re preparing your own feast or plan to let the restaurants do the cooking for Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll take some time to say thank you to the people who mean the most to you in your life. One of the great blessings in our life has been our move to Hot Springs and to Diamondhead Resort Community.

I love living in an area that promotes and honors our neighbors and community living. We celebrate the holidays together and share with those around us. This Saturday, Nov. 22, we have a bake sale in the Club House from 9 a.m. until the goods are all gone. If you need goodies for Thanksgiving come out and shop with us. If you’d like to visit Diamondhead in Hot Springs and see the wonderful place we call home, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll schedule a tour for you.

Fall Colors are Hanging On

We’ve had several weeks of gorgeous fall foliage in Hot Springs. Fall is my favorite season and I’m always amazed once again when the warm temperatures subside and the cooler weather moves in. The last few days have surpassed cool to cold, but the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges are still around.

Along with the cooler weather brings lots of activities in Hot Springs. My favorite holiday event last year was the Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens. This year Opening Night is Nov. 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Opening Night Concert takes place at 6 p.m. on the 22^nd with the Village Big Band in Anthony Chapel.

This year Holiday Lights will have four million brilliant bulbs transforming about 17 acres into an animated holiday display and includes complimentary hot chocolate. The Chipmunk Cafe’ at the Gardens is open each day from 3-9 p.m. For more information on purchasing tickets, go online to garvangardens.org.

Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. Garvan Gardens offers an afternoon with the dancers from the Ballet Arkansas cast of “The Nutcracker.” The afternoon includes the characters in full costume presenting a short performance and reading a portion of the ballet. The Gardens has planned a dessert reception with the dancers along with a photo opportunity after the performance. Tickets can be reserved today online at garvangardens.org or by calling 800.366.4664.

The Annual Chili Cook-Off and Light-Up Downtown takes place from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza in Historic Downtown Hot Springs. Money raised by the Cook-Off is used to support the Downtown Association’s Deck the Park Challenge for the holiday lighting display.

I could go on and on about the holiday events coming up but I’ll save that for another blog. If you’re around for any of the events and have some extra time, we’d love to have you come out to Diamondhead Resort Community and take a look at the wonderful place many of us call home. Our community is gated and makes a safe place to live. We have a great golf course, beautiful lots on Lake Catherine and the greatest neighbors anywhere. If you’d like to arrange a tour for Diamondhead in Hot Springs, please give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll get you scheduled.

Hot Springs Halloween

If you are in or near Hot Springs Halloween weekend, several options for celebrating await you, but beware there may be witches or zombies. On any holiday we know how to celebrate, but on Halloween we pull out all the stops starting with the International Horror Film Festival Oct. 23-26 at Central Theatre in Downtown Hot Springs. The second annual Festival brings together filmmakers, fans and horror fanatics for four days full of films including insidious indie films, blood spattered scream queens and movie monsters. For more information go to HotSpringsHorrorFilmFestival.com.

Other notable Halloween events in Hot Springs include:

7^th Annual Haunt Springs Trick or Treat for Children – from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 30 in Downtown Hot Springs from Ridge St. to Whittington Ave. Downtown businesses will hand out candy and treats. Costume contest takes place at the Parking Deck on Exchange Street at 4:30 for strollers to 6 year olds, at 5:30 for 7-12 years old and at 6:30 for 13-17 year olds. For more information go to hauntsprings.org.

Haunted Springs – Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Masonic Lodge on Albert Pike Rd. includes speakers, workshops, documentaries, psychic gallery and vendors. The event features speakers with authentic and documented paranormal cases from the area. Also includes a ghost hunt and costume contest. For more information go to hauntedsprings.net.

Halloween at Oaklawn – 6-10 p.m. Oct. 31 at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming includes a costume contest with a $1,000 prize. The event also includes prize drawings and drink specials.

Murder and Macabre Mystery Dinner Theater Presents The Night of the Dead Living – 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:30 p.m. show time at the Porterhouse Restaurant in Downtown Hot Springs. Participants are asked to dress in their favorite Zombie attire. The event includes fun, food, dancing and some pretty weird characters. Call 501.262.4521 for reservations.

“Magic Screams” – 4-11 p.m. on Saturdays, 4-9 p.m. Sundays and 4-11 p.m. on Halloween night through Nov. 2 at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls. The event includes two haunted houses, a children’s house, trick or treat trail, Fright Flicks Terror Trail and several of the rides in the Park. For more information go to magicsprings.com.

