The January 14th general meeting was held as part of the parishwide baby shower.  LOSH members brought their donations and member donations were also used as centerpieces for the tables.  A truly festive atmosphere reigned over our meeting.

After Deacon Bernie said grace and led members in the pledge of allegiance, Fr. Bill blessed the shawls and reminded attendees of several upcoming parish and diocesan events.  Buddy Dixon took the microphone after Fr. Bill's remarks and gave a presentation on the planned excursion to Crystal Bridges and other points of interest sponsored by the Sacred Heart Men's Club.  It is my understanding that the available reservations are now filled and a waiting list has been started should there be any cancelations before the trip.

Our speaker, Marlene Zenker, was then introduced.  She gave a poignant, and yet often humorous, description of her journey with her husband to the Island of Madagascar.  Poverty and extreme hunger were everywhere.  Marlene came home with a feeling that the hunger she witnessed up close and personal should be publicized if there would ever be a solution for this widespread misery.  She authored a children's book entitled "The Empty Bowl" to awaken in both children and adults a concern for the paralyzing poverty and hunger that remains prevalent in parts of the earth.

Marlene cites the call of our Savior, as presented in Matthew 25:35-40, to remind us of our responsibility to feed the hungry, and to comfort the afflicted as we are, indeed, our brothers keepers.

After her presentation, Marlene signed books purchased by members.

 

LOSH Members who modeled Lagniappe Boutique fashions: Back row l-r, Toni Phillips, Pat Becker, Darlene Barta, Vinnie Calvey, and Front row l-r, Mary Duffy, Phyllis Melenson, Elsa Naeger, Dotti Asten

On Monday, October 15^th, the church hall at Sacred Heart was transformed with glitz and glamour into a fashionista’s delight.  This year’s annual fund raiser, a combination of luncheon and fashion show, was attended by over 200 members and their guests. 
 
Home Plate catered a very tasty chicken/spinach salad with pecans and mandarin oranges and raspberry vinaigrette dressing which was served by the “guys in bow ties”, members of Sacred Heart’s Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus local council.  The ladies were expertly pampered by these waiters, as well as by more “guys” who acted as bartenders serving mimosas or a selection of wines to satisfy the ladies’ tastes.
 
Fashions by Hot Springs Lagniappe Boutique, presented by owner Marcia Dobbs-Smith, proved that elegance and fun could be merged in fashionable clothing for all sizes, shapes and occasions.  Models for the fashion show were all members of the Ladies of Sacred Heart.  They graced the stage and then circulated among the tables so all attendees could get a close up look at the lovely clothing and jewelry they modeled. 
 
The fashion show was interspersed with awards of door prizes, donated through the generosity of local businesses, and ended with the results of the raffle and winners of the silent auction bids.  The beautiful raffle prizes and auction items were all the artful creations of very talented SHJ parishioners.
 
Fashion show chairwomen Nancy Froning and Joyce Field, with a whole lot of help from their committee members, can be proud of their highly enjoyable and very successful event.

Check the Photo Gallery for more pictures of this event.

Wardrobe consultant, Joyce Gallagher, and her assistant Georgia Janush.

The Ladies of Sacred Heart began their 2012-2013 year on September 10, 2012 with a wonderfully informative and entertaining program featuring Wardrobe Consultant Joyce Gallagher who demonstrated how to create fabulous new looks by using articles of clothing and accessories from our own closets.  
 
Revealing that most of us only use about twenty percent of our wardrobe, Ms. Gallagher confessed that she, like many others, had in the past purchased attractive clothing that didn’t seem quite as attractive once hanging in her closet – not a flattering color or style for the individual, not the right fit, etc. 
 
Donate what isn’t right, and enjoy more space for the items that suit us best was her advice.  Furthermore, of the twenty percent we still enjoy wearing, Ms. Gallagher explained ways to expand the “look” of a single outfit by accessorizing in a multitude of different ways.
 
Ms. Gallagher, assisted by LOSH member Georgia Janush, demonstrated the effective use of bright colored toppers, scarves or jewelry to completely remake the appearance of the pair of taupe pants and matching taupe shell displayed on a dress form on stage.  The single simple outfit could be dressed up or dressed down appropriately for any occasion. 
 
Ms. Gallagher showed how easily one can enhance the same basic pants and shell into many different looks using things already in our wardrobes.  She also demonstrated ways to drape or tie scarves in very attractive ways that gave dramatic new pizzazz to the most elementary styles.
 
This program was a great beginning of the new year for members and guests of the Ladies of Sacred Heart.  Click the Photos tab for more pictures of this event.

2012-2013 Board: Barb Potter-Vice-President; Peg Birzer-Secretary; Kathy Geske-President; Gwen Auel-Reporting Treasurer. Not pictured: Rosemary Rogers-Treasurer.

The Ladies of Sacred Heart elected new officers for the 2012-2013 year who were installed at the May, 2012 general meeting and began their service in heading the organization.  Serving as president is Kathy Geske.  Barbara Potter is the LOSH vice president, Peg Birzer is secretary, and Gwen Auel serves as reporting treasurer when Rosemary Rogers, treasurer, is unable to attend a general meeting of the organization. 
 
These officers are overseeing the continuation of the LOSH charitable and fund-raising efforts in support of impoverished women and children in our locale.  At the yearend meeting in May, LOSH awarded monetary donations totaling $8,900.  Recipients include St. John's Catholic School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Abba House, Charitable Christian Medical Clinic, Meals on Wheels, Barb's Place, Change Point, Glenhaven Youth Ranch, Safe Haven Women and Children Shelter, the Paul Bewie Boys & Girls Club, and Jackson House.
 
In addition to monetary donations, The Ladies of Sacred Heart often bring “a little something extra” to their monthly meetings for charitable giving to organizations assisting children in poverty.  After the September 10, 2012 meeting, donations of school supplies that members generously brought to the meeting were collected and transported to Mountain Pine Elementary School. 
 
The next LOSH meeting on October 8^th will feature Joe Rogers of the Arkansas Rice Depot, and the “little something extra” donations by members attending this meeting will be food items that hungry kids can take home in backpacks supplied by the Rice Depot.  Teachers fill these backpacks with food provided by Rice Depot and distribute them to needy students before they head home after school and on weekends.  The goal is to ensure these kids will have food to eat at home. 
 
Students receiving backpacks are identified as qualifying for the free school breakfast and lunch programs supported by federal funding.  The food in these backpacks will feed not only the student, but also any non-school age siblings at home.
 
The Arkansas Rice Depot “Food For Kids” program champions the effort to prevent hunger because “a hungry child can’t learn”.

Once again, the Ladies responded in the spirit of giving which is Christmas to help where help is most needed.  Donations of underwear and socks were made by the Ladies of Sacred Heart and collected at their annual Christmas Brunch on December 12th.  Irma Gremillion delivered almost 600 pairs of men's, women's and children's socks, as well as a total of 450 pairs of underwear to Jackson House to be distributed to needy individuals and families.  

The Ladies of Sacred Heart kicked off the 2011-2012 year on September 12^thby welcoming one of their own, Anne Dierks, to the podium for a humorous and enlightening presentation on Granny Camp, the title of Mrs. Dierks’ book on how to thoroughly enjoy and encourage summer visits by the grandchildren.  Her audience was inspired by the organizational tips, the ideas for simple yet totally enjoyable ways to entertain the youngsters, and how to inculcate family history, traditions, and values to the youngest generation.