Library hosting Read Ride Run and Book Sale
We’re excited to partner with the Friends of the Elkins Public Library to present the inaugural Read, Ride, Run fundraising event. It will kick off during the Friends’ spring book sale, which is March 31-April 2 at the Elkins Community Center. Participants can pick up their packets during the sale April 1-2 or register online at friendsofepl.elkinsar.org. Logs and money are due by 6pm on June 3. Winners will be announced June 6 and prizes are available for pickup on June 7 at the Library.
This event is designed to be fun for all ages and the proceeds will be used to support the Library’s summer programs. Participants can combine donations between the three activities and can accept one-time donations or on a per-minute basis. All checks must be made to the Friends of the Elkins Public Library and cash will be accepted but online payments are preferred.
Are you interested in sponsoring this event? We need items for swag bags, participant prizes, and donations to help fund the marketing efforts.
The book sale is 10am to 6pm March 31 and April 1, and 10am to 2pm on April 2. March 31 is only open to members of the Friends of the Elkins Public Library. The Library will have a limited number of Easter baskets to give away on April 1-2 (first come, first serve). Books are 50 cents each until Saturday at noon when the price is $2 per bag.
Questions? Visit friendsofepl.elkinsar.org or email audrabell@elkins.arkansas.gov.
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Thank you to this month's sponsors!
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Sponsorships help make what we do possible. If you would like to sponsor a future edition, email us at info@elkinsar.org or visit elkinsar.org
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We’ve revamped our Classifed Ads to focus on helping business and nonprofits connect with people needing jobs. Our job opening spots will be due at the same time each month as the display ads. They are $10 and up to 300 words. For more information, visit our media guide for sponsorships.
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April Calendar of Events
All events listed on the ECN Calendar are open to the public.
Thursday March 31 - Start of the Friends of the Elkins Public Library Book Sale at Elkins Community Center 10am-6pm (members only)
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
Friday April 1
· Kickoff for Read, Ride Run at the Elkins Community Center (part of the book sale) 10am-6pm to retrieve packets
· Friends Book Sale, open to the public at Elkins Community Center, 10am-6pm
Saturday April 2
· Final day of the Friends of EPL Book Sale at Elkins Community Center, 10am-2pm
· Lou & Eugene Grand Opening at 2073 N Center St, Elkins, 10am
· Jerick “Hutch” Hutchinson Memorial Auction at Charles H. Berry gym in Huntsville, 6pm (Huntsville FFA)
Monday April 4 *Curbside Recycling Day*
· Elkins Planning Commission - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Thursday April 7
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
Saturday April 9
· Writing Workshop & Critique Group at the Elkins Public Library - 10am
· Horsemanship Clinic at Jasper Springs Ranch 9am to mid-afternoon. Free to watch. vp@arabianofnwa.org for more info.
