Mountain Pine Counselor Phil Simm (l) accepting gift cards from Knight Bill Roe, coodinator of the Ham Sales project |
Ham Sales - completing its sixth year, this activity promotes the sale of Petit Jean meat products for the holiday season, Thanksgiving through Christmas. A $2,000 profit in 2009 was followed by $2,300 in 2010, and $2,750 in 2011. Having co-chaired the activity with Mike Welsh in 2010, Bill Roe chaired it in 2011. There were 23 "hamsters" involved, and they sold 272 individual products. Those knights selling in double digits include: Ed Cudworth - 32; Ray Ambrozich - 31; Bill Welch - 24; Milt Spaniel and Mike Welsh - 23 each; Bill Roe - 19; Bill Hartnett - 16; Roger Bresnahan - 12; and, Larry Stein - 10.
Needy families of the Alternate Learning Education (ALE) students and the Mountain Pine students were recipients of the gift cards. Since the number of awards is projected before the sales were concluded, ALE was given $1,200 and Mountain Pine $800 with the remaining $750 given to Sacred Heart's participation in the Village Christmas project.
Pitured (l-r) Mike Garstecki, Dan Alyward, Don Caple, Mark Kurowski, Vance Arlotta, and Diego Miceli |
The five local knights are Dan Alyward, Don Caple, Mike Garstecki, Mark Kurowski, and Diego Miceli. Vance Arlotta is the new knight from Hot Springs.
The Council's Exemplification Team did another excellent job in performaning the ceremonials. The Team included Bill Patterson, Tom Yerina, Gerald Krawczynski, Bill Janser, Mike Frantz, Mike Kerwin, and Jack Widlowski.
There was an excellent turnout by brother knights to support their team and to welcome the new members.
Congratulations to Membership Director Ed Cudworth and his Recruitment Committee for meeting the 2011-2012 membership goal so early in the fraternal year with 25 new members.
2011_VA_Leotis |
The Team can assist vets with: 1) completing a onetime post-deployment health risk assessment; 2) helping with issues related to deployment injuries or illnesses; 3) helping navigate the VA system; 4) performing courtesy visits with OEF-OIF veterans who are hospitalized; and, 5) providing outreach activities to military units throughout Arkansas.
Pictured with Sister Noeline, Assistant Principal at St John's, are Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner |
The coats come from a Supreme supplier in cases of twelve with the same color and gender with a mix of sizes. Each case is $195 and Supreme pays 50% of the shipping charges. As an additional incentive for Councils to participate, those which purchase and distribute eight cases in a fraternal year will meet the Columbian/Star Council requirement for the Youth category.
Working with Jim Passe were John Bodensteiner and Ed Keearns. Given his frequent contacts with area school counselors on Village Outreach projects, Ed quickly identified three schools (Fountain Lake, Jessieville, and Mountain Pine) that would each distribute two cases of coats to their needy families. John contacted the principal at St John's, who also wanted to participate. The 96 coats have already been distributed to the four schools, just in time for the cold weather covering Central Arkansas.
Although discussed, but not approved, during the original budget discussions by the officers and directors last June, this project will be funded primarily by three new sources of income: 1) profit from the November Memorial Mass and Banquet coordinated by Dick Breckon; 2) the Wisconsin Cheese Sales project being promoted by Cheesehead Ed Miller; and, 3) 50% of a $1,000 Walmart community award recently obtained by grant writer Milt Spaniel.
This successful program is another fine example of how the local council is meeting its stated charitable objectives.
Billboard on SR 70 east of Hot Springs |
In a financial collaboration with two other District 10 Councils, Benton and Hot Springs, Council 10208 has coordinated the installation of three highway billboards promoting the message - Keep Christ in Christmas. This is the third year that the local council has been involved with this project. In 2009, it had one on SR 7 east of Hot Springs. Last year in cooperation with Benton there were two with one displayed on I-30 and another on SR 5 in Bryant. This year there are three billboards.
The billboards with a navy blue background have the same format and message with each council identified as a sponsor with the 3rd Degree emblem. They are located as follows: on I-30 eastbound before exit 126; on SR 70 westbound east of Hot Springs, midway between Westinghouse Drive and Magic Springs (by Arkansas Light and Power); and, SR 7 eastbound near Fountain Lake schools and across from Sonic.
