“Hometown Heroes’ Documentary Debuting at Melba”
Old Independence Regional Museum, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute, is proud to present: “Hometown Heroes”. The sports based documentary will debut Monday, November 13th, 7 p.m. at the Melba Theater. Admission is free, donations are appreciated.
Nearly everyone has a personal reason for loving sports. Each person’s connection is unique to their own experience as an athlete, fan, or coach; each experience influences a person’s life. Which sports experiences have shaped your life? A great team rivalry, a dedicated coach, special teammates? “Hometown Heroes” shares personal triumphs and defeats, wacky game day superstitions, the thrill of rivalries, the economic impact of athletics, and much, much more. Join as we explore the many ways sports shape our community, our families, and ourselves.
“Hometown Heroes” was filmed, edited, and produced entirely by EAST programs from Batesville, Cedar Ridge, Midland, and Southside schools, in partnership with Old Independence Regional Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Youth Access Grant. Students from each school began working on the documentary last November. Over the last year, students interviewed more than thirty local current athletes, former athletes, coaches, fans, school faculty, and community officials concerning the impact of team sports on their lives, careers, and communities.
“Hometown Heroes” was created in concurrence with the Smithsonian Institute’s Museums on Main Street’s exhibit “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America,” which will be on display at OIRM beginning December 16, 2017. “Hometown Teams” explored how sports influence the culture of communities and the lives of athletes and fans, alike.
Project funded by the Youth Access Grant; made possible by the Smithsonian Institute, EAST Initiative, Old Independence Regional Museum, and the great residents of Independence County.
For more information call the museum at 870-793-2121.
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 serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity 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.