Paris Video
Paris Chamber of Commerce Director, Linda Hixson has talked with a documentarian, Ray Bertram about Paris. Here is a preview on YouTube of some of the Documentary film footage from his the Documentary series.
This is just a short preview of some of the footage that has already been filmed and not the finished documentary. Ray and the crew will return again on May 4 to complete shooting footage, then will do the studio work to put the finished film together, some of this footage may not even be in the final documentary.
Ms. Hixson offered, ‘ He said that the team was trying to decide on which small town to feature next in the series and that they were finding it hard to find a city our size that compares…in Mr. Bertram’s words, “Paris sets a very high bar and will be a hard city to follow.”
We knew that. Paris is a great little town to live in, visit and learn about its colorful history.
Attention Business Owners
Cowie Winery Featered On YouTube
Congratulations to Cowie Winery!
A visitor a few years ago had stopped by Robert and Betty Kay Cowie’s Winery. He and his friend are making a documentary on Muscadine grapes.
Here is in part, a letter he recently wrote…
‘Hi, Robert, ….. It’s been few years. I’m one of the guys who came to Paris in 2007 to make a film about muscadines. I’ll bet you never thought you would hear from me again!
Well, I finally have something to share. I’m sorry it took so long. Truth be told, when Greg and I moved to different states (Tennessee, Texas) several years ago, our documentary was already 95% complete. All we lacked was the narration and some final touches in editing. Add in a few babies and several new jobs and, well, I guess we got sidetracked.
Greg and I talked it over last week and decided to release the clips we do have complete. Here is the link to the section on Cowie Wine Cellars and the Arkansas Wine Museum:’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB0rUgWTjqE
‘Keep Paris Beautiful’ Special Request
UPDATE! Keeping Paris Beautiful..
Keep Paris Beautiful~~Please call (963-3243) or email (tvarnell@parisschools.org) if you would like to volunteer during the Keep Paris Beautiful event as soon as possible. The event is set for Saturday, April 20th. Sign-in will begin at 7:45 am and the event should wrap-up around noonish. The projects this year will include removing graffiti, painting, planting and litter pick up. Free lunch will be provided by First National Bank at Paris. Thanks for your help!
This just in from Tonya Varnell, Director of Communications & PR, Paris School District
It’s time to start planning for our “Keep Paris Beautiful” clean up event this spring! Last year, with the help of several student groups, staff members and community leaders we were able to plant 27 trees at the Wood Street Park, clean up Veteran’s City Park, ball fields, PES and PMS campuses, fairgrounds and stretch of hwy 22 in front of fairgrounds/airport and do some landscaping work around the superintendent’s office
For more information, you may reach Tonya Varnell at 479-963-3243.
Paris Chamber of Commerce to Reprint City Maps
In the past Paris Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Boonville Chamber of Commerce to create Logan Co., Boonville and Paris city maps. That supply of maps is nearly depleted from its first printing.
Coordinating efforts have begun to get the maps re-printed. Each city will have room for ten ad spaces for sale (at $150 each), on their portion of the map in order to pay for the re-printing. Ad space is about 3″ wide by 2.5″ tall. Arkansas Family Eye Care, ARVEST Bank, Ray Kiefer Automotive have already committed to the purchase of ads, getting this project off to a running start.
Members are invited to participate and submit their ads!
Deadline for ad purchase and submission of what you want on your ad (logo, address, phone, website, etc.) will be due to the Chamber office by Friday, February 15, 2013.
Electronic submission of your information is recommended with your logos please keep in mind, the current map is NOT in full color. It is in black & white and green; there is no anticipation of any color change.
Contact Linda D. Hixson, Executive Director of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, 479-963-2244 for more information and questions.
Cowie Winery Add Historical Bells To Its Collection
Robert Cowie has been collecting large bells for four years. He began with iron bells to be placed in his bell tower in front of the family chapel, St. Ann of the Bells, at the Cowie Winery in Paris, Arkansas. The bells have been sand blasted and powder coated to a gold/bronze color. The bells are named for the patron saints of the Cowie children as well as other saints and holy people. There are presently 12 bells in the tower. Eventually, it will be enlarged to accommodate 26 bells.
Also in the collection are four bells inside the chapel. The first is from Spain, which is inscribed, ‘Saint Francis in the year of our Lord 1727′.
The second is from Germany which is inscribed to say, ‘Joseph Dollar made me in a monastery near Munich in 1788′.
The third bell is from Scotland, saying, ‘ I am the gift of the Duke of Argon in 1780′.
The fourth bell was cast in France at the Bolee foundry in 1866 for the cathedral of Buffalo, New York.
Robert’s oldest of his collection came from a collection in Nebraska . It was cast in 1679 and says, ‘John the Greek made me in 1679′. It will soon be placed upside down in the chapel and used as a holy water fount.
Recently added to the collection is the largest bell (pictured here) in Arkansas:
A 61” bell from St. Joseph’s in Chicago and cast in St. Louis in 1903. It is presently in front of the Cowie home.
Additional bells including a rare set of tube bells are stored in the warehouse at the present time.
It is Robert’s goal to create a bell museum on the South side of Highway 22 across from the winery.
Visitors can currently view many of the historical bells already on display at the Winery located at 101 N Carvon City Road, Paris, AR. Call 479. 963. 3990 for business hours or visit http://www.cowiewinecellars.com
Toys for Tots Fundraiser by PHS
Paris High School is sponsoring a fundraiser for Christmas!
This year the proceeds will go to Toys for Tots.
Poinsettias will be available for $10 and can be picked up at the high school in the afternoon on December 7th.
We have a goal of selling 160 plants this year, which will allow us to donate $1000 to Toys for Tots!!!
Project Graduation Fundraiser for Paris 2013 Class
Deer hunters breakfast Saturday Nov 10th from 5:00 am – 11:00 am at the Corley community center. Located 10 miles on 309 Hwy, south of Paris towards MT magazine. Watch for signs. Menu will consist of sausage, eggs, biscuits, gravy, juice and coffee. Proceeds will go to Paris SR class of 2013 project graduation. Everyone is welcome whether you are a hunter or not!
Donut Palace Ribbon Cutting
2012 Chamber Awards Nominations

