Summer 2021

Summer 2021

2021 SUMMER COASTMAGAZINE

Oklahoma City to Little Rock Exploring the South-Central American Heartland

Wonderful Wheaton Time to explore this Illinois city

SUMMER FUN Cherry Valley Lakes Resort Beaumont, California Lake of the North West Branch, Michigan Millbrook Outdoor Resort Jefferson, Ohio

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CONTENTS

TRAVEL 12 Wonderful Wheaton Time to explore this Illinois city BY DEE LITTEN WHITED 19 Oklahoma City to Little Rock

GOOD SAM AND CAMPING WORLD CHAIRMAN AND CEO Marcus Lemonis [email protected] COAST TO COAST PRESIDENT Bruce Hoster [email protected]

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MEMBER SERVICES 64 Inverness Drive E. Englewood, Colorado 80112 800-368-5721 [email protected] COAST TO COAST WEBSITE CoastResorts.com COAST TO COAST FACEBOOK Facebook.com/CoastResorts EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Dee Whited ART DIRECTOR Nicole Wilson

Exploring the South-Central American Heartland BY RICHARD VARR

26 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Finds a New Playing Field in Port St. Lucie STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAULA LOEHR

DEPARTMENTS 4 From the President 6 Resort Updates 31 RV Review

RESORT PROFILES 8 Cherry Valley Lakes Resort Beaumont, California 9 Lake of the North West Branch, Michigan 10 Millbrook Outdoor Resort Jefferson, Ohio

Volume 40, Number 3. Coast to Coast (ISSN 1093-3581) is published quarterly for $14 per year as part of annual membership fees, by Coast to Coast Resorts, 64 Inverness Drive E., Englewood, Colorado 80112. Coast to Coast Resorts assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any method without prior written consent of the publisher. ©2021 Camp Coast to Coast, LLC. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE USA. COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT HOT SPRINGS CTC60536 - 0621

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

PUTTING MEMBERS FIRST Introducing

Here’s what www.RVRentals.com includes for RV owners looking to rent their RVs: Rental protection – Your RV is protected for up to $1 million in the event of fire, theft, damage, or accident. Your rig is an investment, and we’ve got you covered. Visit insurance FAQs for more information. Lowest peer to peer rates – Owners connect with renters in the Good Sam rental marketplace with the lowest peer-to-peer rates available. 24/7 roadside support – Your RV gets assistance wherever and whenever it's needed. Keep your rental protected with 24/7 roadside support. Good Sam Members earn more – As a Good Sam member, you unlock ever better commission rates when renting your RV. Plus connect with the world’s largest RV community. Good Sam RV Rentals makes it easy to rent your RV to other outdoor enthusiasts. Simply create a profile, provide information and photos of your RV, publish a calendar of your RVs availability, then book rentals and earn extra income. Communication between the renter and owner during the reservation process is encouraged to make sure rental expectations are clear before it's time to hand over the keys. RV owners have the final word on all rental agreements, including who rents your RV. Whether you are an RV owner, or someone looking to rent an RV, find everything you need and get excellent care and advice from our world-class customer service. Renters will see the difference a Good Sam membership can make. Visit www.RVRentals.com today.

Our parent company, Good Sam, believes everyone should have the chance to experience the outdoors with the convenience and comfort of an RV. Good Sam’s new RV rental platform, which you can find at https://www.rvrentals.com/, combines everything you’ve come to trust and expect from Good Sam and extends it to RV renters and RV owners. Good Sam’s new peer-to- peer RV rental marketplace connects owners and renters to maximize the owner’s return on investment while allowing the renter to pay less money. RVs are more popular than ever and the demand to rent them is higher than ever. You can rent your RV through Good Sam RV Rentals when you aren’t using it for your own travels. Good Sam RV Rentals’ philosophy is that the RV owner keeps more of their money and the RV renter is spending less for their rental. Both the owner and renter benefit, and as an RV owner, you are sharing the fun RV lifestyle with others. Also, Good Sam members can unlock ever better commission rates when renting their RV. To find out more about how it works, visit https://www.rvrentals.com/ today! Here’s a sample of what’s in store for those looking to rent an RV on www.RVRentals.com : Explore – Search through extensive rental listings to find the right RV for your trip. Choose based on style, size, and amenities—with any add-ons to boot. Rent – With just a few clicks, message owners, select options, get verified, and reserve your RV. Good Sam members get discounts on each rental. Drive – Get behind the wheel and start your adventure. With 24/7 roadside assistance and $1M in coverage, Good Sam is with you for the long haul. Rate – Help great RV owners connect with future renters. Rate your trip, upload your amazing photos and stories from the road, and share your RV experience with others.

MARCUS LEMONIS Chairman and CEO Camping World & Good Sam [email protected]

BRUCE HOSTER President Coast to Coast Resorts [email protected]

FROM THE PRESIDENT

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“ IF YOU’RE NOT HAPPY, I ’M NOT HAPPY. ”

Need anything? I’m here to help. CALL MY OFFICE 866.232.8790 or Email me at [email protected]

Marcus Lemonis Chairman and CEO Camping World and Good Sam

CTC60136 - 0221

RESORT UPDATES ADDITIONS AND CHANGES TO THE 2021 DIRECTORY The 2021 Coast to Coast Resort Directory is packed with everything you need to navigate the network of Coast to Coast Resorts and Coast Good Neighbor Parks. To keep members up-to-date, each issue of Coast magazine includes any updates that have occurred since the last issue. COAST DELUXE GEORGIA Southern Trails RV Resort, Unadilla (page 143) 50 amp service $4/night NEW MEXICO Hidden Valley Resort, Tijeras (page 162) When towing a vehicle, must unhook after check-in before going to site due to hilly terrain. NEW YORK Schroon River Escape Lodges & RV Resort, Diamond Point (page 163) Reservation phone: 518-893-0537 COAST DELUXE RESORT TERMINATION MICHIGAN Lighthouse Village, Homer (page 151) COAST CLASSIC COAST CLASSIC RESORT TERMINATIONS WASHINGTON Beachwood Resort, Birch Bay (page 190) WISCONSIN Harbour Village Resort, Sturgeon Bay (page 200) West Bay Camping Resort, Rhinelander (page 200)