While Council 10208 remains the primary financial sponsor for this project, involving the other two councils allows for broader coverage of this important message to combat the increasingly materialistic view of Christmas.
Pictured (l-r) are Ted Otero, Steve Schramer, Tony Shields, Bill Gribbon, Floyd Hodge, and Ed Miller. |
This was the first exemplification in Arkanas with the revised ceremonials for the 3rd Degree. Congratulations to the 1st Degree Knights for taking these important next steps and thanks to the mentors for accompanying them.
Plans are underway for Council 6419 in Hot Springs to host a 2nd/3rd Degree Exemplification in mid January, 2012. Grand Knight Dennis Bosch and District 10 Deputy Ed Miller are trying to schedule it, and an announcement of the date should be made soon.
Pictured (l-r): Bruce Burton, Matt Schoultz, Larry Linteau, Ed Watson, and Kenny Scott |
The 1st Degree Team consisted of Ron and Roy Anderle from the Msgr A.P. Gallager Council 7258 in Mena, and Ed Cudworth, Buddy Dixon, Mike Frantz, Bill Janser, and Bill Patterson from local Council 10208.
Also in attendance were District 10 Deputy Ed Miller, Grand Knight Dave Johnston, and Financial Secretary Tom Thornton.
There was a record attendance of 188, including 32 widows, to honor the memory of the 69 deceased Sir Knights and 44 Brother Knights. Special guests besides Bishop Taylor included State Deputy Charles Ketter, Arkansas District Master Max Nutt and wife, Juanita, and Church Director Roy Anderle with his wife, Cathy.
Grand Knight Dave Johnston was the Master of Ceremonies of a program following the banquet. In addition to thanking everyone in attendance and recognizing those responsible for the evening's success, he presented the October Knight of the Month Award to Ed Miller and Family of the Month to Milt and Janice Spaniel. The State Deputy and the District Master also presented awards - the 2010-2011 Star Council Award to Past Grand Knight Bill Welch for Council 10208 and the 2010-2011 Civic Award to Assembly 2316, represented by Ed Miller for Past Faithful Navigator Jerry Bertrand.
The Knights will again be offering their PETIT JEAN products this year with the proceeds going to support local families in need at Christmas. Many knights and other parishioners purchase items in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas not only for themselves, but also for family and friends.
Available products include a variety of ham and bacon options, smoked turkey breast, and sampler boxes. All items can be picked up at church or shipped directly to the recipient. Sales at Sacred Heart of Jesus Masses will continue until December 17/18. However, you may contact the following knights at any time with questions or to place an order: Bill Welch (922-6345); Mike Welsh (915-8344); and, Bill Hartnett (922-6922). Bill Roe is project coordinator.
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Available products include a variety of ham and bacon options, smoked turkey breast, and sampler boxes. All items can be picked up at church or shipped directly to the recipient. Sales at Sacred Heart of Jesus Masses will continue until December 17/18. However, you may contact the following knights at any time with questions or to place an order: Bill Welch (922-6345); Mike Welsh (915-8344); and, Bill Hartnett (922-6922). Bill Roe is project coordinator.
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Community Director Milt Spaniel at Cranford's East |
Thanks to the efforts of 135 knights (and some spouses) coordinated by Community Director Milt Spaniel and co-chairs Phil Carl and John Bodensteiner, the campaign went well. The average collected per knight was $49.48 on Friday, $48.89 on Saturday, and $57.50 on Sunday (at Sacred Heart).
After expenses (not yet available), the net proceeds should be about $10,250. Most of the money (85%) will be given to four designated beneficiaries of the local council, including First Step School and Abilities Unlimited in Hot Springs, Special Olympics of Arkansas, and National Camps for the Blind. The rest will go to The Arc of Arkansas in Little Rock, an agency for developmentally disabled which was chosen by the State Knights of Columbus Council.
Council 10208 should be very competitive in the state this year for the most money raised by a large council.
To view pictures of the campaign, click on Photos.