The Pine Bluff Sesame Club meeting for the new season was opened at Pine Bluff Country Club by President Dianna Millenabaugh. The program theme for the year is “Positively Pine Bluff; Established Forces”.
Diane Ayers introduced the speaker, Greg Gustek,Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Gustek captured the audience attention with his insightful information about the Pine Bluff Convention Center and different opportunities for tourism in the Pine Bluff area. He discussed the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends that has received national recognition, with over 25,000 cars of people viewing our annual Christmas lights each year. He announced that for $25.00 for the 2016 Memorial Honor Star Campaign, lighted Christmas stars will be displayed along Beachfront Drive at Regional Park on the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends viewing route. Two large boards will be placed at this designated area with the requested named tagged “in Honor of or In Memory Of’ a person or organization of your chose.
Gustek discussed the many opportunities available for tourist and citizens in Pine Bluff, naming the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame at the Convention Center, the Pine Bluff County Historical Museum in the old train station, the Delta Rivers Nature Center, the Arkansas Railroad Museum, and the work in progress for a military museum. The Pine Bluff Convention and Visitors Bureau recorded 558,553 visitor persons/trips to the Jefferson County area last year, generating money and jobs to the area.
Following the presentation by my Gustek, Sesame Club business was conducted. Dessert was served with Julia Beckham, Beverly Madison, Betty Perryman and Ann Smith serving as hostesses. President Dianna Millenbaugh adjourned the meeting.