Celebrating the past, looking to the future at Elkfest
Throughout our monthly Community Insights columns, we’ve talked about different aspects of leadership and community. All of those ideas will still be incorporated as we shift to include a different topic, perspectives.
We are looking for perspectives from the past and how they will shape our future as a community. That’s why we are using the Community Insights space to tell you about Elkins’ new community-wide celebration, Elkfest. Decades ago, Elkins hosted the Poultry Festival and we’ve loved hearing stories about it. Since Poultry Fest ended, Elkins has not had its own community-wide event.
That’s about to change!
We co-hosted the first-ever Elkfest last year along with the Elkins Police Department as a fundraiser for their Shop with a Cop program. This year, the event will expand to include individual fundraisers and events from local organizations, businesses, and city departments. ECN will be the lead organizers of the overall event, which will include coordinating with the leaders of the approved events. These events already include the Shop with a Cop silent auction and expanded car show, an ECN hosted vendor fair, and several other local organizations are already planning their own fundraisers and educational events.
Here’s where we invite you to join us! Elkfest will be held throughout the town including the community center, sports complex, senior center, Bunch Park, and the library. We need proposals for what events you and your organization want to host. There will be a small fee due to ECN once your event is approved (businesses will be $25 and nonprofits $10). Any money you raise stays with your organization. The fees will help with marketing and planning costs, including having your event on the new Elkfest website, access to online credit card processing, and a place for any registration forms you will need for your event.
The application to host your own event is on the website now: Elkfest.ElkinsAR.org (not case sensitive). Questions? Email us at info@elkinsar.org. More information about participating in Elkfest will be available soon!
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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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March Calendar of Events
All events listed on the ECN Calendar are open to the public.
Wednesday March 2
· EABN Quarterly Networking Meeting - 6pm at G’s Meaty Buns. RSVP on Facebook if possible or email info@elkinsar.org
Thursday March 3
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am; Storytime happens every Thursday at 11am
Saturday March 6
· Learn to Make a Rain Barrel Workshop - 1pm at White River Nursery; Workshop presented by Washington County Cooperative Extension
· Geocaching Hike for girls ages 11-17 with BSA Troop 357 (an all-girl BSA Troup)
Monday March 7 - *Curbside Recycling*
· Elkins Planning Commission- 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Tuesday March 8
· Elkins Lions Club Lunch Meeting - 12 noon at El Rio Grande Restaurant
Wednesday March 9
· Tinker Squad Robotics Club for Grades 2-6; 4:30p at Elkins Public Library; Tinker Squad meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
· Elkins Park Committee Meeting - 6:30 pm at Elkins Public Library Community Room
Thursday March 10 -
-Last Day to submit Concession Stand Bids for the Sports Complex to Elkins City Hall
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
· Farmers Market Informational Meeting - 5pm at Elkins Public Library Community Room
· Broadband Town Hall - 6pm at Elkins Public Library Community Room
· Elkins Water Committee Meeting - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Saturday March 12
· Elkins Volunteer Fire Dept Drive Thru Pancake Breakfast - 6am to 11am at Fire Station 1 (197 W First St)
· Writing Workshop at the Elkins Public Library - 10am; more info inside
· Crosses Community Church Chili Supper Benefit for Roger & Sheila Glenn - 5pm at the Church
· Round Mountain Missionary Baptist Church Homecoming Family Weekend - 4:30pm at the Church
Sunday March 13
· Round Mountain Missionary Baptist Church Homecoming Family Weekend - 9:15am at the Church
Tuesday March 15
· 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 March 17
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
· Elkins City Council Meeting - 7pm at Elkins City Hall
· NWA Food Bank Mobile Pantry - 9am at Elkins Community Center
· Senior Center St. Patrick’s Day Dinner - Order by March 10, Pick up from 4pm to 6pm at the SAWC
Friday March 18
· Voter Registration Drive - Elkins Public Library - 8am to 6pm
Saturday March 19
· Voter Registration Drive - Elkins Public Library - 10am to 2pm
Monday March 21 - *Curbside Recycling*
· Elkins Planning Commission- 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Tuesday March 22
· Elkins Lions Club Dinner Meeting - 6pm at Tequila Grill
Thursday March 24
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
Thursday March 31
· Storytime at the Elkins Public Library - 11 am
Friday April 1
· Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale & Read-Ride-Run registration
Saturday April 2
· Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale & Read-Ride-Run registration
Saturday April 23
· Spring Ball Opening Day Movie Night - 5pm to End of Movie at the Elkins Sports Complex
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
Senior Center planning committee
The Senior Activity and Wellness Center is needing more volunteers to serve on their event planning committee, which will primarily focus on their Taste of Elkins fundraiser in June. Contact Claudine at 479.643.2741.
