07 Sep 2025 Dip into a new 501
Please join me for one final summer adventure as we explore the many ways that the “501 Means Business.” We begin with Patti and David Stobaugh on the cover as they celebrate 45 years of Stoby’s! Nestled in the historic district of Conway, and within walking distance of Conway Regional Hospital and the University of Central Arkansas, the restaurant is famous for its signature Cheese Dip or Spicy White Queso, the Stoby breakfast, the Stoby sandwich, and — my personal favorites — possum pie and Italian cream cake. Several dessert recipes can be traced back to Florence Smith, who sold her pie business location to David back in 1980, and then went to work for him as Stoby’s first employee! In 45 years, the Conway eatery has kept the same address.
We’ve included a feature on the Arkansas District Export Council, and I was fascinated to learn that in 2024, Arkansas-based companies exported $7 billion of products to Mexico, Canada, France, China and Brazil. The International Trade Administration, a federal agency, reports that more than 1,600 Arkansas-based companies exported goods in 2022.
Elsewhere, we offer readers an exclusive interview with Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy on “The Waltons” and will perform Mark Twain Tonight! beginning Sept. 12 at Robinson Center in Little Rock. You’ll learn what Ron Calcagni, one of the winningest quarterbacks in University of Arkansas history, is up to as head coach of a new professional football team based out of Little Rock. And don’t miss the illustration of Calcagni, which comes to us courtesy of Keith Petersen. The famous Little Rock-based illustrator has also created caricatures of U.S. presidents, famous actors and other sports heroes.
Our Person of the Month, Janet Harris, leads the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Harris is a talented lady with a passion for preserving Rockefeller’s legacies of leadership and kindness.
Finally, in this issue, we honor the life of a friend — Chef Don Bingham — who brought us the monthly Entertaining feature for more than a decade. After a brief battle with cancer, he went to be with the Lord on July 20th. Don was larger than life and his presence, encouragement, advice and friendship are sorely missed. Fortunately, his legacy of columns and recipes can still be found at 501lifemag.com.
