Duggles Stuff

Today, the fourth and final installment of a series of articles was published in our own hometown newspaper (The Log Cabin Democrat - right here in Conway Arkansas). The series featured 101 free (or near free) things to do and see here in our state. When I read the first in the series last month, I was inspired to post the Arkansas Wine Country info. After reading the lastáarticle today, it struck me that I should post the complete list for posterity, to keep from having to save the newspaperá clippings, and for the convenience of anyone else wanting to explore our Natural State on the cheap…

áso… I posted the whole list:
101 Free Things to do in The Natural State
I could have put the whole list here, but…. I didn’t want to….

enjoy…

Since we’ve lived here in Arkansas for almost 20 years now, I guess it might be time to check out the Arkansas Wine Country! But where to start?á

How about Chateau aux Arc Vineyards and Winery? http://www.chateauauxarc.com/
Just two miles off of I-40 (Exit 41), Chateau aux Arc is open seven days a week 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.á

or…

Mount Bethel Winery?
http://www.mountbethel.com/Mount Bethel Winery is located on 5014 Mount Bethel Drive just off Highway 64, approximately 1/4 mile East of Altus Arkansas, 6 miles from Interstate 40.
Tasting Room and StoreáHours:
Mon-Sat: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 12:00 Noon - 5:00PM
Phone: 479-468-2444
á

or…

Post Familie Winery?
http://www.postfamilie.com/

Directions:

From Interstate 40, take Altus exit 41, Continue south 6 miles on Hwy 186 to downtown Altus, Winery will be on your left.

From US 64 in downtown Altus, go one block north on Hwy 186, Winery will be on your right.á1700 St. MaryÆs Mountain Rd.

Retail Hours:
Sunday: Noon to 5pm
Mon-Sat: 9:30am to 6pm
Tours:
By Request 11-3pm
Phone: (800) 275-8423
(479) 468-2741 á

or…

Wiederkehr Village?
http://www.wiederkehrwines.com/
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars lies nestled among the Boston Mountains of Arkansas, atop St. Mary’s Mountain. From Interstate 40, take exit 41 onto Highway 186 south. Follow the signs to Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, about 4 miles.
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and the Weinkeller Restaurant are open daily (except major holidays) for dining, wine tastings, cellar tours, and wine sales. We are closed on these major holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve (the Weinkeller Restaurant is open for lunch only), and Christmas Day.
Hours for the Weinkeller Restaurant are:

MondayùSaturday
á ò Lunch from 11 am to 3 pm
á ò Dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm?
Sunday
á ò All day from 11 am to 9 pm
Tours of the winery and cellars are every 45 minutes from 9 am to 4:30 pm every day.
Wine sales are available in the Vintage 1880 Wine Shoppe and in the Restaurant from 8:30 am to 9 pm every day.áThe Vintage 1880 Wine Shoppe is open Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 6 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 8:30 am to 7 pm. Browse through our award-winning wines, a wide selection of gourmet food items, wine accessories, and exquisite gifts from around the world.á

or…

Cowie Wine Cellars?
http://www.cowiewinecellars.com/Located 3 miles west of Paris, Arkansas on Scenic Highway 22 at Carbon City.
Open 10 am - 6 pm Monday through Saturday…..Sunday by appointment
Phone: 479-963-3990 or call 1-800-419-2691-01 101 N. Carbon City Road
Paris, Arkansas 72855

or…

how about a visit to the Diamond Bear Brewery in Little Rock?
Diamond Bear Brewing Company in Little Rock is Arkansas’s only production brewery. Its craft beers include Southern Blonde Ale, Pale Ale and Irish Red, which can also be purchased in western Tennessee and northern Louisiana. Public brewery tours, which take 45 minutes to an hour, are offered at 2 p.m. every Saturday on a first-come, first-serve basis. Private group tours are available by special arrangement. The 6,000-square-foot brewery may also be rented for catered private parties. The Diamond Bear Brewery is located three blocks from the Arkansas State Capitol at 323 Cross Street, Suite C, Little Rock
(501) 708-BREW (2739)

Some of you know that over the past year or so I have become a big fan of Texas Holdem. The first few times I saw it being played on TV I thought to myself “how could anyone sit and watch people playing poker on TV?” - but one day I decided to watch for a while to see if I could figure out what was so fascinating about it. I’m not sure I can answer that question even now, but I’m pretty sure there’s no purer form of poker!

I found a couple of freebie downloads to see if I could figure out how to play. To make a long story short, it has become a BIG THING for me! I’m not in danger of losing money playing online cuz one of the first things I learned is how easy it is to lose! I found a few online sites that use play money but the best thing I found was a game that I could buy and install on my PC and play online with an online community that loves the game, wants to learn to play better, and plays for fun.

I felt pretty lucky to have found the game because most of what isápopular is nowhere near as good as DD Poker and most stores don’t carry it. Just in case anyone is interested, you can go to their website and download a demo which is fully functional in every way except that you cannot host a game. It’s easy enough to find games online and the community is small enough that you will find yourself playing against some of the same people often enough to learn a little about their playing style. There’s a chat window so that you can sort of get to know the people you’re playing with.

Check it out - DDPOKER - and if you wind up playing, keep an eye out for me. My handle is (predictably) Duggles…. I’ve even stumbled upon some other musicians and folks who were interested enough in music to buy Happenstance CDs after checking out or website and song samples! (thanks Ted!) I’ve met a guy who plays in a band that does Beatles covers exclusively (up in the Northeast) and does a great job.á Check out Ted’s group “Number Nine“.

anyway… I guess that’s all I have to say about that….