Author: Larry Bouchard

Barre Elks Honors Gold Girl Scout

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Barre Elks Lodge 1535 recently recognized Gold Girl Scout recipient Maria Wiles.  Maria was presented with a Certificate of Merit from Grand Exalted Ruler Michael F Zellen:   “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America takes pride in presenting this Certificate of Merit for your achievement in attaining the Girl Scout Gold Award. By your dedication to the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law you have demonstrated what Scouting stands for, building character, developing a sound mind, volunteerism, and always being prepared to assist in time of need. “

In addition to the certificate, Maria was presented the Elks Gold Scout Pin and an American Flag.  She and her Mother/Scout Leader were dinner guests of the lodge the evening of the presentation.   The Elks prides itself on recognizing outstanding youth and is proud of their accomplishments

 

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L-r:  Cindy Wedding – Lodge Esquire;  Donna Bartolucci – Leading Knight and Youth Committee Chair;

Maria Wiles – Gold Girl Scout; Tina Wiles – Mom and Troop Leader

The Vermont Elks host the 7 State Area 1 Soccer Shoot

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The Area 1 Soccer Shoot was held on November 4-5-6, 2016.  The St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 and the Burlington Elks Lodge #916 co-hosted the event.  The 7 States representing the Area 1 are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.  Lodge officers from all the States both past and present along with many volunteers were on hand to make the event run very smoothly.  The activities started with a registration and pizza party for all the contestants, their parents and siblings on Friday night.  On Saturday morning the competition was held at the Collins Perley complex in St. Albans followed with a lunch at the St. Albans Lodge.     On Saturday evening the activities moved to the Burlington Elks Lodge for the Banquet and Awards presentations.

Photos of the event can be seen at the Vermont Elks Shutterfly site.   Here is the link:  https://vermontelks.shutterfly.com

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The Vermont Elks State Soccer Shoot was held in St. Albans on October 16th.

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The Elks State Soccer Shoot was held in St. Albans on October 16th.  Winners from each age group from all around the State merged onto St. Albans to determine who would be going to the Region I Soccer Shoot that this year will be hosted by the Vermont Elks.  The competition was held at the Collins-Perley Complex followed by a lunch and awards ceremony held at the St. Albans #1566 Elks Lodge.

Elks members from throughout the State were on hand to help with the event and cheer on the competitors.  It was a fun day for all who participated.

More pictures can be viewed at the Vermont Elks Shutterfly site.    https://vermontelks.shutterfly.com/

 

 

 

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l-r Chris Hall – State Soccer Chair, Sandra Bracey – St. Albans Elks ER, Robert Campo – Vermont Elks State Presidenta

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The 1st place winners 

front l-r  Jacob Bylow – Barre, Sam Peckinpaugh – Windsor, Brianna Bartow – Windsor and Lily Willis – Newport
Back l-r Owen Fournier – Newport, Michele Townsend – Windsor and William Scalese – Windsor
Missing from the Picture:  Cora Nadeau – Newport

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Robert Campo – Vermont Elks State President with Elroy and Earl Cavanagh – SDGER

 

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE #1560 – LOCAL SOCCER WINNERS ATTEND VT. ELKS SOCCER SHOOT

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 Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 soccer shoot chairman Victor Baskevich and Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski took the local winners from Springfield and Chester to the Vt. Elks State Soccer Shoot in St. Albans, Vt. on October 16th.
 Participants were U-8 girls and boys winners, Brielle Pelletier and Finnegan Kelley both of Springfield.  For the U-10’s they were Ava Anderson and Max Peebles both of Chester.  For the U-12’s they were Luna Burkland and Noah Cherubini both of Chester.  In the U-14 age group there was Kayla Quelch of Springfield and Tristin Parker of Chester.
The participants were feted to a luncheon and awards ceremony lead by Chris Hall State Soccer Chairperson and State President Bob Campo.
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Caption for attached picture:  2016 participants from Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 at the Vt. Elks State Soccer shoot held on Sunday, Oct. 16., in St. Albans were L to R; Kayla Quelch, Ava Anderson, Noah Cherubine, Brielle Pelletier, Finnegan Kelley, Max Peebles, Luna Burkland and Springfield Elks Lodge soccer shoot chairman Victor Baskevich.  In back was Elroy the Elk.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS HOST STATE PRESIDENT AND DD SOUTH ON A SPECIAL NIGHT

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  Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 hosted State President Bob Campo and DD South Greg Pinsonnault which turned into a special night with six past state presidents in attendance.
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l to r; Past State Presidents, Andy Cook 2009 Springfield, Lori Pinsonnault 2012 Bennington, Chip Paine 2005 Barre, SP Bob Campo 2016 Barre, Ray Buison 2006 Bellows Falls, Don Bishop 2009 Springfield and Keith Palmer 2014 St. Albans.

