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| Rick Hiemenz and Rosemary Rogers in Saint Francis kitchen. |
Rosemary and Greg Rogers along with Rick Hiemenz prepared the delicious and plentiful meal consisting of pulled pork served on bread and topped with mashed potatoes and gravy with green beans as a side. There were brownies, cake, and cookies for dessert. A bottle of Mountain Dew was provided to each vet by St Francis House. A special thanks goes to the Rogers for donating the food and coordinating its preparation.
Anna and Carl Suttor and John Bodensteiner were the other volunteers from the Assembly. Jim Albright, Jim Grant, and Jim Gruenwald represented the HSV veterans' organizations.
On Wednesday evening, July 31, representatives of the Assembly and two Hot Springs Village Veteran's organizations prepared and served their third on-site meal at St Francis House.
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| Scott Krantz, Dan Murphy, Scott Hornbruch, Jim Gruenewald, David Yard, and Jim Albright. |
The vet volunteers led by Jim Albright included fellow VFW members, Scott Hornbruch and David Yard, as well as American Legion Commander Jim Gruenwald. They brought the Cole slaw to round out the menu. Refreshments were provided by Saint Francis House.
The next on-site meal is scheduled for October with chef Dave Salmen in charge of the menu.
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| Gordon Wilson (l) and Gerald Krawczynski |
On June 15, Gordon Wilson travelled to Van Buren to be exemplified as a 4th Degree knight. He was accompanied by Financial Secretary Gerald Krawczynski.
Sir Knight Wilson becomes the 156th member of Assembly 2316. Gordon was on a fast track to the 4th Degree. He became a knight April 2, 2013 and that was followed by the 2nd and 3rd degrees on April 7.
The Exemplification ceremony was hosted by Assembly 0025 of Fort Smith and held at St Michael’s Parish, home of Council 9777 in Van Buren AR.
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| Pictured (l-r): Master of Ceremonies Bill Nosek, Event Coordinator Mike Kerwin, and Choir Direcor Lynne Border |
Following the 9:00am Mass celebrated by Faithful Friar Father Bill Elser, the Patriotic Rosary was led by Father Elser and deacons Bernie Bauer, John Froning, and Larry Lipsmeyer. The Choir with its director Lynne Border partcipated in both the mass and the rosary. Honor Guard members attended the mass and presented the colors in the Sanctuary before the Patriotic Rosary.
Prior to the program beginning in the Lower Hall at 10:45am, the approximately 145 attendees were treated to coffee and pastries. As people entered, they were encouraged to buy 55/50 raffle tickets to benefit the Assembly's Flags Forever program.
The program was as follows with Bill Nosek serving as Master of Ceremonies:
Opening Prayer................................Father Bill Elser
Posting the Colors............................American Legion and VFW
Pledge of Allegiance.........................Bill Evans (American Legion)
National Anthem...............................Pianist Lynne Border
Our Flag...........................................John Speer and Jimmy Weber (Sons of American Revolution)
Flag Trivia.........................................Bill Nosek
Flag Folding Demonstration.............Tom and Karen Johnson (narrated by Jim Albright)
Flags Forever ..................................Bill Nosek (for Russ Harrison)
Drawing of 50/50 Winners................Ray bertrand and Carl Suttor
Patriotic Songs.................................Video with Group Singing led by Choir
She's a Grand Old Flag
God Bless America
America the Beautiful
Closing Prayer..................................Rev. Warren Freiheit (Christ Lutheran Church)
Taps.................................................Alan Harless
A total of $329 was collected from the 50/50 sales with prizes of $83, $52, and $30 awarded. The second recipient returned his winnings, so $217 was gained for the Flags Forever Program, which costs about $300 per year for the flags provided to eight golf courses and four fire stations in the Village.
The Sons of the Revolution DeSoto Trace Chapter distributed to all attendees brochures with many interesting facts about the flag and guidelines for honoring and displaying it.
Check out pictures of the event by clicking on Photos.
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| Volunteers pictured (l-r): Ruth Kerwin, Anna Suttor, Pat Billings, Mike Kerwin, Kathleen Nosek, Marlene Carl, Gynnie Ambrozich, and Valerie Hartnett |
The following finger food and drinks were made available: variety of finger sandwiches cut in quarters; deviled eggs from many different providers; a veggie tray with a variety of dips; a number of fresh fruit trays; a variety of breads, cookies, brownies and cakes; coffee; and, fruited tea drinks (very popular, Ruth's idea).
The food was served on large dessert plates and 2 to 3 plate loads were the norm. Some vets saved some food items for later in the evening but when we left the food was gone. There were solid interaction and conversation between our team members and the vets.
The volunteers who participated in the evening were:
Food preparers - Jack and Pat Widlowski, Pat Kuhn, Pat Stoiber and Judie Pearson.
Food preparers and attendees - Mike and Ruth Kerwin, Bill and Kathleen Nosek, Bill George, Ed Pilarski, Gerry Krawczynski, Phil and Marlene Carl, Pat Billings, Ray and Gynnie Ambrozich, Bill and Valerie Hartnett, Carl and Anna Suttor, and Jim Albright and Rick Martin from the VFW.
There are now 50+ vets at the House, and it appears that all of them participated in the evening activities. Some, though, did opt to take their food to their room.
The timing of our next Social needs be worked out as many of the team leadership have extensive away time over the next 3 months. Everyone did a great job. It was a very enjoyable evening.
See pictures in Photos.
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| Arkansas Master Russ Anzalone witnesses the gavel transfer from Ed Miller (l) to Bill Welch, the 2013-2014 Faithful Navigator. |
The ceremony was given for the newly elected officers who will accept their positions on July 1. The officers were escorted by the Honor Guard to receive their instructions from Arkansas Worthy State Master Russell Anzalone of Bella Vista and a blessing from Father Elser.
