COMMUNITY DIGEST

Writers to meet July 13

The Siloam Springs Writers Guild will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 13, at First Baptist Church, 2000 Dawn Hill, using the west entrance. The program will be presented by author and Herald-Leader columnist S. Eugene Linzey, speaking about his new book, “Charter of the Christian Faith.” Any interested writers are welcome to attend. Poetry and/or Prose assignments are to be on the topic “Pure” as listed in the SSWG Motto. Poetry up to 30 lines, any style, and Prose up to 750 words are to be emailed to sswgsisp@gmail.com by August 1.

Siloam Springs Senior Center needs help

The Siloam Springs Senior Center, is seeking help/donations from the local community and businesses.

As with many businesses, the center has been impacted by covid-19 and has been closed to the public since March 17. Since then funding has dropped 2/3! These are trying times for everyone as it has been for the center. The center continues to serve the most vulnerable population by providing a hot meal each day to those seniors on Meals On Wheels and serving curbside for those who can drive.

The center is appreciative of those donations that are coming in but is still falling short on funds. All donations are greatly appreciated as the center continues to be blessed with a helping community and the hope is that more people and businesses can be reached.

To contribute, contact Siloam Springs Senior Center Director Alejandra Torres at 479-524-5735 or come by the center at 750 Heritage Court for an envelope for an anonymous donation.

Thank you so much for helping the center and community.

Writers hold writing contest

The Siloam Springs Writers Guild is holding a monthly writing contest for children and youth. Age levels are 6-9, 10-13, 14-17 with no entrant fee. The topic for June is “One day in the garden…” to be written double-spaced in Times New Roman font up to 750 words. There should be no name on the document. A cover page with name, address, age, phone and email address should be provided. Entries are to be emailed by July 1 to sswgsisp@gmail.com. Monetary prizes will be awarded.

American Legion Carnival

American Legion Post 29 is hosting the Pride Amusements Carnival once again this year. The carnival rides will be in operation July 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the vacant lot just east of the Arkansas Highway 59 overpass. Entrance will be from U.S. Highway 412 and exit will be onto Quarter Road. Parking will be $1 per car, no in and out.

Pancake breakfast postponed

The Kiwanis Club of Siloam Springs Board of Directors has decided to postpone the annual Bob Knight Memorial Pancake Breakfast. The club is considering future dates for the event, which could coincide with the Dogwood Festival in late August or other fall events.

Siloam Springs Senior Center

To do our part in controlling the spread of covid-19, Siloam Springs Senior Center is closed to the public until further notice.

For card-carrying members only, the center will offer one hot meal each day. Members can pick up their meal between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday. Members are asked to place orders in advance and please remember to make the suggested $3 donation for each meal. The menu is subject to change daily. For more information call 479-524-5735.

Library bookstore closed indefinitely

The Bookstore at the Library is closed for the indefinite future due to the coronavirus. Organizers are looking forward to reopening when the situation is resolved.

Tornado siren testing

The city of Siloam Springs has changed the testing day for the outdoor warning system to 1 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. In the past, testing has taken place on Friday. First Monday testing will give city staff time to make repairs immediately if they are needed. Should cloudy weather, rain or other inclement weather occur on a test day, the testing will be delayed one day, until completed.

American Legion fundraiser

The drawing for the Ora32, three-speed bicycle, donated by Dogwood Junction, has been rescheduled once again. It will be given away at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at the American Legion Community Building in Siloam Springs, during the last day of the revised dates for the Dogwood Festival. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 for a chance to win the bicycle, which retails for $489.99. This fundraiser is to help support the Legion’s scholarship fund. which gives $1,500 in scholarships annually. Tickets may be purchased from any American Legion member. Those who purchased tickets and would like a refund may contact commander@siloampost29.org or adjutant@ siloampost29.org and arrangements will be made to return monies upon receipt of tickets.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.