Elks News

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 HOLDS 2018/2019 AWARDS NIGHT

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 Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge held their 2018/2019 annual member awards night in conjunction with their Valentines dinner/dance evening.
 
    Each year the Lodge chooses members who have helped to make their Lodge better everyday by volunteering to promote “Elks Care Elks Share” the Elks motto.
 
    This years honor of, “Elk of the Year” was awarded to Jeff Murchie who our Exalted Ruler declared him “a wonderful definition of what an Elk should be”.  Secretary Mike Gunn was chosen Officer of the Year.  A new award this year was the 2018/2019 Green Jacket Award Winner for Elks Excellance to treasurer Karen Whitney.  She will present the Green Jacket to next years winner, just like at the PGA Masters event.  Appreciation awards went to Heidi LaCerte (for bringing in eight new members) Maureen Blais (for bar employee above & beyond) and Andrew Cook PER,PSP, HLM, they were all an inspiration to our Lodge.  The Pot Stirrer award went to Ed Knoras who is always available to fix things.  The Committee chair person award went to PER Vicki Siliski the Veterans chairman for the Lodge.  Her passion for Veterans is inspirational.  Grand Exalted Ruler Award Winners were Kathi Williams and Gloria Gunn.
 
Caption:  Springfield Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Jim Morse on the left is shown presenting Jeff Murchie with his 2018/2019 Elk of the Year award recently on awards night at the Lodge.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 PRESENTS ELKS BEACON GRANT TO VA HOSPITAL

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  Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 presented a National Elks Beacon Grant to the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vermont, in the amount of $1000.
 
    The Beacon Grant awarded to Springfield Elks Lodge was for $2000.  The Lodge elected to present the other half of the Beacon Grant to the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., in March. 
 
     Usually the Elks get a check and present it to the recipient.  This year, Springfield Elks did something different, they went out and bought toiletries in lieu of a check.  Items that the Elks presented them with were like, Men’s razors, shaving cream, deodorant.  Unisex toiletries, chap-stick, denture cream and hair brushes.  Reading glasses, men’s sweat pants, sweat shirts, briefs and t-shirts.  Also Arts & Crafts Supplies, fine point art markers, watercolor dual tip art markers, acrylic paint sets, wood burning kits, embroidery for cross stich kits, jewelry making supplies (beads, cords, etc.).  Wooden plaques, birdhouses, wood stain of any color and wood burning kits.
 
    With the above awards, Springfield Elks Lodge continues to show they are very vested in our Veteran’s, locally and state wide.  Springfield Elks Lodge Veteran’s chairman Vicki Siliski, has given much her time and efforts to get awards for them over the past few years.   The chairman of this latest Beacon Grant was treasurer Karen Whitney.   The contacts at the VA Hospital was Karen Campbell the Chief Voluntary Service Officer.  Also, Trevor McCants is the Logistics Supply Chain Officer and an Elks member of Bellows Falls Lodge #1619.
 
 
Caption: Shown is the National Elks Beacon Grant presentation at the VA Hospital by the Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 recently.  Shown L to r; Karen Whitney, Beacon Grant Chairman, Trevor McCants, VA Logistics Supply Chain Officer, Vicki Siliski, Veterans Chairman of Springfield Elks Lodge and Karen Campbell, VA Chief Voluntary Service Officer
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn

Americanism Essay Winners honored

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Barre Elks Lodge #1535 honored their six Elks Americanism Essay winners at dinner on February 7th. The students, their families and representatives from St. Monica’s school enjoyed a fun dinner prior to the awards presentation.  64 essays were submitted from Barre City Middle School, Barre Town Elementary and St. Monica’s Catholic School this year.  This far exceeds the amount of essays received in the past 3 years. 

The winning essays will now compete on the state level with state winners advancing to the National competition.  This year’s theme was “What Makes You Proud of America”. 

Pictured for Division I are Payton Donahue 1st place, Salome Tchantouridze 2nd place both from St Monica’s and Ella Townsend 3rd place from Barre Town.  Along with Exalted Ruler Barb Watters and Americanism Chairman Maureen Lawson

Pictured for Division II are Isabella Boudreault 1st place, Gabe Hoar 2nd place and Ruby Harrington 3rd place all from St. Monica’s.

Pictured winners 1:  Barb Watters, ER; Payton Donahue, Salome Tchantouridze, Ella Townsend and Maureen Lawson, Americanism Chair.