Volunteer at upcoming fundraisers
We are excited to see so many fundraisers and other activities coming back to our community! Each month, we share different events coming up and many could use volunteers. Helping plan or conduct an event would be a short-term, easy way to volunteer.
Elkins History Project
The Elkins History Project is looking for volunteers to assist with digitizing of photographs, documents, and other documents. Contact the library at elkinspubliclibrary@gmail.com or (479)643-2904
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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.
January 2022
- District Court: Arraignments 255, Court Trials 193
- Elkins Fire Department: 57 Total calls (compared to 24 in the same timeframe last year)
- Elkins Police Department: Total calls 249 (includes only calls made to dispatch)
- Elkins Public Library: 1882 visitors (YTD)
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History Corner: a postcard
This month’s history corner is a postcard from 1903. Apparently, an industrious local photographer was offering them for sale. “In regards to the postcards, I will make you 5 for 25 cents or 5 cents for each of what you want.” If you have local history you would like to share, please contact the Elkins Public Library or go to elkinsarhistory.com to submit your own historical items. More recent historical items are welcome as well.
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Library hosting Read Ride Run and Book Sale
We’re excited to partner with the Friends of the Elkins Public Library to present the first Read, Ride, Run fundraising event. It will kick off during the Friends’ spring book sale, which is March 31-April 2. Participants can pick up their packets during the sale April 1-2. They have until June 3 to get sponsors and do their desired activity (reading, riding their bike, or running). Winners will be announced the following week. We will have more information soon! Watch the Elkins Public Library Facebook page for more details about both the book sale and Read, Ride, Run.
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Broadband meeting March 10
 Whether you have great internet at home or no internet at home, we hope you will join us and the Elkins Public Library for our Broadband Town Hall meeting at 6pm, Thursday, March 10 at the Library. Representatives from ARBroadbandNow will be there surveying local residents about their internet access to gain a better understanding of who has access and how it’s being used. Quality internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessary utility and we are joining the library in their digital inclusion efforts.
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City no longer accepts cash
The City of Elkins will no longer accept cash payments for any fines, fees, or other payments. The decision was made during the January 2022 City Council meeting. Check, money order, and debit or credit cards will all be accepted.
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Crosses Community Church benefit
Crosses Community Church is hosting a benefit chili supper, pie auction, and silent auction 5pm, Saturday, March 12, at the church. All proceeds will go towards assisting community members Roger and Sheila Glenn with medical expenses. For more information or donations, contact Rex or Jana Eatan at 479.387.6785, or Billy/Veronica Gregory at 479.841.2181 or 479.841.2285.
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Senior Center St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser
The Elkins Senior Activity and Wellness Center is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Meal fundraiser. Kitchen Manager Shari will be cooking her corned beef and cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and dessert.
All meals must be ordered no later than March 10 through the senior center (call 479.643.2741). Only cash or checks will be accepted. The meals will be available for curbside pickup 4pm to 6pm, Thursday, March 17. Call the center for questions!
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Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
The Elkins Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual pancake breakfast Saturday, March 12 from 6am to 11am at Station 1 (197 W. First Ave.). The fundraiser will be drive-thru only and the cost is $5 per plate with children age 5 and under eat free.
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Learn to make a rain barrel
Join Washington County Cooperative Extension Service at White River Nursery for a Rain Barrel Workshop at 1 pm, Sunday, March 6.
The beginning of the workshop is free and will feature a short, educational session that will cover the "why" and "how" to build a rain barrel.
