04 Apr 2026 Finding the best life has to offer

Posted at 4:32 PMh in Editor's Note by

Living Your Best Life is the theme of our April issue, and we have included stories about many Arkansans who are passionate about their lifestyles. This month’s edition features three families who are dedicated to life on a ranch, and the cover photo is one of several that will introduce readers to a working ranch and its fifth-generation owners.

We offer readers live-action photos that seem to have been pulled from a movie set; however, these are the lifestyles of the Caldwell family at Union Rock Cattle Co. in Rose Bud (White County) and of the Mike Lagasse family in Quitman (Cleburne County). While the photos capture sunshine and smiles, raising livestock is a task that never sleeps. Let’s just say they don’t get to take federal holidays!

I recently spent a couple of afternoons with three talented UCA marketing students who have created a video about the magazine. They wanted to explore the benefits of this nearly 18-year-old publication to our readers in 11 counties. I enjoyed watching their creative process and helping them apply skills learned in a classroom to real-life situations. We appreciate Chloe London, Madison Bressler and Hayden Weber for choosing 501 LIFE for their project!

A couple who are living their best lives are the Reverends Lynn and Nathan Kilbourne. Life has not been easy for the couple; they lost a home to a tornado, and both daughters were born prematurely, but the Kilbournes credit their church families for bringing them through those hard times. Nathan will bring that appreciation to the pulpit on April 5 when Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which gives us all the hope of salvation and truly the best life.

We round out our Live Your Best Life issue with, of course, food! My current guilty pleasure is Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies — sometimes crumbled on ice cream — but you’ll want to check out what Arkansas food historian and author Kat Robinson has chosen as the best thing she’s ever cooked — including the recipe!

Stefanie Brazile
Editor