Page 14 - Explore White County 2020

14SS SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • EXPLORE WHITE COUNTY
MEET
YOUR NEIGHBOR
Herman Clements II
PSYCHIATRIST AT UNITY HEALTH
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SEARCY?
It is small enough to feel like a hometown but large enough to offer a variety of activities
that you see in larger communities. Harding University also brings educational, musical and theatrical opportunities to the public that you would not see in small towns.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED THERE?
15 years
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE CITY?
The opportunity to be a part of opening a new Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at the former White County Medical Center, now known as Unity Health.
WHAT MAKES YOUR CITY A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY? There are multiple spaces in the city that are open to nurturing different children and family needs in the community. Some are supported by the city, some by churches and some by organizations. Facebook and other social media and, for
some, word of mouth make it easy to find these spaces. Searcy is a place where you see people motivated to try to provide support, growth and entertainment for the community’s children.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I get the opportunity to meet the needs of the people in my community and work with fantastic people who are committed, as I am, to doing the best for the community.
WHAT MAKES UNITY HEALTH SO IMPORTANT TO THE AREA? Unity brings health care home to our community so we can survive and thrive. Health brings security — people feel that their health needs can be handled here, at home. Their extended family’s needs can be handled here, at home.
OUTDOOR SCENE 10 great activities to explore in White County
BY CODY GRAVES / CREATIVE SERVICES WRITER
Arkansas is known as e Natural State, and White County helps it live up to that nickname. With great fishing, lots of parks and much more, there’s plenty to explore in the area.
If you’ve had a case of cabin fever this year, the following are some great places in White County to get some fresh air.
SEARCY SWIM CENTER
Make a splash this summer at the Searcy Swim Center, the city’s premier water park. It has a large outdoor pool with a variety of slides, a play structure, water guns, sprin- klers and much more. is pool is also a ze- ro-depth-entry pool, so it’s easy for kids of all ages to get into it. e Searcy Swim Center also has two indoor pools. One is a multipur- pose pool for lap-swimming, water-aerobics classes and swimming lessons. e other is a therapy pool designed to be a relaxing experi- ence for those with arthritis.
For information, call (501) 279-1035.
LITTLE RED RIVER
For great fishing, the Little Red River offers many popular species for anglers to catch. Created from the tailwaters of the Greers Ferry Lake dam, the Little Red Riv- er is home to species such as the brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. One world-record-breaking brown trout has even been caught in the river.
PANGBURN CITY PARK
For outdoor fun in Pangburn, the Pangburn City Park has a great selection of activities. e park has a big play structure for the kids, a walking trail, pavilions and three ball fields.
BEEBE CITY PARK
A hub of activity for the city of Beebe, the Beebe City Park offers seven ball fields, a pool, six pavilions, a stage, playground equipment, basketball courts and much more. For more information, visit beebeark.org.
STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Crystal McWhirter of Beebe walks her dogs Skibbles, left, and Bistro at the Historic Pioneer Village in Searcy, where 19th-century farm equipment, buildings and other artifacts are displayed.
DOWNTOWN SEARCY
e thriving area of downtown Searcy has become a must-see destination in Arkansas. Visitors can view the White County Courthouse, the oldest functional courthouse in the state, and a plethora of beautiful murals, as well as check out many businesses in the area. Searcy’s Spring Park, which has playgrounds and sports fields, is also nearby.
ROSE BUD CITY PARK
e city of Rose Bud has a small city park with a playground, benches, a walking trail and the Jim Burkett Memorial Sports Complex.
HENRY GRAY HURRICANE LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Located near Bald Knob, the Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area is maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. is area is open to the public, and hunters can find a large range of wildlife, including quail, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, turkey and deer. Hunters are required to have a hunting license and to follow all hunting
regulations and site-specific rules. For more information, visit www.agfc.org.
BALD KNOB LAKE
As the main reservoir for the city of Bald Knob, Bald Knob Lake is also popular for fish- ing. Anglers can expect to find bass, crappie, bream and catfish in the lake. A boat launch is available, and boats are restricted to having motors that are under 10 hp.
HISTORIC PIONEER VILLAGE
Offering a glimpse into the past, the Historic Pioneer Village in Searcy has a variety of exhib- its to explore to learn how early settlers of the area lived. e village displays farm equipment, buildings and other artifacts that are accurate to the 19th century, and staff members dress in time-appropriate attire to show how the people lived. For more information, call 501-580-6633.
SEARCY SPORTS COMPLEX
Take the family out to a ballgame at the Sear- cy Sports Complex. is park has lots of fields for baseball, softball and soccer. e Searcy Dog Park is also here, along with a disc-golf course.
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