Primary Elections & Judicial and School Board General Elections May 24
Tuesday, May 24, is an important day in our community and state as that is primary election day for the mid-term elections. It is also the general election day for Nonpartisan Judicial Offices and for Annual School Board members. What makes this election different is that there are more seats open than normal due to the 2020 U.S. Census results causing redistricting. The elections for our city mayor and city council are in November.
Here are the offices that will be either a primary or final election on May 24 in Elkins:
- All of the Elkins School Board seats
- U.S. Senate Arkansas
- AR Secretary of State
- U.S. House AR District 3
- Arkansas Governor
- Lt. Governor of Arkansas
- Attorney General of AR
- AR Treasurer
- AR Auditor of State
- AR Commissioner of State Lands
- AR Supreme Court Position 2
- AR Supreme Court Position 6
- AR Supreme Court Position 7
- AR State Senate District 29
- AR House of Representatives District 25
- AR Court of Appeals District 3.
The voter registration period for this election has already ended. Early voting starts May 9 and is held at various locations around Washington County, including the County Courthouse and the Elkins Community Center. The early voting hours at the community center are 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday (May 9-20). It will also be open 10am to 4pm May 14 but closed May 21.
To see the names and party affiliation of all candidates in Washington County visit the Washington County Election Commission online at https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-a-e/election-commission. That information will include if that race will also be on the General Election ballot in November. You can also view a sample ballot at Ballotpedia.org.
The only election day voting site in Elkins is the Elkins Community Center but registered Washington County voters can vote at any of the ballot locations.
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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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May Calendar of Events
All events listed on the ECN Calendar are open to the public.
Thursday May 5
· Library Story Time - 11am at Elkins Public Library (this event happens every Thursday)
· Elkins Farmers Market - 3pm at Harris Baptist Church (this event happens every Thursday)
Monday May 9
· Early Elections begin
Wednesday May 11
· TinkerSquad Robotics - 4:30pm at the Elkins Public Library Community Room
· Parks & Recreation Committee meeting - 6:30pm at the Elkins Public Library Community Room
Thursday May 12
· Library Story Time - 11am at Elkins Public Library (this event happens every Thursday)
· Elkins Farmers Market - 3pm at Harris Baptist Church (this event happens every Thursday)
· Water & Sewer Committee - 7pm at the Elkins Community Center
Saturday May 14
· Writing Class - 10am at Elkins Public Library Community Room
Monday May 16 *Curbside Recycling Day*
· Elkins Planning Commission- 7pm at Elkins City Hall
Tuesday May 17
· Elkins Community Network Community Leaders - 8am at Nellie B’s Bakery
· EABN Business After Hours at Elkins Auto Body, 6pm
· 4-H Club meeting - 6pm at Elkins Community Center
· Elkins School Board Meeting - 7pm at the Elkins Administrative Building
Thursday May 19
· NWA Mobile Food Bank distribution - 9am at the Elkins Community Center
· Library Story Time - 11am at Elkins Public Library (this event happens every Thursday)
· Elkins Farmers Market - 3pm at Harris Baptist Church (this event happens every Thursday)
· Elkins City Council meeting - 7am at Elkins City Hall
Friday May 20
· Elkins High School Graduation - 7pm at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville
Saturday, May 21
· Mayfield Mercantile Spring Show - 8am to 4pm at 20815 Pug Gayer Rd. Fayetteville (Rural Goshen)
Tuesday May 24 *Election Day*
· Polls open at Elkins Community Center - 7:30am
Wednesday May 25
· TinkerSquad Robotics - 4:30pm at the Elkins Public Library Community Room
Thursday May 26
· Library Story Time - 11am at Elkins Public Library (this event happens every Thursday)
· Elkins Farmers Market - 3pm at Harris Baptist Church (this event happens every Thursday)
Monday, May 30 MEMORIAL DAY
· All City Offices Closed
TUESDAY May 31 *Curbside Recycling Day*
· Trash and recycling delayed one day because of holiday - 6:30am
· Last Day of School
Friday June 3
· Logs and sponsorships for Read, Ride, Run library fundraiser due by 6pm
Saturday June 4
· A Taste of the Elkins Area Fundraiser for the Senior Activity and Wellness Center - 11:30am at Elkins Community Center
Wednesday June 8
· Start of the Summer Robotics Program at the Elkins Public Library - 4:30pm at Elkins Public Library. Pre-Registration requested.