GOOD NEIGHBOR PARKS NEW GOOD NEIGHBOR PARKS ARKANSAS

Pecan Grove RV Park, 3768 Highway 82 & 65 South, Lake Village, AR, 71653. Phone (870) 265-3005, email [email protected], website www.turnoninn.com . Directions: From Jct of US 281 & Monte Cristo Rd, W 6.1 mi on Monte Cristo Rd to Ware Rd (FM S-bnd: From Jct of US 65 & US 82 (in Lake Village), S 2.7 mi on US 65 & US 82 (R); or N-bnd: From Jct US 65 & US 82, 1.7 mi on US 65 & US 82. Park on L. Check in 3:00 p.m., check out 11:00 a.m. Max RV length 45 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate 20% discount on daily rate from Jun 1 - Mar 1. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: tax 12%. FLORIDA Oak Haven MH & RV Park, 10307 SW Lettuce Lake Ave, Arcadia, FL, 34269. Phone (863) 494-4578, email [email protected], website www. oakhavenrvpark.com . Directions: From Jct I-75 (Ex 170) & Hwy 769 (Kings Hwy): Go 6 mi N on Hwy 769 (Kings Hwy), then 2 mi E on Hwy 761, then 1/4 mi S on Lettuce Lake Ave, park is on L. Check in 1:00 p.m., check out noon. Max RV length 45 feet, max amps 50. Notations: Special 20% discount off nightly rate for Coast members. Rate includes: 2 adults per site, electric, water, sewer. Discount available Jun 1 to Nov 1 only. Season: Year round. Sun N Shade RV Resort, 14880 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL, 33955. Phone (941) 639-5388, email [email protected], website www.sunnshade. com. Directions: From Jct of I-75 & CR-762/Tuckers Grade Rd (Exit 158), W 1 mi on CR-762 to US-41, S 3.4

RESORT UPDATES

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Gateway MHP & RV Park, 400 FM 3168, Raymondville, TX, 78580. Phone (956) 689-6658, email Gateway@ vineyardsmg.com, website www.gatewayrvtexas.com. Directions: From Jct US 77 & FM 3168: Go ¼ mi S on Frtg Rd, then ½ mi W on FM. Park on L. Check in 11:00 a.m., check out noon. Max RV length 45 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $36. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: tax 8.25%. Season: Year round. Magnolia Village MHP & RV Park, 3707 E Hwy Business 83, Donna, TX, 78537. Phone (956) 464-2421, email [email protected]. Directions: From Jct of US Bus 83 & Victoria Rd go E 1/2 mi. Park on R. Check in 11:00 a.m., check out 11:00 a.m., Max RV length 40 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $40.50. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: tax 8.25%. Whip In RV Park, 7000 S Service Rd I-20, Big Springs, TX, 79720. Phone (432) 393-5242, email [email protected], website www.whipinrvpark. com. Directions: From Jct I-20: Go 200 ft S on Moss Lake Rd Exit 184. Park on L. Check in 11:00 a.m., check out 11:00 a.m. Max RV length 45 feet, max amps 50. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $28. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups, Wi-Fi, cable TV. Additional charges: tax 8.25%. Season: Year round. GOOD NEIGHBOR PARK UPDATES SOUTH DAKOTA Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park, Deadwood (page 220): Coast discount available Sept 1-30 GOOD NEIGHBOR PARK TERMINATIONS MINNESOTA Pipestone RV Campground, Pipestone (page 215) UTAH McArthur's Temple View RV Resort, St. George (page 227) WASHINGTON The Cedars RV Resort - Holiday Trails Resorts, Ferndale (page 228)

mi. Park on L. Watch for tall American flag. Check in 1:00 p.m., check out 11:00 a.m. Max RV length 45 feet, max amps 50. Notations: 2021 Coast discount 20% available 5/1-10/31. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: Extra adult $3.50/ night, Wi-Fi, tax 7%. Season: Year round. TEXAS Bar J Hitchin Post RV, 50 N Hopkins Rd, Sweetwater, TX, 79556. Phone (325) 236-3889, email barjrv@gmail. com, website www.barjhitchinpostrv.com. Directions: From Jct I20 & exit 242: Go 1 Blk N on CR142, resort on L. Max RV length 45 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $35.20. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook- up. Additional charges: tax 8.25%. Season: Year round. Camelot Village RV Park, 6001 34th St, Lubbock, TX, 79407. Phone (806) 792-6477, email camelot@ evergreenmh.com, website www.camelotvillagelubbock. com. Directions: From Jct Loop 289W & 34th St Ex: Go 500 feet W on 34th St, park on L. Check in noon, check out 1:00 p.m. Max RV length 45 feet, max amps 50. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $35. Rate includes 2 adults per site, electric, water, sewer. Additional charges: Tax 8.25%. Season: Year round. Carefree Valley MHP & RV Resort, 4506 N Bus 77, Harlingen, TX, 78552. Phone (956) 335-9396, email [email protected]. Directions: From Jct of I-69 S & Primera exit: Go 0.4 mi N (right) on US-77 Business N. Park is on R. Check in 11:00 a.m., check out noon. Max RV length 45 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $27. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: tax 8.25%. Citrus Valley MH & RV Park, 2901 Hwy 107 West, McAllen, TX, 78504. Phone (956) 383-8189, email [email protected], website www. citrusvalleymhrvpark.com. Directions: From Jct of US 281 & Monte Cristo Rd, W 6.1 mi on Monte Cristo Rd to Ware Rd (FM 1925), S 2 mi to US 107, E 0.4 mi. Park on R. Check in 11:00 a.m., check out noon. Max RV length 45 feet. Notations: 2021 Coast rate $36. Rate includes 2 adults per site, full hook-ups. Additional charges: tax 8.25%.

