5 minute read
Kisses
from May 2022
The Hermann Sons Life Home Office has announced Elaine Hernandez Soto is the new communications director upon the retirement of Kathie Ninneman. New assistant communications director is Hannah Ruiz-Gruver.
Elaine has served as assistant communications director of Hermann Sons Life for more than 20 years. Hired to help produce the Hermann Sons Life newspaper in 2002, she and Kathie changed production to a digital format for the first time.
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Since then, Elaine has also taken on the responsibilities of website maintenance, social media management, advertising campaigns, design and production of sales materials, photography and more.
Prior to her employment at Hermann Sons Life, Elaine worked for Seguin’s local newspaper, the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise for several years with Kathie who was managing editor for the paper before coming to Hermann Sons Life. Elaine held various positions from news and feature writer to assistant editor. A life-long resident of Seguin, she has three grown daughters and is an active grandma to eight grandchildren.
“I am so excited about my promotion although it’s bittersweet as Kathie and I have worked side by side for more than 35 years,” she said. “Of course, in all that time we developed a very strong friendship – a sisterhood. I know I have really big shoes to fill, but I am proud to be able to take over the reins and continue the work of promoting Hermann Sons Life in the most positive way. I’m anxious to see what the future holds for Hermann Sons Life News and the organization.”
Hannah comes to Hermann Sons Life with experience in graphic design, newspaper production, social media management and photography. She previously worked for the Seguin Gazette as creative director and editor of the “Seguin Magazine.”
She lives in Seguin with her husband, Jason. Together they have six children and one grandchild.
“I am honored that Kathie and Elaine have chosen me to continue on the legacy that they have built,” Hannah said. “I am also excited to see what the future holds for the newspaper and communications department.”
Kathie has been at Hermann Sons Life since October 2000. She has been the communications director since January 2002 when Holly Wood retired.
She will be staying until the end of June as Director of Special Projects. She will be focusing on work related to the upcoming Convention Assembly and is writing a new history of Hermann Sons Life and organizing the museum.
“I am excited to be able to hand over the reins to my longtime assistant, Elaine Soto. And we have found the perfect person to become her assistant. Together they will make a great team,” Kathie said. “I am super excited to be able to get to work full-time on a new history for the organization. The last written history was done in 1990 when the Grand Lodge celebrated its 100th anniversary. And I have boxes and boxes of memorabilia to sort through. I want to leave it as organized as possible so that in the future people will be able to find the answers to their historical questions quickly.”
The Home Office has announced staff changes in the Communications Department upon the retirement of Kathie Ninneman, left. She is pictured with, from left, new Communications Director Elaine Hernandez Soto, new assistant communications director, Hannah RuizGruver and President and CEO Eugene Zollinger.
Attention lodge reporters:
Lodge reporters, please take note that with the retirement of Kathie Ninneman, all lodge meeting reports, photos and any information to be included in the Hermann Sons Life newspaper should now be sent to Communications Director Elaine Soto. Her email address is elaines@ hermannsonslife.org. She can be reached by phone at 210-226-9261, ext. 279. Please give her a call if you have any questions.
Lodges are encouraged to send in their news and photos! A reminder, the deadline to submit reports and photos is the 10th of each month. Please make sure reports are typed or printed legibly. Photos should be of good quality and size. Small photos do not reproduce well. And please remember to identify each person in the photo with first and last name.
Events
EVERY THURSDAY – It’s Game Night every Thursday night at Hochheim-Prairie Lodge-Turner Hall in Yoakum. Games start at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 361-293-557. EVERY THURSDAY – It’s Game Night every Thursday night at Brenham Lodge. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. EVERY FRIDAY – The San Antonio Home Association Rathskeller hosts Trivia Night at 7 p.m. The Rathskeller is located at 525 S. St. Mary’s St.
MAY
7 - Join Hands Day will be observed. This is one of two days during the year when Hermann Sons Life lodges come together to do great things in their communities. 10-12 - The 48th Hermann Sons Life Convention Assembly will be held at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos. Delegates from across the state will be there to conduct business, hear reports and elect the next Board of Directors. 15 - The Goodtime Polka and Waltz Club of New Braunfels will host a dance from 3-6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 353 Seguin Ave., New Braunfels. Sound Check from Needville will provide music.
JUNE
5 - Kirby Lodge will hold Senior Bingo at 2 p.m. at the hall. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. You must be 55 years or older to attend. Light snacks will be provided. There will be 20 games.
If you would like to see your lodge’s event listed here and in the Events section of the Hermann Sons Life website, call Elaine Hernandez Soto, 210-226-9261, ext. 279, or 1-800-234-4124, ext. 273, or email elaines@hermannsonslife.org.
210-226-9261, ext. 102 email: hannahrg@hermannsonslife.org Fax: 1-888-443-3377 or 210-892-0252 Website: www.hermannsonslife.org
All news articles and photographs should be mailed to:
Editor, Hermann Sons Life, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941 or emailed to: elaines@hermannsonslife.org
Deadline for each monthly issue is the 10th of the month of publication.
The Hermann Sons Life newspaper is an official publication of Hermann Sons Life. The management and editorial policy of the newspaper shall be in the hands of the President and CEO, and the President and CEO shall have the authority to appoint a member or members of Hermann Sons Life as editor and/or business manager thereof.