In the second part of the workshop that begins at 1:30pm, participants will be building a barrel together. This portion will be reserved for the first 15 participants who pre-pay to secure their spot. They will leave with a 55-gallon rain barrel.
Payment must be made via cash or check at the Washington County Extension Office located at 2356 North McConnell Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704. For more information, contact the extension office at 479.444.1755.
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Monthly writers class at the library
The writers class and critique workshop will become an ongoing monthly event starting 10am to 12pm, Saturday March 12, at Elkins Public Library Local author Linda Rigsbee is offering the class, which will include a different self-publishing topic each month and the opportunity for developing a writing critique group. The March topic is developing alpha and beta readers.
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Elkins Sports Complex Accepting Concession Stand Bids
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The Elkins Sports Complex is taking bids for the Concession Stand lease for the 2022 Baseball/Softball Season. There is a $1,000 minimum bid and applications are due by March 10, 2022. The applications are available on the City of Elkins website at: https://elkins.arkansas.gov/amenities/sports-complex or can be picked up at City Hall.
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Elkins Parks Department Accepting Umpire Applications
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Registration is now closed for the Spring Ball season, but the Elkins Parks Department is still accepting applications to coach and to Umpire during the 2022 Spring Baseball and Softball seasons. Coaching is a volunteer position, but umpires on a per game schedule. Application is available at Elkins City Hall or on the City of Elkins website at: https://elkins.arkansas.gov/amenities/sports-complex
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Opening Day Movie Night Coming April 23
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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. Gates will open at 5pm with the movie starting as soon as the sun sets (around 8:30pm). There will be food and carnival games before the movie starts. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or camping chairs. More information will be available soon on the City of Elkins website. 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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Boy Scout Hike-a-thon
The Scouts of BSA Troop 460 are raising money to pay for Summer Camp at SF Scout Reservation near St. Louis, MO. They will learn Scout skills while having fun on the 260-acre private lake. The cost is $385 per Scout. Troop leaders believe it is important for a Scout to pay his own way, so over Spring Break, the Scouts will hike or backpack 20 miles on the Ozark Highland Trail from White Rock Mountain to Lake Ft. Smith. They are asking that supporters please pledge anything possible. After the hike, the Scouts will come back to collect your donation. If paying by check or Venmo, please indicate which Scout you are sponsoring. If you prefer, you can also sponsor the Troop and they will split the donation with all the hikers. For more information, email t460scoutmaster@gmail.com.
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Scouts to host geocaching hike
BSA Troop 357 is hosting a geocaching hike 2pm-4pm, March 6, at Mud Creek Trail. Troop 357 is an all-girl Scouts BSA troop in Fayetteville. All girls between the ages of 11-17 are welcome to join. They will learn leadership skills and serve the community while having fun! To sign up for the hike or ask questions, email RazorbackTroop357@gmail.com.
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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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The Arkansas School of Math, Science and the Arts invites motivated rising sophomores to spend an exciting week at their Hot Springs’ campus. All camp activities, including tuition, housing, meals, and class supplies are free. Selection for all camps is competitive and the deadline to apply is Friday, Apr 1, 2022. Camp topics for 2022 include Studio Art, Research in the Park, Biomedical Sciences Summer Institute, and Computer Science Camp. Application information is available at https://www.asmsa.org/outreach/summer-at-asmsa/.
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Farmers Market Info Meeting
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The Elkins Farmers Market will be having an informational meeting for Vendors on Thursday, March 10 at 5pm at the Elkins Public Library in the Community Room. The Elkins Farmers Market is an outdoor fair-weather market that runs from spring through the end of the harvest season. More information,, including contact info, can be found on their Facebook page at Elkins Farmers Market.
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Voter Registration Drive Now March 18-19
Due to the winter weather, our voter registration drive has been rescheduled. We are partnering with the Elkins Public Library and the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office to offer a non-partisan voter registration drive. It will be during the regular library hours on Friday and Saturday, March 18-19. You will be able to look up your registration status online and register to vote. There are many open offices and ballot initiatives in 2022 so this is an important step to having your voice heard.
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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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