New Acquisition: Civil War Minie Balls
By Cody Berry This time we are taking a break from the mines of Bauxite and the upcoming exhibit about WWII to announce that the Gann Museum has recently acquired something very special. Saline County resident Don Lucy came to see me on June 5 to donate a set of 18 Civil War era Minie … Continued
Your Guide to Summer Reading for Kids
Overwhelmed by all our Summer Reading kids events? Let’s break it down! Whether you want the kids to relax and engage their creativity with crafts, or more engage in more active play and excitement in our storytimes, we have a program for you. We’ll be your guide to help you find the perfect event for … Continued
Our Summer Reading Challenge is for Adults, too!
While we have some awesome opportunities for your little ones to participate in our Summer Reading Challenge, we also have some fun events for adults as well! Whether you enjoy a spooky time or want to experience a fun night of arts and crafts – we have it all! Take a look at our handy … Continued
Building a Wall of Honor
By Cody Berry Over the past few weeks, I’ve been hard at work combining lists of local WWII veterans together. The idea was to pay homage to the men and women from Saline County that answered the call to serve during the Second World War. Inspired by Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., … Continued
Lion King Jr Playbill
The Saline County Library and the Rising Stars players proudly present our 6th annual library theater production: “The Lion King, Jr.” This production will premiere for one night only on Thursday, May 29, 2025, lead by SCL library staff members Mason Newberry and Nathan Clay and Rising Stars student Evalyn Russum with a cast of … Continued
Gann Museum Day
By Cody Berry Did you know that former Benton Mayor Lynn Moore and former County Judge Lanny Fite issued proclamations naming May 18, 1999, as “Gann Museum Day?” I didn’t either until I started looking through our many, many scrapbooks at the Gann Museum this week. At that time, the Gann Museum’s executive director was … Continued
Bauxite’s Reaction to Pearl Harbor
By Cody Berry On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which propelled the United States into WWII. The Arkansas Democrat’s top headline that day read “Japanese Declare War,” above pictures of a battleship on fire and planes flying over the island. That day the Japanese bombed Manila, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and … Continued
Library Board Vacancy
At the May 12, 2025 Saline County Library Board of Trustees meeting, a call was made for applications for the trustee position that will become vacant July 1, 2025. Interested applicants are asked to submit a current resume as well as a cover letter outlining their desire to serve and how their skills and experience … Continued
WWII in Bauxite, Arkansas
By Cody Berry In recognition of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2025, I wanted to write about what life was like in Bauxite during the Second World War. Legislation passed during the Great Depression allowed workers to organize, bargain collectively, and to have more control over their employment. Union activity began … Continued