Recognitions
It’s awards season in Arkansas. Here are a few of the locals who took home some hardware.
- Michael Warrick was named a 2020 Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council for his metalworking.
- The Old State House Museum team received two nods from the Arkansas Museums Association: the Peg Newton Smith Lifetime Achievement Award to director Bill Gatewood and the Outstanding Museum Volunteer of the Year Award to 15-year-old Elizabeth Colclasure.
- The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance recognized multiple Hunger Heroes at a virtual awards ceremony, including Izzy and Elliott Kopsky, Maricella Garcia, Pamela Hill, Sarah Lane and Rev. Randy Ludwig.
- UA Little Rock honored Ron Sheffield with its Distinguished Alumnus Award and Becky Blass with its 2020 Presidents Award.
Freshening Up
With its new program Food Rx, Baptist Health joins the ranks of organizations working to address the record number of hungry Arkansans.
“On any given day, there are a significant number of patients in Baptist Health hospitals and clinics who are in need of food and will return to a problem of food insecurity when they are discharged to their homes,” says Teresa Conner, system director of Baptist Health Community Outreach.
Participants will go home with a three-day supply of healthy food, recipes and a list of nearby pantries. Food Rx currently serves Baptist Health patients in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway and three local clinics, with plans to expand to the rest of the state.
Book It
To celebrate National Literacy Month in September, AR Kids Read and 96.5 The Box teamed up to make sure neighbors were getting their regular dose of reading. The two stocked local Little Free Libraries across Little Rock and North Little Rock with new and gently used books.
As AR Kids Read put it in a recent statement: “The more we can promote access to books, the better the opportunity for our communities to spend more time engaged in reading.”
The Little Free Libraries are located at Philander Smith College, Boone Park Elementary School and Amboy Elementary School.
Ballet Arkansas Reinvents Holiday Traditions
Like many in the performing arts, Ballet Arkansas has adapted to the complexities posed by COVID-19.
The organization has created a unique series of holiday events, pairing virtual and open-air performances with activities that highlight partnerships with local businesses and organizations like the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Arkansas Arts Center.
Beginning in November, the Ballet Arkansas Holiday Market will sell gift boxes filled with local goodies. They’ll also hold virtual events including a Letters to Sugar Plum series and broadcast of The Magic of the Nutcracker Virtual Experience.
“For 42 years, Arkansans have looked to Ballet Arkansas to celebrate the season,” says Michael Fothergill, the troupe’s executive and artistic director. This year might look a little different, but we take that responsibility seriously.”
Learn more at balletarkansas.org/holidays.
Big Moves
- The Arkansas PBS Foundation named Marge Betley its new CEO.
- Chris Collier, executive director of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, was elected to the Arkansas Cancer Coalition Board of Directors.
- Arkansas Children’s found its new president of the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, as well as senior vice president and chief research officer, in Dr. Pete Mourani.