News item provided by Kristin Calcagn
Elks News
St. Albans Lodge #1566 – Bunk Bed Project
On May 24, 2018, as part of the Gratitude Grant, a new bunk bed set and complete bedding sets for three beds were purchased and put together for a family in transitional housing through Tim’s House (Samaritan House).
Thank you to Exalted Ruler, Bruce Pelletier; Lecturing Knight, Curt Swan; Esquire, Kim Bourbeau; and new member Monica Pelletier for taking the time to put together the bunk bed set for a 5 year old boy and 3 year old girl and providing the much needed bedding for all three children. Now the kids do not have to sleep on the floor. Bedding includes: mattress covers, twin sheet sets, pillows, comforters, and pillow shams.
l-r: Esquire Kim Bourbeau; Monica Pelletier; ER Bruce Pelletier and Lecturing Night Curt Swan
News item submitted by Kim Bourbeau.
SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 HONORS TWO EAGLE SCOUTS
Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge held there annual Flag Day ceremony with two local Boy Scouts receiving Elks Eagle Scout plaques their well earned achievement.
They were, Alan Joshua Aldrich son of Clifton & Karen Aldrich, earned his Eagle Scout rank on April 18, 2018. AJ has also earned his Bronze palm. AJ has been actively involved in Troop 252 for six years and has held leadership positions of Scribe, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. AJ’s Eagle Scout project was taking down and rebuilding the T-Ball Backstop at Riverside Middle School. AJ plans to help the troop over the next year and continue on to college to pursue a degree in Law Enforcement. Also being honored by the Elks Lodge was Adam Richard Stokarski son of Pau & Crystal Stokarski who also earned his Eagle Scout on April 18,n 2018. Adam has also been actively involved in Troop 252 for six years and has held leadership positions of Scribe, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader and Asst. Patrol Leader. Adam’s Eagle Scout project was building a sign for the North Springfield Recreation Park. Adam plans to continue to help his Troop over the next year and continue on to college to pursue a degree to become a game warden.
Several Cub and Boy Scouts helped in presenting the ritual of the history of the American Flag going back to the 1700. The Elks served a luncheon after the ceremony to show their appreciation to the the Scouts for helping with their Flag Day ceremony.
Shown L to r; Spr. Elks Past Exalted Ruler Michael Tennis, mom Karen Aldrich, Eagle Scout AJ Aldrich, father Clifton Aldrich and Scoutmaster Bruce Czwakiel as AJ received his plague from the Elks.
Caption for photo #004—Shown L to r; Spr. Elks Past Exalted Ruler Michael Tennis, father Paul Stokarski, Eagle Scout Adam Stokarski, mom Crystal Stokarski and Scoutmaster Bruce Czwakiel as Adam received his plague from the Elks.
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.
SPRINGFIELD ELKS AWARD ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Annually, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560, tries to do their part in the community by rewarding area high school graduates with scholarships. This year was no different as six graduates received $500 scholarships
The list starts with three from Springfield High School and three from Green Mt. Union High School. They were Sofia Gulick of SHS the daughter of Kathleen and Barry Gulick and she’ll be attending Simmons College. Owen Kelley of SHS and the son of Scott & Angella Kelley and he will be attending Northern Vt., Univ. Samantha Mirra of SHS the daughter of Elizabeth & Joseph Mirra and she’ll be attending Springfield College. From GMUHS are Sadie Wood daughter of MIchael & Julie-Lynn Wood and she will be attending Duke Univ. Ben Haseltine the son of Mary & Matthew Haseltine will be attending The Hartt School. The third GMUHS is Alexia White daughter of Venessa White and she will be attending James Madison Univ.
Chairman of the Springfield Elks scholarship committee is Jackie Driscoll-Page and committee members are PER Vicki, Treasurer Karen Whitney and member Gay Mobus. The committee works very hard to narrow all the applications down to three great students.
Caption for attached photo: At the recent awarding of scholarships at Springfield Elks Lodge were from L to r; Scholarship chairman Jackie Driscoll-Page, students Sofia Gulick and Owen Kelley and treasurer Kathy Whitney.
SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 ANNUAL FLAG DAY CEREMONY
Annually every Elks Lodge in the country celebrates Flag Day on June 14th with the history of the American Flag starting in the 1700’s.
This ceremony is performed by the officer’s of Springfield Elks Lodge and area Boys and Cub Scouts. This year the Lodge also handed out Eagle Scout plaques to two fine young men of Troop 252 in Springfield who had recently reached the rank of this high and prestigious level of the Boy Scouts of America. Their Scoutmaster, Bruce Czwakiel remarked that both young men had worked very hard over the past six years to gain this rank. These young men were, Joshua Aldrich and Richard Stokarski both of Springfield.
