Author: Larry Bouchard

Hoop Shoot news…..

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Hoop Shooters Cadance and Abby Tenney, along with family members, were guests of Barre Elks Lodge on March 8th.   Cadance and Abby represented Barre Lodge #1535 at the District Hoop Shoot in Windsor in January and both placed 2nd in their age group.  They were unable to stay for the awards ceremony as they wanted to get back to Williamstown for their respective basketball games!    Pictured are Cadance; Cindy Wedding, Barre Lodge Youth Activities Chair; and Abby.  Winners of the District shoot advanced to the State Hoop Shoot, hosted by Barre Lodge.  Winners in each division advanced to the Regional Shoot to be held in Maine on March 24th, with their expenses paid by the Elks.   Winners at the Regional Shoot will represent New England at the National Hoop Shoot in Chicago, again with all expenses for the participant and family paid.  National Winners have their names inscribed on a plaque at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Ma.   For more information on the Elks Hoop Shoot Program and other youth activities, please call the Lodge at 479-9522.

 Pictured are Cadance; Cindy Wedding, Barre Lodge Youth Activities Chair; and Abby

News items submitted by Barb Watters.

Student of the Month Barre Elks

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Barre Elks Lodge 1535 recognized co-students of the month from Williamstown Elementary on February 22.   Third grade students Nick Churchill and Parker Hebert, family members and Mitch Smoller, Williamstown Elementary Co-Coordinator of Student Support enjoyed dinner with Elk members prior to the presentations.  Barre Elks are proud to support and honor our community’s outstanding youth.  For more information on becoming an Elk, or our Youth activities, please call the Lodge 479-9522.
 
Pictured:   Avery Hebert, Krystle Hebert (mom), Student of Month Parker Hebert and Barre Lodge Exalted Ruler Maureen Lawson
 
Pictured with Nicholas Churchill (Front)  L to R: Erik Townsend, Tara Sherwood (Mom), Katelyn Churchill,  Dean Sherwood, Nick and Barre Exalted Ruler Maureen Lawson 
 
News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Barre Elks Lodge 1535 honors Gold Award Girl Scout

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Barre Elks Lodge 1535 honored Gold Award Girl Scout Christina Wiles of Brandon on February 22.  Christina, a member of Troop #30648, received a letter from Grand Exalted Ruler McPherson, the Elk Gold Girl Scout Pin and an American Flag.   Christina is the daughter of Brian and Tina Wiles of Brandon.  She is an honor student at Middlebury Union High School.   Her Gold project was the creation and implementation of a mentoring program between Mary Hogan Elementary and Middlebury Union High School.   Christina plans to continue her education this fall at George Mason University to study international relations/criminal justice.  Barre Elks congratulates Christina on this worthy accomplishment and wishes her continued success as inspiring young leader.

 

News item submitted by Bark Watters.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 HONOR LONGEST & OLDEST ELK MEMBER

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Springfield Elks Lodge recently had their annual “Membership Recognition Night” for their members.   Before Elk of the Year and Officer of the Year  were awarded, they honored two gents who have been members for over 70 years.
 
Raymond Latelle joined the Elks in 1942 before going off to WWII as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, making him the longest tenured member of Springfield Lodge of over 75 years.  Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski presented him with the “Citizen of the Year” plaque.  As the oldest member of Springfield Elks at 97, Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski presented Charles “Bob” Brent with a plaque for his many years as an Elk at 72 years.
 
 
Ray Latelle, 75 year member of Springfield Elks Lodge, is shown being presented with his “Citizen of the Year” plaque by Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski.  
 
 
Charles “Bob” Brent is shown accepting his oldest living member plaque of 97 years from Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski and Past State President of Springfield Elks Lodge Donald Bishop.   
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

VERMONT ELKS ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE

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Vermont Governor Phil Scott designated February 16, 2018 as Elks Association Day in Vermont.  Approximately 50 Elks from across Vermont traveled to Montpelier, to witness the signing of the proclamation.   The event was streamed live on Facebook.  A reception was held at Barre Elks Lodge immediately following.
 
The proclamation reads:
 
“Where as 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America; and  with a new spirit and direction, the Elks began helping veterans and scouts, awarding scholarships and more, engaging communities wherever charity, justice, brotherly love were needed; and Elks are committed to serving people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that “Elks Care and Elks Share”; and Vermont Elks Association Inc. and Vermont Elks Charities Inc. has over 7,000 members and volunteers, belonging to 12 lodges statewide; and Vermont Elks Charities Inc. demonstrates their service to the state through their several programs, including Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, Vermont, a non-profit summer camp dedicated to serving people with disabilities.  I, Philip B. Scott, Governor, do hereby proclaim February 16, 2018 as Elks Association Day in Vermont.  Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont on this 16th Day of February, A.D. 2018″
 
 
From L to R:  Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Earl Cavanagh, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Vermont Elks Association President Brian Gaura.
 
Vermont Elks delegation with Governor Phil Scott after signing proclamation declaring February 16, 2018 as Elks Association Day in Vermont.
 
News item submitted by the Barre Elks Lodge.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT

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  On Saturday night, February 10th, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 celebrated their “Membership Recognition” night for 2017/2018 with a Valentines dinner/dance party.  It was one of the biggest nights in a while with more then one hundred members and guests in attendance.  It was made even more successful by Bellows Falls Lodge #1619 members joining in on the celebration with twenty-four of their members and the two Lodges will be pledging the proceeds from the night to the Vt. Elks Major Project, “Silver Towers Camp” in Ripton, Vt.       
   
    Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski of Springfield Lodge was overwhelmed with the big turnout for her final big night as ER.  Mrs. Siliski has been ER for 2-1/2 years for her Lodge.   After dinner, ER Siliski handed out many awards including “Elk and Officer of the Year”.  Anniversary pins of five year increments were given out, with a “75” year Citizen of the Year plaque being awarded to Raymond Latelle who joined the Elks in 1942 before he left for the  Army Aircorps as a pilot serving  in WWII.   Charley “Bob” Brent was given a plaque for “72”years of service to his Elks Lodge.   Bruce Sanderson, was given the “Pot Stirring Spoon” award that is always taken in fun.  Jacky Driscoll-Page and Gloria Gunn were awarded a Grand Exalted Ruler’s “Outstanding Service Commendation”, for their efforts helping out at  the Lodge during the year.
 
    Final awards of the night  went to Carolee Murchie as “Officer of the Year” and Eugene Siliski for “Elk of the Year”. 
 
 
Exalted Ruler of Springfield Elks Lodge Vicki Siliski, awarding Eugene Siliski as “Elk of the Year” for 2017/2018 Elk year.
 
 
 Carolee Murchie accepting her “Officer of the Year”, award from Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski of Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 at the Lodge’a Valentines dinner/dance on February 10th.
 
News items submitted by Mike Gunn.