Stephanie Stone (l) is greeted by Mickey Jordan representing the Men’s Club before her talk at the Men’s Club meeting.

Stephanie Stone, Assistant Director of Golf, Recreation and Club Services of the Hot Springs Village POA, addressed the Sacred Heart Men’s Club on Tuesday, February 8^th at the club’s regular monthly meeting.  Stephanie has worked for the POA for 21 years having started in 1990 in Accounting.  She has two sons, one attending the University of Central Arkansas and one a high school senior enrolled at the University of Arkansas for the fall.

Stephanie, who started in her current position only 9 months ago, talked about the many challenges now confronting the POA including the significant changes in management that have occurred over the past year.  She emphasized that she sees a lot of positive change coming.  Her group has received the recently developed strategic plan for the Village and is currently developing and evaluating action plans to meet the plan’s goals.  In addition, there is an increased emphasis on marketing the Village through advertising and promotion.  In the past this was an activity done by Cooper.  Now it is a priority of the POA.

In talking about some of the current challenges she is facing, Stephanie discussed the concerns about some of the aging facilities and the Village restaurant situation.  The POA and the Community Foundation are cooperating on plans for a major fund raiser in order to provide upgrades at the Woodlands and the Coronado Center.  They hope to be able to provide a state of the art lighting and sound system at the Woodlands so the facility can attract outstanding entertainment.  As part of her responsibilities, Stephanie deals with the ten restaurants that are under the POA’s supervision.  There has been a steady turnover of in restaurant management due to a variety of reasons including health, costs and labor.  At the present time the POA is looking for new management for the 19^th Hole at DeSoto and the Wood N Iron at Cortez.

Deacon John Froning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church has a new Deacon.  John Froning becomes the fifth Deacon at Sacred Heart joining the four current Deacons Bernie Bauer, Bill Friedman, Wally Gieringer and Larry Lipsmeyer.

John was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest of four children.  He is only a few minutes younger than his twin “older” sister.  After graduating from St. Louis University, John pursued a career in the oil and natural gas industry.  His various assignments included time living in London, England and Melbourne, Australia as well as various U.S. locations.  Retiring in 2000, John did some consulting work but had a long time interest in the Permanent Diaconate Program which he had not been able to pursue due to his international travels.  He enrolled in the University of St. Thomas School of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, ultimately receiving a Master of Divinity Degree in 2006.  In 2002 he also was accepted into the formation program for the Permanent Diaconate and was ordained in 2007.  While studying and later serving in the Galveston – Houston Diocese, John focused on hospital ministry and became the first Catholic Staff Chaplin appointed to serve at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.

Howard Shaffer stands next to Giving Tree in the he church’s Narthex loaded with gift angels.

Marvin and Lucy Young, Sacred Heart parishioners, gather the gifts and food to be delivered a family.

This Christmas Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church expanded its Village Outreach Christmas Basket Program.  A total of 53 families received Christmas food baskets along with 472 children’s Christmas presents and 120 certificates for free shoes were delivered by Sacred Heart parishioners.  Funds from individual donations along with contributions from the Ladies of Sacred Heart, the Sacred Heart Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus, were used in providing the food and gifts.

In the Narthex of the church a giving tree was put in place early in December decorated with angels.  Each angel had a suggested gift for a specific unidentified child from one of the 53 families.  Parishioners would select an angel, purchase the gift, wrap it for Christmas and return it to the church where it was gathered with other gifts and items for that particular family.

The committee, lead by chairman Ed Keearns, purchased food staples and set them up in a staging area within the church.  The food was then distributed into boxes for each family.  Parishioners who volunteered to deliver the baskets would gather the gifts and food assembled for their family, go to the grocery store and purchase additional perishable items and deliver the total collection to the family.  There were many happy faces this Christmas thanks to the generosity and efforts of the Sacred Heart parishioners.



Dancers Tom and Cathy Ament

The Knights of Columbus Council has earned a reputation for hosting one of the best New Year's Eve parties in the Village, and the recent festivity was no exception.  The doors to the Lower Hall opened at 6:00 pm for six hours of partying with dining at 7:00, dancing to Blue Velvet at 8:00, enjoying dessert at 10:30, welcoming the new year with champagne at 11:00 (New York ball drop), and wrapping up by midnight.  

Twenty-four tables accommodated 191 revelers, not all of whom were knights or Sacred Heart parishioners.  A bar with set-ups was provided for BYOB, and there was champagne at each table.  The menu prepared and served by the Home Plate included: shrimp cocktail; Ceasar salad; New York strip steak; green beans almondine; potatoes au gratin; and, dessert (choice from four kinds of cheesecakes).

Co-chairs Russ Harrison and Ron Cuba cordinated the event with hall decorating assistance from Brent Hummel, Terry and JoAnn O'Brien, Jim Passe, John Purcell, and Tom Yerina.  It is estimated that this fundraiser will net over $2,000 for the council's charititable causes from the $37.50 per person fee.

In addition to the good food and many people dancing, one of the highlights of the evening occurred when Russ proposed a toast to co-chair Ron and his wife, Pat, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, having been married on December 31, 1960, at St John the Baptist Church in Plymouth WI.