Diamondhead Resort Community - Hot Springs, Arkansas

Diamondhead 2011: A Look Back

In many ways, Diamondhead owners experienced a 2011 like most others: sunny days on the water, a temperate climate accented by scenic landscapes.

One night in April, however, the climate turned not so temperate. One of the state's regular spat of tornado-spawning storms came up through Texas the night of April 25, taking its usual route up the I-30 corridor headed northeast.

This time, the Hot Springs area was nicked. Only minor injuries were reported in the area — there were no fatalities — but the storm was responsible for widespread wind damage.

Diamondhead dodged a bullet that night.

Elsewhere in Hot Springs in 2011…

• Oaklawn Park concluded another successful season as relative longshot Archarcharch won the Arkansas Derby
• The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade once again drew thousands — heck, tens of thousands — to Bridge Street to see 2011 Grand Marshal John Corbett and what has become the world's best little quirky parade
• Thousands more flocked to the 15th annual Hot Springs Blues Festival in September.
• The renowned Hot Springs Film Festival drew an estimated 20,000 to town this past fall, at which the Oscar-nominated documentary "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory" about the West Memphis 3 murder case was premiered in Arkansas.
• The Lakeside Rams established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Class 5A high school football, finishing 10-2 overall and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.

Like most Americans, Diamondhead residents weathered a rough economy and Mother Nature, but we carried on, grateful for our beautiful community and looking forward to a prosperous 2012.