Hello & Welcome Back!

the May issue

VOLUME 08 / ISSUE 05/ MAY 2026
5/1/2026
What’s Happening on the Elk This Spring!
What’s Happening on the Elk This Spring!

You never know where you might spot an Elk River native! This month, Jill Moles Mullins found herself in Florida capturing incredible photos of the second rollout of the Artemis II rocket as it prepares for its journey to the moon. We’re so excited she shared her experience with ERL so all of us can feel like we were part of something truly out of this world! Closer to home, ERL is proud to spotlight the talented archery team at Elkview Middle School, who recently brought home their third State Championship title. What an accomplishment! Their coach, Eddie Gray, was also honored with the 2026 State Award of Merit from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, recognizing his dedication to educational athletics and the students he inspires every day.

FEATURE STORY
5/1/2026
We’re Going Back to the Moon!
We’re Going Back to the Moon!

Jill Moles Mullins had the amazing opportunity to experience and photograph the launch of the Artemis II rocket on March 19. “This Elk River gal was overwhelmed with emotion; I feel truly blessed to have been a part of it.”

Elk Reflects
5/1/2026
Naylor & Young Home Appliances
Naylor & Young Home Appliances

Who remembers Naylor and Young Home Appliances at 3414 Pennsylvania Avenue on Elk River Road? It was a popular destination for fine furnishings and appliances. Here is a photo taken of Naylor and Young in 1957-58, shared by Elk River Communities in Kanawha County.

The Elk's Garden
5/1/2026
Cool as a Cucumber
Cool as a Cucumber

Laura Boggess Shafer shares practical cucumber-growing tips, local garden wisdom, and favorite varieties for everything from crisp summer slicing to classic Appalachian pickling.

The Elk's Journal
5/1/2026
WV Authors Standing the Test of Time
WV Authors Standing the Test of Time

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Honeysuckle Holiday, Kathleen M. Jacobs reflects on West Virginia’s literary legacy, the timeless power of storytelling, and a novel that continues to invite readers into questions of history, humanity, resilience, and change.

Trail Mix
5/1/2026
Chasing Legends on the Elk River Trail
Chasing Legends on the Elk River Trail

There’s something special about spring on the Elk River Trail. The days are longer, the hills are greener, and the trail begins to fill with life again—walkers, cyclists, families, and now… maybe even a few cryptids?

The Elk's Cookbook
5/1/2026
Crock Pot Pork Chops & Apples
Crock Pot Pork Chops & Apples

Whether you are looking for comfort food or an easy meal, this recipe for Crock Pot Pork Chops and Apples checks all the boxes! Gabi said, “It’s savory and sweet, the pork cooked perfectly, and a crockpot meal is always a winner!” Give it a try soon!

Reach out to us for sizing and pricing

Advertise with ERL and help support the community.

The Elk's Students
5/1/2026
The Elk's Students
The Elk's Students

Hoover athletes are making their mark this season with conference and all-state honors, record-breaking track performances, standout tennis, wrestling, baseball, softball, and cross-country achievements, and plenty of Husky pride to celebrate.

A Winning Team With an Exemplary Coach
5/1/2026
A Winning Team With an Exemplary Coach
A Winning Team With an Exemplary Coach

The EMS Archery Team won three WV State Championships in 3D, Bullseye and Centershot and their coach, Eddie Gray, received the 2026 NIAAA State Award of Merit for his commitment to educational athletics.

Elk River Living is a local and independently- owned magazine devoted to the wonderful people, businesses, and events in the communities on the Elk River, WV.

OUR COMMUNITIES

From Charleston to Sutton, Elk River Living holds a mirror up to the places that line the Elk River and reflect them to you. There are so many rich traditions that make celebrating easy, and we bring them to you in our recurring segments each month: The Elk's Cookbook; The Elk's Journal; The Elk Reflects; The Healthy Elk; The Elk's Students; Trail Mix; Around the Elk; At the Library; and more!

OUR BUSINESSES

We celebrate our local businesses, and the hard-working people behind them. They are an integral part of the fabric of the places we call home. The Elk River economy is continually expanding, with existing and exciting new developments surrounding the Elk River Trails, and Elk River Living is here to promote and bring their stories to you.  If you have an opportunity, please consider our sponsors for your needs!  They care a great deal about you and the community.

ERL is free of charge at these local businesses in limited supplies

At the beginning of each month a limited number of copies of Elk River Living is printed and dropped off at the following businesses in the Elk River area. This list is subject to change and we encourage you to contact the business beforehand to confirm they have remaining copies.🖤

ERL offers subscriptions that are sent directly to your mailbox

To ensure our readers get Elk River Living, we offer an annual subscription for a fee and each issue will be mailed to you at the beginning of each month..🖤

For more information:

info@elkriverliving.com

304.546.9243

Elk River Living + Google Earth Studio =  a fun ride up the Elk River, WV.

Elk River Living used Google Earth Studio to create an aerial tour of the communities that line the Elk River, from Charleston to Sutton, West Virginia. Enjoy the ride!

🖤

We love to hear from you!

Let’s get in touch!

Thank you

Thanks for reaching out. We will get back to you soon
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

we do this together

If you're reading this, then you know and care about the communities that we call home. That also means your input really matters! If you know of any people, businesses, and events  in your neck of the woods that should be featured in ERL, let us know.