In 19th century Arkansas, physicians were few and far between, and many people did not have money to pay a doctor even when one was available. By necessity, many housewives and farmers compounded their own home remedies and treated themselves. Lotions, Potions, and Tinctures, Oh My!” is a 5 1/2 hour workshop in which participants will explore common 19th century remedies and herbal medicines that were available locally and compounded in the home. Begin preparation of the herbal tincture of your choice to take home. Participants will also make the wonderful 19th century remedy called “Opodeldoc.” We’ll leave it up to you to discover what that is, but it was very popular in Arkansas right up until the 1960’s! And then the class will make a generous amount of their own exotic medicated bath salts to use at home. February 16, 201910 am – 3:30 pm Meeting Place: Visitor Information Center Admission: $25 per person Minimum of 10, maximum of 25 participants Participants must be 18 years and older.Advance registration is required. Registration must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019. Lunch is on your own. (There are several eating places just 4 miles away in Newport.) This building is fully accessible to those with disabilities. For more information, please contact the park staff at Jacksonport State Park, 205 Avenue Street, Newport, AR, 72112, telephone: (870) 523-2143 or email: Jacksonport@arkansas.com.
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.