Wednesday April 13
· Tinker Squad Robotics Club, Elkins Public Library, 4:30pm
· Elkins Parks & Recreation Committee, 7pm
Thursday April 14
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
· Opening of Elkins Farmers Market at Harris Baptist Church, 3pm to 6pm
· Elkins Water Committee Meeting - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Friday April 15
· ECN Community Blood Drive at the Elkins Community Center, 1:30pm to 5:30pm (info inside)
Monday April 18 *Curbside Recycling Day*
· Elkins Planning Commission - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Tuesday April 19
· ECN Community Leaders Meeting - 8am at Nellie Bs Bakery
· Elkins 4H Club Meeting; 6pm - contact 4h@elkinsar.org for more info
· Elkins School Board Meeting - 6pm at the Elkins District Office
Thursday April 21
· Beginning of Citywide Free Garage Sale weekend (more details inside)
· NWA Food Bank mobile food bank at Elkins Community Center, 9am
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
· Elkins City Council Meeting - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Saturday April 23
· Last day of Citywide Free Garage Sale weekend
· Profitable Production for Soil & Water Health Workshop hosted by Beaver Watershed Alliance, 9am to 2pm at the Clifty Community center. RSVP at info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or (479)750-8007
· Spring Ball Opening Day Movie Night - 5pm to End of Movie at the Elkins Sports Complex
· Elkins High School Prom
Wednesday April 27
· Tinker Squad Robotics Club, Elkins Public Library, 4:30pm
Thursday April 28
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
Friday April 29
· First day of Citywide Cleanup at the Elkins Community Center 8am to 4pm (more info inside)
Saturday April 30
· FCBE Youth Silent Auction/Pancake Breakfast at First Baptist Church Elkins, 6:30am
· Citywide Clean up last day at Elkins Community Center, 8am to 4pm
· Artchella Art Festival - 9am to 3pm. Hosted by the Elkins High School Art Club
Monday May 2 *Curbside Recycling Day*
· Applications due for AEGIS Summer Camp at ONSC
· Elkins Planning Commission- 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Tuesday May 17
· EABN Business After Hours at Elkins Auto Body, 6pm
Saturday June 4
· Taste of Elkins Fundraiser for the Senior Activity and Wellness Center
Friday July 1
· Annual City of Elkins Fireworks Display at Bunch Park
Saturday August 13
· Elkfest
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View the complete calendar and submit your events at elkinsar.org or email us at info@elkinsar.org or call (479)274-0016.
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Ways to Serve
Between the May 24 and November elections, there are many open seats to run for in our community. All the filings are complete for the May 24 election, but there will be many still available for the November election, including the mayor and three city council seats in Elkins. An important way to make a difference is to run for office. If you can’t run for office, we encourage you to find out about the candidates so that you can be an informed voter, make sure your voter registration is up-to-date, volunteer with a campaign of your choice or volunteer to serve on a city committee.
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Elkins by the Numbers
Each month, we share data from several city departments. More information is available on our blog. All information is for the previous month and is based on reports given during the Elkins City Council Meeting.
Information from February 2022
- District Court: 336 Arraignments, 276 court trials
- Elkins Fire Department: 57 total calls (up from 26 same time last year)
- Elkins Police Department: 206 total calls made to dispatch
- Elkins Public Library (numbers are YTD): 3,440 visitors, 2653 cardholders
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History Corner
From Audra Bell, Librarian:
Thank you for your excellent response to the Elkins Public Library’s history project! Many of you have reached out over the past several months to donate items and tell us your stories.
One of the items we have received was a small stack of correspondence that dates back to 1912. They were found during a renovation project of a home in Elkins. The homeowner discovered the messages in one of the walls during the project and generously donated them to the library. What a fun addition to our history project!
One of Elkins’ very own residents, Mr. Jack Swift, was fond of Easter and coloring eggs. With this in mind a family member sent Jack an Easter-themed postcard on April 5, 1912. The sturdy paper, embossed details, and gilt edging has held up well for the last 110 years of living in the wall.
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Opening Day Movie Night Coming April 23
The Elkins Parks Department and the Elkins Parks & Recreation Committee will be co-hosting an Opening Day Celebration and Movie Night at the Elkins Sports Complex on April 23. This is a free event and everyone in the community is invited. Gates will open at 5pm with the movie, Chicken Little, starting as soon as the sun sets (around 8:30pm). Concessions for sale from G’s Meaty Buns and Arkanthaw Ice Shavers and carnival games before the movie starts. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or camping chairs. This is the first event in the Elkins Outdoor Family Fun Series. For more info about the series visit https://elkins.arkansas.gov/residents/outdoorfun
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Arkansas Homeowner Assistance Fund taking applications
The Arkansas Homeowner Assistance Fund application portal is officially open and accepting applications for assistance! HAF offers both Mortgage Reinstatement, which provides funds to eliminate or reduce past due payments and other delinquent amounts, and Utility/Internet/Broadband Payment Assistance, which provides funds to resolve delinquent payments for utility and/or internet access services, to low- to moderate-income homeowners impacted by COVID-19.
