27 Apr 2013 501 LIFE team shares thoughts on birthday
In honor of 501 LIFE’s fifth birthday, editorial board members and contributors were asked to share their thoughts on the magazine and what lies ahead.
Jack Bell
When did you become involved with 501 LIFE: Four-plus years ago.
Why do you want to be involved: It is good to be involved with an enterprise that has a positive impact on our community, and showcases the great people and things that are happening in the 501.
What do you enjoy most about 501 LIFE: The features about the interesting people and the amazing things they have done and obstacles they have overcome.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: Mostly comments about someone they know that was featured, as in: “Did you see the story about so and so in 501?”
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: I like the 501 Football Team concept that focuses on character and leadership rather than pure talent. It has been great for those kids to get recognition for what they are doing off the field as well as on it.
Close second is the “Step Up to the Plate” program that not only helps those in need, it raises awareness of a problem that goes unnoticed much of the year.
Your thoughts on the magazine’s fifth birthday: I think it will be a lot of fun and celebrate a huge milestone.
In the coming years what would you like to see the magazine accomplish to help make the 501 a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, etc.: Continue to highlight those individuals and organizations that do little things to make our community feel like a small town. Especially those below the radar groups that are doing good things for others and helping us all be better.
Janna Virden
When did you become involved with 501: I became involved with 501 in early 2012.
Why did you become involved: I have always enjoyed reading the magazine, and because I have a journalism background I thought it would be fun to try my h
and at writing feature stories about the wonderful people who live in part of the 501…my neighbors in Conway County.
I enjoy working with the editors. I work mainly with Sonja Keith. She is a pleasure to work with, and she listens to what her readers want.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: The people in Conway County love the magazine. They are very excited when they get to know something new about one of their own as well as reading about their neighbors in the coverage area.
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: For me, it was when I covered the story about the building that collapsed in Downtown Morrilton. It was very moving to me to get to interview Brandi Stobaugh Cooper, owner of Merle Norman, who survived as the building fell all around her. She had not done an interview with anyone about her feelings and how afraid she was at the time. She thought that she might die that day. She and I both cried as we talked about how it has affected her life.
Your thoughts on the magazine’s fifth birthday: I congratulate everyone at the 501. I know it was a dream come true for Sonja and Donna to form their own magazine and make it as successful as it is.
In the coming years what would you like to see the magazine accomplish to help make the 501 a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, etc.: At this time, I believe the focus is excellent. I know there is always room for improvement, but I can’t think of anything right now.
Levi Gilbert
When did you become involved with 501 LIFE: June 2008. I had just finished my sophomore year at the University of Central Arkansas, and my advisor, Donna Lampkin Stephens, had told me about this new magazine and how the owners were wanting to launch a separate football issue. I ended up writing about 90 percent of the inaugural 501 Football. I was so in over my head, but it was amazing. I started writing features off and on for 501 LIFE after that, and I became associate editor in the fall of 2010.
Why do you want to be involved: 501 LIFE took a chance on me when I was just some kid in college with no real work experience. Since I was a young kid I always wanted to be a writer, and 501 LIFE gave me the chance to do that professionally. I feel blessed and honored to be a part of the magazine. It’s a privilege.
What do you enjoy most about 501 LIFE: I enjoy the freedom I have to pursue stories and inject my ideas into our final products — in the print products as well as our digital offerings. I have been empowered by 501 LIFE creatively, and I treasure that.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: When people find out that I work for 501 LIFE, they always ask me if I can get them in the magazine. It’s pretty hilarious, but I think that says a lot about the quality of the magazine. People WANT to be in it; they want to be a part of it.
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: Being a part of the editorial side of 501 LIFE, I typically read all the stories long before they hit print. It seems like Donna Lampkin Stephens’ stories always stick out to me. I remember when I first proofed her story on Donna Taylor, a Conway woman who survived the sinking of the SS West Lashaway 70 years ago. Taylor lost both of her parents and her sister in the sinking, but her attitude about the whole experience is remarkable, and Donna does a great job, as always. I remember reading the story and feeling like I had just been run over by a dump truck of sadness, but somehow I was simultaneously inspired. Not sure how that works.
