SPRINGFIELD ELKS SEND SIX COMPETITORS TO VT. ELKS STATE SOCCER SHOOT

   Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 sent six local winners to the Vt. Elks Soccer shoot on Sunday, Oct. 21st in St. Albans, Vt.    Those six competed against seven other Lodges, and Springfield had two winners come home with 1st place trophy’s.  In the Under eight age group, Haleigh Goodrich of Springfield, Vt., was a first place winner.  And in the Under ten age group, Kaiden McCarthy  of Chester was a 1st place winner.
 
    The two first place winners will now compete at the Area One Soccer Shoot in Albany, NY., on November 2nd & 3rd.  They will be hosted by the Elks for two days, including hotel accommodations, Pizza parties and meals, for both days.   On Sat., Haleigh Goodrich and Kaiden McCarthy will compete in their respective age groups for a chance to be Area One Elks Champions.  Springfield Elks wishes them well.
   
 
Shown L to R; Recently at the Vt., Elks State Soccer Shoot in St. Albans, are Caleb Merrow of Chester,  Kaiden McCarthy of Chester, Weston Peck of Springfield, Haleigh Goodrich of Springfield, Harper Palmer of Springfield and Linsey Miles of Chester.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

Barre Elks prepares and distributes Cinch Sacks for Homeless Vets

Barre Elks Lodge 1535 received the Freedom Grant from Elks National Foundation and used the funds to purchase items and assemble cinch sacks for homeless vets.   The lodge consulted and worked with Joyce Cloutier,  Case Manager for Veterans Inc. in determining items that will be most useful/appreciated.   Joyce, along with other staff members,  distributed the cinch sacks to veterans that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. 
 
Joyce  reports the “response to them has been amazing.  They were filled with items that really made a small difference in their lives  in the woods.  Over and over again we heard how much they appreciated this.   The Elks Club has been amazing at continuously helping in different ways veterans over the years.  Veterans, Inc. and all the veterans that have been recipients truly appreciate everything they are doing”.
 
With the change of season, Barre Lodge recently assembled ‘winter’ cinch sacks for our homeless and at risk Veterans which will also be distributed by Veteran’s Inc.
 
 
Pictured Left to Right:  Joyce Cloutier, Cindy Wedding, Renee Hotaling, Kimberly Baker, Mark Hart and Frank Hotaling.  (photo by Barb Watters)

State Soccer Shoot finals held in St. Albans

The 2018 Vermont Elks State Soccer Shoot was held in St. Albans at the Collins Perley complex.  Competitors from all around the State were on hand to compete in the finals.  Following the shoot out, the St. Albans Elks Lodge provided a meal for all participants and their families.  The top 3 winners in each category were announced.  Now the first place winners will travel to Latham, NY for the Region I Shoot to be held on November 2,3, and 4th.  All their expenses will be paid by the Elks.   

To see more pictures, visit the Elks Shutterfly site.  Link:   https://vermontelks.shutterfly.com 

 

Chris Hall – VT Elks State Soccer Director, Maurice “Rocky” Putnam – VT Elks President and Bruce Pelletier – St. Albans Elks Lodge ER

Awaiting the results.

Congratulations to the First Place winners.  

First, second and third place finishers.  Congratulations!

 

News item submitted by Larry Bouchard.

St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 presents awards for the local soccer shoot winners

The St. Albans Elk’s Lodge recently had their local soccer shoot winners banquet! There were 219 participants at the local soccer shoot.  Congratulations to all of the winners! You all did an incredible job and should be so proud. A BIG shout out and thank you to Chris Hall and Nikki Hall for all of their time and dedication to our lodge and the soccer shoot program. None of this would be possible without either of you!

 

All Trophy winners with St. Albans ER Bruce Pelletier and State Soccer Chair Chris Hall

 


Great job Chris and Nikki

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 SOCCER SHOOT RESULTS

  Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge held their annual soccer shoots in Chester and Springfield.  The results from both shoots were combined, so now overall winners in each age group will compete at the Vt. Elks Soccer finals on Oct. 14th, in St. Albans, Vt.
 
