A center to highlight the culture surrounding the Big Piney River and its influence on the area will open next month in Houston, an organizer reports.
The Big Piney River Nature Center is situated on South U.S. 63 near Durham Road on the east side of the highway. Houston native Larry Dablemont, the organizer of the project, said an Oct. 26 opening is planned. “That day we will begin putting in the first displays, and we will have a couple of real attractions,” Dablemont said.
Planned are:
•Jerry McCoy, who owns a large outdoor antique store at Bull Shoals Lake, will display various antique lures and fishing gear. He is making a donation to the center and will evaluate any outdoor-oriented antiques, including lures, reels and other items. Dablemont describes him as the “foremost expert in the Arkansas-Missouri Ozarks in regard to vintage fishing gear.”
•Dablement will have 200 of his own fishing lures for sale. An author, he also will autograph his books.
•Artist Duane Hada of northern Arkansas is an expert on rivers and river ecology. He discovered a trout species in the Ozarks that was unknown. Dozens of his painting will be one display. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. he will set up a canvas and paint a scene from start to finish. That work will be raffled to benefit the center. “I have seen Duane do this before and if there are young aspiring arts out there who wish to see him work that would be invaluable to them,” Dablemont said. (See https://www.rivertowngallery.com/)
•An old wooden johnboat on display and the first aluminum boat made in the Ozarks.
•Vendors on site. Proceeds generated will go to cover electric and water costs, as well as other expenses, at the center, which is situated at 6401 S. U.S. 63.
To learn more call Dablemont at 417-777-5227 or email lightninridge47@gmail.com