Our local Halloween event at Diamondhead is the annual Halloween Trunk or Treat from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Clubhouse parking lot. The event includes Diamondhead residents who decorate their trunks and fill them with candy to hand out to children on Halloween. Prizes are awarded for best costume and the best decorated trunk. It is a safe and fun way to celebrate the holiday. At Diamondhead we enjoy celebrating all of the holidays with our neighbors and especially Halloween. Diamondhead is a safe, gated community with lots of amenities and gorgeous fall scenery throughout the area and on Lake Catherine. For more information on Hot Springs or to schedule a tour of Diamondhead, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310. We’d love to show you around.

With Cooler Weather Comes Health Benefits

It’s definitely getting a little cooler, with more to come. Fall is my favorite season, and I think it’s simply because we get a break from the hot, humid summer. The leaves are turning and it’s time to dust off my tennis shoes, go outside and get moving. Hot Springs is such a beautiful area to take advantage of the great weather on one of the wonderful hiking and biking trails and get some exercise.

Garvan Gardens is one of my favorite places to go take a walk. When we moved to Hot Springs about 15 months ago, one of the first things we did was buy a membership to the Gardens. During the cooler months we walked the Gardens at least once a week. Now that fall has arrived organized exercise events are also offered:

 

Health Walks for Beginners – takes place at 9 a.m. now through the end of November on Tuesday mornings. The guided one-mile walk includes an invigorating walk through the colorful autumn plantings and beautiful scenic views at Garvan Gardens.

Health Walks for Intermediates – takes place at 9 a.m. now through the end of November on Monday mornings. The guided walks are three miles and include different routes on over five miles of Garden trails.

Tai Chi in the Gardens – Kathy Packard of the Oaklawn Center on Aging leads Tai Chi, an ancient low-impact method for staying flexible and toned, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 4. Participants meet on the Great Lawn for class.

In Hot Springs we have multiple hiking trails including Hot Springs National Park, Lake Catherine State Park, Cedar Glades Park and others. Every Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. until Jan. 31, 2015, Hot Springs National Park has a guided walk starting at the Fordyce Bathhouse at 369 Central Ave. No reservations are required. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, bring water and insect repellent. For more information go online to www.nps.gov.

Lake Catherine State Park has walks with a park interpreter scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, and 27. This peaceful walk on the Falls Branch trail is an easy ½-mile short cut to the waterfall. For more information go online to www.arkansasstateparks.com/LakeCatherine.

Cedar Glades Park encompasses 432 acres of cedar forests, panoramic views of streams, miles of nature trails, biking trails and camping areas. The Park is situated near Historic Downtown Hot Springs off Cedar Glades Road. For more information online go to www.hotsprings.org/places/cedar-glades-park-garland-county/.

It’s time to go outside and get moving. In Hot Springs we have so many great places to exercise either individually or as a group. At Diamonhead Resort Community we also enjoy exercise on the golf course, in Aerobics and Strong Women and Men classes, in the weight room, playing disc golf or just taking a walk around Diamondhead. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning and the area is beautiful. For more information on Diamondhead or to schedule a tour, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Coming Soon

Last year my husband and I attended many of the documentaries during the annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and we enjoyed every film we saw. We had no idea what to expect and it far exceeded our expectations. We had so much fun picking which films we wanted to see and trying to make the schedule work so that we saw as many of the documentaries as possible.

And, we’ll do it again this year. Once again, this is an event that Hot Springs does well. The films are national and international in scope and subject matter, and they are very well done. They broadened our horizons and were the subjects for lots of conversation. For more information and a schedule go online to www.hsdff.org.

 

So, I highly recommend attending as much of the Film Festival as possible. This year it takes place Oct.10-19 at the Arlington Hotel and Low Key Arts. On opening night the featured film is “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me.”  The movie will be screened at 6:15 p.m. followed by a Q&A with Director and Producer James Keach, Producer Trevor Albert and members of the Campbell family including Kim Campbell and children Ashley, Cal and Shannon.

 The featured documentaries for the Film Festival include:

“Satellite Beach”

“The Story of the Rhinestone Cowboy”

“Meet the Patels”

“An Honest Liar”

“Stray Dog”

“George Takei”

If you’re in Hot Springs during the week for the Documentary Film Festival and have some free time, we’d love to have you come out to Diamondhead Resort Community and take a look around at our relaxing and fun lifestyle. We are a safe gated community situated near Lake Catherine State Park with many homes on Lake Catherine. Our golf course is beautiful and challenging with homes on the course. The fall leaves are beginning to turn and the scenery is beautiful. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll be glad to arrange a tour of Diamondhead. We’re a short drive from Downtown Hot Springs.