The Arkansas Chapter of the Children’s Tumor Foundation celebrated 17 years of its annual fundraising gala with dinner, cocktails, music and silent auctions as guests watched well-known locals perform with professionals to raise funds for neurofibromatosis research and care. The 2024 lineup featured Monica Alexander, Austin Booth, Linda Harding, Sara Hurst, Tiffany Mays O’Guinn and Wallace Smith, with Booth taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy.

The 33rd annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet hosted by the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation was held at the Statehouse Convention Center. A special honoree reception was hosted by co-chairs Dr. Roy and Keidra Burrell before the event. This year’s banquet included an auction, dinner, raffle and the induction of the 2024 honorees: Shawn Daniel, Dr. Steve Lochmann, Andy Simmons and Jess and Laura Westbrook.

Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services hosted a donor appreciation event to honor the nonprofit’s generous supporters and sponsors. Held at the home of Catherine Lowry, the event honored donors who helped further Vera Lloyd’s mission to heal, prepare and empower youth and families in state care.

The new UAMS College of Medicine Dean Dr. Steven Webber was recognized at a welcome reception hosted at the home of Sharon Bale. Doctors and staff gathered together to toast the newly appointed dean as they sipped on drinks and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres against the beautiful countryside background. Webber served in an interim capacity beginning in January 2023 and effectively took over as dean in March 2024.

The fifth annual Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program hosted by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas held its graduation reception at the Clinton Presidential Center. Students, along with WFA staff and supporters, gathered to celebrate the completion of the 12-week program for college-aged women of color pursuing careers in STEAM fields.

The Rotary Club of Little Rock hosted its annual award luncheon at the UA Little Rock School of Business celebrating 2024 honoree Elizabeth Glasbrenner, co-founder and CEO of Smiley Technologies. The event was held in the Reynolds Building, where a permanent installation honoring past winners resides.

Thea Foundation once again held its popular quarterly artist series Art Department. This time, the series highlighted Arkansas native and multidisciplinary artist CC Mercer Watson and her exhibit “Leo Season,” which showed a reflection of self-love through various mediums and a fresh interpretation of the zodiac through the lens of the 1970s, folklore and iconography and archetypes of divine bodies.

A lesson in economics was served sunny side up at Economics Arkansas’ Bacon + Eggonomics. The breakfast event was hosted by Brad and Kelly Eichler, where keynote speaker Steve Forbes discussed what he believes Arkansas has done and should continue to do to be a business-minded state. A fireside chat was held with Arkansas Business Publishing Group President Mitch Bettis to discuss strategies and suggestions for small business owners.

Alzheimer’s Arkansas held its Champions Celebration at the Chenal Country Club. The fundraiser included a cocktail party, auctions, dinner, live music and the honoree award announcements. David Rainwater was honored as the 2024 Champion of the Year. Awards were also given to Vivian Trickey Smith and her late husband Alan Smith, as well as Margarita Olive and Jane T. Svetz for making a difference for caregivers in Arkansas.