Page 6 - 2018 TL Spirit of Saline County

6TT SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018
SPIRIT OF SALINE COUNTY • TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
MEET
YOUR NEIGHBOR
Jeff Arey
SALINE COUNTY JUDGE
HASKELL
WHAT CITY DO YOU LIVE IN?
I live in Haskell, my hometown.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN SALINE COUNTY?
All of my life
WHAT MAKES SALINE COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME?
Saline County has so much to offer: great neighborhoods, beautiful scenery and a central location in the state, but what really makes it a great place to call home are the people who live here.
HOW IMPORTANT IS PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY?
I think it is very important. I grew up in a small town, and my family operated a small retail store. The community supported that store and my family. For me, public service is a way to give back to that community that for so many years supported my family.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Those times when I am able to make a difference, either in the life of an individual or a community
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?
I love spending time at the lake with my family and friends. I also enjoy working outside around the house.
WHAT MAKES SALINE COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY?
Great churches, great schools, great com- munities, great people. No matter where you choose to live in Saline County, you will find a community that is family-oriented.
AIR-CONDITIONED
ACTIVITIES
Beat the heat with these cool places to play
BY CODY GRAVES / SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Summer is here, but the hot weather doesn’t have to spoil the fun in Saline County.
With a variety of community centers, libraries and other indoor places to go, there are a plethora of ways to stay cool this summer. Whether you want to dive into a pool or a book, here are some great ways to enjoy the air conditioning.
RIVER CENTER
e River Center in Benton has almost everything needed for summer fun. It fea- tures an eight-lane competition pool, a vortex pool, a two-story water slide and much more. e River Center also has an indoor track, four basketball courts, eight volleyball courts and a 28,000-square-foot fitness room. For more information, visit www.bentonar.org.
THE CENTER
e Center at Bishop Park in Bryant is another destination to visit this summer. It has an indoor/outdoor Junior Olympic- length pool, an aerobics room, exercise rooms, treadmills and a heated therapy pool. e facility also has a gymnasium and a splash pad. For more information, visit www.cityofbryant.com.
SALINE COUNTY LIBRARY
With two locations — the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton and the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant, the Saline County Library System has many activities for kids of all ages. From its sum- mer reading programs and story times to the Nitro Joe Science Show and yoga, these libraries are stacked with fun things to do. e Bryant branch will be closed un- til mid-August for upgrades to the facility. e Benton branch has added additional
PHOTOS BY CODY GRAVES/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Anna Wagnon, left, library assistant, and Rachel Wallace, assistant branch manager, pack away books at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant. The library will close this summer for renovations.
hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday during June and July. For more information, visit www.salinecountylibary.com.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SALINE COUNTY
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County has locations in Benton and Bryant, and a membership gives a child access to many summer adventures. From gardening to technology, Boys & Girls Club activities offer children an opportunity to grow and progress in a fun and safe environment. For more information, visit scbgclub. com.
HASKELL HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Explore the history of Saline County at the Haskell Historical Museum. This mu- seum, next to the Haskell City Hall, con- tains documents and artifacts that tell the story of the city and county. For more information, visit cityofhaskell.org.
A group of children at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton participate in story time.
CODY GRAVES/TRI-LAKES EDITION