June "Let's Do Lunch"

June 9, 2009

"Let's Do Lunch" in Little Rock

June's "Let's Do Lunch" will be spent at the Garden Home Retreat of P. Allen Smith. The day will start with a guided tour of the home and gardens with Allen and then enjoying a wonderful meal on the property. After lunch, time will be spent with Allen getting autographs and having pictures with Allen. But the day doesn't end there. All guests are encouraged to spend time walking around and enjoying the beauty of the gardens.

Cost: $135 and includes luxury motor coach travel, lunch and attractions.

Registration deadline: 4/3/2009

April's "Let's Do Lunch" trip

April 16, 2009

"Let's Do Lunch" in Tunica
Many people have had Paula Deen over to their place on several occasions through Food Network. Now it’s your turn to have lunch at The Paula Deen Buffet. Come join us as we travel to discover the 560-seat, cutting-edge restaurant concept is modeled after Paula’s own home. You’ll savor the Queen of Southern Cuisine’s down-home recipes in this unique upscale buffet. The buffet is divided into station each named after family members. Some of the stations include: Granny Paul’s Garden which is a full salad bar featuring some of Paula’s favorite salads and signature “Skillet Cornbread.” Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House featuring items served at Bubba’s restaurant in Savannah, including the signature “Char Grilled Oysters.” Lady & Son’s is full of southern comfort foods such as Paula’s famous Fried Chicken, Collard Greens and Lady’s Cheesy Mac. Little Jack’s Corner has a wide array of desserts featuring Paula’s famous Gooey Butter Cake, Grandmother Paul’s Sour Cream Pound Cake, peach cobbler and creamy hand dipped ice cream. Once we have all filled ourselves up with the wonderful home style cooking, we will be on our way to the Pillow Thompson House where we will be guided through history. The Pillow Thompson House was built in 1896 by Jerome B. Pillow. Five generations of Pillow descendants have lived in the house. In 1992 The house was donated by Josephine Thompson to the Phillips Community College Foundation. The house has been beautifully restored to offer visitors a look at one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture in the South.

Cost: $99 and includes luxury motor coach travel, lunch, and attractions
Reservation Deadline: 4-2-2009

2009 Vintage Club Valentine Tea

Vintage Club Valentine Tea with Royalty Tours

Winifred and Clarice Cox enjoyed sweet treats at the Vintage Valentine Tea

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and luxury travel company Royalty Tours, Inc. hosted a Vintage Club Valentine Tea in February, providing over 50 Vintage Club members and their guests information regarding Royalty travel opportunities in 2009.

Each year, Royalty Tours and Saint Mary’s work in conjunction to provide an array of exciting trips for Vintage members and travel enthusiasts. Before the program, which was held in the Saint Mary’s annex, guests were treated to a variety of treats ranging from fresh fruit and assorted cheeses to platters of rich chocolate and decadent petit fours. Royalty owners Parker and Sandy DeVore were on hand with a plethora of information regarding trip pricing and dates. Tour sign-up sheets were also available for those interested in traveling. After a brief welcome by Vintage Coordinator Stephanie Beerman, the program was turned over to Evonna Surrette, Royalty Director of Tours. Surrette highlighted the extensive travel schedule and provided an in-depth presentation on upcoming one-day and multi-day trips for 2009.

Barbara Parker of Dardanelle and Kay Vandergrift of Russellville

discuss travel plans with Sandey DeVore and Evonna Surrette of Royalty Tours.

Expanding across Arkansas and into neighboring states, one-day trips known as “Let’s Do Lunch” provide a wide variety of destinations to travelers for that quick get-away. Each trip includes motor coach travel, attractions and meals. This year’s “Let’s do Lunch tours include “Paula Deen Style & More” in Tunica, “Antiques America Har-Ber Village” in Grove, OK, “P. Allen Smith Garden Home Retreat” near Little Rock, plus several other interesting and exciting destinations. Multi-day trips include an Alaskan cruise in August, the annual October “Mystery Tour” and a San Antonio Christmas journey.

Dodie McSpadden of Dover is a frequent traveler with Vintage Club and Royalty Tours. “I love to travel with Royalty whenever I can,” she said. “We often travel to unexpected places, but even when we tour familiar places there is always something that makes each trip unique.”
The Royalty Tours office is located in Dover, AR. To inquire about upcoming tours, or to make travel reservations, please call 479-890-6774.

For information regarding Saint Mary’s Vintage Club, call the Vintage Line at 479-964-9355.

From Left: Julia Ann Taylor, Imo Hickman,
Gail Lutrell, Gerry Spradlin, Clarice Cox,
Arvetta Turner, Dodie McSpadden;
Winners of prizes presented at the tea.

2009 Royalty Tours Trip Guide

"Let's Do Lunch" one day trips:
January - No trip scheduled
February - No trip scheduled
March 6th - Bring in the Spring: Antebellums & Daffodils
April 16th - Paula Deen Style & More
May 14th - Antique America: Har-Ber Village
June 9th - P. Allen Smith garden Home Retreat
July - No trip scheduled
August - No trip scheduled
September 10th - New Stephen's Central Arkansas Nature Center
October 15th - Diamonds and Cruise
November 12th - stay tuned for more information
December 10th - Arkansas Queen River boat Christmas Spectacular

Multi - Day Trips
October - 2009 Mystery Tour
December - San Antonio Christmas

For more information on all upcoming tours, please contact Evonna Surrette or Sandy DeVore with Royalty Tours by calling 890-6774.