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RESORT TYPE: Deluxe LOCATION: Beaumont, California SEASON: Year-round WEBSITE: www.coloradoriveradventures.com

Cherry Valley Lakes Resort Stay and play at the gateway to Palm Springs

This deluxe 5-star RV campground is located just minutes from Palm Springs and 40 miles east of Los Angeles. Immediate freeway access makes Cherry Valley Lakes Resort the Gateway to Palm Springs. Only 10 minutes west of Cabazon’s Morongo Casino and two major outlet shopping centers, Cherry Valley Lakes Resort is a perfect choice for all overnight or destination RV enthusiasts. Amenities abound. Relax at the spacious clubhouse or meet new friends and old ones at the many hosted activities or at the various barbecue and picnic areas. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and pool toys to splash and play in the heated swimming pool or soak in the oversized, covered Jacuzzi. Bring your fishing gear to land the big one in the stocked fishing lakes. Even the little ones can catch and release one of the many little swimmers in their two fully stocked catch-and-release ponds. No fishing license required. Get some exercise at the horseshoe pits, volleyball, tennis, and basketball

courts. Your family pet is also welcome in this pet-friendly resort. In addition to all of the beauty surrounding Palm Springs and within the secure, gated ranch, you’ll also find large laundry facilities, clean bathrooms, and showers with spacious dressing areas. And if you have to leave the resort, take advantage of the year-round RV and trailer storage. Your children or grandchildren are pampered at the resort. You’ll love the resort’s fully staffed Kids Club. Parents have an opportunity to relax on their own and be guaranteed their kids are safe and having the time of their life. If you’re traveling without your rig or have friends or family meeting you, choose from the spacious loft cabins that sleep 4-8 and are fully equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes. They have picnic tables and barbecue facilities adjacent to the sites.

RESORT PROFILES

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RESORT TYPE: Premier LOCATION: West Branch, Michigan SEASON: May 1 – October 1 WEBSITE: www.outdooradventuresinc.com

Outdoor Adventure’s Lake of the North Resort and Campground is located on beautiful Lake George near the historic city of West Branch, Michigan. The quiet, back-to-nature atmosphere of Lake of the North is a great place for those who love camping in the outdoors. Nearby, you can enjoy outlet shopping, antiquing, arts and crafts, festivals, a summer music series, two 18- hole public golf courses, Seney Wildlife Refuge, fishing, hunting, and much more. But you don’t need to go offsite to have a wonderful “stay-cation” at Lake of the North Resort. Depending on whatever lifestyle you want to pursue, you can have it here. Set up your lounge chairs on your spacious site and chill, or take advantage of beautiful Lake George, an all-sports lake. Rent a boat, go fishing, go for a swim, or sit on the resort’s private beach and enjoy the fun and the sun. Lake of the North Back to nature at Lake George

Of course, if you want to meet your fellow RVers, join in one or more of the staff’s planned activities. Join your fellow campers and the staff for a community bonfire. Make new friends and more memories. And the s’mores are pretty awesome, too. Take your family to the onsite putt-putt course or play horseshoes or volleyball. Stop in the resort store for some forgotten items or for a snack. Check out what’s happening at the pavilion. You might find tie-dying outside, an auction inside, someone playing video games, or a song on the jukebox. Don’t hesitate to join in the fun. Offsite, take a hike or bike on the 13.6-mile Ogemaw Hills Pathway. If you’re an off-road vehicle enthusiast, then Ogemaw County has something for you—an ordinance that allows ORV riders to ride on streets and highways to and from the extensive trail system near the resort.

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RESORT TYPE: Deluxe LOCATION: Jefferson, Ohio SEASON: May 1 – October 14 WEBSITE: www.millbrookresortohio.com

Millbrook Outdoor Resort Where generations of memories have been made

Enjoy Mother Nature amid 120 acres of woodlands and rolling acreage and experience first-class amenities and planned recreational activities for all ages at MillBrook Outdoor Resort. As for accommodations, if you’re without your rig, choose to stay in a luxury villa, park villa, or rustic lakeside cabin. Distinguishing itself from other campgrounds in Ohio and Pennsylviania,MillBrookOutdoorResort inJefferson,Ohio, offers planned activities, events, and themed weekends during the year, ranging from the Hawaiian Luaus and Live Bands to holiday events, including the resort’s 4th of July Freedom Fest. Their tradition of family, food, and fun is as strong today as it was in the early 1970s when the resort was founded. Volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, poker, and billiards tournaments are scheduled often and give you a chance to meet some new friends. Adults can also meet and greet at wine and cheese tastings, bingo, poker tournaments, and winery tours. And the kids aren’t forgotten. They’ll enjoy kids’ crafts, children’s Olympics,

bike parades, and coloring contests. Onsite there are too many amenities to list, but here are a few: indoor pool, health club, sauna, teen center, entertainment center, sand volleyball, miniature golf, basketball courts, and shuffleboard. Add to that horseshoes, a sand beach, football field and bocce ball and croquet, you’ll never be bored. At the 10-acre stocked recreation lake, enjoy row boats, paddle boats, kayaks, water volleyball, and fishing docks, along with occasional fishing contests. The teen center offers everything from video games, pool tables, and air hockey, to soda and vending machines. If you choose to drive offsite, there’s plenty to do. Take walleye charters while visiting Ohio’s largest recreation lakes: Pymatuning, Mosquito, and Lake Erie. Hike or bike miles of paths at the Western Reserve Greenway Trail. Tour Ashtabula County’s famous covered bridges, including the nation’s largest, stretching 613 feet across and 93 feet above the Ashtabula River.

