Brattleboro Elks Lodge #1499 installed our newest members on May 25, 2023, followed by delicious grinders and chips.

 

From L to R

Front row: Lori Brown, Lisa Flannery, Jocelyn Aither, Lisa Cote, Ryan Ebbighausen, Anna Moore, Tyler Millerick, Lindsay Spratt,

Back row: Cajsa Eisenmenger, Leslie Jo Houssan, Isaac Roach, Billy DePue, Jr., ER Jeff Kerylow, and Megan Rabideau.

 

News item submitted by Jil MacMenamim.

 Vermont Elks Association held their 96th Annual convention at the Town & Country Inn in Gorham, NH, on May 18, 19 and 20th with State President Jim Kirkwood presiding.  At this event Jackie Driscol-Page of  the Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 was chosen their, Vt. Elks’, “Elk of the Year” top award. 

 

     Ms. Driscol-Page during the 2022/2023 Elk year served as State President Jim Kirkwood’s Convention planner.  She also had to plan the Vt, Elks’ trip to Atlanta Georgia last July of 2022.  During this event the Vt. Elks, besides going to informative meetings were treated to box seats tickets to an Atlanta Braves baseball game.  During the 2022/2023 Elk year she was the Vt. Elks Scholaship chairman, hosting the final judging for all scholarships awarded to Vt. students.  She was the Springfield Elks Americanism chairman.  As chairman she canvased schools to enter an Americanism Essay contest for her Springfield Elks Lodge.  For her efforts there was a  Vt. Elks state champion from Springfields Elks Lodge.  That young lady is competing with the other (49) states of Elks winner to be a Elks Nationl Americanism essay champion.  Ms’ Driscol-Page is involved in the Boy & Girl Scouts in Springfield and organizes the Scouts Flag Day Ceremony for her Elks Lodge by inviting the Scouts to help perform The History of our Flag ritual.  One of her projects is to make sure each Elks Veterans grave site in Springfield has a small flag at it. 

 

Vt. Elks State President Jim Kirkwood is shown presenting Jackie Driscol-Page with her Vt. Elks, “Elk of the Year” award at their Vt. Elks Convention in Gorham, NH in May. 

 

News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

Vermont Paws & Boots, Inc. owner Michelle LeBlanc is the recipient of a gift from The Julie Shea band. Julie’s band held their farewell concert at the Bennington Elks Lodge #567 on April 14th.

 Julie Shea wished to donate 1/2 of the door sale proceeds to this great program.  Michelle pairs and trains Veterans and first responders from Vermont and nearby states with a rescue dog. The bond formed is a godsend for both the dog and the trainee dealing with Stress, trauma, brain injuries as well as other service-connected injuries. Michelle is expanding in the future to a new location with hopes of helping people from all over the country.  To learn more, see her Facebook page- Vermont Paws& boots, or website at Vermontpawsandboots.org.

 

Pictured is Fred Gilbar an officer at the Bennington Elks and Michelle LeBlanc Executive director & head K9 trainer and founder.

 

News item submitted by Kitty Lewis.