On the Same Page with Kenneth Smith

Gain appreciation for one of Arkansas' natural treasures the Buffalo River in "AETN Presents: On the Same Page with Kenneth L. Smith". Smith brings his lifelong accumulation of knowledge to OTSP with the "Buffalo River Handbook." The handbook includes complete trail and river guidelines, geology and history of the Buffalo River area and more than 170 photos, maps and diagrams that are coordinated with Trails Illustrated geographic maps.

Smith grew up in Hot Springs and, in 1952, enrolled at the University of Arkansas as a mechanical engineering major. During his freshman year he joined a university hiking group that developed his great love for the Buffalo River country of northwest Arkansas. He accepted a position with the National Park Service and worked for 12 years as a civil engineer in western parks and as a park planner in Washington, D.C. In 1974, Smith left the service and returned to Fayetteville, where he became a freelance writer, photographer and researcher.

During his years outside of Arkansas, Smith retained his ties with environmentalists in the state, including members of the Ozark Society. The society has published two of his books, "The Buffalo River Country" in 1967 and "Illinois River" in 1977.

The Ozark Society was founded in 1962 in response to the United States Army Corps of Engineers' plans to dam the Buffalo River in order to create the Gilbert Reservoir. Because of the actions of the Ozark Society, in 1972 the Buffalo River became the first river to be given the status of National River in the United States' national park system.

OTSP host Tommy Sanders had the opportunity to speak with Smith at That Bookstore at Montebanq Place in Conway. Following the interview, Sanders met with a panel of readers.

Those discussing the book are: Larry Foley, associate professor of journalism at the University of Arkansas and an award winning independent television producer; Dana Steward, author of "A Rough Sort of Beauty," editor, retired teacher and member of the Ozark Society; and Mike Mills, owner of Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, where he has built more than 50 cabins and leads canoeists down the river between April and June.

"On the Same Page" has been called "Good television for people who love good books." Previously featured authors include: Crescent Dragonwagon, "Passionate Vegetarian;" Rick Bragg, "All Over but the Shouting;" Fannie Flagg, "Standing in the Rainbow;" Donna Tartt, "The Little Friend;" and Sandra Cisneros, "The House on Mango Street." Visit the program homepage at www.aetn.org/otsp. The series is part of "AETN Presents," which has highlighted several special performances in recent years and has broadened its scope to include a variety of arts and cultural subjects.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans' lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming. AETN's 10 transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.

About the Author

Ken Smith's life-long accumulation of knowledge about the Buffalo River country, including complete trail and river guides and a fascinating sourcebook for geology and history of the Buffalo river area. All in a compact size, with more than 170 photos, maps, and diagrams. Coordinated with National Geographic Maps, Trails Illustrated. Ken Smith is the author-photographer of the Buffalo River Country, the Ozark Society Books classic now in its ninth printing.

Panelists include

Larry Foley

- Associate professor, broadcast journalism at the University of Arkansas and an award winning independent television producer

Dana Steward

- Editor "A Rough Sort of Beauty" Dana Steward retired english and writing teacher. She has won the top nonfiction award from the Arkansas Literary Society and Memphis Magazine's annual short story competition. She is also the author of "A Fine Age" (August House, 1984). She is a memeber of the Ozark Society.

Mike Mills,

the owner of Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, Arkansas. Mills has built more than 50 cabins in these woods, and leads canoeists down the river between April and June. He also pilots a hot air balloon, and rents out a series of cute cabins of all sizes, many of which face the sweeping vista we first saw from the main lodge of the River Wind Lodge and Cabins.