501 LIFE Magazine

09/19/2026

Rebuilding is personal for Jackson Crites.

A torn labrum and AC joint, followed by a torn ACL and meniscus two games into last season, forced the South Side Bee Branch senior to rebuild piece by piece. Jackson kept showing up, raising the standard with his energy, preparation and commitment. Away from football, he competes in basketball, baseball, golf and track, works at Choctaw Marina and serves the Damascus community as a first responder and firefighter. After graduation, he plans to study construction management at UA Little Rock and build a career with Nabholz. That is a powerful blueprint for a young man who refuses to be torn down.

Read Jackson's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-jackson-crites-south-side-bee-branch/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/19/2026

Speed gets attention. Leadership leaves an impact.

North Little Rock senior JaCorey Spann has both. The deep-threat receiver brings track speed, a high football IQ and the confidence to help a young team finish stronger. He placed second in the state in the 200 meters and now wants to help the Charging Wildcats make a run at the 7A title. Through the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce youth leadership program, JaCorey is also learning how to influence his community beyond sports. He hopes to play football, run track and study business in college—and be remembered as a positive influence on younger athletes.

Read JaCorey's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-jacorey-spann-north-little-rock/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/19/2026

A family name can cast a long shadow. Jeremiah Jimerson chose to create his own light.
The Malvern senior spent years hearing comparisons to relatives who played before him—and being told he might never reach their level. He turned those doubts into fuel, earning Farm Bureau Defensive Player of the Year honors for the Leopards. Jeremiah wants his senior year to be defined by physical and mental growth, no excuses and an example that inspires others. Away from the field, he wrestles, runs track, volunteers at games and draws. College conversations have included Boise State and Oklahoma State, but his future will also make room for fine arts.

Read Jeremiah's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-jeremiah-jimerson-malvern/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/18/2026

Congratulations to our dear friend and 501 LIFE contributor Kat Robinson! We’re excited to see that her newest book, “An Arkansas Pie Supper at Dairy Hollow,” is now available for pre-sale.

Kat has a wonderful gift for bringing Arkansas food, history and stories to life, and this collection of 1920s-era pies recreated from historic Arkansas recipes sounds like another delicious success. Use the link in Kat’s original post to reserve your copy!

Special Pre-Sale for the new book An Arkansas Pie Supper at Dairy Hollow: An Assortment of 1920s Era Pies Recreated from Historic Arkansas Cookbook and Newspaper Recipes

$29.99 pre-sale for signed, paperback copies, with expected delivery the third week of October.

The Whole Kit and Kaboodle, from Kat Robinson.

The Arkansas food historian and author tackles pies from the 1920s. In this book, An Arkansas Pie Supper at Dairy Hollow, Robinson shares nearly 80 tried and tested pie recipes she perfected during a baking residency in the Culinary Suite at The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They're accompanied by more than a hundred other recipes pulled from historic sources for you to try.

After months of diligent research digging through cookbooks and newspapers of the Twenties, Robinson has curated a mouthwatering selection of sweets and savories. Within these pages, she showcases her cooking skills and award-winning food photography, shares stories and advertisements from the decade, and offers a special section on how to make a variety of 1920s style pie crusts.

Bring unique flavors of the past to your table, with almost lost desserts like rich Amber pie, decadent date-laden pastries, a fig pie better than any newton you've ever enjoyed, and an array of different mincemeats. Rhubarb, orange, peach, they're all here, alongside regional favorites such as buttermilk, Osgood, sour cream raisin, and sweet potato. Try a tangy green tomato pie or sweet squash slice. And don't forget savory pies, from Cornish pasty to English pastry, beef and turnip, veal and ham, chicken, tuna, even rabbit!

Robinson explains them all, sharing not only the recipes but details on where dishes developed, what fats and binders found their way into crusts, and what pie pans and plates were in use at the time. Learn how pecan pies evolved from cream and custard to the Karo syrup creations popular today. Discover the pros and cons of different ways to make pumpkin pie, and why thin meringues were the bee's knees.

Robinson covers everything from Apple Pie to Zwieback Tart in this full-color assortment of sometimes amusing and always tasty slices. This array of delectable bites is truly the cat's pajamas.

