Lynda Hollenbeck: A Legend in Saline County Journalism
By Cody Berry Photo above of Lynda Hollenbeck courtesy of Destin Davis at the Saline Courier. On January 6, I learned about the passing of a legendary figure in modern Saline County history, the great Lynda Hollenbeck. Lynda was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas on August 8, 1941, to Paul and Lillie Parnell. A graduate … Continued
Who was Mrs. Gann?
By Cody Berry Since March is Women’s History Month, I wanted to write a bit about some Saline County women. Last week I recounted my meeting with the local chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, so this week, I wanted to talk about Mrs. Gann. Unlike Dr. Gann, Sr., who was … Continued
It’s National Library Week!
National Library Week is here, and we’re celebrating! Thank you to all the amazing things libraries, librarians, and library workers do to help strengthen our communities, promote literacy, and so much more! Check out the events that Saline County will have Starting Monday, we’ll have events EVERY EVENING during National Library week! Pick your favorite… … Continued
East End’s First Birthday!
🥳Our youngest branch, the East End Branch, was opened on April 1st last year, 2024. So this year, we’re celebrating!!! 🥳 On April 1st, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, we’ll have crafts, activities, and treats at the East End Branch to celebrate one year of awesome library-ing! So, some of our stats for the … Continued
A Visit with The Daughters of the American Revolution
By Cody Berry A while ago when I was working at the Benton branch of the Saline County Library, I met Mrs. Belinda Jones, Organizing Regent of the Saline Crossing Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She asked if I would be interested in having her group of ladies at the … Continued
Winter Reading was AWESOME!
❄️We had an absolute artic blast this winter with our Winter Challenges!❄️ Did you participate in one of our challenges? At The Saline County Library, we had 396 total participants: 174 kids and 222 adults! Thats a lot of reading, writing, and watching! And there was so many cool prizes for participating and completing our … Continued
Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes
Photography above provided courtesy of Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes. By Cody Berry Way back when I was writing entries for the CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas, its editor Dr. Guy Lancaster, sent me an Arkansas Times article about Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes by David Ramsey. Dr. Lancaster asked if I was interested in writing an entry on Barnes … Continued
Watch Oscar Worthy Films with your library card!
Did you know that the Oscars will be announced on March 2nd? That’s right around the corner! In this annual awards ceremony for outstanding achievement in film is definitely one to tune in to if you are an avid cinephile (lover of movies!) 🎥❤️ Here at the Saline County Library, we love movies too! Before … Continued
The Integration of Benton School District
By Cody Berry On February 4, 1965, the Benton Courier announced that the Benton School Board had officially agreed to comply with Civil Rights regulations in order to obtain federal funds through the National Defense Education Act. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on “race, color, or national origin,” so 1965 was … Continued
Charles Cunningham: A Life of Service
By Cody Berry Years ago, now, I met Charles Cunningham at a meeting in which the fate of the Palace Theater was being discussed before it was renovated. If only I had known more about him at the time. At some point I was asked to put an entry together on Benton’s Ralph Bunche Community, … Continued