30 Jun 2024 Home-grown heroes

Posted at 6:42 PMh in Editor's Note by

Happy 248th birthday to the United States of America! The Stars and Stripes are waving outside my home and outside our regional office, thanks to a partnership with the Conway Noon Lions Club. They are one of many service organizations that add quality to life in Central Arkansas.

North Little Rock Detective Ashley Noel (from left), Editor Stefanie Brazile, Conway Fire Captain Ty Ledbetter and Pafford Emergency Medical Services Medic Alicia Johnson of Saline County display a flag that pays tribute to first responders inside the historic Dreamland Ballroom atop Arkansas Flag and Banner building in downtown Little Rock.

Service organizations like the Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimists and Elks Clubs unify people from various walks of life around common goals. Beyond volunteer organizations, there are those who choose service as a profession, and our cover focuses on three brave people: a North Little Rock police detective, a Conway fire captain and an ambulance medic from Saline County.

This issue also pays tribute to soldiers, pilots and nonprofit workers. We offer an article about The Canoe Club of Little Rock, which cleans up waterways. We highlight an artist whose murals beautify communities, and we celebrate the 125th birthday of Methodist Family Health, which provides housing and mental health support to our state’s children and youth.

Our “Salute to Service” continues with tributes to organizations that provide fun opportunities for kids throughout the year. Our Couple of the Month features a United Way leader, and our Person of the Month is Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. Did you know that he is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps? And, as an added bonus, photographer Linda Henderson offers photos from eight national park excursions. 

501 LIFE Magazine has the mission of “Celebrating Greater Central Arkansas.”  (Check out our cover—it is written at the top of the page.) Jeremy and I approach this mission in a spirit of service, striving to share positive news from this region each week through our newsletters, and also through our monthly issues. It takes a large, talented team to assemble so much good news! We’re also dependent on our advertisers, who partner with us to highlight the positive people, events and business efforts in this region. Let’s show them appreciation by frequenting their businesses. 

Stefanie Brazile
Editor