Louis Cella is the 4th generation of his family to oversee what is now Oaklawn Racing Gaming and Resort.  As you'll hear, it's no coincidence that "Racing" comes first in the name. Oaklawn Park has been in operation since 1905. It's now in the midst of a $110 Million Dollar expansion for it‘s expanded casino, plus construction of a resort hotel and event center. In our conversation, Cella talks about everything from the expansion to the family's long love of and dedication to thoroughbred racing. 

After the conversation, Bill Solleder from Visit Hot Springs joins me for a rundown of things to do in Hot Springs over the next couple of weeks, plus a quick preview of Spa-Con.

#Oaklawn #LouisCella #visithotsprings #horseracing #casino #paramutualwagering #Zenyatta #AmericanPharoah

For three days in August, 52 of the best bass anglers in the world will converge on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs for the FLW Cup. Called by many the biggest bass tournament of all, they are competing for the first place prize of $300,000. In this episode, with talk with the FLW Director of Public Relations, Joe Opager. And, one of the anglers, Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ar, who has earned his first ever chance to compete in the FLW cup. 

Plus, we'll have our regular visit with Jennifer Bailey about things you can do in Hot Springs in the coming weeks.

#FLW #FLWCup #Fishing #HotSprings #Tourism #VisitHotSprings #events

This episode features a conversation with Robert Raines - the owner of the Gangster Museum, the first of it's kind in America. Many people know that Hot Springs was a prime vacation spot for some pretty notorious members of the Mob. Robert has collected a lot of that history, and has great stories to tell about the mob members who came to Hot Springs, and how then city leaders kept them from setting up shop here. Hot Springs was a wild place - and Robert has all the history, including how it all came to an end.

Plus, a look at things to do over the next few weeks.

#gangsters #mobsters #HotSprings #VisitHotSprings #tourism #history

This week, we visit with the man who makes magic and brings a smile during his show. Maxwell Blade has been performing magic in Hot Springs for many years, and recently completed the renovation of the historic Malco Theater. He talks about the difference between a "trick" and an "Illusion", how he develops his routine, and even how magicians share talents and/or copyright certain illusions. We taped our conversation at the theater.

Plus, our weekly look at coming events you can enjoy in Hot Springs.

#MaxwellBlade #Magic #Tourism #HotSprings #VisitHotSprings #KZNG #Malco #Entergy #LakeHamilton

Baseball spring training actually started in Hot Springs. That led to a rich baseball history in the Spa City. In this episode, Baseball Historian Mike Dugan tells us the healing waters brought the players here, and shares his years of research in a wonderful story about players like Babe Ruth and Cy Young who enjoyed the time they spent here. And as Mike tells us, the players enjoyed more than just baseball and the healing waters while they were here.

#baseball #springtraining #tourism #hotsprings #visithotsprings #baberuth #cyyoung #mikedugan

In this episode, we visit with Anthony Valinoti, who left his Wall Street career and traveled to Italy to learn how to make pizza. Anthony told us his aim was to recreate the flavors he remembered growing up in New York. As you'll here, in an unlikely turn of events, he settled in Hot Springs where he opened Deluca's. Foodies have called it the best pizza in Arkansas. But he points out, it wasn't without setbacks in the early days.

Plus, a look at head to July 4th activities, which includes three nights of fireworks in Hot Springs.

#pizza #Deluca's #AnthonyValinoti #visithotsprings #hotsprings #fireworks

Rose Schweikhart operates the first and only brewery in a National Park. In this episode, we hear the story of the Superior Bath House Brewery, plus a look at things to do in Hot Springs, AR over the next few weeks, including 4th of July events.

When Rose moved to Hot Springs and wanted to start a brewery using the natural Hot Springs water, she learned the only way to use the way was to actually brew in the National Park. So what was a historic yet vacant bath house became a restaurant and brewery, and it has exceeded expectations.

#Hot Springs #craftbeer #beer #SuperiorBathHouseBrewery #Tourism #Fireworks #VisitHotSprings #NealGladner #HotSpringsThisWeek

The history behind the iconic McClards BBQ with owner Scott McClard. The restaurant is going strong after 91 years, and you'll be surprised to hear how it all started. (Hint: someone couldn't pay their bill.) Plus, things to do starting the Wk of 6/17, and a quick look at lake information and projected flows to float the Ouachita River. 

#HotSprings #McClards #BBQ #Tourism #LakeHamilton #EntergyHydro #visitHotSprings

In this episode, we explore the things to do in Hot Springs, AR for the week of June 10th, and a few items beyond.

This is the "get our feet wet" episode, to get it posted. Future episodes will also include interviews and information about the lakes around Hot Springs.1