Please check the AHAF website (arkansashaf.com) to access program resources, check your qualifications, and apply. If you have already applied for Mortgage Assistance under our Pilot Program and would like to apply for Utility/Internet/Broadband Payment Assistance, you may enter your utility application through the online application portal. Please note that HAF is a first-come, first-serve program and you may only apply once for each type of assistance.
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Arkansas Rental Assistance Fund re-opened
The Arkansas Rent Relief Program re-opened in March and has resumed accepting applications.
Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants can claim up to a total of 15 months of rent and utility relief. Applicants who are eligible for 15 months of rent relief but have not yet submitted for the total 15 months are encouraged to submit another application.
Please note that eligible tenant-only payments will be made payable to both the landlord and the tenant. Landlords who submit a matching application will receive checks made out to the landlord only.
Applicants can still check the status of their application at any time by visiting ar.gov/rentrelief and selecting “Track Status.” Program and eligibility information can also be found on ar.gov/rentrelief.
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ECN hosting Blood Drive April 15
The Elkins Community Network is hosting our second blood drive 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Friday, April 15, at the Elkins Community Center. All donors will receive free COVID antibody testing with their donation. They will have access to their results within 30 days of their donation date. They will need to go to their donor portal to receive the results.
Please sign for your time slot at this link.
We have the opportunity to offer a blood drive every two months through the American Red Cross, which offers both scholarship and fundraising opportunities for qualifying youth organizations, including school programs. Interested in hosting one of the bi-monthly blood drives? Contact us at info@elkinsar.org.
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Elkins Art Club Artchella Art Festival April 30
The Elkins High School Art Club is hosting their Artchella Art Festival from 9am to 3pm April 30 at Elkins High School. The festival will feature arts and craft vendors, food, music, and games. This includes hands-on and interactive activities. They are also seeking donated items to raffle off. Admission is $2 for Adults, $1 for Children under 12. They are still accepting vendors for booths. This event is co-sponsored by the Art Club, Choir, Band, and STEAM. For more information, contact Casey Dean at cdean@elkinsdistrict.org.
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Free Garage Sale Weekend April 21-23
The annual Citywide Garage Sale weekend is scheduled for April 21-23. Residents will not need a permit to host a garage sale during those days. This is a great opportunity to clear clutter and make a little money. ECN plans to host a free map of submitted garage sales on our website and will announce those details when they become available. This is a service to the community and not required to host a garage sale. Please remember to pick up all signs that are posted after the sale is over. |
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Citywide Cleanup April 29-30
The annual Citywide Bulk Waste Cleanup will be 8am to 4pm on April 29-30, at the Elkins Community Center. At the time of this printing, the city was still waiting on final details on what is allowed by the trash company. Generally, no old paint or yard waste. Previous years required that you bring an Elkins water bill to prove residency and up to two loads are free. More information will be available as the time gets closer. This is the perfect time to get rid of items that don’t sell at your garage sale the weekend before that are also not in quality enough condition to donate to local thrift stores.
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FBCE Hosting Rummage Sale/Pancake Breakfast
The First Baptist Church of Elkins Youth program is hosting a rummage sale and pancake breakfast 6:30am on April 30 at the church. Times and other information can be found closer to the event on the church Facebook page. Donations can be made Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:00pm at the house next to the church.
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Arabian Horse Club Hosting Horsemanship Clinic
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The Arabian Riders and Breeders of Northwest Arkansas (ARAB) will be hosting a full day of quality horsemanship on Saturday, April 9, at Jasper Springs Ranch, in Fayetteville. Clinician Mike Grimm specializes in training and judging Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. Clinician Kelsey Griffing is an experienced equine bodyworker using Sports Massage Therapy and other techniques to assist in injury prevention and recovery in her equine clients. Visitors and guests are invited to come watch and find out more about the Arabian Horse and the ARAB Club of NWA. Clinics will run from 9am to Noon and 1pm to mid-afternoon. Participation in the event is free for club members. For more information on the event or how to join ARAB, you can visit arabianofnwa.org or contact us at vp@arabianofnwa.org or find us on Facebook at Arabian Riders and Breeders of Northwest Arkansas.