At the recent Flag Day ceremony at the Springfield Elks Lodge the following Cub & Boy Scouts participated in the ceremony. Frt L to r; Andrew Alexander, Wyatt James, Nelson Bosley, Noah Eades and Elijah Childers. Back L to r; Are Eagle Scout Adam Stokarski, Thomas Czwakiel, Cameron Driscoll-Page, Patrick Vollman and Eagle Scout Al Aldrich,
News item submitted by Mike Gunn
BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS
The Barre Elks Lodge Past Exalted Rulers (PER) Association recently presented five $1000 scholarships to Spaulding High School seniors. Applicants submitted essays for the topic “Why are Veterans America’s Heroes?” Essays were received from Northfield, Williamstown and Spaulding High Schools. Scholarship winners were announced at the Spaulding High School Scholarship Banquet where over $500,000 in scholarships were awarded. Congratulations to Rachel Maurice, Collin McFaun, Ryan Tacey, Abby Savoie and Anna Beach.
From L to R: SHS Principal Brenda Waterhouse, Rachel Maurice, Collin McFaun, Ryan Tacey, Abby Savoie, Anna Beach and PER Association President Kristin Calcagni.
SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 AWARDS ELKS NATIONAL GRANT TO MEALS ON WHEELS
Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 applied for an Elks National Gratitude Grant they were eligible for. They were awarded a $2500 sum to be given to Springfield community organizations in need of funds such as this.
Part of the funds were given to the Springfield Meals on Wheels program on June 22nd.. On behalf of their director Marie Contro, her assistant Richard Cummins, accepted a check for $275 as part of the Springfield Elks Gratitude Grant.
Other community projects receiving funds from this Grant were the Springfield Senior Center and the Elks Dictionary project ongoing awarding of all 3rd graders in the Springfield School system receiving Dictionaries every year.
Caption of attached photo; Shown l to r Elk member Gloria Gunn, Meals on Wheels personnel Josh Sorrell, chef Jacqueline Langevelv, Richard Cummins, Vicki Siliski Springfield Elks Past Exalted Ruler and Elk member Eugen Siliski.
News item submitted by Mike Gunn
Silver Towers Camp Motorcycle and Classic Cars Ride information and Waiver form
2018 Motorcycle Ride Posters
2018 Motorcycle
Motorcycle Ride Final Waiver 2018
Download the waiver form here: Waiver form
Barre Elks Celebrate Flag Day
June 14th The Barre Elks celebrated Flag Day in Barre’s City Hall Park. They were joined by VFW Post #790, The American Legion Post #10 and the Auxiliary of the VFW & Legion.
The BarreTones performed The “Star Spangled Banner”, “The Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America”. Sargent Major Renee Hotaling was the guest speaker.
Boy Scout Troop #714 demonstrated the correct way to fold an American Flag. Accompanied by a reading of what the 13 folds represent.
News item submitted by Barb Watters.
SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 AWARDED ELKS GRATITUDE GRANT TO SPRINGFIELD SENIOR CENTER
Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560, presented the Springfield Senior
Center with an Elks National National Gratitude Grant for upgrading there
current equipment to aid the seniors in there exercise classes at the
center.
Volunteer Yoga instructor Kathy Giurtino approached the Elks to see if they could maybe get her some floor mats. As time went on with discussions with Ms’ Giurtino and Linda Roys the Elks found out, they, the seniors,
could use a lot more equipment to aid in their reaching, lifting and bending over exercises. This followed with a meeting with Executive Heather Hall saying they needed to upgrade with better chairs for sitting down exercises.
The Elks put this information into their application to Elks National for their Gratitude Grant program. The Springfield Elks were awarded a $2500 grant after they met their annual Lodge per capita money totals. The amount given to the Senior Center was $1700.oo for the equipment described above. The Lodge is also donating to the Springfield, Meals on Wheels program and buying Elks dictionaries that they award to all third graders each year.
Pictured at the Springfield Senior Center $1700 Gratitude Grant presentation recently are: L to r Linda Roys Exercise Instructor, Sandy Tarbell Senior Citizen of the year for 2018, Elizabeth Moulton Senior Citizen of the year for 2018 runner up, Jim Morse, Springfield Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Heather Hall Executive Director of Springfield Senior Center, Kathy Giurtino Yoga Instructor and Roger Blish House Committee Chairman of Springfield Elks Lodge.
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.