By Donna Aylward, April 20, 2020
Note from Editor: Donna Aylward, Chairperson for the Hot Springs Village POA Recreation Committee, tendered her resignation on April 16, 2020. She served on the Hot Springs Village Recreation Committee for six years, with three years in the position of Chairperson. Donna will be sorely missed. Below is the email she submitted to Director of Recreation, Stacy Hoover.
Dear Stacy,
On April 15, 2020, my husband Dan was elected to serve as Treasurer of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association. As a result, he is an ex-officio member of the Board. The association By-laws do not permit “household members” of the Board of Directors to serve on standing or subcommittees of the Association. So, it is with sadness but great feelings of accomplishment that I must tender my resignation effective today, April 16th, 2020 as Chairman of the Recreation Committee.
The achievements of the committee during my six -year tenure were only possible due to the dedicated, committed, and kind members who worked along side us. I came to understand the immensity and complexity of operating the various facilities that make up the multifaceted Recreation Department. We have renovated lawn bowling, built new bocce ball courts, established Grove Park, built pocket parks, added shade shelters at the beach, purchased fitness equipment, constructed new Pickleball Courts, built an outdoor pool, coordinated Newcomers Orientations, enjoyed Rock Porch concerts, farmers markets, fall festivals, reindeer romps and tree lighting festivals, Fourth of July festivals and fireworks, and filled the Woodlands with concerts, magicians and acrobats!
We’ve toiled many hours to assist you in generating information needed for fees, capital investments and budgets. Conducted subcommittees too numerous to mention and spent hours planning agendas and conducting meetings.
And I cannot say enough of the time and respect you have provided me as I grew in knowledge with this department. You showed good humor, kept your cool and worked immeasurable hours toward the success of the projects and events.
There will be several new members joining this committee in the near future. The veterans will have a responsibility to assist in educating and encouraging their participation. Currently we have several strong members who could lead the committee, however, as my final recommendation, I would encourage the committee to consider nominating Jim Betts as their new Chairman. His leadership with the Pickleball project and his considerable time spent in understanding our fee structure as well as his inquisitive nature and tactful responses would, in my estimation, make him a great choice.
I want to thank everyone for making it fun! I loved it all! Keep up the good work! Carry on! Much is yet to be accomplished through what may be your most challenging year yet.
My best regards,
Donna
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Frank Leeming
04/20/2020 — 12:01 pm
Donna will be missed. She did really good work on the Recreation Committee.
Susan Meyers
04/20/2020 — 12:03 pm
Donna you are going to be missed, your leadership, knowledge and perfect personality will be missed….BUT they say when a door closes another opens. We were thrilled to hear that Dan will be the treasurer…I miss seeing you…cheers to both you and Dan❤️😷
Melinda Alvord
04/20/2020 — 12:33 pm
Such a talented lady and one who definitely proves the saying that if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person! I’d like to know what your next project will be??? Thank you for all you do for Hot Springs Village👏👏
Julie
04/20/2020 — 1:07 pm
Your work was tireless, effective, and a welcome change from the status quo.
Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
You will be missed.
Very much.
Again, thanks for everything!!!
Kilroy
04/20/2020 — 7:29 pm
Donna, we will miss you. Great work on your part and we thank you.
Today, your husband made up for the void. Very impressed with his measured and timely words of wisdom as our treasurer. Thank you Aylwards. Your dedication to community is appreciated.
Donna
04/20/2020 — 10:12 pm
Thank you to everyone for your kind words! Dan and I love the Village, have great friends and long connections to this community!
We look forward to many more years of enjoying the beauty, facilities and people of HSV!
Dee Dixon
04/21/2020 — 6:34 pm
Donna, I just have this feeling that another opportunity will present itself for you to help our Village. You have great skills, are very personable & an active listener, to start. You will continue to make a positive difference here. It’s just “who you are!”