AY Publisher Heather Baker arkansasIn July, there’s a lot to celebrate.

First and foremost, it’s the time of year in which we celebrate our country’s independence and the sacrifices our founding fathers made many years ago to ensure that we all have the right to live free. From the time the Declaration of Independence was signed until

today, a great number of men and women have answered the call to serve their country in order to defend the freedoms we declared. My husband, Joel, is one of those brave men who served.

In honor of Independence Day, our AY family has shared their military family with you, highlighting those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect this great nation. We’ve dedicated a special page to our loved ones, some of whom are no longer with us, and we hope you’ll join us in honoring them, too.

July is also special to me because it’s when I first began my career in sales at the young age of seven. As a child, my father owned a fireworks company called OK R&R Fireworks, so July was a busy time of the year, jam-packed with fireworks!

At the age of seven, I started selling fireworks at the corner of Geyer Springs and Asher in Little Rock. By the age of 10, I was running my own fireworks stand. And that’s where my passion for sales began. I guess you could say it never really left.

Because it’s only July, there’s still plenty of time to get on the road with the family. For the Bakers, summer is the most opportune time to bond and create lasting memories. We hop in the Jeep and head out to our next great destination. For the second month in a row, contributor Joe David Rice has provided us with a list of the best, and lesser known, vacation spots you can visit this summer without ever leaving Arkansas.

Our family has already begun to take advantage of some of Arkansas’ great adventure getaways. And we’re preparing for our next adventure as we learn even more about what this great state has to offer.

And if you’re a fan of baseball (how about those Hogs?), there are plenty of places to find it in and around the Natural State this summer. Check out our feature on the great ballparks that are fun and accessible, no matter what part of the state you call home. It’s sure to leave you craving some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and maybe even an ice-cold local craft beer.

This month, we’re also excited to take you into the magnificent and whimsical home of my friends, Robyn and Dr. Jason Stewart. It’s the perfect time of the year to feature this beauty because their amazing swimming pool provides the perfect oasis as the dog days of summer start to bear down on us.

We’re also excited to introduce to you a new member of our team, my friend Lisa Fischer. Lisa brings with her a storied career and an infectious personality, and we’re thrilled to feature her as a regular contributor. This month, she even whipped us up a little something in the kitchen, showcasing some of her favorite recipes from the Junior Leagues of Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. These recipes she has been kind enough to test out for us will be great additions to the dinner table this summer, especially come Independence Day.

Be safe and have a great Fourth of July! God bless America!

Heather Baker signature

Heather Baker
July 2018 publisher's note