AY Publisher Heather BakerI can’t believe it’s already May, and summer is just around the corner. May is an exciting time in the family. The kids are out of school, and we’re gearing up for all kinds of fun summer activities.
We know you’re always looking for fun and exciting things to do during the summer months, too, and we can’t wait to showcase all of the warm weather activities Arkansas has to offer. You can find plenty of them on aymag.com, as well as on our Facebook and Instagram. And, as always, you can find them in our summer editions of AY.
May is a very special time at AY, too. And there’s never been a more special May than this one. That’s because this month, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of AY. I am so honored to have the opportunity to work alongside Vicki Vowell, our pioneer.
The work she has put into making this magazine what it is today, the best and largest lifestyle magazine in Arkansas, is unmatched.
I’m thankful to be a part of this AY team as we roll into another 30 years of providing the most captivating Arkansas stories to enrich your lives. Expect the next 30 years to be even greater than the first, as we have already experienced so much growth this year. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our company.
But one thing you can count on, beginning next month, is seeing Arkansas Money & Politics in print. That’s right. Arkansas Money & Politics is back, and you can find it inside AY each month.
With the goal of shedding light on our state’s budding business and government scene, our Arkansas Money & Politics team will be hard at work providing you an inside look at some of Arkansas’ biggest industry leaders, most exciting startups and key political movers and shakers. It’s back, and it’s better than ever!
May is also one of my favorite months here at AY because it’s the month we honor the best our state has to offer. From dentists to diners, from hospitals to home designers, our list includes all the best from every category in the state. And they were all decided by you, our loyal readers. We can’t wait to showcase who you chose this year.
In addition to AY’s Best, we’ve put together a great collection of stories this month, including a pair that highlight exciting things to do in Northwest Arkansas. If you plan to be in the area, check out our list of things to do and places to visit in Fayetteville. Or you can grab tickets to visit the fourth annual Bentonville Film Festival, one of the premier film festivals in the country, which promotes much-needed inclusion and diversity in the entertainment industry.
Or you can head down to one of Arkansas’ most overlooked river destinations: the Cossatot River. If you get hungry along the way, check out our list of the top 25 best burgers in the state. Trust me; it’ll make your mouth water.
This month, we’ve also shed light on Alzheimer’s. This terrible disease is becoming increasingly common in America, with a new case reported every 65 seconds. That’s why I have teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association to tackle the disease by participating in the RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football fundraising event. Serving as captain of the blondes, I hope to help raise money to fight Alzheimer’s and increase awareness.
In closing, I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers out there, including my own. Each and every one of you mean the world to your family, and here at AY, we wish you all the best!
Heather Baker signature
Heather Baker