FREE! March 2022
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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the March issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, part of the Occasions Publishing Group family of publications. NEA Kids’ Directory has many features that make it a valuable resource for parents, teachers, grandparents, and childcare professionals – anyone who is involved with children. It is compact in size, making it a handy resource to keep in your purse or car. In addition, it offers valuable coupons for use at kid-friendly businesses and includes a calendar of events so you know what’s going on across Northeast Arkansas each month. You’ll even find a convenient dining guide inside that lists restaurants offering free or discounted kids’ meals! Our goal each month is to help inform our readers of the many opportunities, events, products and services available for families in Northeast Arkansas. Please remember to support the businesses that advertise in this publication each month and tell them that you saw their ad in NEA Kids’ Directory. If you are interested in advertising in NEA Kids’ Directory please call us at 931-0012.
Audrey Poff, Publisher & Editor
MEET OUR COVER KID!
GEORGIA KATE Parents: Aaron and Whitney Garner photo by Melissa Donner Photography
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March Calendar
Throughout March The Forest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, located at 600 E. Lawson Road in Jonesboro, is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center offers visitors the chance to experience a unique piece of North America and its wildlife through multi-sensory movies, exhibits, trails, native gardens, nature programs and activities. Admission is free. Info: (870) 933-6787. The Arkansas State University Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During these hours, visitors can enjoy the Family Reading Castle based on the museum’s Mother Goose collection of characters, the Tinkering Studio, galleries and more. Info: astate.edu/museum or (870) 972-2074. The Foundation of Arts offers year-round registration for students interested in art, dance, theater and more. To register, visit foajonesboro.org. Info: (870) 935-2726. Jonesboro Music, formerly Kindermusik of Jonesboro, located at 2617 E. Nettleton Ave., Suite B, offers music and movement classes for children ages birth to 7 years old. Year-round enrollment is available. Info: kmusikofjonesboro.com or call (870) 761-6570. Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host Family Storytime for children of all ages every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Library. Tiny Tales Storytime for children up to 24-months-old will take place every Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Library. Storytimes are by reservation only. Info: (870) 935-5133 or libraryinjonesboro.org. The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host After-School Hangouts each weekday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. Each day will include two to three activity stations such as STEAM activities and arts and crafts. Info: (870) 935-5133 or libraryinjonesboro.org. March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 The Lawrence County Library will host Mommy and Me Virtual Storytimes every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged children and includes one story and a fun arts and crafts activity. For updates on other upcoming virtual events, find Lawrence County Library on Facebook or call (870) 886-3222. March 7-12 Rhea Lana’s of Jonesboro will host its 2022 spring event at the NEA District Fairgrounds/Nettleton Baptist Church, located at 7001 Johnson Ave. This family shopping event is free to the public beginning March 7. Info: Visit Rhea Lana’s of Jonesboro on Facebook or call (501) 514-4047. March 11-13 The Foundation of Arts will present “Willy Wonka, Jr.” at The Forum Theatre in Downtown Jonesboro on March 11-13. Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir is a golden ticket to adventure. Tickets may be purchased online or at The Forum Box Office. Info: (870) 935-2726 or foajonesboro.org. March 14 Rhea Lana’s of Jonesboro will host its Free Foster Family Shopping event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the NEA District Fairgrounds/Nettleton Baptist Church, located at 7001 Johnson Ave. Foster families are welcome to shop free high-quality items for the children in their care. Placement papers are required for entry. Info: Visit Rhea Lana’s of Jonesboro on Facebook or call (501) 514-4047. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA
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W
e recently asked our readers to weigh in on the best that Northeast Arkansas has to offer for kids, parents and families. From their favorite family-friendly restaurant to the best place for after-school care, our readers have made their favorites known and the votes have been counted. Congratulations to the winners of our sixth annual NEA Kids’ Directory Best Choice Awards for Kids and Families. It is an honor to showcase these individuals, businesses, events and venues that are favorites among families in Northeast Arkansas.
