Category Archives: Holidays

Little Rock Look Back: Horace Knowlton, LR’s 46th Mayor

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IMG_3227On this date in 1872, future Little Rock Mayor Horace A. Knowlton Jr. was born.

In April 1920, he was elected City Clerk of Little Rock.  He served in that position until April 1931.  That year, he was chosen as the Democratic nominee for Mayor, denying incumbent Mayor Pat L. Robinson a second term.  The primary race against Mayor Robinson was close.  When the results were first announced, it looked as if Mayor Robinson had prevailed.  But after challenging ballots, Mr. Knowlton was declared the winner.  Since Little Rock was primarily a Democratic Party city, unsurprisingly Mr. Knowlton was elected Mayor in April 1931 and served two terms as Mayor.

He oversaw the start of some of President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs in Arkansas during his tenure.  In 1934, he negotiated the purchase of Gillam Park for the City which established the first public park in Little Rock for African Americans.  This was a very forward-thinking action at the time.  One of his final acts as Mayor was to participate in the groundbreaking for the Museum of Fine Arts building in City Park (now a portion of the Arkansas Arts Center building in MacArthur Park).

Following his departure from public office, Mayor Knowlton and his wife (who had been an elementary school teacher) eventually moved to Florida and resided in the Tampa Bay area.  His son and grandson (Horace III and Horace IV) have both been lawyers in the Tampa Bay area.  Mayor Knowlton died on February 14, 1965 and is buried in the Oak Grove cemetery in Conway.

Visit Veterans at Mount Holly Cemetery this Veterans’ Day

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MountHolly Memorial Day

Today is Veterans’ Day – a time to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who have served their country in the military.

As a way to give this recognition, today would be a good day to visit a cemetery. One of Little Rock’s most storied cemeteries is Mount Holly Cemetery. There are veterans from all wars: Revolutionary, War of 1812, Mexican, Civil War, Spanish-American, World War I and II, Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

Founded in 1843, Mount Holly has been called “The Westminster Abbey of Arkansas.” Thousands of visitors come each year. Those interested in history come to see the resting places of the territorial citizens of the state, including governors, senators, generals, black artisans, and even a Cherokee princess. For others the cemetery is an open air museum of artistic eras: Classical, Victorian, Art Deco, Modern––expressed in gravestone styles from simple to elaborate. Some come to read the epitaphs that range from heartbreaking to humorous to mysterious.

Though a City of Little Rock facility, the cemetery is maintained by the Mount Holly Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. The cemetery is located at 1200 South Broadway in Little Rock. Gates are open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the summer and from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the winter.

Interred within the rock walls of Mount Holly are 11 state governors, 15 state Supreme Court justices, four Confederate generals, seven United States senators and 22 Little Rock mayors, two Pulitzer Prize recipients, as well as doctors, attorneys, prominent families and military heroes.  Proving that death is the great equalizer (and the J. N. Heiskell lived a very long time) longtime Gazette owner and publisher J. N. Heiskell is buried near two different nemeses: Senator, Governor and demagogue Jeff Davis; and segregationist Congressman Dr. Dale Alford.

Big Boo!-seum Bash Tonight

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BooseumLogo_EventIt’s the 19th Annual Big Boo!-seum Bash, where kids can enjoy a safe and fun Halloween Thursday, Oct. 30 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.  Come out and trick-or-treat, play games and have fun at participating area museums!

There will be free candy and Halloween activities for all ages. Visit every participating location to enter in the drawing for a flat-screen TV or a $100 gift card!

Locations:
* Arkansas Arts Center – 501 East 9th Street

* Historic Arkansas Museum – 200 East 3rd Street

* Little Rock Visitor Center at Curran Hall – 615 East Capitol Avenue
— Arkansas State Capitol will participate on site

* MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History – 503 East 9th Street
— Arkansas National Guard Museum will participate on-site

* Mosaic Templars Cultural Center – 9th Street and Broadway
— Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will participate on-site

* Museum of Discovery – 500 President Clinton Avenue

* Old State House Museum – 300 West Markham Street

* CALS Ron Robinson Theater – 100 River Market Avenue

* Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center – 602 President Clinton Avenue
— Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum will participate on-site

Science of The Paranormal tonight at Museum of Discovery’s Science After Dark

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arkmod sci 1014Tonight at the Museum of Discovery from 6pm to 8pm, it is the monthly Science After Dark feature for adults.  This month explores the Science of The Paranormal.