Bill Welch follows Ed Miller as the Faithful Navigator for the HSV Assembly 2316. Other officers for the 2013-2014 fraternal year include: Captain Dave Johnston; Pilot Bill Gribbon; Comptroller Sam Justus; Scribe Jack Widlowski; Purser Mike Garstecki; Inner Sentinel John Lucas; Outer Sentinel Ray Ambrozich; Admiral Ed Miller; 1st Trustee Mike Kerwin; 2nd Trustee Jerry Bertrand; and, 3rd Trustee Ron Boudreaux.
Mike Kerwin was recognized as the knight of the year for his leadership with the homeless vet project and Flag Day activities. Larry and Carol Cruz were presented a plaque as family of the year for their tireless ministry to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and for Larry's honor guard service.
There were approximately 64 Knights with their wives in attendance. A delicious meal of lasagna, sweet potatoes, and vegetables was served by the Home Plate restaurant. The dessert was ice cream supplied by Father Elser.
Click on Photos for pictures of the event.
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| 2013 Sp Olympics resized 2 |
The Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games were held May 23-25 at Harding University in Searcy. The opening ceremonies began at 7:30pm in the stadium on Thursday.
Honor Guard members from three councils led the procession, including 3 from Heber Springs, five from Hot Springs Village, and 4 from Mountain Home.
Council 2316 was represented by Ray Ambrozich, Steve Fetcko, Bob Heisler, Mike Kerwin, and Bill Nosek.
See the complete article and photos in the Council section of this web site.
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| St. Francis Hous resied 4 |
Special thanks to those who made the evening a success:
*St. Francis House team of Ken Mace, Eloise Cotton, Julie Schafer, and Mike Parker
*Dessert providers Tom and Kathy Ament and Jack and Pat Widlowski
*Attendees and dessert providers Mike and Ruth Kerwin, Carl and Anna Suttor, Mike Frantz, Gerald Krawczynski, Dub and Geri Green, and Ray and Gynnie Ambrozich from the Knights, Jim Albright from the VFW, and Jim Gruenewald from the American Legion.
*The vets themselves.
It was also a learning experience for the team. The next time, which will be sometime in June, there will be hor'dourves, sugar free items, fruits, vegies, breads, chips and dip, etc and a modest amount of sweets. The visitors also presented St. Francis House with a 40-cup coffee maker and a 12-quart juice dispenser.
Click on Photos to see pictures of the event.
Assembly 2316 has once aga
in demonstrated its expertise in hosting a 4th Degree Exemplification. It had most recently hosted it on April 2, 2011. The feedback from attendees was very positive.
There were 36 candidates from around the state, including 15 from Hot Springs Village, who went through this exemplification. There were 39 women participating in the special luncheon and program and 140 Sir Knights and spouses attending the banquet. The menu included a green salad, open face roast beef, rosemary potatoes, green beans almondine, and chocolate meringue pie.
There was a number of special guests from Arkansas, along with the new State Master Russell J. Anzalone. G. Vernon "Skip" Gentle Jr, Bienville Province Vice Supreme Master from Birmingham Alabama, also attended.
The Honoree of this Exemplification was Sir Knight Father William Elser. He is not only the chaplain for Assembly 2316, but also for the state.
Exemplification team members consisted of Russ Anzalone, Jacob DeLaPaz, William Durbin, Phil Hahn, Gerald Krawczynski, John Lett, Jim Limbird, Jimmy McKinnon, Kenny Petty, and Marc Rios.
Local Council knights who were exemplified included: Walt Chavis, Jim Cone, Ed Doyle, Jim Dyar, Mike Garstecki, Jim Gerwig, Bill Gribbon, Tom Hickox, Floyd Hodge, Pat McGannon, Carl Suttor, Jim Walker, Ron Wilging, Gary Wolfer, and Richard Woodfin. There are now 157 members of the Assembly. Two priests were also exemplified, Father Babu Battula of the Hot Springs Assembly and Father Andrew Hart of Little Rock. Recently ordained, Father Hart was one of the seminarians that Council 10208 had sponsored through the RSVP program.
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| 2013 4th Exemplification March 16 |
There were 36 candidates from around the state, including 15 from Hot Springs Village, who went through this exemplification. There were 39 women participating in the special luncheon and program and 140 Sir Knights and spouses attending the banquet. The menu included a green salad, open face roast beef, rosemary potatoes, green beans almondine, and chocolate meringue pie.
There was a number of special guests from Arkansas, along with the new State Master Russell J. Anzalone. G. Vernon "Skip" Gentle Jr, Bienville Province Vice Supreme Master from Birmingham Alabama, also attended.
The Honoree of this Exemplification was Sir Knight Father William Elser. He is not only the chaplain for Assembly 2316, but also for the state.
Exemplification team members consisted of Russ Anzalone, Jacob DeLaPaz, William Durbin, Phil Hahn, Gerald Krawczynski, John Lett, Jim Limbird, Jimmy McKinnon, Kenny Petty, and Marc Rios.
Local Council knights who were exemplified included: Walt Chavis, Jim Cone, Ed Doyle, Jim Dyar, Mike Garstecki, Jim Gerwig, Bill Gribbon, Tom Hickox, Floyd Hodge, Pat McGannon, Carl Suttor, Jim Walker, Ron Wilging, Gary Wolfer, and Richard Woodfin. There are now 157 members of the Assembly. Two priests were also exemplified, Father Babu Battula of the Hot Springs Assembly and Father Andrew Hart of Little Rock. Recently ordained, Father Hart was one of the seminarians that Council 10208 had sponsored through the RSVP program.