AND THE WINNERS ARE… Family Friendly Restaurant Fat City Finalists: Lost Pizza, Chick-fil-A
Best Day Care Center Look What I Can Do Learning Center Finalists: Discovery Island, St. Mark’s Day School
Best Burger JTowns Finalists: Five Guys, BA Burrito
Best Private School Blessed Sacrament Finalists: Ridgefield Christian, Crowley’s Ridge Academy
Best Breakfast Fat City Finalists: The Parsonage, Cracker Barrel
Best Public School Jonesboro Finalists: Brookland, Nettleton
Best Fast-Food Restaurant Chick-fil-A Finalists: Slim Chickens, Freddy’s Steakburgers
Best Preschool Center Brookland Finalists: Jonesboro , Blessed Sacrament
Best Pizza Lost Pizza Finalists: 1812 Pizza, Upper Crust
Best Kindergarten Jonesboro Finalists: Brookland, Blessed Sacrament
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Custard Andy’s Frozen Custard Finalists: Local Culture, Swirls
Best Elementary School Brookland Finalists: Blessed Sacrament, Visual and Performing Arts (Jonesboro)
Best Dessert Southern Confections Finalists: Bliss Cupcakes, Fancy Flour
Best After School Program Nettleton Camp Raider Finalists: Blessed Sacrament, Brookland Cat Club
Best Birthday Cakes Abby Cakes Finalists: Bliss Cupcakes, Something Sweet
Best Summer Care Program Nettleton Camp Raider Finalists: Brookland Cat Club, Jonesboro Cane Academy
Best Cookies Southern Confections Finalists: Abby Cakes, Something Sweet
Best Tutoring Service Clark’s Tutoring Service Finalists: TLC, The Apple Group
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Best Movie Theater Malco on Parker Road Finalists: Malco at Hilltop, Cinema 8 Paragould
Best Pharmacy The Medicine Shoppe The Hilltop Market Pharmacy, Soo’s Pharmacy
Best Kids Party Venue Hijinx Finalists: Ultimate Air, Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy
Best Counseling Center Families, Inc. Finalists: Life Strategies Counseling, Inc., Mid-South Health Systems
Best Kids Party Rentals Grand Slam Finalists: Bounce Brothers, KidsPlayce
Best Family Law Practice OMG Finalists: Oldham Law; Waddel, Cole and Jones
Best Public Park Craighead Forest Finalists: Miracle League, Joe Mack Campbell Park
Best Hair Care for Kids Great Clips Finalists: Sport Clips, First Class Cuts
Best Public Swimming Pool Paragould Aquatic Center Finalists: Jonesboro, Manila
Best Infant/Child Photographer Melissa Donner Finalists: Whitney Vassar, Amy Reeves
Best Family Practice Clinic First Care Stadium (St. Bernards) Finalists: Children’s Clinic, Jonesboro Pediatric Clinic
Best Family Photographer Melissa Donner Finalists: Amy Reeves, James Bickam
Best OB/GYN Clinic St. Bernards OBGYN Associates Finalists: NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic, AMMC
Best Music Store (Instruments) Back Beat Music Finalists: All-Star Music, Mr. Chrisso’s Music Shop
Best Pediatric Clinic The Children’s Clinic Finalists: Jonesboro Pediatric Clinic, KION Pediatrics
Best Children’s Clothing Kiddly Toes Finalists: Cutie Patootie, Dillards
Best Children’s Therapy Provider Families, Inc. Finalists: CME, Inc., Jumpin’ Jellybeans
Best Children’s Shoe Store Kiddly Toes Finalists: Dillards, Cutie Patootie
Best Dental Clinic Jonesboro Pediatric Dental Group Finalists: Fergus Spades, Bartel’s Family Dentistry
Best Children’s Costume Store Golden Grotto Finalists: Cutie Patootie, Target
Best Orthodontic Clinic Fergus Orthodontics Finalists: Weaver Orthodontics, Westrock
Best Party Supply Store for Kids Golden Grotto Finalists: Hobby Lobby, Target
Best Eye Care for Kids Elite Eye Care and Optical Finalists: Vision Care, Hilltop Eyecare
Best Sporting Goods Store for Kids Academy Sports Finalists: Play It Again, Gearhead
Best Eye Wear/Optical Dispensary Elite Eye Care and Optical Finalists: LensMasters, Visionary Eye Care
Best Toy Store The Toy Store Finalists: Target, Cutie Patootie
Best After-Hours Emergency Clinic First Care St. Bernards Finalists: NEA Baptist Urgent Care, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
Best Art School The Foundation of Arts Finalists: Visual Performing Arts School, Dale Case
Best Hospital St. Bernards Finalists: NEA Baptist, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
Best Cheerleading Facility Cheers Unlimited Finalists: Jonesboro Cheerleading Academy, RPM Athletics
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Best Dance Studio Christie McNeill Dance Studio Finalists: The Floor, The Foundation of Arts Best Gymnastics Facility Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy Finalists: Champions Gymnastics, Stars and Stripes Best Karate/Martial Arts Program Joey Perry Finalists: ATA Martial Arts Paragould, Lee’s Karate Best Music Instruction Program for Kids Jonesboro Music Finalists: Backbeat Music, All-Star Music Best Sports Training Program for Kids Elite Training Academy Finalists: Zoned In, RPM Athletics Best Swimming Instruction for Kids Massey Swim School Finalists: The School of Yaya’s Fishes, JETS
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