COMMUNITY DIGEST

Siloam Springs Writers Guild coming events

The Siloam Springs Writers Guild will hold their third annual conference on July 27 at First Baptist Church. Registration and more information is available at www.ssWritersGuild.org or SSWGsisp@gmail.com.

The Writers Guild will meet for their regular meeting on Aug. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, west entrance. Assignments for August are: Prose — Vacation(s) up to 400 words, and Poetry — a seasonal Sonnet of 14 lines to be emailed to SSWG sisp@gmail.com between July 20 and August 1.

The Writers are sponsoring the annual Roy Chesney Poetry Contest with the topic, “Building Bridges,” for residents within 10 miles of Siloam Springs. Entries may be submitted to SSWGsisp@gmail.com between Aug. 1-31. Address all questions to WWW.ssWritersGuild.org.

CHESS Information and Sign-up Fair

Christian Home Educators of Siloam Springs will hold its 2019 Information and Sign-up Fair on from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 at Siloam Springs Bible Church. Guests will have the opportunity to join, renew and sign up for this year’s activities. Group representatives from the surrounding community also will have information on services and opportunities for homeschoolers.

Library Bookstore Sale

The Friends of the Library Bookstore is hosting a Hot Reads for Summer sale of all fiction/novels (paperback or hardcover) three for $1 during the month of July. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of used books and electronic media in good condition are always welcome, especially materials of interest to children and teens. The bookstore is operated by Friends of the Library and all proceeds are used to benefit the library. Everyone is welcome to come and shop in this little hidden corner of Siloam Springs. Friends of the Library seeks and welcomes new members who desire to join their organization and further its mission by volunteering or fundraising. Information about membership is available at the library.

Boys & Girls Club Program Registration

Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County is accepting registration for the Siloam Springs summer program. Session 2 will be through Aug. 2. During the session, the club will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children will receive breakfast and lunch at the middle school and an afternoon snack will be provided. Prices are $100 per session. To register online, visit www.bgc wbc.org. For more information, call 479-524-4174.

SSRH Auxiliary volunteer drive

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Auxiliary is looking for willing volunteers for the information desk, obstetrics department, radiology department, surgery department and materials management. The Auxiliary offers an opportunity to help the community while working three or four hours a week. Stop by the front desk of the hospital for an application or call Donna Conger for more information at 479-373-6428.

Coat drive

New and gently used coats and sweaters of all sizes, especially children’s sizes, are being collected for those in need. They will be distributed at the clothing giveaway at Eastgate Church of Christ from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. Items also are offered to nursing home residents and students at local schools. All coats will be cleaned by Snappy Dry Cleaners. Coats can be dropped off at the office of Dr. Susan Vaughan at My Family Eye Care located at 820 Stateline Road in West Siloam Springs or Snappy Dry Cleaners located at 618 S. Holly St. or at Eastgate Church of Christ located at 1997 East U.S. Highway 412. For more information, call Joyce at 918-422-5811.

Fire Department feedback

The Siloam Springs Fire Department offers an Emergency Medical Services Customer Survey that will allow individuals who have been treated by a city ambulance to provide honest and confidential feedback about their experience. Customers can provide valuable insight and feedback into the Fire Department’s performance.

“Our goal is to constantly strive to improve the quality of the services that we provide to the citizens,” said Siloam Springs Fire Department Chief Jeremey Criner. “The feedback that we receive will be an integral part of our quality improvement program.”

If you’ve had any interaction with the city’s EMS crews, please take a few minutes to fill out the EMS Customer Survey located on the Fire Department page of the City’s website, www.siloamsprings. com/199/Fire.

Yoga classes

Bridges to Wellness and the Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation Department are sponsoring Yoga classes. Classes will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday nights at the Moss House located at 311 S. Mount Olive St. The cost for classes is $3. For more information, call Sarah Losh at 479-5493143.

Senior Activity Center

The Siloam Springs Senior Activity and Wellness Center invites anyone over the age of 60 to come to the center for lunch.

The center is located at 750 Heritage Court. Cost for lunch is $3 donation per meal. There is an exercise room and game room for guests’ enjoyment. If you need a ride, the center’s van can pick you up. Call 479-524-5735 for more information. Menus and activities calendar is available in the lobby.

Dogwood Literacy Council

It is rewarding to be able to assist someone who is trying to improve their literacy skills in order to help their family. The Dogwood Literacy Council is in need of more volunteers who would like to become a tutor. Training and materials will be provided. For more information, contact Charlie at 479-524-4009.

Make your home safe and accessible

Kind at Heart Ministries is offering help to make homes “safe and accessible” with ramps, widening doors and building handrails. Financial assistance may be available. For more information, contact 479-373-6281 between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. or email servant@ kindatheart.org.

Fundraiser breakfast/ band

The Siloam Springs Senior Activity and Wellness Center will host a weekly fundraiser breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. every Friday at the center, located at 750 Heritage Court. The fundraiser is open to all ages. The center will also host the OK Country Band at 1 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. The performance is free and open to anyone.

Manna Center Thrift Store

The Manna Center Thrift Store is now accepting credit and debit cards for purchases of $10 or more to make it easier for customers to shop. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Customers can like the thrift store on Facebook or stop by and see what the dollar item is for the week. Anything over a month old is half price. The Manna Center is located at 670 Heritage Court, behind the Senior Activity and Wellness Center on Tulsa Street.

Tailwaggers seeking volunteers, donations

Tailwaggers is seeking volunteers to walk dogs and socialize cats at the city animal shelter. They are also in need of donations of chewies, rawhides, cat toys and dog harnesses for the animal shelter. Donations can be dropped off at the animal shelter located at 1300 E. Ashley St. Call 238-3612 for more information.

CrossTraining

CrossTraining is held at 3DPT from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The group shares in scripture, prays and then has a 45- to 60-minute workout. The class is free but voluntary donations can be made to help support the cost of utilities and equipment. For more information, contact Johnny Pittman at 479-220-1967.

Kansas Public Library

The Kansas Public Library has lots of activities to enjoy. The library has a “Freegal Music Service” that offers over 10,000 music labels from 65 countries. A library patron in good standing may download three songs a week for free from https://eodls. freegalmusic.com. Refreshments will be provided. For more news and updates, visit the Kansas Public Library’s Facebook page.