This month, Arkansas Living turns 79 — the big LXXIX.
For decades, the largest publication in the state has been more than pages in a mailbox. It has been a welcome companion at the kitchen table, a trusted neighbor and a familiar friend. Through the years, it has captured the spirit of Arkansas — its people, its places and the stories that bind us together.
What makes Arkansas Living extraordinary is its connection and its constancy. Month after month, this magazine has carried recipes clipped and saved, portraits of perseverance and glimpses of rural life that define our state. It has chronicled the heritage of the electric cooperatives, from the moment electricity first reached the countryside to today’s stories of innovation and community.
After a long career in newspapers, where criticism spoke louder than praise, it has been rare and refreshing to edit something people genuinely love. Few publications can claim such a legacy. Many have come and gone, but Arkansas Living has stood the test of time. It’s a classic that embodies The Natural State — resilient, grounded and steadfast.
When I joined this magazine six and a half years ago, my mission from day one was simple: Don’t mess it up. In the four years I’ve been editor, that has remained my guiding principle. Because Arkansas Living is more than a magazine; it is a piece of home and a sense of belonging, shared across generations.
As we approach our 80th year, we carry forward that tradition with purpose and pride. Our promise is simple: Arkansas Living will continue to keep it rural and true to its roots.
Thank you for welcoming us into your homes and hearts for the past 79 years. It is a privilege we never take for granted, and one we look forward to honoring for many more years to come.
With gratitude,