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This book will be released in hardcover with an expected publication date of October 27, 2026 at a retail price of $45.99. Paperback will follow nationwide in January 2027.

Folks who order during this brief pre-sale will receive the first copies of this book that come to market. Get yours before anyone else. First edition copies limited.

Please share the link, - every purchase helps!

Link: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/X02RNE1PKGN93/checkout/5B6BL74Q72NX774MUC4L2FF4

09/17/2026

He once hated football. Now he anchors the Vilonia front line.
Jett Sanson's journey from reluctant fifth-grader to senior right tackle is a story about learning to love the grind. After a difficult 3-7 season, he and the Eagles are working to change what others think—and what they believe about themselves. His coach calls Jett the go-to person in any situation and says he has never met a player more willing to serve. That spirit extends beyond football: Jett is student council vice president, coaches pee-wee sports and collects vintage records. Next up, he plans to study finance at the University of Arkansas.

Read Jett's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-jett-sanson-vilonia/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/17/2026

Once, Josiah Riggs was the little kid in the stands looking up to the Panthers.
Now the Heber Springs senior is living that childhood dream—and showing younger fans what resilience looks like. A broken ankle and multiple concussions tested his commitment, but with support from family and coaches, he safely found his way forward. Josiah helped the Panthers upset top-ranked Mills and enters his final season chasing 1,000 receiving yards, all-state honors and a year his teammates will remember. He also competes in four other sports, serves through Beta Club and God Pleasers at Renew Church, and treasures playing beside lifelong friends.

Read Josiah's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-josiah-riggs-heber-springs/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/17/2026

No trash talk needed. Kambrien Blackmon lets his game speak.
The Conway senior has earned all-state honors in back-to-back seasons by mastering the quiet details—precise routes, natural movement and the confidence to attack the ball when a defense thinks it has him covered. Kambrien has faced self-doubt, but he answers it with work. This fall, he is chasing a state championship and Conway's career receiving-yardage record before taking his talent to Missouri State. His coach believes one more step could make him the best player in Arkansas. Kambrien's response will come where it always does: on the field.

Read Kambrien's story at https://501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-kambrien-blackmon-conway/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/16/2026

New school. New role. Same refusal to quit.
After transferring to Jacksonville, junior quarterback Kingston Burnett finally has the starting opportunity he worked for—and a tradition-rich program ready to follow him. Even when he believed he had earned a larger role elsewhere, Kingston prepared like a starter, stayed positive and refused to let adversity define him. Now he wants to lead the Titans deep into the postseason and pursue their first state championship in more than 40 years. Smart, patient and resilient, Kingston's message is simple: trust the process, keep working and keep faith in God.

Read Kingston's story at 501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-kingston-burnett-jacksonville/

09/16/2026

When the waters get rough, leaders steady the ship.
Through coaching changes and teammates transferring, Maumelle quarterback Levi Warrior has remained the anchor of the Hornets. The all-state senior owns the school's single-game passing record, but his greatest value may be the confidence he gives everyone around him. Levi wants to lead in both good times and hard times, encourage his teammates and outwork the opposition. Away from football, he carries a 3.8 GPA, serves through New Life Church, volunteers at children's camps and plays all-conference baseball. He plans to continue football while exploring construction management.

Read Levi's story at 501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-levi-warrior-maumelle/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.

09/16/2026

One final ride. Eight years of lessons, friendships and hard work behind it.
Perryville senior Mitchell McGrew is entering his last season with the Mustangs determined to play his best—and enjoy every moment. A new coaching era has brought new possibilities, and Mitchell quickly emerged as the leader of the offensive line, making calls and helping run the huddle. Injuries, tough losses and competition for playing time have taught him discipline and resilience. More than any single highlight, he treasures the brothers who have competed beside him. Mitchell wants to leave as a respectful young man who gave his best effort and never took a day for granted.

Read Mitchell's story at 501lifemag.com/501-football-team-2026-mitchell-mcgrew-perryville/

Thank you to Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank for sponsoring the 2026 501 Football Team.