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America is opening up and NOW is the time to book a real Summer Vacation! There are so many things to see and do in this great country! You can take a train or plane, or even drive from “sea to shining sea”. You can lay on a warm sandy beach, hike or ride bikes in the mountains or even visit the iconic places you have always wanted to see. Let us help you book an adventure now that will get you out of the house and start enjoying the wide open spaces! Choose Your Summer Adventure : • Discount Condo Vacations

• Houseboat Rentals • Glamping Vacations • Treehouses, Teepees, Yurts, and other Outdoor Resort Weekly Rentals

WONDERFUL WHEATON Time to explore this Illinois city



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Town Square Wheaton, Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB.

Wheaton arrived and between the two of them, they laid claim to 940 acres of prime land. They were followed by other settlers from New England who joined them in the community. One of the smartest things the trio did was to give the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad three miles of right of way. Railroad officials named the depot Wheaton. I’m sure that thrilled the brothers. The railroad and beautiful depot in downtown Wheaton is still an important facility because the city is a bedroom community for many who work in the Chicago area. The community was incorporated as a village in 1859with Warren serving as its first president. It was incorporated as a city in 1890, when the first mayor of the city was selected—Judge Elbert Gary, who was a key founder of U.S. Steel in 1901. But enough about history. As much fun as it is to delve into that aspect, you’ll want to know why you should come to Wheaton today. Of course, you can’t ignore the fact that Wheaton is only 29 miles from Chicago. Use Wheaton as a home base and discover all there is to do in Chicago, including the Skydeck at Willis Tower, the Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. But you don’t have to even leave the area. The Wheatons and the Garys weren’t the only folks

The Morton Arboretum, Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB and The Morton Arboretum.

WONDERFUL WHEATON By Dee Litten Whited

I’ve always been fascinated by how different regions were explored and then settled. I’ve lived in places where I wondered, “What were they thinking?” But when I visited Wheaton, Illinois, I could clearly imagine what “they” were thinking. It was in 1831 when Charles Wesley Gary came from Connecticut to the area now known as Wheaton. He must have liked what he saw because he made several trips to and from Pomfret, Connecticut, before moving his family, including his mother, to Wheaton. I think I know what his wife was thinking when he announced they were moving. “We’re doing what? We’re moving five states away where there’s no town?” She must have finally agreed or went begrudgingly, because Gary laid claim to 790 acres (or 320 half hectares, if you prefer). Gary must have been very persuasive because it wasn’t long before his friends Warren L. Wheaton and Jesse

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Locally grown vegetables abound at Wheaton’s French Market.

Wheaton’s French Market features fresh cut flowers.

Some of the tempting baked goods at Wheaton’s French Market.

who found the area enticing. In 2018, Money Magazine named Wheaton No. 27 on their Best Place to Live in Illinois. In 2014 Wheaton was rated among the top 12 suburbs by Chicago Magazine’s Best Places to Live. In the same year George Washington University bestowed the honor to Wheaton as one of the Top Walkable Cities in the Chicago Area. There was another family who foundWheaton irresistible. In 2016, my son and his family (Scott, Holly, Tommy, and Brandon Reed) moved to Wheaton answering a call to ministry there. They love it and have fully embraced all the city has to offer. That’s how I also discovered Wheaton. I, too, find it lovely. Wheaton in 2021 features a downtown out of central casting, a red brick town hall, an old theater with a classic façade, and locally owned shops. The downtown plays host to year-round events, such as Taste of Wheaton, a live music and food festival held at the outset of summer. A couple months later, residents can grab dinner at their downtown restaurant of choice and walk a few blocks to Shakespeare in the Park. If you’re yearning for home-grown fruit and vegetables or home-baked breads, freshly made desserts, and any homemade products, then attend the Saturday morning French Market. Pick up some flowers, a coffee, also craft

jewelry, or hot sauces. Many city residents choose to walk or ride their bikes to the market. After all, it is one of the Top Walkable Cities. When people first think of Wheaton, Illinois, they may first think of Wheaton College. It started out as the struggling Illinois Institute founded by the Wesleyans in 1853. When Warren Wheaton gave a parcel of land to the institute, President Jonathan Blanchard proposed to have the school renamed Wheaton College. It was his desire that the new college commit itself to a combination of intellectual growth and Christian faith and, for more than 165 years, the school has done just that. Today it offers 40 majors with a student-to-faculty ration of 10-1 and an average class size of 23. Visiting the campus will immediately immerse you into more than 155 years of history, with everything from the castle-like limestone structure of Blanchard Hall to the modern brick of the Meyer Science Center. The college also hosts the Billy Graham Center. Founded in 1980, the center is dedicated for the purpose of training today’s and tomorrow’s church leaders and reaches more than 100,000 people each year through training and teaching. The Billy Graham Center Museum is a family-oriented museum with rare artifacts and interactive displays covering 20,000 square feet of

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Wheaton College Campus, Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB.

Morton Arboretum 1-acre maze.

Performing artists at Wheaton College.

