Page 4 - Spirit of Hot Springs

4TT • SPIRIT OF HOT SPRINGS • SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015 TRILAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Meet your neighbors ...
Stories by Bruce Guthrie
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Photos by Gareth Patterson
TRI-LAKES EDITION PHOTOGRAPHER
CHERYL L. BATTS
President and founder
What do you love about your job at People Helping Others Excel By Example?
Working with the young people and watching them say their speeches with their heads held high. Knowing that in the very near future, they will have a historic building, the John Lee Webb House, to meet and greet and learn in.
How long have you worked in your current position?
The organization has been a dream forever — the position, almost 20 years.
Why is Hot Springs a great place to raise a family?
Because Hot Springs is small, geographically, it doesn’t take long periods of time to get from one place to another.The neighbors know each other and can help look out for the children. School districts, though, are really different.They do try to do the best for the children.
What are your hobbies?
I like to read, travel, and I love theater and singing!
What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? Well, I like a good action movie, a heartfelt romance that will make me cry!
What is Hot Springs’ best-kept secret?
The amount of African-American history that is here and how strategic Hot Springs was to the growth and development of many famous African-Americans.
ANTHONY VALINOTI
Business owner
How long have you lived in Hot Springs?
I’ve been here 2 1/2 years.
What drew you here?
A chance coincidence — the original shop [Delucas Pizza Napoletana] was to be opened in California, but the deal fell through, and I flew to Las Vegas and ran into an old friend who pointed me in this direction. I got on a plane the next day. It took me one day to decide this would be my new home.That’s how much I loved it the moment I saw it.
What makes it a great place to live?
The people here make the Valley of the Vapors so great. This is truly an incredible group of people who will go out of their way for you.They are a kind, friendly, fun-loving com- munity. I’m so happy to be a part of it.
What is your favorite thing about Hot Springs?
I love the setting here.The architecture is straight out of Europe. It has a very Old World feel to it while being surround- ed by the park. It transports you to another place and time.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
I catch up on some sleep, hit my friends’ restaurants and bars, and when weather permits, lake time.There is no better day than being on the water here in Hot Springs.
What is Hot Springs’ best-kept secret?
There is no secret.This is one of the great Southern cities in the United States. If you get a chance, come visit.You just might stay like I did.
AMANDA MOORE
Event planner
What do you love about your job?
I have the opportunity to continually expand my mental horizons. I cherish the fact that I get to meet people from all walks off life, often from various parts of the world. Learning new customs and cultures is always a treat for me.
What is your favorite thing about Hot Springs?
My favorite thing about Hot Springs is the downtown area. The incredible architecture, delicious food smells, amazing art, fabulous music and smiling faces abound. It is surrounded by a rich history with tales of good and evil, as all good stories have. I feel lucky to have grown up in such a lovely place.
What do you do if you aren’t working?
In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering. The Hot Springs Cultural Alliance, the Spa City Blues Society, Riverfest and many others are dear to my heart. Of course, I seize any opportunity to cheer on my favorite team, the Razorbacks, as well.
Why is Hot Springs a great place to raise a family?
For a family interested in the environment, outdoor recre- ation, art, culture and community, Hot Springs is the place for them. We are a smaller community, but oppor tunities abound. We have several good schools, but just as important, we have educational events, volunteer opportunities and a chance to learn about health and wellness from avenues explored by historical greats — all to give a child an extra boost at the life he or she deser ves.