Thursday June 16
· Start of the Summer Reading Program for Elkins Public Library - 11am at Elkins Community Center
Friday June 17
· Blood Drive with a fundraiser to support the Elkins Robotics Electronics Club - 1pm at Elkins Community Center
Friday July 1
· Annual City of Elkins Fireworks Display at Bunch Park
Friday July 23
· Harry Potter-themed fundraiser for Elkins Public Library 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
Parks Committee
The Parks Committee, which helps plan events in Bunch Park and advises the city on enhancements to the park, needs more members. The committee meets every second Wednesday of the month and is led by Lynn Francis. Committee members must be a registered voter and a resident of the city of Elkins. Contact Lynn at lynn.r.francis@gmail.com for more information or for an application.
History Project volunteers
The Elkins Public Library’s History Project needs volunteers to learn how to scan in historical documents and memorabilia and upload the scans to the history project website. Training will be provided! Contact Audra at audrabell@elkins.arkansas.gov to learn more.
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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 March, presented at the April council meeting:
- Police Department: 280 Total Calls (only includes what goes through dispatch)
- Fire Department: Total Calls 154 (up from 77 same time last year)
- Elkins Public Library: 5,142 Visitors, 2678 cardholders (YTD 2022)
- District Court: 245 Arraignments, 185 Court Trials
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History Corner
By Audra Bell
Thank you for all the awesome donations to the library as part of our local history project initiative! In a recent search through donated items, we have come across the lyrics to an official city song. Who knew Elkins had a song? This copy of handwritten lyrics was donated as part of a scrapbook put together by long-ago elementary-aged students.
Elkins, Elkins is our hometown
Tis a place that we all love
There is time for friends and
Neighbors to meet and have loads of fun
Where the river flows by
And children go to school
All the folks are friendly
Here and smiles are the rule
There a welcome awaits all
Her children, who have wandered afar from home
Elkins, Elkins we all love
You, to us you’re as sweet as honeycomb
The author notes that this song is sung to the tune of “Ark.” In our research, they seem to mean our state anthem, “Arkansas” as they both share similar lyrics. If you have time, we encourage you to search out and listen to our state anthem and learn our town song!
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A Taste of the Elkins Area coming June 4
The Elkins Senior Wellness and Activity Center is hosting their second annual A Taste of the Elkins Area 11:30am to 2:30pm, Saturday, June 4, at the Elkins Community Center. There will be food samples from a variety of local restaurants and also local musicians playing. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at several locations that will be announced as the event gets closer. This event is a fundraiser for the Center’s Meals on Wheels program, which provides about 1,500 meals every month in Elkins, Wesley, Goshen, and parts of east Fayetteville. For more information about becoming a sponsor, purchasing tickets, etc., visit https://elkinsar.org/atasteofelkins/ or contact the Senior Center.
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Business Networking 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 and ideas, and find ways to work together. Wish List Travel is this month’s sponsor and owner Paul Graham will share more about travel during the event. Please make sure to bring your business cards and invite a guest! We would love to revive our business networking group.
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Read, Ride, Run still underway
The Friends of the Elkins Public Library's new fundraiser Read, Ride, Run is still underway! This event goes through June 3 and is open to all ages. Participants earn sponsorships for how much they read, ride their bike, or run/walk. This is a fun opportunity for families and teams to work together and earn money for the Library’s summer programs including the Summer Reading Program and their participation in the Elkins Public Schools’ Elk Excursions. Interested in sponsoring, providing swag, or participating? Visit https://friendsofepl.elkinsar.org/ for more information.
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Blood Drive June 17
Did you know that you can donate blood and also help a local fundraiser? We partner with the American Red Cross for a different fundraiser every two months and for the June 17 drive, we are raising money to support the Elkins Robotics Club. Here’s the thing: We need at least 30 donors to reach our goal! Here is our signup link for appointments but walk-ins are always welcome! The blood drive is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, June 17, at the Elkins Community Center. Interested in working with us for a fundraiser at a future blood drive? Reach out at info@elkinsar.org.
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Elkfest plans underway!
We are beyond excited for Elkfest, which is planned for August 13. So far, we have a car show, silent auction, emergency fair, dog show, cybersecurity class, and a vendor show planned! We would love to have more events, presentations, and programs from local community groups. Ideas include meal fundraisers, car wash, rummage sale, or a workshop you can present. But if you have another idea, we want to hear it! We will have applications for some of the existing events such as the vendor show this summer. For more information, email us at info@elkinsar.org. To apply to offer an event during Elkfest, visit elkfest.elkinsar.org.