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Elkins Farmers Market opens April 14
Elkins Farmers Market is back starting Thursday, April 14 at Harris Baptist Church. Returning patrons will notice several changes this year. The market will only be on Thursdays this year unless the farmers end up with incredibly productive gardens. They will start earlier, however with a 3pm starting time. The current plan is to close at 6pm.
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Summer Kid Activities Gearing Up
Summer is still a couple of months away, but local organizations are already planning their summer kids activities. Here is a quick rundown of what we know so far. If you are planning a summer camp for kids in our area, please send the info to info@elkinsar.org.
Library Summer Reading
The Elkins Public Library Summer Reading Program kicks off June 16 at the Elkins Community Center. It will be every Thursday at 11 a.m. through July 21. The theme this year is Oceans of Possibilities. They already have several special events planned including The Institute of Jugglology, Alan Burdick (an NWA local magician), The Amazeum (hands-on robotics), an archeologist, and Marshall Mitchell (NWA local musician). The programs are all free to join throughout the summer.
Camp Drake June 22-24
Camp Drake is a three-day summer camp June 22-24 at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum for 8 year-olds to 14 year-olds. Check-in is at 8:30am each morning and check-out is at 3pm.
- Day One will be filled with hands-on aviation activities including a flight with the EAA.
- Day Two will be filled with hands-on engineering activities including building their own Wright Flyer with help from real engineers.
- Day Three your students will get to take rides on real military vehicles and then go through a mini boot camp with a real drill sergeant. If you do not wish your child to participate in this activity we will also have a Military Q&A Session. Parents will be allowed to come to lunch and will get to watch a military dog demonstration and also stay for the award assembly.
This camp is $75 for non-members and $65 for members.
Lunch will be provided each day along with snacks.
Please email director.aamm@gmail.com to sign your child up.
Elkins Robotics
The Elkins Robotics/Electronics Club’s Tinker Squad will kick off their summer session on June 1, at 4:30pm at the Elkins Public Library. The club will meet for one hour each week for 10 weeks. This summer the kids will have the opportunity to build and program micro-bit robot cars and radio controllers with a special end-of-program obstacle course demo at Elkfest. Tinker Squad is for students having completed grades 2 through 6. No prior robotics experience is required, but basic typing skills are very useful. The summer club size will be limited by the number of robots available, so interested parents should register early by contacting the Elkins Public Library at audrabell@elkins.arkansas.gov or (479)643-2904.
Elkins Summer School
The Elkins School District received a grant for a summer learning program for students currently in K-8th grades, 8:30am - 2:30pm, Monday through Thursday, June 6-June 30. Applications will be sent out in April. All student applications will be due by Monday, May 2. In addition to reading and math lessons, students will participate in real-world economics lessons, local history lessons, community service, and STEM projects. Camp-like activities such as arts and crafts and outdoor sporting events are also planned. Each week, age-appropriate field trips will be taken. Students will be served breakfast and lunch. Elkins School District is excited to offer this program completely free of charge to all student participants.
Scouts Twilight Camp
Come join Boy Scouts in the WestArk Council in the Wild Wild West at Cub Scout Twilight Camp! ‘We promise plenty of rootin' tootin' wild west fun every night. Fast and furious fun at the Stick Horse Races, Eagle Eye Archery, Bull's Eye BB's, and much much more!” The camp is Monday, June 6, through Thursday, June 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Registration is open now!
