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I
cannot believe how fast this Holiday season is going by! So many things
are happening that I just cannot seem to keep up.
Sunday, December 14th, marked the 22nd
anniversary of the H.P.W.A.
Christmas Benefit show. I am excited to report that we raised $1,876.00!!
The most precious of all donations, however, was the large gift in honor of
my sister and former Miss Gay Arkansas America, Candice Carrington;
thank you Ron Standridge.
I am so grateful that so many wonderful
entertainers showed up and showed
out! We are so blessed to have so many individuals who so generously give,
even when the economy is at best, uncertain. I am also extremely thankful
for the business owners who are always willing to help out in so many ways!
Contributing sponsors included About Vase, Vesuvius Restaurant, Pizza Café,
Salon F/X, Caracalla Day Spa, and Jester’s Lounge. I am also very thankful
to
Norman Jones and his staff at Backstreet and Discovery for not only providing
a great venue, but for providing office space and all the other efforts no
one sees
that we may take for granted.
As the year is coming to an end, I think it is a great time to spend some
time reflecting on the year. This year
has been very exciting for me, personally, but there are others in our community
who have experienced heartache
and loss; whether it be the loss of a loved one, a friendship, or even a job.
I hope that you have cried with your loved
ones over their tragedies and rejoiced with them during their triumphs, for
this is what this journey of life is really all
about. Physical things come and go. They may be beautiful when brand new,
but start to fray and tarnish as we use
them. Relationships are just the opposite. They may begin a little tenuous,
but as they develop, they turn into the
most beautiful and prized of all the things imaginable.
As most of you are aware, the 2009 Pageant
season is just around the corner. Miss Gay Little Rock America will be
my first opportunity to serve as the administrator for the Miss Gay Arkansas
America system, so I hope to see many
familiar faces in the audience, and beautiful faces in the competition. Remember
that preparation is the key to success,
regardless of the goal. I predict this is going to be a great pageant season,
in spite of the obstacles that everyone
seems to be encountering.
May God bless and keep each and everyone of you through out this season and into the new year. Happy Holidays!
Yours very truly,
Todd B. Stiedle aka Stephanie Richards
(501) 920-9773
stephaniemgar@yahoo.com