First Division Museum, Cantigny Park - Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB.

permanent and temporary exhibit space. Wheaton College also contributes to Wheaton’s art scene. Their Artist Series features world-renowned performers showcasing their unique musical expressions in Edman Chapel. Plan to enhance the evening experience by attending Grace Notes, the free pre-concert conversation before each main series event. In other art news, beginning on June 5, the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, in nearby Glen Ellyn, will host one of the largest private collections of original artwork by Frida Kahlo in a multifaceted exhibition entitled “Frida Kahlo: Timeless.” The exhibition, on view June 5 – September 6, 2021, will be the most comprehensive presentation of Kahlo’s work displayed in the Chicago area in more than 40 years. The DuPage Art League is active in Wheaton and presents a number of gallery exhibits, free public fine arts programs, and exhibits by the league’s artists in numerous commercial and public buildings. If you’re searching for fresh air, check out one of nearly 50 Wheaton city parks. This list doesn’t even include the large ones like The Morton Arboretum or Cantigny Park.

Cantigny Park is the 500-acre former estate of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune . It was named after a small village in France, where Col. McCormick commanded an artillery battalion in 1918 as a member of the U.S. Army’s First Division. The Battle of Cantigny was America’s first victory in World War I. You’ll never be bored at Cantigny and you may never have time to explore the entire site. I’m sure the variety of options will appeal to someone in your party. These include the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum, Cantigny Gardens, Visitors Center, and Walking Trails. Cantigny Golf, a 300-acre complex, includes 27 scenic holes and a full-service clubhouse with dining and banquet facilities. My husband, an avid bird watcher, found the walking paths irresistible and photographed many beautiful birds. The Morton Arboretum, in nearby Lisle, was founded in 1922 by Joy Morton, whose father founded Arbor Day. As an aside, Joy Morton founded the Morton Salt Company in Chicago in 1885. The motto of the arboretum is “Plant Trees.” Its grounds, covering 1,700 acres, include catalogued collections of trees, gardens, and restored areas. Enjoy the hiking trails, roadways for driving and bicycling, a 4-acre interactive children’s garden, and a

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Cantigny Park, Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB.

Wheaton City Hall.

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Morton Arboretum is a great place to see birds, like this beautiful tree swallow. Photo by L. Michael Whited.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Photo Courtesy of DuPage CVB.

1-acre maze. For kids of all ages, a visit to the Cosley Zoo is a must. Get close to nature right in the heart of the suburbs. The zoo is home to farm animals and native Illinois wildlife. Visitors will be immersed in natural habitats for white-tailed deer, red fox, Blanding’s turtles, a bobcat, a coyote, and more. The zoo is instrumental in helping to increase the population of the endangered Blanding’s turtle. Eggs are hatched at Willowbrook Wildlife Center where the baby turtles spend their first year of life. Cosley hosts them for the second year and then they are released into the wild. The program has helped to release 2,100 turtles since 1996. For something a little more adult, check out Tasting deVine in Wheaton, which specializes in wine tasting, gourmet food items, Lynfred wines, chocolate covered wine, and a wine club. Established in 1999, Lynfred Winery is the oldest and largest, continuously operating, family winery in Illinois, producing more than 80 varietals. Wheaton has a thriving downtown with a large variety of restaurants and shopping. The Little Popcorn Shop is perhaps one of the most loved and narrowest stores in Wheaton measuring 4 feet wide by 64 feet long. In

1921, Wheaton resident E. Claire Brown placed a roof over an alleyway at 109 ¼ Front Street. Wedged between a barber shop and livery stand, Brown set up his first shop. Although it has since moved, it’s still little and still an iconic stop for any popcorn or candy lover. Today, stepping into the store’s small, quaint space is like stepping back in time. Popcorn is still freshly popped, candy lines the wall, and locals greet each other warmly while welcoming newcomers to this very special place. For more extensive shopping, drive to nearby Oak Brook and shop at Oakbrook Center, which is a spectacular outdoor mall. There’s an expansive selection of department stores, specialty stores, and an abundance of one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment experiences. Also in nearby Oak Brook you may visit a museum at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art. The founder, Joseph Lizzardro, gained appreciation for the unique characteristics of themineral world as a lapidary hobbyist and collector in the 1930s. He especially loved to cut and polish jade. In addition to jade, Joseph added other carvings to his collection and also items of amber, ivory, coral, agate, and gemstones. As his collection grew, his dream was to display the beauty of stone and share it with others. The museum’s collection includes mosaics,

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Old DuPage County Courthouse.

Wheaton Hall at Wheaton College. Photo by Scott Reed.

dioramas, jade carvings, cameos, organic gems, and gemstones. Wheaton’s DuPage County Historical Museum is housed in what was formerly known as the Adams Memorial Library. The building was erected in 1891 by John Quincy Adams (descendant of two presidents) as a gift to the community in memory of his late wife, Marilla Phipps Adams. In 1967, the building opened as the DuPage County Historical Museum. Designed by Charles Sumner Frost in the Richardsonion Romanesque style, the building was added to the National Register in 1981. The museum functions as the only institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of the material culture documenting the county of DuPage, Illinois. The collections represent artifacts collected by the DuPage County Historical Society since 1929 as well as artifacts collected by the museum since its founding in 1965. If you do plan to head into Chicago, go a bit east and visit Lake Michigan, the second largest of the Great Lakes. It’s about as close to an ocean as you’re going to see in the Midwest. A variety of businesses will help get you outfitted for a great water experience. Try your hand at paddle boarding, rent a jet ski, or even rent a boat. If you prefer being near the water, but not in it, then

