SPRINGFIELD ELKS RULER CHOSEN BEST IN THE SOUTH

      Springfield Elks Lodge sent a contingent of officers to the annual Vt. Elks Convention in Shelburne, NH over the weekend of May 18th to the 20th.
 
      While there, the  Elks members attend business meetings and on Saturday night awards for the year are handed out to many categories of things the Lodges have accomplished through the past year.  The last three awards given out are the best Exalted Ruler’s (President of their Lodge) of the South and North Vt. Elks Districts.   This year’s 2018/2019 Exalted Ruler for the South was James Morse of Springfield Elks Lodge #1560.  Mr. Morse has been a member of Springfield Elks Lodge since 2005 and served as Exalted Ruler the first time in 2010/2011, followed by stints in 2018/ 2019 and now 2019/2020.   He grew up in Brattleboro, Vt., and graduated from Brattleboro Union HS. 
 
Shown are Morris “Rocky” Putnam, of Bellows Falls Elks Lodge and Vt. Elks State President, James Morse, accepting his award as Exalted Ruler of the South and Vt. Elks District Deputy of the South Rob Poblocki.

St. Albans ELks Lodge 1566 provides lunch for the Special Olympics

Today many great Elk members from the St. Albans Elks Lodge volunteered their time to cook & serve almost 500 individuals lunch at the Special Olympics Unified Sports Bocce Tournament hosted at the Collins-Perley Sports Complex! Food was provided through the Elk’s Gratitude Grant. What an honor to be a part of such an amazing event!

Elks Care, Elks Share

 

The cooks

St. Albans ER, Kim Bourbeau with two who provided Thank You cards.

Most of the Volunteers

Barre Lodge announces Officer of the Year

Philip V. Delia, Jr was awarded the 2018-2019 Officer of the Year at Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 Member Recognition/Appreciation Dinner.  Phil has been on the officer team for two years, recently as the Lecturing Knight.  In addition to serving as an officer, he is a loyal and dedicated volunteer, spending countless hours assisting in the kitchen, was Youth Activities Chair and participated in nearly all Lodge and Grand Lodge Events.  In addition, he has  engaged his employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, as a donor of water and other items for our various youth, veteran and senior activities.  Phil was presented the Officer of the Year Award by Exalted Ruler, Barb Watters.  For information on joining Barre Lodge of Elks, please call 479-9522 or email barreelks1535@gmail.com.
 
Photo:  Barb Watters, Exalted Ruler; Phil Delia Officer of the Year.  Photo credit Stacey DeSisto
 
News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Barre Lodge of Elks Names Elk of the Year

Tracy Fecteau of Barre, Vermont was named Elk of The Year at the Barre Lodge #1535 Member Recognition Dinner.  Tracy has been a member of the Lodge for 15 years and is involved in numerous Lodge Activities, including the Kids’ Christmas Party, Interlodge Games, the Charity Golf Tournament and many other activates on a daily basis.  She has also been an active proposer of new members for the Lodge.   The award was presented to Tracy by Exalted Ruler, Barb Watters.
 
Tracy Fecteau
 
Barb Watters, ER and Tracy Fecteau (photo credit Stacy DeSisto)
 
News items submitted by Barb Watters.

Barre Lodge Honors Sara Akers as Citizen of the Year

Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 presented the 2019 Citizenship Award to Sara Akers.  This award, presented by Exalted Ruler Barb Watters, is presented to a member of our community who has contributed in a special way to improving the local community, shown leadership and contributed voluntary service and is an ‘all around good citizen’.   Sara, her husband Josh, and parents Cass and Shelly Bressette, were guest of the Lodge at the Annual Member Appreciation/Recognition Dinner.  Sara was noted for her big heart and activism in helping those in need.   Following in the footsteps of her parents, she was the catalyst in collecting a trailer load of supplies for victims of Hurricane Florence, spear heads “Boots N Balls” ,  a benefit for a local family;  Food For a Cause (Josh grills and the proceeds from the sale of food goes to a needy family);  and  she has a long and a history of organization and generosity, with her family, in benefits such as Bikers for Beth, Freezing Fun for Families and many other community causes. 

Josh Akers, Sara Akers, Tober Akers, Barb Watters Barre Lodge Exalted Ruler, Shelly Bressette and Cass Bressette.  Photo credit Stacy Desisto

Other Photo:  Josh Akers, Sara Akers and Shelly Bressette

Vermont results – National Hoop Shoot

Ethan Whalen from Rutland will be going to Chicago April 25th to represent Vermont at the National Hoop Shoot. Jacobi Lafferty brought home a third place. Rocky was on hand to help pass out the trophies. 

 

Jacobi Lafferty with his 3rd place trophy with Rocky Putnam, President Vermont Elks

Ethan Whalen heading to Chicago, and Rocky Putnam, President Vermont Elks.

News item and photos submitted by Steve Edgerley.

Fraternal News Barre Elks Gratitude Grant

The Barre Lodge of Elks presented $500 to Pastor Kim Kie of Hedding United Methodist Church, proceeds for the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.  The money will assist Hedding’s continued community outreach programs including, but not limited to the Overflow Shelter and  Food Shelf..  The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is the premier charitable organization in the United States supporting veterans, seniors, youth and communities.  For information on joining your local lodge call 479-9522 or email barreelks1535@gmail.com.
 
 
Photo:  Barb Watters, Exalted Ruler; Kim Kie, Hedding United Methodist Church and Cindy Wedding, ENF Chair.
Photo credit Betsy Stanford
News items submitted by Barb Watters