Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs Kicks Off Race Season

Last year I got to go to my first horse race at Oaklawn and it was so exciting and such fun. Hot Springs has enjoyed horse racing in town for 110 years. The 2014 season kicks off Jan. 10 at Oaklawn Park, a week earlier than it traditionally begins. Lots of visitors and locals visit Oaklawn during the first quarter of the year to enjoy the horse racing season.

            From January through April Oaklawn’s 3-year-old stakes program is one of the most successful in the nation. Last year it produced likely champions Will Take Charge and Oxbow, whose victory in the Preakness Stakes was the 10^th Triple Crown race won by an Oaklawn-raced horse in 10 years.

            Oaklawn offers several special events during the racing season. It will open its Infield, complete with a Beer Garden, live music and family-friendly activities every Saturday from Rebel Stakes on March 15 through the Arkansas Derby on April 12.

            Feb. 15 Westrock Coffee sponsors “Down at Oaklawn” allowing guests to get up close to the horses and top racing personalities and to take a barn tour. Visit www.Oaklawn.com for more information.

            When you come into Hot Springs for the races, we’d love to have you come out to Diamondhead for a visit. You might decide a move to Hot Springs is in your near future and Diamondhead offers houses and lots on Lake Catherine or on the golf course for relocation, retirement or for a vacation home. Please call 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 for more information or to schedule a tour. We’d love to show you around.

Reflection and Gratitude

New Year’s Eve has such significance in our culture and is always a night filled with celebrations. I think of the last day of the year as a time to reflect on and be grateful for all the good things that have happened during 2013. We always have challenges but we also have much to be thankful for.

            I’m so glad to be a part of the Diamondhead community and am continually grateful for:

·         new friends

·         a gorgeous place to live and play

·         a simpler lifestyle

·         the serenity of Lake Catherine

·         the beauty of the seasons as they change

·         the security of a safe place to live

For more information on Diamondhead or to schedule a tour, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310.

So, if you agree that we all have something to be thankful for and you like to celebrate the gifts of 2013, Hot Springs has several choices for New Year’s parties.

Oaklawn will host a New Year’s Eve Party including a festive evening of games, cash drawings, live music and an elegant Prime Rib dinner served in the Carousel Restaurant. For more information, call 1.800.OAKLAWN.

            At the historic Arlington Hotel downtown, several parties take place simultaneously:

1.    Festival Party & Dance includes dancing in the New Year to the music of the live band, White Chocolate. The celebration includes party favors, champagne toast and Black-eyed Pea Reception that begins at midnight.

2.    Gala Dinner in the Crystal Ballroom includes a five-course gourmet dinner with wines, champagne toast, party favors, dancing and the Black-eyed Pea Reception.

3.    International Feast includes a festive buffet with food from different countries in the Venetian Dining Room.

For more information or reservations, call 501.609.2553.

A little less formal celebration in downtown includes the Undead or Alive Pub Crawl. The Pub Crawl takes place from Fat Jack’s to SteinHaus Keller with great deals along the way. This event is hosted by the Spa City Hot Rollers, a non-profit roller derby league. The group will be accepting donations of three canned food items to help feed the needy this winter. For more information, go to undeadoralive.eventzilla.net.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Holiday Celebrations in Hot Springs

            If you’re not in the Christmas mood yet, I have a few more suggestions for special cultural events offered before Christmas. We love to celebrate the arts in Hot Springs, especially during the holidays.           

If you love to collect or give art as gifts, I highly recommend a trip to the Magnolia Room at Garvan Gardens for the Three Rivers Art Guild Art Exhibit through Dec. 31 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. The Guild is a non-profit organization named for the three rivers – Caddo, Little Missouri and Ouachita – in the Hot Springs area.

            The artists work includes oils, acrylics, charcoal, pen and ink, collage, mixed media, encaustics and watercolor. Also, you will find carved gourds, hand-sewn items, sculpture, jewelry and more. You can feel extra good about your purchase because a percentage of the sales benefits the Gardens.

