THE PEABODY, LITTLE ROCK IS JUST DUCKY

My fascination for the Peabody came long before I ever stayed at one of their outstanding hotels, especially the dramatic display of the Peabody ducks.

Families of Mallard ducks have made my backyard their home year-round. When I moved into my home about 20 years ago, my husband told me that I was going to have lots of new friends. How was I to know he meant the fine feathered variety? I immediately started spoiling them rotten with the best Mallard food. On my birthday, a mother hen brought her 18 darling ducklings to my back door. It was one of the nicest gifts I have ever received.

So was I going to get excited about the Peabody ducks? Every guest at The Peabody Little Rock is treated as a VIP. But, there are VIPs-in-residence at this beautiful hotel on the banks of the Arkansas River. VIPs - Very Important Poultry, that is, The Peabody Little Rock Ducks.

The twice-daily March of the Peabody Ducks has continued in unbroken sequence at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. since the tradition began in Memphis almost 70 years ago at The Peabody Memphis and at The Peabody Orlando, since November 1, 1986.

Now, The Peabody Little Rock Ducks are marching into history making the same significant impression upon all the visitors to the hotel who witness this ritual. They looked awfully cute as they march (a drake and four hens) on a crimson carpet on the gleaming marble floor and over to the marble fountain that was specially created for them. Three carpeted steps are in place and the "duckmaster" manages to lead them graciously into their pool. The Little Rock ducks will reside on a second-level terrace ($175,000) built just for them.

Why ducks, and how did this begin?

Back in the thirties, two avid inebriated outdoorsmen from Memphis returned from a weekend duck-hunting trip to Arkansas, put their ducks into The Peabody Memphis beautiful black marble fountain for safe-keeping while they were sobering up. The next the ducks were the center of attention and loud oohs and aahs could be heard at the fountain. So this was how the internationally famous tradition began. Ducks in every medium are located throughout this newly renovated, redecorated 16-story, 418-room plus 22-suite hotel at a cost of $42 million (formerly the Excelsior.)

One of the highlights of the Gala Grand opening was "afternoon tea" served in the traditional English manner. This is the recommended activity before the daily 5 p.m. March of The Peabody Little Rock Ducks.

The Gala reception was held in the elegantly decorated Peabody Ballroom, highlighting Capriccio, the signature restaurant that features the aromatic, pungent aromas Northern Italy's Tuscany region.

In the presence of owner, Marty Belz, the Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, pronounced the newest Peabody "A world-class hotel, which is going to add wonderfully to the attractions of Little Rock and Arkansas as a destination." Little Rock attractions include Riverfront Park, the River Market District and many cultural and historic sites.

The Peabody Little Rock's closest neighbor is the Old State House Museum, the oldest surviving capitol building west of the Mississippi River. Today it houses an Arkansas history museum featuring exhibits of First Ladies gowns and a new exhibit about President Bill Clinton.

Little Rock gained international notoriety in 1957 as the site of an intense struggle to integrate the city's public schools. The Governor denied nine black high school students access to Central High School, and President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect the students.

Today, Central High is committed to excellence in education. Opened September 1997, the central High Museum & Visitors center, across from Central High School, features several exhibits and a gift shop.

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History is located in the historic Tower building, circa 1840, birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur.

Arkansas Arts center is the state's largest cultural institution and only major museum with over 7,000 fine art and decorative art objects.

Historic Arkansas Museum is the state's primary showcase of frontier Arkansas. Four pre-Civil War houses restored to antebellum appearances occupy the museum grounds. An eight-block by four-block area downtown Little Rock is serviced by the free River Cities trolley Shuttle. It's a fun ride, provided by the Central Arkansas Transit Authorityand the trolley makes 18 stops.