Pictured winners 2:  Barb Watters, ER; Isabella Boudreault, Gabe Hoar, Ruby Harrington and Maureen Lawson, Americanism Chair.

 

News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Congratulations to the State Hoop Shoot Winners.

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The State Hoop Shoot was held at Barre on January 26, 2019.  Congratulations to the winners in each age category. 

Brody Toof.  8-9 boys. Shot. 18/25. He represents St. Albans Lodge
Ellie Whalen. 8-9 girl.    21/25. Represents Rutland Lodge
Ethan Whalen.  10-11 boy.  24/25. Represents Rutland Lodge
Meghan Thompson. 10-11 girl. 22/25. Represents Burlington Lodge
Jacobi Lafferty.   12-13 boy. 24/25. Represents Burlington Lodge
Alicea Coon. 12-13 girl.   18/25. Represents Bennington Lodge

The next shoot out for these youngster will be held at the following location:

Date: 03/23/2019
Location: Portland, ME
Details: New England Region 6 Includes the following States: CT – ME – MA – NH – RI – VT

 


Pictured with the winners, left side is Bob Campo, Steve Edgerley with his grandchildren Hadley and Brody Edgerley and on the right side Rocky Putnam and Richard Blinn, the Regional Director for New England

News item submitted by Steve Edgerley

Fraternal News Barre Elks

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Barre Elks Lodge #1535 recently presented a check for $200 to the Michael Zemanek Memorial Foundation.  The funds were awarded to Barre Lodge through the Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant.  The Foundation provides financial support to widows/ers and half-orphaned children of sworn Vermont Law Enforcement officers who have died.   It provides financial support to sworn Vermont Law Enforcement Officers who are faced with catastrophic situations, the nature of which pose a significant financial hardship for their immediate family.  It provides equipment to the Vermont Police Academy ad Vermont Law Enforcement Departments for the training and safety of all Vermont Law Enforcement Officers as they Serve and Protect the people of Vermont.    Elks Care – Elks Share and are proud to support all Law Enforcement personnel in our communities.  For information on joining the Elks call 802-479-9522.
 
 
Pictured left to right: 
Cindy Wedding, Barre Lodge ENF Chair;  Chris Truhan, Barre Elk Member and police officer;  Susan Houle; Carrie McCool, President of the Michael Zemanek Memorial Foundation; Dani Frattini and Barb Watters, Barre Elks Exalted Ruler.

Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 Recognizes JROTC Member Ella Mayo

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The Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 honored Ella Mayo as the JROTC Student of the Month.  Ella and her family were guests of the Lodge for dinner where she was presented the Grand Lodge Medallion and certificate recognizing her JROTC leadership and overall citizenship. 

Ella resides in Barre and is a Junior at Spaulding High School.  Next year she plans to attend Vermont Technical College, enrolled in the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology program where she will earn both high school and college credits.  Ella hopes to study Bio Medical Engineering and Biotechnology.  Ella has a keen interest in the development of prosthetic devices. 

Ella is a Platoon Sargent in the SHS Granite Battalion of JRTC.  She was selected by her instructors as she exemplifies the JROTC Cadet Creed by conducting herself to bring credit to her family, country, school and Corps of Cadets.  She is loyal and patriotic and the future of the United States.   She is an exemplary citizen and patriot and will always be prepared to uphold the Constitution and American way of Life.  

Ella was accompanied to dinner by her Mother Cara Mayo, her grandfather David Rathburn and sisters, Anna and Iris. 

 

pictured:  Robert Campo, ELLA MAYO, Iris Mayo, Phil Delia, Anna Mayo, David Rathburn and Cara Mayo

 

Robert Campo, Barre Elks; Ella Mayo JROTC Student of the Month; Phil Delia, Barre Elks. 

News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Barre Lodge presents check to Our House

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Barre Elks Lodge #1535 presented a check for $250 to Our House to assist in their continued collaboration with agencies for the benefit of our community.  Our House is the first Children’s Advocacy Center in Vermont and provides a safe, neutral site for law enforcement, Dept. of Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, Mental Health Professionals, victim advocacy groups and victims to gather.  The funds were a portion of the Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant awarded to Barre Lodge.  For information on joining the Elks contact the Lodge at 479-9522.
 
 
Pictured:  Cindy Wedding, ENF Chair; Rebecca L. Duranleau  O.U.R House Executive Director and   Barb Watters, Barre Lodge Exalted Ruler
 
News item submitted by Barb Watters.