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March 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 3

By Jordan Kim, Staff Writer,

Almost a month after Harold and Marjorie Ellis vanished from the Meridian Hotel, Eldridge Hollow remains unsettled. The retired couple, last seen at afternoon tea in the hotel library, continues to dominate local conversation, leaving residents uneasy and searching for answers.

Authorities say the investigation remains active but has yielded no significant leads. “We’re continuing to review tips and follow every avenue,” Eldrige Hollow’s Police Chief said, though he acknowledged that no breakthroughs have been made. The lack of progress has only deepened concern among townspeople.

The Meridian Hotel has seen a noticeable decline in bookings, as rumors and speculation begin to circulate. Some residents have started avoiding the property altogether, while others describe a subtle shift in the town’s atmosphere. “It just feels different now,” said one local. “Like something’s not right.”

A candlelight vigil held outside the hotel last weekend drew a small but somber crowd, with friends, visitors, and residents gathering in quiet support. As the weeks pass without answers, the disappearance of the Ellises has become more than an isolated incident; it is now a burden shared by the entire community.

March 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 3

By Sarah Wilkes, Staff Reporter,

The Eldridge Hollow Town Council voted 5–2 Tuesday night to approve the addition of painted bike lanes along Cedar Avenue and Main Street. The project aims to improve cyclist safety while encouraging greener modes of transportation.

Work is scheduled to begin in September, with crews painting lanes during off-peak hours to minimize traffic disruptions. Council member Drew Wallace, a longtime cycling advocate, said, “This is about making our town more accessible for everyone, not just drivers.”

Not all residents are convinced. However, some expressed concern over reduced parking. The council has promised to revisit the parking issue once the lanes are in place.

March 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 3

The Eldridge Hollow Public Library has unveiled its ambitious Digital Archives Project, aiming to make decades of town records, photographs, and personal letters accessible online. Funded by a combination of state grants and local fundraising efforts, the project will catalog thousands of artifacts dating back to the town’s founding in the late 1800s.

Librarian and project lead Evelyn Carr described the undertaking as “part history preservation, part community storytelling.” Residents will be invited to contribute their own historical items, from family scrapbooks to business ledgers. “We’ve already received an 1898 ledger from the old Eldridge Hollow Mercantile, and several candid photos of the original train depot,” Carr said.

The library plans to host a public event next month showcasing some of the more unusual discoveries. “We’ve stumbled on a few mysteries,” Carr teased. “Some photographs have faces we can’t identify, and a few handwritten notes contain cryptic references to locations in town that no longer exist.”

March 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 3

By Carla Dempsey, Staff Writer,

Since its quiet opening two weeks ago, The Hollow Crumb has become a sensation in Eldridge Hollow. The bakery-café specializes in small-batch sourdough, seeded rye, and an array of pastries that have locals lining up as early as 6:30 a.m. Owner-chef Mateo Ruiz, a transplant from Portland, says the community’s response has been overwhelming. “We bake what we can, but by noon, the shelves are usually empty,” Ruiz admitted.

The café’s warm, rustic interior, complete with reclaimed-wood tables and an antique bread oven, has made it a popular social spot. But Ruiz hints at adding new items, including a line of seasonal breads inspired by Eldridge Hollow’s history. “We’ve been reading old recipes from the 1920s and found something called ‘Miner’s Loaf,’” Ruiz said with a smile.

Still, a few locals have noted a strange quirk: the clock over the café’s counter always seems to be ten minutes slow, despite repeated attempts to fix it. “We’ve given up,” Ruiz laughed. “Maybe it’s just the town’s way of telling us to relax and stay a little longer.”

February 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 2

By Sarah Wilkes, Staff Reporter,
ELDRIDGE HOLLOW, FEBRUARY 23, 2025,

The serene tea service in the ornate library of the Meridian Hotel was the last confirmed sighting of Harold and Marjorie Ellis, a retired couple from Amarillo, Texas, whose sudden disappearance has left the Eldridge Hollow community grasping for answers.

According to hotel staff, the Ellises checked in for a week-long stay on February 10, seeking “a quiet mountain escape.” They were spotted enjoying afternoon tea on the 12th. The next morning, their suite was found empty, belongings neatly in place, and their car untouched in the parking lot.

Police Chief Harlan Read confirmed no signs of forced entry or struggle, stating, “It’s as though they simply got up and walked away from their lives.”