Wheaton is not only a great walking city, but great for biking, too. Photo by Scott Reed

rent a bike. Renting bikes is super easy in Chicago since Divy came along. Divy stations are located all along the lake front. If you’re interested in having the bike all day, then try www.bikechicago.com. The early pioneers obviously didn’t know what to expect when they got to this beautiful part of the country, but you now have a good idea about why you need to head your rig either east, west, north, or south to take in all this gem has to offer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.wheaton.il.us • https://theccma.org/

https://cantigny.org/plan-your-visit/hours-and-fees/ www.discoverdupage.com • https://cosleyzoo.org/ https://lizzadromuseum.org/

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Oklahoma City to Little Rock Exploring the South-Central American Heartland

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Oklahoma National Monument, Photo courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City.

outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building downtown, stripping walls from the nine-story structure leading to dramatic rescues of survivors still trapped inside. The memorial’s design helps tell the story of what happened on that fateful day. The two tall gates, the actual entrances to the memorial, are placed across the reflecting pool to symbolize the unsuspecting minute before the 9:02 a.m. blast, and moments afterward with the realization of how it has changed this city and the nation forever. The reflecting pool runs along what was 5th street, where the exploding truck was parked. The 168 empty chairs now occupy the site where the Murrah Federal Building once stood. The chairs are lined in nine rows, representing the building’s nine floors. Each chair is the same, with tall bronze back supports and granite seats above opaque glass that illuminates with nightfall. The memorial is one of the more poignant sites to see in a trail of history within America’s south-central heartland while traveling from Oklahoma City to Tulsa and then crossing over to Arkansas’ Fort Smith, Hot Springs and Little Rock. Stops along the way showcase national historic sites, monuments to civil rights struggles, museums, architecture, natural attractions, and even a presidential library that reveal not only the region’s historical and cultural legacy, but momentous

Oklahoma City Memorial, one of the twin massive bronze-walled gates, Photo courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY TO LITTLE ROCK By Richard Varr

Time seemingly stands still for two minutes. Twin massive bronze-walled gates, one etched at 9:01 and the other at 9:03, flank a peaceful reflecting pool, its glassy waters aglow with a sheen from the morning sunlight. To one side sit 168 bronze chairs in orderly rows representing the victims of what happened here on the morning of April 19, 1995. And on the other side of the pool within a circular courtyard, the so-called Survivor Tree stands strong and still blooms 26 years after a horrific bomb blast tore and shredded its limbs. My visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial, often noted as the city’s top-rated and must-see site, evoked a strong sense of sorrow—an awkward silence as I would describe it—similar to what I felt when seeing New York City’s National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Oklahoma City bombing was an act of domestic terrorism when a truck bomb exploded

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Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa was built in ecclesiastical art deco style, Photo courtesy of Tulsa Regional Tourism.

Tulsa John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, Photo courtesy of Tulsa Regional Tourism.

events that have profoundly shaped American history. Along with the shimmering geometric art deco architecture and meandering downtown tunnels, there’s another component—albeit calamitous and tragic—of Tulsa’s legacy. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Black Wall Street Massacre, also known as the Greenwood Massacre, where angry mobs fueled what some have called the single worst incident of racial violence in American history. It stemmed from rumors of a black teenage boy assaulting a white girl in an elevator and resulted in angry white mobs burning—with firebombs dropped from airplanes—and decimating a few dozen city blocks of what once was one of the wealthiest African American communities in the country. Up to 300 people were killed, with hundreds injured. Today, John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park with its circular courtyards, water wall and statues pays tribute to the massacre’s victims. Greenwood Rising, a new and long-awaited history center memorializing this tragedy, opened this anniversary year. Taking part in the new center’s development was the same firm involved with the September 11 Memorial & Museum. “This rich, cultural experience (of Greenwood Rising) vividly highlights the legacy of Black Wall Street and

the prominent African Americans who lived and worked here 100 years ago,” says Ray Hoyt with Tulsa Regional Tourism. “The 1921 Race Massacre is likely Tulsa’s most regrettable point in history. But it’s history that needs to be shared, and we are encouraged by the way it’s spreading across the world and sparking courageous conversations.” History buffs will also delight in the fact that historic Route 66 passes through downtown Tulsa, where there are many examples of the city’s extensive art deco architecture resulting from the booming oil business a century ago. Zigzag and streamlined styles emblazon lobbies and facades of office towers including the Philcade Building financed by oilman Waite Phillips. Another stunning example—my favorite—is the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church built in ecclesiastical art deco style. Its soaring tower adds a distinctive touch to the city’s skyline. First built to provide security for the rich oil barons, Tulsa’s downtown tunnel system later expanded and today connects office buildings with garages and hotels, also providing a great way to explore art deco lobbies. “Linked to big money from Tulsa’s oil boom, the tunnels were created for Waite Phillips’ safety to maneuver around Tulsa’s downtown during the Great Depression

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Fort Smith Visitor Center, Photo courtesy of Fort Smith CVB.

The interior of Fort Smith, Photo courtesy of Fort Smith CVB.

Fort Smith Trail of Tears Overlook, Photo courtesy of Fort Smith CVB.