    The Under age 8 boys winner was Weston Peck of Springfield, with 2nd place going to Bently Bonneville of Chester.  For the girls Under 8 group Haleigh Goodrich of Springfield was the 1st place winner with  Keeli Stewart of Chester in 2nd place.   In the Under age 10 group for boys the winner was Kaiden McCarthy of Chester and 2nd place was Seth Pelkey of Chester.  For the girls in the Under 10 age group, Harper Palmer of Springfield was the 1st place winner, with Sophia  Cherubini of Chester in 2nd place.   In the Under 12 age group for boys, Caleb Merrow was a 1st place winner with Max Peebles coming in 2nd.  For the girls, the 1st place winner was Linsey Miles of Chester with Amelia Murchie of Springfield coming in 2nd. 
 
 
Shown competing at the Springfield Elks soccer shoot in Springfield is 8 year old Annika Little, with Elks scorer Jeff Murchie, Elks helpers Carolee Murchie, George Ritchie, Jr., and Bob Austin.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 ANNUAL DICTIONARY GIVEAWAY AT UNION STREET SCHOOL

 For the past twelve years, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 has awarded all third graders at Union St. School with their very own Elks dictionary to keep and use at home or in school.
    This program was started over 26 years ago by the Elks.   The Springfield Lodge has given out to all third graders over 1200 to date.
 
 
Caption:  Shown are third graders at Union St. School in Springfield, holding up their new Elks Dictionary’s presented by the Springfield Elks Lodge 1560.  Frt. L to r; Kaisnon Noe, JP Stagner, Kayence Morgan, Arielle Pianka and Emelia Tennis.
 
News items submitted by Mike Gunn.

Barre Elks Lodge welcomes new General Manager/Cook Michael Marinelli

The Board of Directors of Barre Elks Lodge #1535  is pleased to welcome our new General Manager/Cook Michael Marinelli.  Mike brings with him over 35 years of culinary arts, food service operations, management and creative experience, including 20 years with the Knights of Columbus.   Mike and his wife Elise live in Montpelier and have 3 sons and 2 grandchildren.   Mike looks forward to helping you with your next function at the Barre Lodge.  Please call him at 479-9522 for information on the services available.


News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Bennington Lodge – Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

With more than 85 attendees, including scouts, family members, and friends, Brandon Lawyer was awarded an Eagle Scout Badge, the highest honor in scouting.  Also in attendance were Leading Knight and Youth Activity Chairman, Don Roy, and State Representative Mary Morrissey. 

During the ceremony, Brandon was presented with a Certificate of Merit and congratulatory letter from our Grand Lodge Chairman, Michael T Luhr. 

In typical scouting tradition, Brandon requested a camp-style meal of pancakes, hot dogs, and hamburgers.

The Bennington Elks 567 is committed to supporting our valuable youth and building the leaders of tomorrow, and was honored to hold the ceremony. 

Congratulations to Brandon Lawyer.

Members of Bennington Elks Lodge 567

 

Pictured with Brandon are on the left state representative from Bennington Mary Morrissey, and Don Roy Bennington Youth Activities Chairman and Leading Knight.

Bennington Youth Activities

On Saturday September 15th we held our annual Soccer Shoot. It was a beautiful day for the kids to come out and try their soccer skills.
We had 45 kids come to show off their skills. They all did a great job and had some fun!
Our winners will have another chance to try it again in St. Albans, Vt. on October 14th at the Collin Perkins Sports & Fitness Center. 
Check out our Facebook page for a picture of our winners at BenningtonElks567
This years winners are…
GIRLS
U-8                                U-10                                U-12                                 U-14

Maysie Freeman        Alliysh Leake                 Alicia Harrington          Alicea Coon
Gianna D’Onofrio     Madison Hayes              Madison Brimmer
Cameryn Thibodeau                                           Lila Coon
 
BOYS
Emmet Wilkins          Carson Andrick              Colden Powers              DJ Roy
Oliver Poole                Hunter Mattison            Spencer Broderson      Nat Greenslet
Easton Smith              Brodie Lewis                  Will Mattison                 Landon Brimmer
 
 
News item submitted by Kelly Kervan

SPRINGFIELD ELKS AWARD ENF GRANT TO THE VETERAN’S PLACE Inc.

