Having been to Searcy on numerous occasions, I did not think that I would find a new thing to share. But if one asked enough questions and follows enough leads, there are interesting things to be found everywhere. Here are a few that I discovered.

The Arch Street Dinner Theater is a new venture that deserves to be patronized. It is located one block off Race Street, beside the courthouse. Lana Hallmark has done an excellent job of assembling a troupe of actors who do a superb job. The food is catered by various restaurants in the area and was splendid on the night I attended.

The Black House is the home of the White County Arts Council and Gallery. It is apparently named for a former owner, as it is the beautiful yellow Victorian on Race St., just past the Courthouse. Their permanent exhibit of charcoal drawings, done in 1894, is well worth a trip to see.

The Lightle House, owned by Billy and Myra Martin, is Searcy�s only B&B. There are five beautifully decorated guest rooms. Lunch and dinner is also served. A group of 12 couples can arrange a special dinner on any night except Sunday. The Lightle House is also on Race Street across from Hancock Fabrics.

Following many requests from friends, I checked out Yarnell Ice Cream plant. In conversation with the PR Director, Eddie Best, I learned that they do not give tours at this time due to insurance restraints. However, they are working on it.

My big surprise came at the River Oaks Golf Center. (Incidentally, those persons living outside of White County can play there without being a member of the club.) I had been told that E.D. Yancy, the CEO, had some unique cottages built on the golf course. He was kind enough to allow me to tour them, even the inside of his personal one.

Prior to my moving to Heber Springs, I had sent off for Southern Living�s book on cabin plans. They were adorable. I never got to build one, but I kept the book. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the "cottages" were exactly like the cabins in my Southern Living book. When I got home, I got out my book, looked inside the front cover and saw that the cover photo was made in River Oaks, Searcy, Arkansas.

E.D. Yancy has been a good friend of architect, Bill Phillips for a number of years. Phillips has designed most of the homes in River Oaks. When it was discovered that a knoll beside the golf course was not suitable for the traditional home, Yancy called on Phillips for ideas. Phillips told him that Southern Living had been wanting him to design some small houses for weekend or retirement purposes, so this might be a good time. The cottages in my Southern Living book and located on the gofd course, are the result.

When Southern Living announced an open house for the cottages, over 10,000 people from 30 states attended. Many were wanting to see finished models prior to their building one. Each has less than 1000 sq. feet and is designed to look like part of a village: a store, gist mill, teacherage, even a church is in the plans . The exteriors are cypress and stacked rock. Most have fireplaces. Yancy personally has the grist mill, complete with a working water wheel on the side. His landscaping is unusual and very beautiful.

The original plan was for these to be weekend rentals or timeshares, but now all but one are private residences. For more information or directions to the cottages, stop in the pro shop. You can reach the Golf Center by turning left off Race Street beside the White County Hospital onto Hospital Drive

So don�t take any place for granted just because you have been there many times. Each town has its own unique features that are worth exploring. Happy travels.