Dinner at the pavilion at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark

The Men's Club's "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" trip, organized by Buddy Dixon, with much help from his wife Martha, was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015.  Approximately 95 members, spouses, and friends gathered at Sacred Heart Church, leaving at 4:30 PM and arriving at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark in North Little Rock a little after 5:30 PM.  During the trip to North Little Rock  everyone received a package of Cracker Jacks to get in the mood for the game. 

Once at the Ballpark, the attendees were served a traditional baseball dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs in a pavilion adjacent to the stadium.  After dinner the group moved over to the stadium and were in excellent seats along the 1st baseline.  Unfortunately the Travelers lost to the Springfield Cardinals 2 to 0.  The group departed the stadium at 10:00M and arrived back at Church after 11:00M, tired but happy after a great outing.

As a footnote to the outing, Marshall and Evelyn Garrison signed up for a drawing for a trip to San Antonio and were notified later that they had won.  It pays to travel with the Men's Club.  Sign up for next years trip when it is announced and enjoy the fun.

The "Rejoice" singers perform

The final meeting of the Sacred Heart Men's Club for the 2014-2015 year was held on Tuesday evening, May 12 at the Sacred Heart Church in the Lower Hall.  Some 170 members and guests were treated to a steak dinner cooked by Men's Club members with homemade ice cream for dessert, prepared by pastor Fr. Bill Elser.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by the group "Rejoice"​, 5 ladies who performed several upbeat gospel songs that delighted those present at the dinner.  

Officers for the 2015-2016 year were elected, Don Glinka - President, Joe Lemmler - 1st Vice President, Larry Poldrack - 2nd Vice President, Treasurer - Rick Goss, Secretary - Bill Patterson, Sergeant at Arms - Scott Krantz, Program Diector - Buddy Dixon.

Dr. Eric Bowen

The Men's Club met on April 14, 2015 for their regular monthly meeting.  The featured speaker for the meeting was Dr. Eric Bowen, cardiologist with Hot Springs Cardiologist Associates.  Dr. Bowen gave a relatively short presentation leaving plenty of time for questions from the members present.  There were numerous questions and comments about his presentation.  Dr. Bowen has offices in Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village.

After his presentation Don Glinka introduced new members Junior Wilkin and Bob Larson (see Photos). Reports were given by other officers, including the nominations committee.

Officer nominations for the 2015-2016 year are as follows:

President: Don Glinka
1st VP: Joe Lemmler
2nd VP: Larry Poldrack
Treasurer: Rick Goss
Secretary: Bill Patterson
Sergeant At Arms: Scott Krantz
Program Director: Buddy Dixon

Buddy Dixon announced that the next meeting on May 12th is the steak dinner with wives and that the "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" trip to see the Travelers play in North Little Rock would be on Tuesday, June 9th.

Speaker For The Evening, HSV Public Works Director Jason Temple

The speaker for the February 10, 2015 Men's Club Meeting was Jason Temple, Public Works Director for Hot Springs Village.  Jason's presentation was preceded by a meat loaf dinner prepared by Home Plate Restuarant and served by Rick Hiemenz and his kitchen crew.

Jason's slide presentation went over the various departments under Jason's operations, including lake management, street maintenance, recycling, water/wastewater management, sanitation, building/vehicle maintenance, and construction.  After his presentation he answered questions about recycling (he hopes that if the money is available, recycling can be restarted, albeit in a central location and in more of a self serve situation), trails (although they are not overly used, the younger newcomers will want them available if they are going to move to the Village).  There were other questions answered and then Jason was kind enough to stay after the meeting to answer individual questions.

President Bob Heisler presents Mens Club Check to Samaritan Ministries Representative Jan Laggin

The HSV Men's Club made donations to seven different organizations during December, 2014.  There was a total of $7,200 donated with $1,200 given to the Sacred Heart Church Holiday Baskets, and $1,000 each to the following organizations:

• Paul Bewie Boys & Girls Club
• McAuley Center Meals On Wheels program
• Jackson House, Samaritan Ministries
• St. John's Catholic School in Hot Springs
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Benton

Donations were presented by one of the officers of the Club and pictures are shown here and in the Photos section.

These donations were made possible by the two major fund raisers, the Fish Bake in March during Lent and the Chicken bake in October this year.  Thanks to all that participated in these two events.

Buddy Dixon and his "12 Days Of Christmas" choir.

The Men's Club annual dinner and party was held in the Lower Hall of the Church on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.  Over 150 members, wives, widows, and guests attended and were treated to a fine dinner catered by Home Plate Cafe.  After dinner members of the Fountain Lake High School Choir, directed by Mary Sagan, performed numerous Christmas songs for the enjoyment of those attending.  A collection was taken up to benefit the choir and over $800 was donated to them.

After the Fountain Lake choir finished their performance, Buddy Dixon introduced the "12 Days Of Christmas Choir", a motley collection of relectant singers selected by him from the audience.  This has become an annual event at this party with some new and some returning members selected to perform.  Dick "Five Golden Rings" Hill returned to give his all to his part as shown in some of the pictures.  After the 12 Days Of Christmas Choir concluded their performance, Bill "50-50" Hartnett handled the drawing for three $50 prizes.  Deacon John Froning closed the meeting with a prayer.

Speaker for the evening, HSV Marketing Manager Dannet Botkin

The Men's Club regular Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 was attended by approximately 70 members and guest in the Lower Hall of the Church.  The guest and speaker for the evening was Dannet Botkin, Marketing Manager for the Hot Springs Village POA.  After a great meatloaf dinner served up by Rick Hiemenz and his helpers, Dannet was introduced by Program Director Buddy Dixon and spoke to the membership about the ongoing efforts of the POA to promote the Village to the younger clients and potential new homeowners for the Village.  Among the efforts to entice these younger potential homeowners was the various new organizations such as the Rod & Gun Club, Pickelball Club, HSV Basecamp, Grove Park with it's numerous activities, etc.  After her presentation Dannet took questions from the assembled members.  This is Dannet's second visit to the Men's Club and was intended as an update of her previous visit which occured shortly after she was hired by the POA.

After Dannet's presentation Bob Heisler hosted a short meeting covering the various activities of the Club.

Dinner patrons at the 2014 Men's Club Chicken Bake

The Men's Club Annual Chicken Bake was held on Friday evening, October 3, 2014 in the Lower Hall of the Church.  Both the 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM, 230 person capacity seatings, were sold out.  The event chairman, Joe Lemmler, did an excellent job organizing the Chicken Bake, and some 50 members participated as waiters, greeters, set up, refreshment center staff, kitchen coordinators, ticket seller, etc.

Our chef, Rick Hiemenz, and his crew, did an outstanding job in preparing a delicious meal of creamed baked chicken, green beans, baked potato, garden salad, and rolls.  The meal was topped off by Fr. Bill's famous ice cream, available in three flaviors, fresh Arkansas strawberry, mocha chocolate chip, and creme de menthe.  The ice cream was served at the dinner tables by CCD students, members of St. Jude's Guild of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, and by Fr. Bill.  The St. Jude's Guild organized the CCD students and their own members for this event.

The Men's Club officers thank all who supported the Men's Club in this annual event, the proceeds of which are donated to local charities.  Special thanks also to Fr. Bill for preparing the ice cream, the sale of which goes to support the CCD program.

Pictures from the Chicken Bake are available in the Photo Gallery.