Reynolds, Dan: - Dan R. Reynolds comes from a family deeply rooted in the hills of Arkansas. His great-grandfather homesteaded along the Buffalo River in Yardell in the1800s before the family was relocated when the Buffalo River became a national river. Dan's parents met and married while working as sharecroppers in Arkansas, later moving to Middletown, Ohio for better economic opportunities. There, Dan's father, James Reynolds, learned the trade of brick masonry, and it was in Middletown where Dan was born and raised.Growing up, Dan spent most of his summers at his grandparents' farm. After graduating from Meadowdale High School in Dayton, Ohio, Dan returned to Harrison, Arkansas, where he learned the carpentry trade. He married and raised two sons, Ian and Gil, while building several homes in the Harrison area. When the housing market slumped in the late 1970s, Dan pivoted, owning and operating a successful chain of eight video rental stores across Arkansas. This venture sparked his interest in video production and eventually led him into the world of broadcast television.Today, Dan owns and operates two television stations in Harrison and Mountain Home, Arkansas, alongside his two sons. Together, they also own and provide wireless internet service to the northwest Arkansas region. Dan serves as a local talk show host, airing Monday through Friday on K26 Hometown Television and on KHOZ AM 900 and 94.9 FM radio. Dan enjoys spending most of his time with his wife, Kelly, on their 15 acres with their two dogs, two cats, and a horse, embracing the quiet of rural life.
Thompson, Peggy: - To Peggy Thompson, art and music have always been very important in her life. Art is a serious hobby that fills her days with joy, whether it is oils or watercolor. Peggy's mother was an artist who made sure her daughter always had a variety of art supplies. Peggy has been drawing since she could first hold a pencil.She delved into the darkroom in college, and developed a love for photography. She longed for a camera and a magical darkroom. When digital cameras became available, Peggy jumped in with both feet, quickly adopting the medium. Whether on horseback, on the road, or hiking, she always has a camera. Many of her photos are taken while trail riding in the Ozarks and the Buffalo National River area.Though art has been her passion all her life, it was nursing she went into after graduating high school, training through two years of college and three years of Registered Nursing School. She eventually found herself working at Dogpatch USA with Wayne, and then running Ferguson's Country Store.The Thompsons raised their two boys in the Ozark Mountains, with a treasure of memories along the Buffalo, canoeing, hiking, camping and horseback riding. Wade and Clay now have children of their own and share this bounty of beauty, the Buffalo River, with them. Peggy says, "The outdoor life is the best, and I feel blessed to be here enjoying this area in my retirement."
Thompson, Wayne: - Wayne Thompson, raised in Fort Smith, moved to Harrison, Arkansas in 1971 and went to work at Dogpatch, USA. Today, he lives in the Gaither Community, ten minutes from the Buffalo National River. Wayne has been recognized as Arkansas Tourism Man of the Year, and inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Hospitality Association Hall of Fame, He is a past president of the Arkansas Travel Council and of the Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation. After 30 years in the restaurant, gift shop and furniture manufacturing business at Ferguson Country Inc., he decided to create a book with two incredible people, his wife Peggy and friend Dan Reynolds.
