Newport Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events
Don’t forget to save the date for Kids Fest coming up on Saturday, May 4th in downtown Newport! Free admission, free attractions, free dog acts, magic shows and entertainment for all ages. Details coming soon!
Wednesday, March 27, the community is invited to a book signing with Nyesha Greer at Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nyesha’s book, 21 Days of Being a Wife, is currently on sale. It is designed to help refocus on the things that matter most and will compel you through a series of comical events and divine interruptions by God to move in a direction of unity and your own kind of harmony with your spouse.
Friday, March 29, Kiwanis will have their annual Pancake Day. The cost is $7 per ticket and located at the First United Methodist Church from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce (870)523-3618.
Saturday, March 30, Jacksonport State Park will have a Pearl Stringing Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 28 by 3:00 p.m. The event costs $20 per person and each participant will make and take home a beautiful Fresh Water Pearl necklace. For more information call Jacksonport State Park (870)523-2143.
Saturday, April 6, Jacksonport State Park will host Park Day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Cleaning supplies will be provided to volunteers. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a picnic lunch. Meet at the Jacksonport Visitor Information Center to receive your assignments. This is a great service project for youth groups, church groups, and civic organizations. For more information call (870)523-2143.
Saturday, April 6, A Spring Fling Vendor Fair will be at the Jackson County Senior Center on 400 N. Pecan Street from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For booth rental or more information contact Glynis Dunham at (879)217-1504 or email glynis_dunham@yahoo.com .
Tuesday, April 23, ASU-Newport Patron Series will host Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack at 7:00 p.m. An amazing Broadway production based on the musical and comedic legacy of the Rat Pack, this show captures the relationship, respect, love and timeless laughter of that once-in-a lifetime group of performers who defined a moment in history. Armed with their passion and the most extraordinary musical and creative team plus the comic genius synonymous with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Joey Bishop, “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” is one of the most successful live theatrical productions of its kind, touring throughout the United States in hundreds of performing arts venues to critical acclaim. Priding itself on its uniqueness and originality, this show makes you laugh, cry and leaves audiences wanting for more. For tickets, call (870)512-7800.
For more information email the Newport Chamber at director@newportarchamber.org.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.