Sarah DeClerk

6 days ago | aymag.com | Sarah DeClerk

When life gives you bananas, make banana bread, and when life does not give you enough places to buy plant-based, gluten-free goodies, make them yourself. That was the mentality that inspired Melissa Novakovich, a classically trained chef, to start her bakery business, The Ripe Banana, out of her home kitchen in Jacksonville in June 2024. “Frustrated with the lack of plant-based and gluten-free options around town, I decided to bake my own to sell,” she said.

1 week ago | aymag.com | Sarah DeClerk

Although men face less judgement when it comes to mental health these days, they still have a long road to mental wellness. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half receive treatment, and more than four times more men than women die by suicide each year. “Isolation is the killer,” said Kellee McCoy, founder and CEO of Argenta Counseling + Wellness in North Little Rock.

1 week ago | aymag.com | Sarah DeClerk

Photos courtesy of Linda Harding PhotographyEphemeral, ethereal, surreal — these are the words photographer Linda Harding uses to describe her work. “Dark” and “feminine” also come up a lot. Viewing her photos is like stepping into a fairytale, one Harding lives in full-time and the rest get to visit occasionally. “I like to take my viewers into a different world than what you live in because it’s way more fun,” she said. “I don’t want to live in this world.

2 weeks ago | aymag.com | Sarah DeClerk

Summer is certainly a busy time for travelers, but what about time travelers? Families can step back into the late 19th century at Pioneer Village in Searcy, which will host Saturday tours throughout the summer. Offering a collection of historic buildings near downtown Searcy, Pioneer Village is a must-see attraction for anyone who wonders what it was like to live in rural Arkansas more than a century ago.

2 weeks ago | armoneyandpolitics.com | Sarah DeClerk

Eureka Springs has long been a destination for visitors, from early European explorers seeking the fountain of youth to 21st-century art lovers drawn to the culture of the place. The city also holds appeal for treasure hunters, including those who make the drive to Wonderland Antiques just east of town.