Your thoughts on the magaz
ine’s fifth birthday: It’s just incredible. The past five years have been some of the best years of my life, and 501 LIFE has been an integral part of that.
In the coming years what would you like to see the magazine accomplish to help make the 501 a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, etc.: I would love to see us push deeper into all 11 counties in the 501 and continue to celebrate the people and places that make the 501 the best place in Arkansas to live. I’d also love to see us update and expand our online presence and offerings.
Donna Lampkin Stephens
When did you become involved with 501 LIFE: The second issue – June 2008.
Why do you want to be involved: I was intrigued by the concept and respected the ownership.
What do you enjoy most about 501 LIFE: The quality of the magazine and its involvement in the community.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: Just how proud people are that the area has such a quality product to celebrate it.
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: My most memorable stories have been on Herbert English, the Pearl Harbor survivor; James Pierce, the Vietnam veteran; and Donna Taylor, who was orphaned in World War II. Their stories were all fascinating, and I was honored to tell them.
Your thoughts on the magazine’s fifth birthday: I just can’t believe it’s already been five years! I am proud of what 501 LIFE has become, pleased to be a part of it and eagerly anticipating the future.
In the coming years what would you like to see the magazine accomplish to help make the 501 a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, etc.: Continue the quality product and community involvement.
Jon Patrom
When did you become involved with 501 LIFE: I was honored to be asked to be part of the editorial board from the beginning!
Why do you want to be involved: I love the publication. It does not focus on the negative, it is a positive and uplifting publication. That is why I want to be involved, to be a part of something encouraging!
What do you enjoy most about 501 LIFE:
The “Loving LIFE” photos! It’s great to see where our friends are traveling and celebrating.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: They can’t wait until the next issue!
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: I love them all. It is hard to pick just one. It seems each time I get a new one I always catch myself saying this is the best one yet! I will say I love the current cover!
Your thoughts on the magazine’s fifth birthday: Time has flown, but yet it seems like 501 has been a staple part of our community for so long!
Jan Spann
When did you become involved with 501 LIFE: At the beginning.
Why do you want to be involved: I knew that whatever Sonja Keith and Donna Spears were involved in would be a quality product, and I wanted to be on that team.
What do you enjoy most about 501 LIFE: As a writer, I enjoy getting to know people I would never meet in any other capacity, and I enjoy helping them share their story. As a reader, I find the articles relevant to my life, budget and experiences.
What comments do you hear in the 501 about the magazine: Simply wonderful. I enjoy introducing it to folks in other counties who have not yet found it. The only negative comment is from Little Rock folks who can’t find it as easily in their neighborhood!
Looking back on the last five years of 501 LIFE, what is most memorable: The 2011 issue on veterans celebrates everything good about the armed services. The aggregate may get a bad rap, but individual service men and women deserve recognition, and I hope serve as inspiration to a younger generation to enlist. It was also powerful for me to write about a retired general, and his story gave me a deeper respect for what our soldiers, especially my soldier son, take on in this capacity.
Your thoughts on the magazine’s fifth birthday: What an exciting milestone! During a period of job losses and print magazines closing, 501 LIFE has found a platform that resonates with its readers, its advertisers and the communities it serves.
In the coming years what would you like to see the magazine accomplish to help make the 501 a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, etc.: I’m especially proud of the work 501 LIFE has done to support community nonprofit organizations. From its large presence in the Community Foundation’s Hunger Campaign with “Step Up to the Plate” to its continuing support of Central Baptist College, Conway Public Schools Foundation (to name just a few!), the publishers have used their platform to give a voice to groups that have very little money to spend on publicity. I have no do
ubt that 501 LIFE will continue this tradition. I would like to see issues and activities that address childhood obesity. While hunger is an “unobserved” condition, overweight children suffer ridicule as well severe medial issues, making this generation the first that’s not expected to outlive their parents. We have great resources in Faulkner County; we need some way to bring it all together (Nabholz Wellness, Conway Regional Initiative, Community Foundation obesity task force, Healthy Weight Coalition of Faulkner County, etc.).
