February 2024 Newsletter
As we eagerly await the arrival of spring, the anticipation of longer days and blooming landscapes fills the air. It won't be long before our porch parties are back!
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Elmwood Park Book Club Comes Together to Support a Neighbor in Need
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Many of us move to Elmwood Park not just for the beauty of our old homes and convenient location, but also for the sense of community that pervades the neighborhood. Our porch parties, Community Nights Out, and neighborhood cleanups are great examples of what Elmwood Park offers. But too few of us are aware that the neighborhood is also the home to the Elmwood Park Book Club, a group of women who meet monthly to talk about a book everyone has read. It’s so much more than just a chance to read interesting books. This became apparent over NYE and the weeks that followed.
A long-time member of our community fell in her home a few days before NYE. Neighbors who normally walk her dog were away on vacation. They returned on Jan. 2 to find her nearly unconscious on the floor, her faithful dog beside her. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital and treated. Her house was in complete disarray as our dear neighbor, whose disabled husband died two years ago, had spent three years before that caring for him in their home. When he died, she was left all alone with a house that needed a lot of care and work.
This is when the Elmwood Park Book Club comes into the story. While our neighbor recuperated in the hospital and a rehabilitation center, the book club members and their spouses sprang into action. In a few weeks, the group cleaned and organized the house and garage, painted, did the dishes, laundered all clothes and linens, installed new lighting and so much more.
Our neighbor is now home recuperating, receiving therapy, and enjoying her clean, safe home. This is what makes Elmwood Park a true community and a wonderful place to live! If you’re interested in joining the book club, please email cathy_brookshire@yahoo.com for meeting locations and times.
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Last Friday Night Returns
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Main Street District Expands Yellow Shirt Ambassadors Down North Main
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The Main Street District has received additional funding from the City of Columbia to expand Yellow Shirt services down North Main Street. This expanded coverage includes Main St. from Elmwood Ave. to Anthony St., looping through Cottontown.
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2024 Neighborhood Improvements
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As we plan for the year ahead, the Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association Board wants to hear from you! Do you have a project idea or area of improvement for our neighborhood? Whether it's big or small, submit your thoughts!
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Meet the Parents at Curiosity Coffee
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We all know how hard it is to meet people as an adult and it doesn’t get any easier the older we get. Curiosity is hosting a get-together for anyone 65+ who could use a casual night out with some folks in their same age group. If you are under 65, you’re welcome to attend as long as you bring somebody 65+ with you.
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Neighborhood Garden Renovation Update
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Elmwood Park won a grant through the Columbia Green Grant Program to renovate the neighborhood garden at Park and Barrett Streets. The garden sits in Elmwood Park but is an important interface to Earlewood with a large volume of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic.
Our first step in the project is to clean up the space. Join us on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to noon to pull weeds, remove plants and prepare the site.
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Neighborhood Spotlight: Beth Frost
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Congratulations to our neighbor Beth Frost for being elected to the Main Street District's Board of Directors. “It’s an honor to join the Board of Directors for the Main Street District in Columbia,” says Beth. “There is a lot of positive traction happening in the Main Street District and I feel fortunate to help continue to move that forward by getting to work with other leaders and bring attention to this great city.”
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Empowerment for Peace Walk
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Join us on Sunday, February 25, for the fourth annual Empowerment for Peace Walk. Since 2020, this walk has served as a united stand against gun violence and in celebration of youth, youth empowerment, community and PEACE for all.
- Route: Belmont Neighborhood to Lorick Park
- Check-In: 1:30 p.m.
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
- Block Party: 4 p.m.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact erica@serveandconnect.org or 803-200-2156.
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Cottontown Art Crawl: March 9
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The Cottontown Art Crawl returns on Saturday, March 9! This free event runs from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and features nearly 200 artists. Interested in volunteering? Visit the event website.
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Neighborhood Safety Reminder
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Please always call 911 first for immediate help and then follow up with our Community Response Team (CRT) Officers. You can also call the non-emergency number (803-252-2911) first.
CPD contacts:
- Officer Hendrix at 803-318-6986
- Corporal Rogers at 803-397-2090
- Lieutenant Brink at 803-509-1787
Please also continue to file police reports for anything of concern. There is a convenient online reporting tool for non-emergency matters.
Additional key contacts:
- Yellow Shirts: Timothy Smith, Outreach@msdcolumbia.com, 803-995-2316
- Transitions Outreach Coordinators:
- Larry Benjamin (evening): lbenjamin@transitionssc.org, 803-363-4581
- Alycia Roach (daytime): aroach@transitionssc.org, 803-467-0411
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Show Your Neighborhood Pride With Elmwood Park Merch
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Head over to the Elmwood Park website to purchase shirts, hats, cups, flags and even a new apron.
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Renew Your EPNA Membership
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While we moved to rolling annual memberships last year, many memberships are coming up for renewal now! Please be on the lookout for your renewal email from our Wild Apricot membership platform. If you’re not yet a member yet, join us!
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Gardener’s Outpost February Tip
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Now is the time to start your tomato seeds inside. Not only is it a great indoor activity but it starts the countdown to spring! Can't wait to get into the garden? Start sowing seeds directly into the ground this month. Seed sowing for February includes spinach, kale, lettuce and carrots. Clemson University is a great resource for timing your vegetable garden.
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Need help or have questions? Visit Gardener’s Outpost at 1211 Franklin Street!
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Interested in becoming a neighborhood sponsor? We'd love to have you! Let us know!
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