The gallows at Fort Smith, Photo courtesy of Fort Smith CVB.

in a time when gangsters sought out the wealthy,” explains Hoyt. From Tulsa, a two hour drive to just over the Arkansas border leads to the Fort Smith National Historic Site, the namesake of this military outpost founded in 1817. With 19th century artifacts including weapons, tools and the court gavel used by the so-called “Hanging Judge,” the site showcases the location of the first fort that’s no longer standing, and the still existing fort’s use through the Civil War years and as a Federal Court from 1872 until 1896. The outpost’s strategic location where the Arkansas and Poteau rivers converge became all the more important during the country’s sorrowful Trail of Tears march that forced Native American tribes to relocate from southern states to what’s now Oklahoma. “Fort Smith was built because of the Indian Removal Act of 1830,” explains park ranger Cody Faber, noting the so-called Trail of Tears Overlook. “Our (Trail of Tears) path is the river,” Faber continues. “Many of the tribes came up the Mississippi River and then traveled up the Arkansas instead of walking the entire length of the state of Arkansas.” This historic site includes the Visitor Center and Museum, which was first used as soldiers’ barracks and

mess hall, and later included the courtroom and jail. The Commissary Building housed troops during the Civil War, and later court officials. Federal Judge Isaac Parker, the “Hanging Judge,” served from 1875 until 1889. Those sentenced swung from the gallows that remain on the site today. “If you want to understand what’s taking place as a nation in the middle of the 19th century, Fort Smith is a great place to go look,” notes Faber. “It involves so many human stories, good and bad. You have the tragedy of the Trail of Tears, war, slavery, social upheaval, and people overcoming that.” Rustic Hot Springs, a two-and-a-half hour drive southeast of Fort Smith, sits nestled within scenic mountainsides. I was surprised to learn this town was once a notorious hangout for early 20th century gangsters during Prohibition and was where Major League Baseball’s spring training got its start. Why here? “Water is the reason millions of people have come here for centuries,” points out Director of Marketing for Visit Hot Springs Bill Solleder. The springs saturating the grounds have a constant flow of mineral-rich waters at an average 143 degrees Fahrenheit, formed from rainwater first seeping within

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Little Rock skyline at dusk, Photo courtesy of Little Rock CVB.

Oklahoma City Memorial, A Moment in Time Illuminated Tour. Photo courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City.

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Tunnels in Tulsa were built to provide security for the rich oil barons, Photo courtesy of Tulsa Regional Tourism.

Hot Springs, Arkansas, bath house. Photo courtesy of Visit Hot Springs.

the steep folds of the Quachita Mountains. Sinking deep into a recharge zone, down to 8,000 feet, water is then heated by the earth’s crust. In fact, the journey down is astoundingly slow, penetrating the thick rock layers about a foot a year and thus taking 4,400 years to bubble back up through fissures in the rock layers. “That water that we drink and soak in today comes from the time when the Egyptians were building the pyramids,” notes Solleder. From the mid 1800s through the early 1900s, several bathhouses, some in splendid Gilded-age and mansion- style architecture, were built over the springs. Of the eight on Bathhouse Row, only two remain operational where visitors can soak in the rejuvenating thermal waters. The Buckstaff Bathhouse features original bathtubs from when it opened more than 100 years ago, and the grandiose white-façade, cupola-domed Quapaw Bathhouse is named after a local Native American tribe. The other six were closed down and now have other functions, for example, as a brewery, Bathhouse Row’s gift shop and the town’s visitor center. Bathhouse Row today is within Hot Spring National Park, designated as such in 1921 because of the area’s precious water resources, and thus celebrating its 100th anniversary. It’s also the country’s oldest parkmaintained

by the National Park Service, stretching some 5,000 acres over surrounding mountainous areas with 26 miles of hiking trails, shallow thermal water pools and spring water spigots for drinking and filling jugs. A 216-foot- tall observation tower atop Hot Springs Mountain offers vast views of the valley town and Quachita Mountains. President Bill Clinton’s Hot Springs childhood home, a whitewashed house in Tudor Revival architectural style, is now a private residence and not open to the public. An hour’s drive east, however, offers a comprehensive look into his life and time in the White House at Little Rock’s William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park along the Arkansas River. Key to the center is the Presidential Library and Museum, an elongated steel and glass building jutting out over the riverbank. “The library was purposely done so to represent a bridge that President Clinton felt was symbolic of his bridging two centuries together,” says Linda Howell, a local tour guide and owner of Haunted Tours of Little Rock. “Little Rock is very fortunate to have this very impressive building.” Within the main exhibition hallways, large panels outline events during each year of the Clinton presidency along with replicas of his Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Video clips highlight snippets of his speeches, and photographs depict

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Little Rock Central High National Historic Site, Photo courtesy of Little Rock CVB.

Bronze sculptures of the Little Rock Nine are on the Capitol Grounds, Photo courtesy of Little Rock CVB.

The Broadway Bridge Riverfront Skyline Bridge in Little Rock, Photo courtesy of Little Rock CVB.

The Clinton Library in Little Rock at sunset, Photo courtesy of Little Rock CVB.

humorous moments. Clinton’s presidential limousine and his saxophones display are particularly popular. Little Rock’s momentous civil rights battleground was Central High School, where nine terrified but brave African-American students in 1957—with federal troops escorting them—climbed the grand stairwell of the previously all white Central High School under court- ordered desegregation. Day after day, they stood up to harassing mobs hurling threats and spit. Today, the multi-level, earthen brick building is still a working high school and the only one on the grounds of a National Historic Site. A visitor center and museum across the street tell the story that made national headlines. Bronze sculptures of the students, “Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument,” stands on the grounds of the Arkansas Capitol. “They are purposely facing the governor’s office window so that each time a governor looks out, he will be reminded to do what is morally correct rather than politically expedient,” notes Howell. One local attraction made movie history when North Little Rock’s Old Mill in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park appeared in opening scenes of the Civil War blockbuster Gone with the Wind . Built in 1933, the mill is a replica of a water-powered grist mill from the 1800s. “The landscape

is beautiful no matter the season,” says Howell. “It’s included on all of my public tours — it’s the last stop and the best.” Little Rock’s MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History highlights the state’s military heritage and includes an exhibition on its namesake, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The World War II hero was born there when the property, an arsenal dating back to the 1840s, served as apartments for military officers. Once the Arkansas State Capitol, the Old Statehouse Museum from 1833 today showcases the 19th century House of Representative chambers and Arkansas First Families and First Ladies’ gowns. Oklahoma museums worth noting include the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, which highlights Western art, cowboys and rodeos, Native American culture, and Victorian firearms. While in Tulsa, stop at the Gilcrease Museum to see the plaster molds of Abraham Lincoln’s life mask and hands taken in 1860, along with artworks and other historic artifacts. “Exploring history offers a chance to learn ethical and moral lessons,” Fort Smith’s Cody Faber concludes. “There are tens of thousands of human stories here—life lessons on how to study the failures and successes of history.”