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Robotics club earns grant for summer programs
The Elkins Robotics Electronics Club (a partnership between the Elkins Public Library and the IEEE Ozark Section) has received an IEEE Pre-University STEM Portal Grant. The grant is funding the purchase of micro:bit microcontrollers and micro:bit robot car kits for use in the Tinker Squad summer program, starting on June 8. Tinker Squad summer participants will get to build and learn to program their own robot cars and demonstrate what they have built at Elkfest on August 13. Tinker Squad is a free program for students having completed grades 2 and up. For more information, contact the Elkins Public Library at audrabell@elkins.arkansas.gov or (479)643-2904. |
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New Friends of EPL membership levels
Friends of the Elkins Public Library is revitalizing and the new board is already planning great things. They would love to have you as a member and now have new membership levels!
Individuals: $10
Families: $20
Businesses: $50
You can pick up an application at the Library or contact them to get a PDF sent to you. The annual dues help support the Friends efforts, which are largely supporting the Library’s programs.
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4-H Donation Drive for Animal Shelter
The Elkins 4-H Club is having a donation drive for Paws & Claws Animal Shelter. A donation drop-off box will be located at the Elkins Public Library throughout the summer. Paws & Claws has asked for donations of: cat litter, cat and dog food, kitten food, new cat or dog toys, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, leashes, collars, and harnesses. If any local businesses are interested in partnering with Elkins 4-H by providing a space for a drop-off box, or if you have any questions, please contact 4-H leader Lynn Francis at lynn.r.francis@gmail.com.
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Elkins Schools Summer Program & “Elk Excursions”
This summer will be filled with fun activities for students as the Elkins School District is hosting a summer program including lessons on robotics, journaling, and local businesses. Part of their programming will be “Elk Excursions,” which are field trips they will take to the Elkins Public Library and local businesses. They also plan to have speakers come in and talk about their work. To volunteer to host an excursion, to be a guest speaker, or for more information, contact Jerri Foster at jfoster@elkinsdistrict.org.
Elkins Public Library Summer Reading Program
The Elkins Public Library is hosting their annual Summer Reading Program, which will be every Thursday at 11 a.m. at Elkins Community Center. There will be a special presentation each week from June 16 through July 21.
Elkins Robotics Club Summer Session
Finally, the Elkins Robotics Club will be hosting a summer program starting June 8. There is more information about that program inside this newsletter.
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Creig Rogers Memorial Trail Ride May 21
The Creig Rogers Annual Memorial trail ride will begin at 8am, Saturday, May 21 at 3151 Ed Edwards Rd., Fayetteville, AR. Participants are asked to come early as the ride will leave right at 8. They will have time for the kids to ride around 11:30 or noon. Lunch will be at 12:30. The event includes a silent auction that raises money for an Elkins High School student to attend college.
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Elkins High School Graduation May 20
The Elkins High School Graduation ceremony will take place on May 20 from 7pm to 9pm at Barnhill Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. For more information, contact Elkins High School Office at 479-643-3381.
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Local Youth Mountain Bike Team seeking Student Members
The Fayetteville Student Mountain Bike Team, which is part of the Arkansas Interscholastic Cycling League, is open to members from Fayetteville and the surrounding communities in grades 6 through 12. The team is a co-ed team and all are welcome. The 2022 season practices begin July 1. For more information, or to register, fayettevillestudentmtb@gmail.com.
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Elkins Primary School Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration are Open
Registration for Pre-K and Kindergarten students is open for Elkins School District. The full information can be found on the district website. You can call the Primary School office at 479-643-3380 if you have any questions. The forms are available to download from the website or can be picked up at the school. Students entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before August 1st. For Pre-K, students must be 3 or 4 years of age by August 1 and enrollments are first come, first serve with limited spaces available. https://www.elkinsdistrict.org/4812.
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Mayfield Mercantile Offers Spring Craft Show May 21
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Mayfield Mercantile, a locally owned and operated boutique business, is hosting its first spring craft show from 8am to 4pm, Saturday, May 21, at 20815 Pug Gayer Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72703 (off Highway 45 near Goshen). The company offered a fall show last October and it was so successful that they are introducing a spring show. Offerings will include handcrafted/handmade items, boutique items, and food. For more information, visit Mayfield Mercantile on Facebook.
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Job Listings Now Available
We are trying to build the new job listings section on our website but we need your help! We can’t list jobs from local businesses that we don’t know about. So, if you are a local business or know a local business that is hiring, this information is for you. We offer free job listings on our website and there is a $10 charge if you want it posted in our monthly newsletter (both print and digital). Please email your job listings to info@elkinsar.org and indicate if you want it on the website or website/newsletter.
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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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