April 3, 2026

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About the Cover . . .  

“Mystical Mayhem”   Photo of Emilie Boyett by Photographer Pam Clark Courtesy of Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance, taken at Arts & The Park 2025  A huge thankyou to Pam Clark for spotting and capturing that fantastic photo of Emilie Boyett in full Mystical Mayhem glory.  It’s vibrant, imaginative, and perfectly reflects the spirit of Arts & The Park and its celebration of creativity. Emilie looks like she’s having the time of her life, spreading joy

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Coming Soon! Peter Pan Performance by Children’s Dance Theatre Company 

Last year’s cast of Peter Pan ballet brought a bit of Neverland magic to the stage.  Hot Springs Children’s Dance Theatre Company invites you to take flight to exotic lands with a full-length ballet production of Peter Pan. Based on J.M. Barrie’s famous tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up, this brilliant story takes audiences on a high-flying adventure to Neverland.  There, Peter Pan, Wendy, John, and Michael encounter pirates, the Lost Boys, Captain

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TAROT: The Lessons of the Fives in 2026 

Michelle Crandell explores Tarot in 2026. Fives represent obstacles encountered when you attempt to actualize dreams and desires. —photo by Steve Bonner.   By Michelle Crandell 2026 begins with endings (tens) and ends with beginnings (ones). Fives are the midpoint. Fives represent obstacles encountered when you attempt to actualize dreams and desires.  At TEN: Reflect upon how you handled challenges, “the fives” presented along the way.  At ONE: Anticipate obstacles. Problem-solve; avoid, or accept them as part of the journey.  FIVES: Situations you did not create, not under

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Supporting Bees Has a Wide Impact 

Spring is a great time to take an interest in learning more about supporting native bees and honeybees in your area.   By Alison Crane The connection between bees and biodiversity and ecosystem health is a common theme among environmentalists. Bees pollinate about one-third of the world’s food crops. They indirectly aid in absorbing carbon dioxide by supporting the reproduction of plants and trees. Declining bee populations serve as a warning sign of broader

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Cameo Blue  

Fayetteville resident Carolyn Guinzio is this year’s recipient of Arkansas’s most lucrative and prestigious literary award, The Porter Prize, accompanied by $5,000. Guinzio is author of eight poetry collections (including, most recently, Cameo Blue), and her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, and The Nation. Guinzio was nominated by 2003 Porter Fund Literary Prize recipient and Little Rock resident Kevin Brockmeier.    The Porter Fund Literary Prize is presented annually to an Arkansas writer who has accomplished a substantial and

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Local Businesses Honored by Arkansas-Asia Business Council 

Beth Wild accepts AABC’s first runner-up business award from Longhua Xu (l) and Jayesh Ramnani (r). Courtesy: Arkansas-Asia Business Council  Hot Springs was the epicenter for Arkansas’s evolving international business landscape when the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses announced its transition to the Arkansas-Asia Business Council (AABC) during its annual “East Meets West of Arkansas” Lunar New Year Luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel.  “We announced this milestone here because this city has always

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Hot Springs’ Newest Hotspot is Taking the Town by Storm 

And the sipping is good at 421 Beer Garden.  Inspired by classic European beer halls, 421 Beer Garden, located at 421 Broadway Street, offers outdoor seating, communal tables, and a relaxed setting where friends and families can gather to eat, drink, and enjoy great company.  An explosion of craft beer awaits, featuring an inspired mix of imported favorites and standout local brews. With 20 rotating taps pouring some of the finest draught beer

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Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Announces “Preserve Our Past” Art and Essay Contest 

The AHPP “Preserve Our Past” competition is open to all Arkansas students in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, including those in public, private, and homeschool settings.    The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) is accepting submissions for the 2026 “Preserve Our Past” Art & Essay Contest. This annual contest invites Arkansas students in grades five through eight to explore the state’s rich architectural and cultural history through creative expression.  The

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2026 Arkansas Living Treasure Award goes to Fiddler, Tim Trawick 

Tim Trawick has been a staple in Central Arkansas for the fiddle community and has taught nationally recognized and award-winning fiddlers.  Trawick grew up playing music with his father, who won the Arkansas Old Time State Fiddle Championship in 1979. He is a third-generation Arkansas fiddle player and continued the craft by teaching his sons, along with hundreds of fiddle players statewide and regionally.  Beyond teaching, Trawick has performed fiddle statewide and

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AMP’D UP: Awareness Changes Everything 

Limb loss changed my body. Awareness changed my purpose.  By Rick Bontkowski The room is quiet except for the soft mechanical rhythm of a prosthetic foot meeting the floor. Step. Pause. Step again. For many amputees, that sound marks the beginning of a completely new life.  April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, and for the past several years, I’ve used this space in The Springs Magazine to highlight remarkable people in the amputee

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Shop Local at The Velvet Attic Boutique 

Annie Smith and Melodi Cone, the girls of The Velvet Attic.  The Velvet Attic Boutique is owned by Annie Smith and Melodi Cone, two local entrepreneurs who have a shared love for unique, eclectic style, creativity, and community.  What began as an idea between friends has grown into a thoughtfully curated boutique offering distinctive pieces not commonly found elsewhere.  As a women-owned small business rooted in the heart of Hot Springs,

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✨ April’s Cosmic Green Light: A Month to Move and Manifest 

By Chana Prince April’s Cosmic Green Light: A Month to Move and Manifest  Greetings Fellow Travelers,   April brings powerful lunar energy, with a Full Moon on April 1 and a New Moon on April 17—guiding a cycle of release and fresh beginnings. Fueled by Aries drive and Taurus stability, this is one of the best months of the year for purposeful, productive action aligned with long-term goals.  A key theme is

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Most Popular Stories

About the Cover . . .  

“Moku Playland”   Photo of Kate Zunick Courtesy of Hot Springs Sister City  Kate Zunick relaxes in one of the most beloved features of the Moku Playland exhibit — a giant wooden “hot springs” tub filled with hundreds of smooth wooden balls inspired by the bubbling thermal waters of Hot Springs.  Hidden somewhere among the

A One-of-a-Kind Wooden Play Experience Arrives in Downtown Hot Springs 

Moku Playland Pop-Up Opens June 1 with Interactive, Screen-Free Fun for Families  Families and visitors to downtown Hot Springs will have the opportunity to experience a unique style of hands-on play this summer as Moku Playland opens June 1 for a special month-long pop-up at 831 Central Avenue.  Open Thursday-Tuesday

World Championship Bathtub Races Set for June 6 

The Hot Springs Fire Department entry nears the finish line in the 2025 Running of the Tubs. — Courtesy Visit Hot Springs  The lineup is complete for the 2026 Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races through historic downtown Hot Springs. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday,

Yoga: Two Months at The Yoga Place 

Where are we?” Missy Conry and Melissa Stevens  By Missy Conry & Melissa StevensCan you spot where we took this picture? Take a selfie in front of the same mural and text to 501-651-0545 for a free drop-in class! You can also text us for hints if you need a clue.  As we reflect