Marianna, Arkansas is a classic southern, two-stoplight town—an unlikely clump of civilization in a sea of farmland. Acres of crops and trees reach in every direction to form rare 360 degree vistas uninterrupted by city life. I’m a city girl, but I get homesick for the bean fields and dirt roads of my hometown. It’s serenity defined. But this little community is anything but sleepy, and that’s because my mom keeps it all shook up.

She can be seen every Halloween doing karate kicks on our front porch in full Elvis Presley regalia—white sequined jumpsuit, wig, sideburns, and guitar—with crowds of neighborhood kids doubled over in laughter. She might be the last true Elvis fanatic, but she’s raising a new generation of little Elvis-lovers in her four-year-old preschool classroom at Lee Academy in Marianna. She’s also teaching them about Shelby Farms Park. Her children were shocked to learn A) what a buffalo is and B) that we’ve got ‘em. The kids have lakes, fields, trees, wildlife, gardens, horses and trails at their back doors and probably don’t yet realize how extraordinary that is. But they don’t have buffalo, and they wanted one.

So Miss Lori’s 2008 Preschool Class is now the proud adoptive parent of a Shelby Farms Park buffalo, who they have renamed “Elvis.” His photo is proudly displayed on their chalkboard, and the kids take turns at nap time sleeping with the stuffed animal buffalo that came with their adoption. I’ve posted a photo of the kids with Elvis, and if you look closely, you’ll notice they’re doing their Elvis dance moves. And before you ask, yes, my childhood was outrageously fun. I have, however, been dragged to Graceland against my will at least five times.

Now, since I happen to know that Miss Lori is going to show her preschool class this blog post, I want to thank you guys for adopting Elvis. We’ll take good care of him.

A little less conversation, a little more action:

You can adopt a Shelby Farms Park buffalo of your very own by calling (901) 767-PARK. Your $100 donation helps us keep your buffalo healthy and happy. You’ll receive a toy buffalo, a photo of your buffalo, and an adoption certificate. They make great gifts!