The couple, both avid birdwatchers, had planned several day hikes but never signed out for any trail excursions. Friends described them as “devoted to each other and cautious travelers.”

Authorities are reviewing hotel security footage, though technical issues have rendered much of the week’s recordings unusable. The case remains open, with no leads to date.

February 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 2

By Harold P. Gaines, Sports Editor,

The Eldridge Hollow Hawks, our town’s pride in the hardwood court, clinched a place in the Arkansas State Youth Basketball Finals Saturday evening with a narrow 38–36 victory over the Bentonville Bears.

The game, played before a packed crowd at the Eldridge Hollow High School gymnasium, saw spirited play from both sides. Hawks captain Jimmy “Red” Donnelly, 14, scored the winning basket in the final seconds after stealing the ball at mid-court.

Coach Rita Gonzalez praised her squad’s grit and teamwork. “These boys and girls have practiced in all weather and in all moods,” she said, “and they’ve learned to keep their heads when the game gets tight. That’s why they’re still in the running.”

Spectators erupted in applause as the final whistle sounded, with townsfolk rushing the floor to congratulate the young players.

The Hawks will travel to Little Rock on March 23 for the state championships, where they will face the Pine Bluff Panthers in the opening round.

February 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 2

By Jordan Kim, Staff Writer,

The Hollow Grounds Café is embracing renewable energy in more ways than one. This week, the beloved Main Street coffee shop unveiled its new “Solar Roast” blend, roasted entirely using the café’s recently installed rooftop solar panels.

Owner Maribel Tran says the idea came during a summer blackout last year. “We realized we could be more self-reliant while offering something sustainable to our customers,” she explained. The coffee is roasted in small batches using solar-powered drum roasters, producing what Tran describes as a “smooth, bold flavor with a hint of nuttiness.”

Customers have been lining up to try the new blend, with several already asking if it will be available for home brewing. Tran says yes, bags of Solar Roast beans will hit shelves next month.

February 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 2

By Carla Dempsey, Staff Writer,

Saturday’s Eldridge Hollow Farmer’s Market was bustling, with over 800 visitors recorded—breaking the attendance record set just last summer. Vendors reported selling out of fresh produce well before noon.

Local grower Clara Holcomb sold all 30 baskets of her prized late-season peaches within the first hour. “I could’ve brought twice as many and still sold out,” she said. Other crowd favorites included organic zucchini, fresh goat cheese, and Hilltop Bakery’s famous sourdough loaves.

Market manager Greg Ramirez believes the recent surge is due to the market’s expanded live music schedule and improved parking. “It’s not just shopping—it’s a Saturday tradition now,” he said.

January 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 1

By Carla Dempsey, Staff Writer,

Shoppers in Eldridge Hollow will soon be able to browse their favorite fresh produce under the glow of string lights. The town’s Farmers’ Market announced the launch of “Night Harvest” hours starting next Thursday, running from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Organizers say the change will give working residents a chance to enjoy the market after traditional hours, and will feature live music, lantern-lit vendor stalls, and special “moonlight-only” specials from local farms.

Market coordinator Rina Feldman says the evening hours are also a nod to the area’s agricultural past, when farmers often worked late into the evening during peak harvest. “We want to create that same cozy-but-bustling atmosphere,” Feldman said. “Only now, you can get fresh zucchini bread and cold brew coffee while you shop.”

However, some residents expressed concern about the market’s location in the older part of town, near the edge of the Whispering Peaks foothills. “It’s beautiful, but dark out there,” remarked longtime resident Gerald Bates. “You hear things sometimes.” Still, Feldman insists the market will be well-lit and patrolled for safety.

January 2025 – VOL. 125 NO. 1

By Sasha Caldwell, Arts Correspondent,

The Eldridge Hollow Community Theater is taking a dramatic leap with its next production, a stage adaptation of the 1894 gothic mystery The House at the Edge of the Moor. Known for its atmospheric tension and twisting plot, the play will mark the theater’s first foray into a darker genre.

Director Paulina March says the choice was deliberate. “Our audiences love the classics, but they’re ready for something with a bit more bite,” she said. The set design promises to be equally elaborate, with fog effects, a rotating stage, and authentic period costumes sourced from local collectors.

Rehearsals have reportedly been intense, with cast members noting the eerie coincidences that have cropped up during evening practices. “Sometimes the stage lights flicker for no reason,” actor Daniel Royce admitted. “We joke about it, but… I don’t know. This town has a way of keeping you on your toes.”