EABN Meeting Jan. 26

The Elkins-Area Business Network is kicking off its 2023 networking season with a meeting at 6pm, Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Reliable Bookkeeping and Tax Prep (2684 Hollybrooke Dr.). These quarterly meetings are designed for business owners and professionals to gather to meet and share about their businesses. There are sponsorships available for each meeting, which allows for that business owner to have a longer share time about their business. For more information about being a sponsor or host for future meetings, contact info@elkinsar.org. 

Friends, Library Board to host meetings

Ways to Serve: Foster a pet

In our first Ways to Serve of 2023, we wanted to highlight the need for pet foster families. All the local shelters, but especially the nonprofit Paws & Claws Pet Shelter that you will see at several of our events, rely on area residents to foster their dogs and cats while they wait for a permanent home. The shelters provide for the animal’s needs, including vet care, while they are a guest in your home. Each shelter has its own program, and this can be a fun activity for your entire family. Don’t want to foster? The shelters also need volunteers for other activities, such as cleaning the shelters or walking the dogs. 

Community Insights:
Service Creates a Sense of Belonging

Elkins by the Numbers

Every month, the city department heads report their numbers for the previous month to the Elkins City Council. A summary of those reports is in our monthly newsletter. All of the below numbers are from November and reported at the December meeting.

• Elkins Fire Department total calls: 39
• Elkins District Court: Not available in the city council packet
• Elkins Public Library: 23,271 visitors (year to date), 14,891 total items in collection. 
• Elkins Police Department: 294 total service calls (this includes only what goes through dispatch)

FBCE Bible Studies beginning

First Baptist Church of Elkins is starting their next ladies' Sunday Night Bible Study of 2023 on Jan. 8. The study will be by Jennifer Rothschild, “Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me.” The seven-session study will run through Feb. 26. For more information or to sign up, call the church at 479.643.3140 or email FBCElkins@yahoo.com.

Writing Class Jan. 14

The writing classes with Author Linda Rigsbee and at the Elkins Public Library will continue into 2023 (weather permitting) with Jan. 14 being the next class. Each class provides some instruction with additional opportunities to receive constructive critique. The Jan. 14 class will focus on reading manuscripts. Writers are encouraged to bring a few pages or the first chapter of their work in progress and read it to others. This group is encouraging for all writers, no matter their level of experience. 

Reptile Show and Tell Jan. 28

Parent Grief Meetings

In January, Arkansas Children's Hospital is offering a virtual-only grief support group for K-12 students and the adults connected to them. These sessions are intended especially for children, teens, and families who can't make in-person sessions. There are eight weekly sessions, about 90 minutes long. Meetings will be on Monday and Tuesday evenings beginning the week of January 16 with a Parent Orientation meeting on Monday, Jan. 9. All meetings will be by Zoom. Interested families can complete an application for their child at this link. Click on Arkansas Children's Grief Support Groups and scroll down to download a application. Applications can be faxed (501-978-6424) or emailed to: goodmourning@archildrens.org. 

Holiday Expo scheduled for 2023

The Elkins Holiday Expo is already set for 2023! The expo will be on November 18, 2023, at the Elkins Community Center. We know this is before Thanksgiving, but this allows us to truly kick off the full holiday season without overlapping with the many Christmas-oriented activities that are after Thanksgiving. We will start planning in the fall but wanted you to be able to put it on your calendars now!

Elkins Lions Club Making Changes

The Elkins Lions Club has changed their meeting times and location recently to be one meeting monthly; their meetings are 6pm every second Tuesday at Rio Grande. This organization, which focuses on education and support for causes related to sight and diabetes, participates in a growing number of local community activities. They are looking for more members to join. This can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and participate in a valuable cause throughout the year. 

Christmas Tree Disposal

Did you have a real Christmas tree this year and want to know what to do with it? The city weekly trash service through CARDS does not allow for landscaping/yard refuse so please do not set it out with your trash. We researched a few ideas for you. 
 
If you choose to let it dry out and burn it, we ask that you make sure to only do so under the guidelines outlined in the city ordinances regarding burning (available on the city website). Also, please do not let it dry out in or next to your home as it is a fire hazard. 

Another suggestion is to donate it to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to create fish habitats in state-managed lakes. This is the list of the drop-off spots in Northwest Arkansas: 

• Beaver Lake – Highway 12 Access, AGFC Don Roufa Highway 412 Access, and Monte Ne Boat Ramp Access
• Lake Elmdale – Boat Ramp Access
• Bob Kidd Lake – Boat Ramp Access
• Crystal Lake – Boat Ramp Access
• Lake Fayetteville — Boat Ramp Access

Please make sure that you remove all decorations and lights. The trees will be accepted at the above locations through January. 

Another option is to take your tree to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. The giant cats are just like their domesticated relatives in that they love playing with Christmas trees! The trees can be delivered to the front at the gift shop any time the refuge is open. Let the staff know you have a donation and they will tell you where to take it. Their hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Sunday-Saturday. Again, please make sure all decorations are removed before donating. 

PTO Birthday Grams