Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -07/03/08

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Maine Elks Head to Anaheim for Grand Lodge Convention

This week, dozens of Maine Elks will be headed out west to attend the B.P.O. Elks 2008 Grand Lodge Convention in Anaheim, California. The convention will run for five days, beginning on Sunday July 6^th and running through Thursday July 10^th. Prior to the event, the Maine Elks Association will host its “Taste of Maine” event this coming Saturday. This event allows the Grand Lodge family an opportunity to meet with members of the Maine Elks, and to sample some of Maine’s cuisine.

On Sunday, the Opening Ceremonies will be conducted. One of the highlights of these ceremonies will be when MEA State President Robert Drisko carries in the State of Maine’s Flag during the “Parade of Flags.” Following the introduction of each State, and its respective President, the opening remarks will be made by Past Grand Exalted Ruler Louis Grillo, and the introduction of the Past Grand Exalted Ruler’s and Past First Ladies will be made by Past Grand Exalted Ruler Amos A. McCallum. The principal address will be made by Grand Exalted Ruler Arthur H. Frost III.

On Monday, the business meeting will begin at 8:30 AM, which will include reports from the Grand Exalted Ruler; preliminary reports from registration, Committee on Judiciary, and Board of Grand Trustees, as well as the Elks National Foundation Report. Later that morning, the Election of Grand Lodge Officers will take place, at which the endorsed candidate, Paul Helsel is expected to be elected as Grand Exalted Ruler for the year 2008-2009. That afternoon, the Exalted Ruler’s will attend a luncheon and conference, where the Grand Exalted Ruler-Elect will outline his goals for the coming year. That night, several members will attend the New England Dinner, which affords the members an opportunity to meet with other Elks from across New England.

On Tuesday, the business meeting will begin at 8 AM, with reports from the following committees: National Memorial and Publication Commission/Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust, National Convention Commission, Report and Award by the Ritualistic Committee, Government Relations Committee, Public Relations Committee, Report and Awards by the State Association’s/Lodge Activities Committee, Membership Committee, Americanism Committee, and the Youth Activities Committee. There will also be a report from the Resolutions Committee of the Board of Grand Trustees and the Grand Forum. That afternoon, Maine’s three District Deputy Designates will attend a conference. In addition, there will also be a Youth Activities Seminar run by the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committee.

On Wednesday, the business meeting will begin at 8 AM, and will feature the Committee on Judiciary Legislative Session.. This is where the Grand Lodge Statutes, Rules, and Regulations are established, amended, or deleted. Following this, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission will make its report, as well as the final report and results of the Grand Lodge Ritualistic Contest. Maine will be represented in this contest by the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470. Following all reports, the Elks Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 AM. That afternoon, the State President’s and State Secretaries will attend a luncheon and conference with the Grand Exalted Ruler-Elect, who will outline the Grand Lodge Programs for the coming year. There will also be a “writing for the Elks Magazine” workshop and a “ENF Impact Grants” workshop that afternoon. That evening, the Exalted Ruler’s Ball will take place beginning at 8:30 PM.

On Thursday, the final Grand Lodge Session will feature a report of the Hoop Shoot Committee, and the introduction of the National Hoop Shoot Winners. In addition, the Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Scholarship winners will have an opportunity to address the crowd. The Elks Drug Awareness Committee will also make its report, followed by the Installation of the Grand Lodge Officers, and the swearing in of Maine’s three new District Deputies; Elizabeth Butler of the York Elks Lodge, Roy Bolton of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, and Donald Dow of the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge.

Throughout the event, the Maine Elks will have an opportunity to meet with fellow Elks from across the country, swap stories, trade pins, and generally enjoy what is always a most friendly atmosphere.

Area 1 Ritual Contest Results



On Sunday, June 29^th, the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470 officers traveled to Woonsocket, RI to compete in the Area 1 Lodge Ritual Contest.  For the sixth time in the last seven years Sanford Lodge won the competition with a team score of 96.511.  The complete results are listed below:

1st place                   Sanford ME                        96.5111
2nd place                 Danielson CT                      96.5012
3rd place                  Auburn MA                          95.1357
4th place                  Woonsocket RI                    93.7077

NH, VT and NY were unable to make the contest.

Individual awards were:

ER                              Steve Hegedus           Danielson  CT
Esquire                     Christine Baker         Sanford ME
Leading Knight         Debbie Barta             Danielson CT
Loyal knight              John Caron              Sanford ME
Lecturing knight        Peter Baker            Sanford ME
Chaplain                    Christine Cote          Sanford ME
Inner Guard               Jenlynn Pacheco      Danielson CT
Candidate                 Burce Brunelle          Sanford ME
Coach                        Frank Ricker              Sanford ME

Pictured above is L-R: Frank Ricker - Coach, Riley Greenwood - Inner Guard, Peter Baker - Lecturing Knight, Christine Baker - Esquire, Andy Bolz - Exalted Ruler, Carol Spellman - Leading Knight, Christine Cote - Chaplain, John Caron - Loyal Knight, and Bruce Brunelle - Candidate/Coach.

Calendar Winners for July

Sanford Elks Hold Car Show

On Saturday, June 28th, The Sanford Elks #1470 held their 8th annual Drug Awareness Car Show at the Sanofrd Airport. It was a cold grey day but the rain held off for 79 cars and drivers to come and be registered for voting by 10:00 AM. Several cars rolled in after 10:00 and lined up with the others to be looked at by the crowd. Awards and trphies were announced at noon time, Young and old alike came again this year dispite the weather and had a good time viewing the cars, voting, and watching the winners get their trophies. Elroy The Elk joined us for the day with the Durg Awareness van and kids got to take home pecils, rulers, crayons and literature about the dangers of drug use. Elroy danced with some of the kids, greeted people and kids as they lined up to ride the "Puppy Pumper", mini classic fire engine and watched kids in the hoola hoop contest and bubble gum blowing contest. Pictured are the Car Show committee Chair, Steve Horne and Dan Payeur as Ca! rol Spellman, ER hands out the award for Judges choice for Best In Show to Carl Merill for his entry of a 1965 Ford Cobra. Carl Merrill also is pictured with Elroy as he shows off his winning Cobra to the crowd. The People's Choice Award for Best in Show went to a 1971 Chopped Top Beatle VW belonging to Ahblahnah Twohearts.

No E-News for Next Week

Due to the Grand Lodge Convention, there will be no e-news sent next week. The next e-news is scheduled to resume on July 17, 2008
(Maybe later depending on if I get my computer back from the shop)

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, Newsbriefs, and/or Website. Also, if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net. In addition, if you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them forward their e-mail address to the same address. All information provided has been read and approved by the MEA State President