Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament Saturday, July 12, 2025.
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| Co-chairs Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner |
The knights wish to thank Village residents for their support of the campaign which raised a record $14,038 with a net of $13,307. Over 6,000 tootsie rolls were handed out as a “thank you” to donors. The sources of contributions included: $4,320 - knights; $465 - widows; $1,000 – anonymous; $1,700 – HSV businesses; and, $6,553 – community members at gates and stores and Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners at weekend services.
The following 17 Village businesses supported the campaign with donations: Balboa Storage, Century 21 HSV Realty, Diamante Pro Shop, Dogwood Tree Hallmark, Edward Jones, Eyecare Specialties, First Arkansas Insurance, Good Spirits, Home Plate Café, Hot Springs Village Real Estate, Jensen’s Tire & Service, Lefler Dental, McCann’s Auto Mart, RE/Max Realty, State Farm Insurance, Village HealthMart, and Village Movers.
Just as with last year’s funds, the five beneficiaries of this campaign include First Step ($2,650.00) and Abilities Unlimited ($3,330.00) in Hot Springs, The Arc ($1,996.05) in Little Rock, as well as the Camp for the Blind ($1,300.00) and Special Olympics ($4,000.00), both of which are conducted for Arkansas residents.
Campaign co-chairs Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner wish to thank not only the 118 knights and 22 spouses who volunteered for this campaign and the 113 knights who donated $4,320, but also the business and many community donors who supported this worthy cause.
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| Rick Hiemenz (l), Chuck Ralph, and Dave Witchger finalizing the dinner arrangements. |
The meal featured a thick slice of Petit Jean ham with a special sauce, sweet potatoes, and salad. There were also delicious desserts prepared by the Sacred Heart Ladies Guilds. The dinner was followed by a Village Big Band concert.
The revenue from the sale of 166 tickets was $2,324. As has been its custom for a number of years, Petit Jean Meat Products from Morrilton donated 70 lbs of ham, and an additional 40 lbs were purchased by the Council. Including the funds from the refreshment center, 50/50, and post dinner food sales, the net profit was$1,905.
The extra desserts were given to Teen Challenge and the other surplus food was given to Samaritan Ministries, an agency that is a beneficiary of both the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Council Director Dave Witchger chaired the planning committee with Bob Bowman in charge of tickets, Ann Bowman and Kathleen Witchger were instrumental for the set-up and the take-down, including washing the 23 tablecloths. Also helping with the set-up and take-down were Jim & Ellen Elder, Mike Welsh and Janice Spaniel. Kathy Geske was the coordinator for the LOSH desserts. Jack Griffin sold the 50 / 50 tickets and Bob Rodgers manned the refreshment center. Rick Hiemenz had his kitchen staff including Dave Salmen, Tony Raymond, Ray Ambrozich, Greg Rogers, Bill Gerstner, Bill George, Dave Struthers, Ron Wilging, and Chuck Ralph.
Check out the pictures in the PHOTO Gallery.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church donated the proceeds from its very successful biennial fall Treasure Sale to provide tuition assistance to students attending two area Catholic elementary schools.
At a luncheon meeting on October 31, Father William Elser presented a $8,298 check to representatives of each school. Accepting the check for St. John’s School in Hot Springs were Father James West and Principal Angela Issacs and for Our Lady of Fatima School in Benton were Father Joseph Ejimofor and Principal Jan Cash.
The September 28 & 29 sale was co-chaired by Knights John Bodensteiner and Chris Gleason. There were many knights and their spouses involved in all phases of the sale, including membership on the Steering Committee.
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| Pictured (l-r) Father James West, Angela Issacs, Father William Elser, Jan Cash, Father Joseph Ejimofor, and John Bodensteiner |
At a luncheon meeting on October 31, Father William Elser presented a $8,298 check to representatives of each school. Accepting the check for St. John’s School in Hot Springs were Father James West and Principal Angela Issacs and for Our Lady of Fatima School in Benton were Father Joseph Ejimofor and Principal Jan Cash.
The September 28 & 29 sale was co-chaired by Knights John Bodensteiner and Chris Gleason. There were many knights and their spouses involved in all phases of the sale, including membership on the Steering Committee.