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS – GER MICHAEL F. ZELLEN VISIT

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Michael F. Zellen, the National President of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a resident of Massachusetts visited Barre Elks Lodge No. 1535 on Tuesday September 27th to meet with Vermont Elks members.  Zellen congratulated Vermont Elks on their many successful charitable and patriotic accomplishments in their communities during a special dinner banquet.
As the Elks’ Grand Exalted Ruler, the Order’s title for its highest office, Zellen is responsible for promoting the BPO Elks’ key goals of community services; assistance for the handicapped, veterans, and the less fortunate; and sponsorship of youth programs and scholarships.  “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a terrific organization,”  said Zellen, “and each day more than 1 million members find ways of helping others.  By providing college scholarships to bright students, helping disabled children, and lending comfort to our nation’s great veterans, Elks Lodges across the country make positive changes in their communities.”
During his term of office, GER Zellen will attend State Elks Association Conventions, meet with Government Officials and Community Leaders, and travel to many Elks Lodges.
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From L to R:  Nancy Cavanaugh, SDGER Earl Cavanaugh, First Lady Donna Zellen, GER Michael Zellen, Penny Carr, PGER David Carr
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GER Zellen presents Past VEA President Lori Pinsonneault with an award for her donations
of more than one thousand dollars to the Elks National Foundation.
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Vermont Elks Association First Lady Michele Campo, GER Zellen and VEA President Elect Brian Gaura with gift from Vermont Elks Association. Missing from photo is VEA President Robert Camp who was overseas on a business trip.

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS – STUDENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM

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Barre Elks Lodge has kicked off its Student of the Month program with Williamstown Elementary School.  One student from each class is nominated for demonstrating the virtues of respect, responsibility and safety while being an active learner.  Of all the students nominated, one student is chosen as the school’s student of the month.  The September Student of the Month is Kyle Fleury.  Kyle is a student in Sarah Thompson’s third grade class.  Kyle, his younger brother Keegan, grandmother Sandy, parents Jeremy and Virginia and teacher Mrs. Thompson attended a dinner held at Barre Lodge in his honor.

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From L to R:  Barre Elks Youth Activities Chair Donna Bartolucci, WES 3rd grade teacher Sarah Thompson, Student of the Month Kyle Fleury, Kyle’s grandmother Sandy, Kyle’s little brother Keegan, Dad Jeremy and Mom Virgina.

ST. ALBANS ELKS LODGE #1566 HOLDS ANNUAL LOCAL SOCCER SHOOT

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The Local Soccer Shoot was held on Saturday September the 17th at the Hard’ack complex. Great weather, good turnout and lots of fun for everyone. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs for everyone.  Winners will now move ahead and compete at the Elks State Soccer shoot that will be held at the Collins-Perley complex on October 16th.

 

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Kaleb Branon prepares a ball to shoot at the large soccer grid for ages 10 to 13.

In the background his Dad Gene, Sister Kayleigh and Mother Desiree are ready to cheer him on.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 HOLDS ANNUAL SOCCER SHOOTS

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    Annually in September most Elks Lodges in the Northeast hold soccer shoot competitions for kids ages 7 to 13.   Springfield Elks Lodge this year held two of these soccer shoots, one in Chester and one in Springfield.  The results of the two soccer shoots highest scores go on to compete at the Vermont Elks’ Soccer Shoot in St. Albans, Vt., on October 16th.
    The first place winners between the Chester and Springfield soccer shoots are as follows.  Under 8 boys was Finnegan Kelley  of Springfield and Brielle Pelletier of Springfield.  For the Under 10 boys was Max Peebles of Chester and Ava Anderson  for the girls of Chester.  Under 12 boys was Noah Cherubine of Chester and Luna Burkland for the girls of Chester.  Under 14 boys was Tristin Parker of Chester and Kayla Quelch for the girls from Springfield.
    There was close to 200 kids who competed between the two soccer shoots combining Chester and Springfield.  The winners of the state soccer shoot will compete in the Area 1 Soccer Shoot also in St. Albans, the weekend of November 4th & 5th.   The Area 1 consists of all of the New England states and upstate New York.
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Springfield Elks Lodge member Roger Blish is shown giving instructions to some of the young lady competitors at the recent Elks Soccer Shoot in Springfield.  On his right is Vermont Elks Past State President Donald Bishop helping out with the shoot.