Wednesday evening, April 6, is the start of a brand new night for “Exploring Arkansas” and a brand new episode at 6:30 p.m., which will lead up to PBS’s lineup of “Nature” and “NOVA” at 7 and 8. 

 

Our first stop in this new episode is the small town of Osage in Northwest Arkansas. Since the turn of the last century, the old Stamps store has been a general store, hotel, a post office and, now, a pottery shop under the name Osage Clayworks. The earthenware that’s made here is of such quality that it even attracted one special customer not too long ago – the man in black, Johnny Cash.

 

The National Park Aquarium in Hot Springs just may surprise you after stepping inside.  In fact, that’s part of their theme: “Be surprised by nature.” Greeting you as you enter the aquarium section is “Slo-poke,” an African spur-thighed tortoise, right there on the floor! The surprises get even better after that: piranha, see-through fish and fish with four eyes! Not to mention, a 400-volt catfish! 

 

Pysanky is an ancient Ukrainian egg art that’s believed to be more than 4,000 years old. Lorrie Popow of Hot Springs is a master at it – so much so, that it’s earned her the title of Arkansas Living Treasure. 

 

The Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area within the Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area in Mayflower is quite the birdwatcher’s haven. A nature trail, observation blinds and terraces with mounted binoculars provide the ideal opportunity for viewing wintering waterfowl. Also – by all means – stick around for the sunset! 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

“Exploring Arkansas” at 6:30 p.m.

Rebroadcasts Sunday, April 10, at 5 p.m.