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| 2012 Sept Exemplification resized |
There were four candidates from Hot Springs Council 6419 along with the two local candidates.
In the photo, Membership Director Bill Hartnett is flanked by new members Lanny Mabus on the left and Richard Woodfin on the right. Welcome Lanny and Richard!
Once again, the Council is charged with increasing its membership by 7% this fraternal year.
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| Our Lady of Guadalupe Image at Sacred Heart of Jesus, September 15-16, 2012. It was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on July 10, 2011. |
The following is its formal introduction, as presented on Supreme's web site:
Msgr. Eduardo Chávez Sánchez Postulator of the Cause of the Canonization of Saint Juan Diego in Denver, Colorado, August 3, 2011
"It is a great joy for me to be with you today, representing the Canons of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. I bring greetings from our Rector, Msgr. Erique Glennie Grau.
Today, at the initiative of our Worthy Supreme Knight, we inaugurate the 15th prayer program of the Knights of Columbus conducted using a sacred image as its focal point. In 1979, the first such program was begun, which also focused on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Over the years, the Blessed Mother has been honored by her Knights through these Prayer Programs, under her titles of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Our Lady of Pochaiv, Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Charity. These Orderwide programs of Marian Prayer have gathered together more than 14 million people at some 132 thousand prayer services conducted at local councils and parishes.
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| Jim Goodson speaking to the knights about Pro-Life activities |
A total of 309 bottles was returned within two weeks following the campaign's formal conclusion. Although parishioners were encouraged to return the bottles on Father's Day, many were returned each weekend to a basinet in the narthex.
The final tally of the campaign was $6,237.87, with $2,432.97 in coins, a significant amount which required special procedures to tabulate.
With the flowers distributed on Mother's Day costing $378, the net profit was $5,859.87 distributed as follows:
$2,125.00 - Sacred Heart of Jesus Respect Life Commission
$3,000.00 - Arkansas Knights of Columbus State Council for ultrasound equipment to be used at critical sites in Arkansas
$734.87 - Reserve
There were 27 knights Involved in conducting this campaign, and they, along with some of their spouses, donated 206 hours to its success.
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| Seated in front of 14 seminarians are (l-r) Monsignor Bernard Malone, Bishop Anthony Taylor, Monsignor Scott Friend, and Father Bill Elser. |
Knight Bob Honzik organized the event with brother knight and former restaurateur Diego Miceli cooking his tasty lasagna. Other knights served as ticket sellers, kitchen crew, and waiters for the sit-down meal, which included Pastor Father Bill Elser’s now regionally famous homemade ice cream for dessert. Larry Linteau, a new knight from Malvern, provided great background music with his expertise on the keyboard.
After introducing each of the 14 seminarians in attendance, Monsignor Friend indicated that the 6,000-square-foot facility being constructed on the campus of Our Lady of Good Counsel in little Rock will have a chapel, kitchen, dining room, meeting room/library, and a common area. The House will also include an apartment for the vocations director, one for the assistant director, and ten two-person student rooms, which are already scheduled to be full when the building opens this fall.
Each year Knight Mike Frantz coordinates the volunteers who assist the Blind Camp participants in the bowling option as part of their summer experience. Camp Yorktown Bay on Lake Ouachita is the location for the camp, which is associated with National Blind Camps, Lincoln NB. Fiesta Bowl hosts the bowling activity. Typically, the Camp is held during the first full week following the July 4 Independence Day. The dates this year were July 7 - 14. with bowling on Monday - Friday.
According to Mike, of the 45 volunteers, eighteen knights and eight spouses/friends volunteered and put in 306 hours, including Father Elser and his nephew Stephen. The other organization with a number of volunteers was the Lions with seven.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus CCD students are also encouraged to volunteer. Ashley and Hazel Bonilla, Chloe Calhoun, and Megan Shaffer responded. Mike stated, "I enjoyed seeing the four girls from CCD who participated on three of the five days. They were a big help, interacted well with the bowlers, and seemed to have a very good time."