Among the features are:

  • Arkansas Paranormal Investigations will demonstrate the equipment and techniques they use in their field.
  • Hack-o-lanterns – tinkering with pumpkins
  • Arkansas Ghost Catchers’ Rhonda Burton will explain how she captures the paranormal.
  • Author, mentalist and side show performer Paul Prater will demonstrate and discuss the anatomy of side show performance including “The Human Blockhead.” He’s going to tell exactly how he drives nails into his face.

Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! Remember, this is an adults only event. Admission is $5. Damgoode Pies will sell pizza by the slice, Stone’s Throw Brewing will sell beer and Juanita’s Cantina will sell cocktails.

Museum of Discovery’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.

 Museum Information

Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm; Sunday: 1-5 pm; Closed Monday (open summer Mondays  and on major holidays)

Admission: $10 adults; $8 ages 1-12; free under 1; members free

Phone Number: 501.396.7050

True Ghost Stories tonight on Tales from the South at Stickyz

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The annual Scaredy-Tales Night at Tales from the South features three true ghost stories.

The featured storytellers are Amy Manning, Phillip Taylor, and Jimmie Meese Moomaw.  Live music is provided by The Salty Dogs and bluesman Mark Simpson.

Tonight’s program takes place at Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories. While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

Doors open for dinner, socializing at 5 pm; Live music at 6 pm; Dinner available for purchase until the kitchen closes at 6:30.  Show starts at 7 pm Tickets $10 (show only).

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show.

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.  This program will air on OCTOBER 30.

MAC O LANTERNS in MacArthur Park

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There is a new tradition in MacArthur Park: Mac-O-Lanterns.  It is a pumpkin carving contest and night-time Jack O’Lantern celebration at downtown Little Rock’s MacArthur Park North Lawn.

October 25, 2014
MacArthur Park
601 E. Ninth Street, Downtown Little Rock

3-6 p.m. Pre-registered Carve & Walk-up $5 Paint a pumpkin .
6-6:24 p.m. Lighting
6:30-7:30 p.m. Judging

Visitors in the pumpkin patch 3-8 p.m.
Night celebration 5-8 p.m. with food trucks, music & libations
$5 entrance fee, children 12 & under free

7:30p.m. prizes announced and awarded:
$500 in the 100 lb. pumpkin category, winner determined by judges
$250 in the 25 lb. category, winner determined by people’s choice

To participate:
Link here for registration form. Complete the registration form and return as indicated; make payment by returning check with form, calling 501-375-0121 with your credit card or pay on Paypal here
Carver check-in is 3 p.m., Saturday, October 25.
Carving MUST be completed by 6 p.m. to be eligible for judging.

Two carving opportunities–
1. 75-100 lb. pumpkin: A team of four carvers max/ pumpkin. Registration donation of $40/ pumpkin, not per carver. Carvers ages 12 – 16 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult.
2. 25 lb. pumpkin: One carver per pumpkin. Registration donation $25. Carvers ages 12-16 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult.
No coolers allowed. Beer and food will be available for purchase after 5 p.m.
All entrants are to bring their own carving tools. Battery-powered hand tools are allowed. Pre-designed/ manufactured templates not allowed.

No Longer a Wait – WAIT UNTIL DARK opens tonight at Arkansas Rep

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THEREP_WAITUNTILDARK (no credits)-page-001Frederick Knott’s Tony-nominated thriller Wait Until Dark opens tonight on the stage of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

This masterfully constructed tale of suspense will keep Rep audiences on the edge of their seat (but you still have to pay for the entire seat).

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his wife, Susy. With murder afoot, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, as Susy discovers the only way to play fair is to play by her rules.

The cast is composed entirely of Rep veterans. It includes Amy Hutchins (It’s a Wonderful Life), Nate Washburn (Henry V), Michael Stewart Allen (Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Romeo & Juliet), Robert Ierardi (Clybourne Park), Craig Maravich (Death of a Salesman), Michael Lowe (Les Miserables, Hairspray), David Tennal (Clybourne Park, Les Miserables), Reagan Hodson (Because of Winn Dixie), and Ella Moody (White Christmas).

The production is directed by Robert Hupp. Others on the production team include Mike Nichols (set), Marianne Custer (costumes), Yael Lubetzky (lighting), Allan Branson (sound), Lynda J. Kwallek (props), and D. C. Wright (fight choreography).

The show runs through November 9th.  Show times are 7pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays, 8pm on Friday and Saturday and 2pm on Sunday matinees.