Carolee Murchie Exalted Ruler for Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 chose longtime officer of the Lodge, Jim Morse as Elk “Officer of the Year” for 2021/2022.   Jim has done it all at his Lodge over a dozen years including being Exalted Ruler three times , Esquire multiple times etc.

   

  Besides his duties as Esquire last year he raised many thousands of dollars to keep the Lodge solvent during Covid-19 and this past year he has raised many more thousands for next years Vt. Elks’ Presidency, Jim Kirkwood’s expenses.   Jim Morse is a true Elk person as he goes beyond the call.

 

Springfield Elks Officer of the Year Jim Morse and Exalted Ruler Carolee Murchie after accepting his award.  

 

News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

 Each year the Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 chooses an “Elk of the Year”, someone who goes above and beyond for their Lodge.  Edwin “Jiggar” Barton was chosen by Exalted Ruler Carolee Murchie as that person.  He is always there when she or the Lodge need a helping hand.  

 

 

Jiggar Barton and Exalted Ruler Carolee Murchie at awards night for Springfield Elks Lodge 1560.

 

News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

 Springfield Elks Lodge is always trying to help out with community activity involvement.  Recently they made a $1500 Elks National Gratitude Grant award to the Edgar May Recreation center in conjunction with the Springfield Athletic department headed by Rich Saypeck the athletic director for Springfield High School.

 

Mr. Saypeck works with the recreation director Christian Craig in making sure that all athletes get a chance to train at the center, whether it be swimming or working out in the weight room.  This of course is an expensive undertaking as there is a payroll that has to be met.  That is why all people who attend the center have to pay for the services.  The less unfortunate students who cannot afford to participate earn coupons to pay for being able to attend the center.  They are given coupons worth $20 and this is based on their families income.  Coupons are good for a months attendance.

 

Present for the Elks National Gratitude Grant presentation to the Edgar May Recreation Center were L to r; Victor Baskevich Spr. Elks Trustees Chm, Christian Craig director of the Edgar May Rec. center, Carolee Murchie Elks Exalted Ruler and Rich Saypeck SHS Athletic director.  

 

News Item submitted by Mike Gunn

Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge presented the Springfield Senior Center with an award of $1000 towards their purchase of needs at the center.  This sum of money came from a Gratitude Grant from Elks National Foundation.  Springfield Elks Lodge came by this Grant as there Lodge met the criteria of paying in full their Per Capita expense listed by Elks National.

 

 Lori Johnson the director at the center gave the Springfield Elks a list of equipment they were in need of at the center.  This list included a cart to hang their folding tables, a storage container, shelving and four six foot long folding tables.  

 

 For the Springfield Lodge this is an on going community involvement they try to provide.  They are always looking for new community organizations to come forward and ask the Elks for help.  For next year if your people need help get in touch with Mike Gunn the secretary of the Lodge.  885-3100

 

Shown L to r; Victor Baskevich Lodge Trustee chm., Exalted Ruler Carolee Murchie, Center Director Lori Johnson, Sandra Wheeler, Perk Childs and John Mobus an Elks member and all center members.

 

News item provided by Mike Gunn

Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 held their final initiation before the end of the 2021 Elk year.  The initiation team consisted of Past Exalted Rulers of the Lodge.  The Lodge has taken in (22) new members this fiscal year that runs to April 1st, 2022.  That being said there is time for more initiation in the future during 2022.

 

 

New members frt. to r are; Jeffrey Cox, Melissa Rumriill, Past Exalted Ruler Jim Kirkwood and Carolyn Mackenzie.  Back row is; Donald Roys, Derrick Bruce, Tyler Stearns and Karl Wentworth.