Knights and spouses/friends included: Darlene Barta, John Bodensteiner, Bob and Ann Bowman, Ed Calhoun, Father Elser, Mike and Chris Frantz, Dub and Geri Green, Mike Kerwin, Gerald Krawczynski, Joe and Shirley Lemmler, Chuck and Elaine MacDonald, Jim McDermott, Ed Pilarski, Ruth Roeder, Del and Agnes Scheid, Milt Spaniel, George Vierling, Bill Welch, Dave Witchger, and Gary Wolfer.
Go to PHOTOS to check out some action pictures. Jeff Meek, staff writer for the Voice, did a feature article about the bowlers with photos in the July 18 edition.
According to Mike, of the 45 volunteers, eighteen knights and eight spouses/friends volunteered and put in 306 hours, including Father Elser and his nephew Stephen. The other organization with a number of volunteers was the Lions with seven.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus CCD students are also encouraged to volunteer. Ashley and Hazel Bonilla, Chloe Calhoun, and Megan Shaffer responded. Mike stated, "I enjoyed seeing the four girls from CCD who participated on three of the five days. They were a big help, interacted well with the bowlers, and seemed to have a very good time."
Knights and spouses/friends included: Darlene Barta, John Bodensteiner, Bob and Ann Bowman, Ed Calhoun, Father Elser, Mike and Chris Frantz, Dub and Geri Green, Mike Kerwin, Gerald Krawczynski, Joe and Shirley Lemmler, Chuck and Elaine MacDonald, Jim McDermott, Ed Pilarski, Ruth Roeder, Del and Agnes Scheid, Milt Spaniel, George Vierling, Bill Welch, Dave Witchger, and Gary Wolfer.
Go to PHOTOS to check out some action pictures. Jeff Meek, staff writer for the Voice, did a feature article about the bowlers with photos in the July 18 edition.
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| Pictured (l-r): Jack Barry, Milt Spaniel, and Gerald Krawczynski with Milt's grandchildren - Abby, Griffin, and Shelby Spaniel. |
The Junior Golf Program is now in its 15th year, and it has grown from 50 golfers in its first year to over 200 in the last several years. This year the dates were June 4 - July 26 with practice on Wednesdays and play on Thursdays each week.
Each year there are five $2,000 scholarships awarded through the Junior Golf Association Scholarship Program. Go to www.hsvjuniorgolf.com to learn more about this program for our youth.
At the awards event at the Balboa Pavilion Thursday evening, July 26, there were 450 individuals present. Of the 197 young participants, 150 were involved in the final tournament. For more information, click on the PHOTO section.
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| Past Grand Knight Dave Johnston (l) receives award from 2012-2013 Grand Knight Bill Roe. |
New District 10 Deputy Roy Anderle from Mena, assisted by former deputy Ed Miller, installed the new Grand Knight Bill Roe and the other elected officers: Bill Nosek, Deputy Grand Knight; Steve Fetcko, Chancellor; Steve Schramer, Recorder; Gerald Krawczynski, Financial Secretary; Larry Stein, Treasurer; Dick Breckon, Advocate; Dan Murphy, Warden; Chuck McDonald, Inside guard; Scott Krantz, Outside Guard; John Bodensteiner, Trustee 3rd year; Bill Welch, Trustee 2nd year; and, Dave Johnston, Trustee 1st Year. The two appointed officers are Father Bill Elser as Chaplain and John Meyers as Lecturer.
The following knights accepted appointments by Bill Roe as directors responsible for implementing and monitoring the many projects and activities of the council: Mike Welch, Programs; Tom Yerina, Church; Milt Spaniel, Community; Dave Witchger, Council; Jim Goodson, Pro-Life; Bob Rodgers, Family; Ike Eisenhauer, Youth; Bill Hartnett, Membership; John Bodensteiner, Communications; Art Morissette, Meeting Publicist; and, Mike Miller, Web Master.
Last year’s officers chose to honor Jim Passe as May Knight of the Month, Dub and Geri Green as May Family of the Month, Mike Miller as Knight of the Year, and John and Carolyn Bodensteiner as Family of the Year.
Check the Knight's Photo Gallery for more pictures of this event.