Time to Get Outside and Get Moving

            With warmer weather and the arrival of March on the horizon, I feel it’s time to get my body, mind and spirit in gear for spring. Our Diamondhead neighbors, Lake Catherine State Park and Garvan Gardens, have opportunities galore to get outside and enjoy the spring weather and work off the winter sluggishness. Both neighbors are only a short drive from Diamondhead.

            This weekend the State Park has hikes scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. both Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2. Saturday morning is a History Hike with a park interpreter who will share some of the fascinating history of Lake Catherine State Park. At the same time on Sunday, a park interpreter will take visitors on a Bird Hike to view some of the native birds who live in the Park. There are also several walking trails in the Park from a leisurely short jaunt to a more challenging longer course. For more information on the Hikes, call 501.844.4176 or go online to lakecatherine@arkansas.com.

            Beginning March 3, Garvan Gardens will start fitness programs with exercise in the beautiful Gardens. Health Walks take place 9-10 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays with guides leading the walks each day. Participants can learn Tai Chi on Thursdays 1:30-2:30 p.m. beginning March 6. Garden Stroller Strut is aimed at parents and caregivers of young children 10:30-11 a.m. every other Friday starting March 7.

            Outdoor enthusiast Darlene Molloy leads a Garden Fitness Hike 10-11 a.m. every other Friday starting March 7. This walk includes a nine minute yoga breathing exercise during the cool down. For more information call 800.366.4664 or go online to garvangardens.org.

            An added perk for property owners in Diamondhead includes an aerobics class 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday in the Clubhouse. The golf course is in full swing also and is a great way to get in some sunshine and enjoyable exercise. Come out and check out all our amenities at Diamondhead. A house on the lake or golf course might be calling your name. Let us give you a personal tour and show you around. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 to set up a tour time.

Music Fills the Air This Weekend in Hot Springs

            With the warmer weather, this weekend brings a couple of fun musical events sponsored by local groups in the Hot Springs area.

            From 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, the Hot Springs Jazz Society sponsors the Mardi Gras Costume Ball at the Austin Hotel in Historic Downtown Hot Springs. The event includes music, dancing and a costume contest. Cajun food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Hotel. The main music for the night is the Dixieland band, Delta Brass Express.

            Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m. This is the only fund-raiser for the Jazz Society for the year and a great way to support the Society’s jazz events and educational programming. Prizes are also a part of the festivities. For more information and tickets call 501.321.6171 or visit online at HSJazzSociety.org.

            At 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, the Hot Springs Community Band Concert takes place at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The Community Band consists of the Hot Springs Concert Band, New Horizons Band and the Village Big Band for an afternoon of music delight.

            The Hot Springs Concert Band is an 85-member ensemble that performs regularly in the Hot Springs area and is known for the summer series in Whittington Park. New Horizons Band consists of 30 musicians playing various venues in the Hot Springs area and is designed for musicians who haven’t played in a band recently and who wish to play in a musical ensemble again. The Village Band plays tunes from the dance band era of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman as well as jazz tunes. For more information, call 501.984.1678.

            If you’re in town for a great musical weekend and have a few minutes to spare, we’d love to show you around our special part of Hot Springs at Diamondhead Resort Community. At Diamondhead we support all the arts in the Hot Springs area, especially the music venues. If you’d like a tour of Diamondhead, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310. We’d love to show you around.

Where are the Dancing Daffodils?

            I’m ready for this crazy weather to move out of here for good. The spring daffodils are ready to pop out of the ground and the cold and snow need to make way for the gorgeous spring flowers.

            If you can’t tell, daffodils are my very favorite flower. My grandmother had them all over her yard and I loved everything about them – the color, the way they smell and the simple yet elegant shape of the flower. And, they bloom in abundance and in so many beautiful shades of yellow.

            This will be my first spring in Hot Springs and I am eager to see Daffodil Hill at Garvan Gardens in full bloom between Feb. 15 and March 15. As the first flowers emerge Garvan Gardens will let their patrons know on their facebook page or you can give them a call at 501.262.9300. The spectacle at the Gardens includes an impressive 250,000 daffodils in different varieties and shades of yellow.

            So, the day after Valentine’s we might see the first sign of spring with the emergence of the lovely daffodils. Garvan Gardens is a neighbor of Diamondhead and a great and close place to volunteer. The Gardens is a pleasure to visit any time of year, but is especially beautiful in the spring.

            We hope you’ll make plans to visit Garvan Gardens and the daffodils and Diamondhead, which is just a few miles down the road from the Gardens. The crew at Diamondhead is getting the golf course ready and looking good for spring. Lake Catherine will begin getting refilled starting March 7. We’re looking forward to a great spring at Diamondhead. Please come by for a visit or a tour. Call us at 501.520.9201 or 501.252.9310; we’d love to show you around. 

Valentine’s Celebrations in Hot Springs

Love is definitely in the air in Hot Springs the next couple of weeks. The city is gearing up for Valentine’s Day with all sorts of activities. It’s not just about couples but children’s activities, art, theater and cooking.

            Garvan Gardens hosts “Edible Valentine’s” Feb. 5 for their first Wednesday Children’s Program. Children will have fun making a pine cone seeded Valentine to hang in their backyards for the birds. Call 501.262.9300 to register.

            Friday night, Feb. 7, 5-9 p.m. is the monthly Gallery Walk downtown in the Historic District. What a great place to look for a Valentine’s gift of art. The Gallery Walk hosts openings of new exhibits by local, regional, national and international artists. Call 501.624.0550 for more information.

            Lookout Point Inn hosts a Chocolate Covered Cooking Class from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 8 This is a great opportunity to learn to make several delicious chocolate recipes served at the Inn, including their famous chocolate covered strawberries. What a great way to spend a Saturday. Call 501.525.6155 for reservations.

            Casa Bella hosts a couples only “Kissing Fish” Paint Party from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Each participant will paint his or her own fish that when hung together look like they’re kissing. Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries will be served. Call 501.624.2272 for reservations.

            On Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 the Murder and Macabre Mystery Dinner Theatre presents “Murder on the Spa City Love Boat” with dinner catered by Porterhouse Restaurant. Call 501.623.9126 or 501.262.4521 for reservations.

            We have so many ways to say I love you for Valentine’s Day in Hot Springs. If you’re participating in any of these events, we’d also like to have you come out to Diamondhead to show you around the area we love to call home. Contact us at 501.501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 to schedule a tour or for more information.