Recently , Springfield Elks Lodge 1560’s Veteran’s chair person, PER Vicki Siliski applied for an Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant worth $1500, with the  recipient being “The Veteran’s Place Inc.” located in Northfield, Vt.  The Anniversary Grant given by the Elks National Foundation is marking this year being the 150th Anniversary of the Elks becoming a fraternity in 1868.  

This home in Northfield was built in 1904 and housed the Northfield Hospital for many years.  Then it became a nursing home.   Then being unoccupied, in 2009 The Veterans’ Place, Inc. took up residents in the home for homeless Veteran’s.    This program was started by the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt.  There are many homes like this throughout the country including two in New Hampshire that are sponsored by the VA with Grant money from the government. 

            The purpose of The Veteran’s Place, Inc. is to help Vermont’s Homeless Veterans by providing desperately needed resources in an all-one- locale so these Veterans may regain their PRIDE, reach their full potential , and once again become  contributing members of society. The Veterans Place is a transitional housing facility combined with assistive services for Homeless Veterans in Central Vermont and they have more than twenty-five other dedicated partners helping them.  Their goal is to help Homeless Veterans transition from the homeless population to thriving citizens.  Participants at the Veterans’ Place must be substance free, help with household chores, work diligently on self-improvement   (including finding employment), maintain a healthy lifestyle and volunteer within the community.  In return, participants may stay up to two years in the structured program.   The residents suffer from injuries acquired in the service of our country, including the invisible, terrible PTSD.  They offer assistance with tasks, such as completing applications for disabilities, employment and housing.  Transportation is provided to and from appointments to places such as the Veterans Hospital.  They are also provided with meals and supported emotionally as they make a difficult return to ability to function in society.

            Clayton Wood a former law enforcement career man from Lebanon, NH, is the Clinic Oversight/Case Manager.  The criteria for Vet’s to be placed in the Northfield home are first scrutinized by the VA with background checks, who then send them to Northfield to be interviewed by Mr. Wood and his committee to see if they are a good fit to be housed there.   During the interview, they are told no alcohol or drugs are permitted in the home nor may they go out and consume same when they are not at the home.  The hope is that they will take advantage of what is being offered to them, which will in the end enable them to lead a normal life out in society.   The home has (26) rooms for sleeping quarters,  it also has a full kitchen with a dining hall, recreation room, game room, large living room with many DVD movies and games, weight room and a fully equipped clothes and shoes room to outfit all occupant’s with assorted clothes for free.  At the end of the two years there, the occupants are sent out into the world with many items to start anew in their new  housing.  Example, micro waves, kitchen supplies etc.  Presently, there are 23 Veterans housed at the home.

            Within the picture attached are the Director and two Veteran’s living at the home.  Besides Mr. Wood there is also a Mr. Mart McLeod an Air Force Vet from Connecticut and Bob Shaw of Rutland, Vt., a Navy Vet. 

           

Shown are Springfield Elks members during the presentation of an Elks Anniversary Grant of $1500 to the Veteran’s Place in Northfield, Vt recently.  Shown front l to r are Eugene Siliski, PER Vicki Siliski, Vet’s Place Diretor Clayton Wood and Gloria Gunn.  In back are residents of Vet’s Place, Bob Shaw of Rutland a Navy Veteran and Mart Mcleod an Air Force Vet from Connecticut.

News item submitted by Mike Gunn.