            If you’re shopping in downtown Hot Springs and need a break, you might consider stopping in at the Arlington Hotel Dec. 21 for angelic Christmas music by the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble. It will calm your Christmas shopping anxiety immediately.

            The Five Star Theatre presents “Do You Hear What I Hear” Dec. 19-23. Performers include The Wilkins, The Golden Harvest Band, Buford Presley, Luther T. Tator, The Blues Brothers and more. This is a family Christmas presentation. Call 501.318.1600 for more information.

            If you come into Hot Springs for any or all of these cultural events, please consider taking a few extra minutes to come out to Diamondhead to check out our decorations, luminaries and wonderful way of life. We are a little slower paced with so many amenities available including great golf, affordable lots and homes and wonderful neighbors. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 for more information or to schedule a tour.

You Don’t Want to Miss Christmas at Diamondhead

This is my first year to experience Christmas at Diamondhead and I can hardly wait. It all kicks off this Saturday, Dec.14.

            One tradition that residents have enjoyed each Christmas for 10 years is the beautiful luminaries, which will be lit beginning Dec. 14 at dusk. The legendary luminaries start at the Diamondhead gate, wrap around the Clubhouse and continue down Independence Drive. Doesn’t that just sound lovely? I can already picture it in my mind.

            After the lighting of the luminaries, Diamondhead Community Church choir will sing Christmas carols outside the Clubhouse at 6 p.m. The Church is located just a few miles outside of Diamondhead and includes beautiful angelic voices sharing carols with Diamondhead families and friends.

            Also beginning at 6 p.m. the annual Cart Crawl starts at the Golf Shop and includes a parade of decorated golf carts that are driven throughout Diamondhead and on the golf course. You really don’t want to miss this.    

Then, at 7 p.m. Santa’s Workshop at the Gingerbread House is open and ready for the children to come see Santa, sit on his lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas. The Gingerbread House is situated near the Guard Station at the entrance to Diamondhead and will include sleigh rides and treats. Looks like a photo opportunity!

            If all the Saturday events sound like fun, they will be. The Diamondhead community knows how to party. Volunteers contribute lots of hours to make this a Christmas to remember. If you are interested in moving to a great new community with great neighbors, impressive property values and celebrated community events year ‘round, come out this weekend to share in the festivities. We’d love to show you our community. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 for more information or to schedule a tour.

Christmas Memories During the Gallery Walk

One of my favorite things to do in Hot Springs is to stroll down Central Avenue in the Historic District at the Gallery Walk the first Friday evening of each month from 5-9 p.m. This event is a delight to attend. It’s amazing how much the Galleries change from month to month. I can’t wait to take my time walking through the Galleries this month on Friday Dec. 6 to see what’s new from the exhibiting artists; and I hope to finish my Christmas shopping there.

            Did I mention that in each gallery refreshments are available and delicious? Galleries that line the streets of the Historic District downtown have enjoyed the Gallery Walk tradition since 1989. Local, regional, national and international artists are exhibited from many different genres. Many of the artists are present and available during the Walk. Even going into the beautifully restored historic buildings that house the galleries is a delight. And, they’ll be decorated for Christmas.

            In addition to Gallery Walk this Friday, Hot Springs will be celebrating Christmas Memories. The Hot Springs Parks and Rec. Dept. invites participants to hang an ornament on one of five Memorial Trees in Downtown in memory of loved ones who have passed or in honor of loved ones who are on active military duty.

            These are just a couple of the wonderful holiday events taking place during December. Hot Springs is such a fun and festive place year around, but especially at Christmas. So, during the weekend while you’re enjoying Gallery Walk and Christmas Memories, take some time to come out to Diamondhead to see a lovely place to live and play. Golf is exceptional and affordable on our course, Christmas Luminaries will be up soon and lunch and drinks at the 19^th Hole Restaurant are a relaxing and fun place to meet and greet our great neighbors. It’s also a lively place to watch sporting events and support the Razorbacks, even if it’s been a tough year. Call 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 for more information or to schedule a tour. We look forward to seeing you soon.