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FLORIDA SPORTS HALL OF FAME Finds a New Playing Field in Port St. Lucie

FLORIDA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

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The wide range of sports displays at FSHOF are carefully curated in a brightly lit attractive space.

FSHOF boasts colorful floor-to-ceiling exhibits.

FLORIDA SPORTS HALL OF FAME Story and photos by Paula Loehr

ceiling throughout the shipshape 1,800-square-foot space. Large windows and glass-paneled entrance doors allow for a brightly lit, fully accessible walk-through or wheel-through tour. Objects on display include trophies, baseball bats, a bowling pin, boxing gloves, golf clubs, and a woven reed jai alai cesta. You can expect to see action-packed photographs, team jerseys, hats, helmets, jackets, and more than a few pairs of cleats. Memorabilia is donated by individual sports figures, coaches, and entire teams. Presently there are 60 engaging exhibits for guests to view. It's no wonder that FSHOF welcomes more than 50,000 visitors each year. In the field of football, there are plenty of iconic items from professional and collegiate teams. Emmitt Smith’s #22 jersey decorates one high-reaching wall. As you might expect, Miami Dolphins six-timer MVP Bob Griese and superstar coach Don Shula are represented. So are NFL wide receiver Bob Masterson and Gator sensation Tim Tebow, who also played professionally for the Denver Broncos. University of Florida's 1991 Southeastern Conference championship trophy looms large and commands respect. Florida State University Seminoles Coach Bobby Bowden and Miami Hurricanes Athletic Director Jack Harding earn respect, too. If baseball diamonds are your gems of choice, take

Have you heard the latest sports buzz from the Sunshine State? The Florida Sports Hall of Fame (FSHOF) relocated recently to the MidFlorida Event Center in Port St. Lucie on the state's Atlantic coast. A collaborative effort between the City of Port St. Lucie, Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and FSHOF paved the way for the Hall of Fame's March 2021 move from Davenport, Florida. Founded in 1961 by the Florida Sports Writers and Sportscasters Associations, Florida Sports Hall of Fame is now 60 years strong with 269 current members. The Hall salutes the Sunshine State's standout athletes, teams, coaches, sporting events, and rich athletic heritage. Inductees to FSHOF have powerful connections to Florida, either by birth or by spending extended periods of time in the state as amateur or pro athletes. Nominations for potential Hall of Fame candidates are submitted by the Board of Directors, current FSHOF members, and the general public. After a thorough screening process, qualified contenders are elected by “yes” votes from the Board of Directors and select Hall members. Exhibits at FSHOF are carefully arranged from floor to

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Miami Dolphins superstar Bob Griese is highlighted.

A bronze likeness of Dick Howser stands to the right of the entrance.

Memorabilia from FSU occupies its very own corner display case.

time to view the bronze likeness of Kansas City Royals famed coach, Dick Howser. It’s positioned to the right of FSHOF's entrance. Steve Garvey's #6 Dodger uniform graces the wall to the left above the same entryway. Inside the hall, baseball-themed art prints and Boog Powell's bat hang side by side. And you can't miss the well-preserved baseball signed by Ted Williams. Its pristine white leather with clearly legible blue ink signature is prominently displayed. Have you ever jumped through hoops to play basketball or do you get your kicks from scoring soccer goals? Fortunately, basketballs and soccer balls co-exist peacefully at FSHOF. Basketball fans might swoon over a replica of a jersey worn by Earvin “Magic” Johnson during an NBA All-Star game played in Miami. Roger Strickland’s less flashy youthful days at Bishop Kenny High School are recalled in a classic 1957 State Championship team photo. Nestled near famous basketballs is a soccer ball autographed by Tampa Bay Rowdies star Winston DuBose. In case golf is your cup of “tee,” there’s no shortage of green mementos at FSHOF. A vintage Arnold Palmer print stands out in the crowd and there’s a statesmanlike golf club signed by former U.S. Pres. George W. Bush.

Charlie Owens earns his place of distinction in the hall along with other golfing greats like snappy dresser Doug Sanders (Peacock of the Fairways) and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus. Tennis, anyone? Prints on FSHOF’s walls portray Chris Evert and Brian Gottfried swinging their rackets mightily while Monica Seles grits her teeth as she power slams a ball. In sharp contrast is a demure line-up of the 1947 U.S. Women’s Wightman Cup team all decked out in knee-length dresses with white embroidered blazers. Maybe auto racing is the sport that revs up your engine. Old-school photos from early Daytona Beach and Darlington races will get your wheels turning. Donnie and Bobby Allison and Lyn St. James are three featured race car drivers at FSHOF. 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits of the National Hot Rod Association is represented in 3D by his helmet and black, red, and yellow jumpsuit. Bobby Allison’s Miller multi-colored coveralls also do their part to enliven the hall. If hydroplane racing is your kind of ride, FSHOF’s most captivating presentation might be the scaled down flaming red reproductionof Bernie Little’s recordbreaking Miss Budweiser hydroplane. Candid photos of Bernie and Joe Little with jubilant racing colleagues personalize the

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