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Faiths Break Bread Together
Last updated Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:46 PM CDT in Columns
By Carini Schoppmeyer
The Morning News
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About 200 University of Arkansas supporters gathered the morning of Sept. 20 on the lawn of the new chancellor’s residence to dedicate the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House. The Fowlers donated $1.75 million toward the construction of the house and were on hand for the dedication with many of their family.
UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart told us, “The Fowler House has met and exceeded every expectation.”
After Jama cut the big red ribbon in front of the entrance, guests were welcomed into the house to enjoy the breakfast buffet of roasted vegetable frittata with mascarpone, fresh fruit skewers, savory cheese and herb scones with smoked salmon, petit spinach turnovers, sausage balls, sweet bacon and assorted dainty pastries.
Those on hand for the dedication included UA System President B. Alan Sugg, UA Trustees Tim Hunt and Jim Lindsey, Judy Snowden, Christy Kelly, Helen Lewis, Hannah and Greg Lee, Judy Schwab and Joanna and Richard Hudson.
Three faiths came together for dinner the evening of Sept. 21 to raise money for one of them and further unity among all of them. The fundraiser dinner to help build Temple Shalom was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. General contractor Fadil Bayyari, a Palestinian-American Muslim, who has donated construction services at cost was also lauded.
Rabbi Jacob Adler, St. Paul’s Rector the Rev. Lowell Grisham and Fadil led us in prayer before dinner, prompting keynote speaker UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart to begin his remarks by saying, “I’m sure those prayers went straight to God.”
Building coordinator Jeremy Hess told us, “When we celebrate diversity, we are recognizing our unity.” He said the congregation has been “wandering” around Fayetteville for 27 years. Now that they are getting a place to call their own, though, “we are 13 years more efficient than the Jews in the desert.” He said the completion of the Fayetteville synagogue will be the beginning of their work as they join with other faiths to be a “temple of peace.”
The 200 dinner guests and volunteers helped raise more than $35,000 toward the completion of the synagogue. Among them were Nancy and master of ceremonies for the evening Dick Trammel, Denise and Hershey Garner, Diane and Bob Shaw, Patsy and Dan Ferritor, Sen. Sue and Bernie Madison and Lynn and Joel Carver.
Kim and Jay Ellis opened their Pinnacle Country Club home Thursday evening to Charity Challenge of Champions VIP sponsors and tennis and golf pros as the 17th annual fundraiser for The Crisis Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital kicked off three days of events.
Since its founding the golf, tennis and social events have provided more than $3 million for the charities.
Among those gathered around the grill were Jack Sinclair, Jennifer and David Scoggin, Scott Poole, Teri Hennesey, Sandy Bellinger, Gloria Dible and Diane Callahan.
Our Town columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by e-mailing cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.net or by phoning 872-5049.
About this columnist
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer party hops each week to capture the who's who of Northwest Arkansas. Her column covers the numerous charitable events in this community and the people who make them possible.
Email her at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.net. See past columns on her archive page.
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