All youth going into 1st grade - 5th grade are welcome. For more information, visit: https://mycouncil.westarkbsa.org/Event/5432
AEGIS Summer Camp at Ozark Natural Science Center
Project Wet‘n’Wild will be held from July 11 - July 24 at Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC), an outdoor science education facility located deep in the Ozark Mountains. The 2-week long camp is free to accepted students, and is only for Arkansas students entering the 10th & 11th grade for the upcoming academic year. The deadline for application is Wednesday, May 2.
This incredible opportunity offers students the chance to assist field scientists as they gather data and explore a variety of habitats in the Ozark Natural Division. Students will track reptiles using radio-telemetry, assist ornithologists as they band birds captured in mist nets, monitor bats acoustically, search for fish and other aquatic life in the pools and riffles of the Kings River, examine the night sky, and more as they spend beautiful summer days and star-filled nights among the forest and river life. More information is available at https://www.onsc.us/aegis.
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Profitable Production for Soil & Water Health Workshop
The Beaver Watershed Alliance is hosting a workshop on April 23 from 9am to 2pm to assist participants in learning how to manage forage production to increase grazing days, reduce winter feeding costs, utilize riparian areas for grazing, and more. Expert presenters from the UA Division of Agriculture, Beaver Watershed Alliance, and NCAT/ATTRA will speak on a variety of topics. Free lunch is included for workshop attendees. To RSVP, email info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or call or text (479)750-8007.
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School Choice deadline May 1
School Choice applications are due to all appropriate school districts by May 1. We recommend not waiting until that date to ask questions or seek help from the appropriate school districts. Applications for the Public School Choice Act of 2015 must be sent to the resident and nonresident districts. Applications for the Opportunity School Choice Act must be sent to the resident district, the nonresident district, and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Qualifications and applications are available on the Elkins School District website (https://www.elkinsdistrict.org/) under Parents<School Choice.
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Rabies & Coggins Clinic April 9
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The Elkins Farmers Co-op is hosting a rabies and Coggins clinic 9am to noon on Saturday, April 9 at the Co-op. This is in cooperation with Harrison Animal Clinic and includes a variety of vaccination options for dogs, cats, and horses. Price information is available through the Co-op. Appointments are not required.
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EABN hosting Business After Hours May 17
The second quarterly Business After Hours will be 6pm, Tuesday, May 17, at Elkins Auto Body next to McDonald's. Elkins-Area Business Network, which is under the ECN umbrella, hosts quarterly gatherings for business owners and managers to share business tips, ideas, and find ways to work together. We now offer the opportunity to sponsor a meeting each quarter. These are the two packages available. Contact us at info@elkinsar.org for more information or to find out how to host a future meeting.
Package #1: $15
Logo and name on Facebook event banner
2 to 5 minutes to talk about you and your business at the event
Social media shoutout
Package #2 $25
Logo and name on Facebook event banner
2 to 5 minutes to talk about you and your business at the event
Social media shoutout
Business card size ad in ECN monthly newsletter print & digital editions.
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ECN Sponsorship Rates
We fund our ongoing programs through sponsorships in three forms. See details for each at elkinsar.org
Job Listings $10
Advertise your job openings directly to our community. Text only. Appears in both forms of the newsletter and on the website.
Display $25/50
Available in Business Card or Double Business card size. Will appear in both print and email newsletters and on our website.
Blog Article on Website $60
Informative and educational article with insights into your industry. Article featured as a blog on our website.
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Check local calendars for changes to events
We try to be as accurate as possible with our calendar information, but sometimes schedules change. For the most up-to-date information, check our events calendar on our website at elkinsar.org/. City of Elkins events can be found on the city website at elkins.arkansas.gov. Elkins School Events can be found on the district calendar at elkinsdistrict.org. The Senior Center also publishes a monthly newsletter with its menu and activities that can be found at aaanwar.org/locations/detail/1426
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Do you have a business, local organization, church, or youth activity that people need to know about? We have a directory for that! Please submit your organization to one of our directories or email us at info@elkinsar.org or call (479) 274-0016 so that we can spread the word about everything going on in Elkins.
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