Little Rock local and incoming Arkansas Children’s Auxiliary president Anne Wallace walks us through her favorite parts of the city.
QUINTESSENTIAL LITTLE ROCK: We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful and fun city. I love climbing Pinnacle Mountain with my family, attending plays at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, taking a picture in front of the Capital Hotel Christmas tree, attending services at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and hiking across Two Rivers Bridge.
RESTAURANT: I love going to Boulevard Bread in The Heights for coffee with friends or The Fold for lunch. My family loves Heights Taco & Tamale, Burge’s on a Saturday and Taziki’s for dinner. For a date night, we love Samantha’s, Petit & Keet, Lost Forty and the Capital Bar.
DISH: I have so many favorites. I love the salmon at Brave New Restaurant, the turkey salad at Burge’s, a take-and-bake pizza from Pizza Cafe, the spinach dip at Trio’s and the pimento cheese at Lost Forty. It is also fun to sit at the bar at Boulevard with their daily meat and cheese platter and watch a game.
RECENT DISCOVERY: Our family has loved the takeout from At the Corner in recent months. You can pick up some of their delicious cinnamon rolls while you are there. We are excited to try Hill Station in Hillcrest.
MUSEUM: We have enjoyed exhibits and performances at the Arkansas Arts Center, taken visitors to the Central High School National Historic Site and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library to see exhibits, but if you ask my boys, the best museum in Little Rock is the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center downtown.
AN AFTERNOON WITH THE FAMILY: Our favorite afternoons in Little Rock are spent as a family watching our kids participate in a soccer game, a tennis match at Burns Park or another sporting event at our children’s school.
GIFT SHOP: My mother loves gifts from Fresh ID. Tanarah Luxe Floral is the perfect place to grab a gift or plant for a friend’s birthday. If you need a present for your daughter or yourself, Belle & Blush is a great choice. The Playaway Gift Shop at Arkansas Children’s Hospital has great gifts for children, but fun jewelry and gifts for everyone, too. I also love to spend time in my yard, so you can find me at The Good Earth Garden Center.
IMPACT: The Auxiliary is a group of 500 women who donate their time and talents to volunteer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and raise money for the hospital. In 2020, the Auxiliary gifted $1.5million to the hospital, which was used to support programs, research initiatives and emergency and trauma support services, including the COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
WHY THE ACH AUXILIARY CAPTURED MY INTEREST: Tom and I were first introduced to Arkansas Children’s Hospital when one of our boys had a systemic infection from his knee which required orthopedic surgery and inpatient care. We were so thankful for the excellent medical care we received, but also for the care and kindness we were shown. Since that time, we have returned to Children’s for visits to the emergency room, audiology clinic, cardiology department and other areas. Each time we have been impressed with the care given to our children and others.
SEASONAL ACTIVITY: I am looking forward to several Arkansas Children’s Hospital Events this year. We are especially excited about the annual Race for a Healthier Tomorrow, which will be held in the fall for the first time. This family-friendly race will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. We’re also looking forward to the Holiday Card Project, the ACH Auxiliary’s longest-running fundraiser. Each year current and former patients submit their artwork for the project. The artwork is featured each year during the Holiday Card Project. The public can purchase cards and specialty items beginning Oct. 1. Be sure to follow the ACH Auxiliary Facebook page to learn more about fundraisers this fall.