Farmington Lodge News

Exalted Ruler's Message

Brothers and Sisters in Elkdom:

   I have noticed something recently that is worth a comment. Years ago there were groups of Elks who worked hard for our lodge and attended every event either working or helping financially.

  Today there is another group of Elks who work hard for our lodge and attend every event either working or helping financially.  In some instances the two groups mix and work and help together but sadly, not often enough.  

  My dream is for all members to support our lodge as we all said we could do when we joined.  Right now we are in a better financial position than we have been in a while but it could be better.  When there is a dance, a dinner or other activity - buy a ticket!  You don't have to attend the function but the $5 or $10 ticket goes a long way to helping us become and remain financially solvent.

  Don't want to be an officer any more?  This is understandable if you have been one for the last 40 years. But you can still help in other ways.  Don't just attend the functions that don't have a cost attached to them - attend the ones that can really boost our lodge.     When you read about an event being put on by the lodge, give us a call to see if help is needed or donations needed.  Every item donated saves money for our charitable works!       At our recent auction a small group of people donated the items and most of that group bid on them.  A tidy sum was raised; but if there had been more people there, the items could have brought in even more.  Some items sold for a fraction of their worth.  

So please, renew your pledge to support your Lodge and attend and/or support our activities!  

  P.S.  If you were not at the Auction you missed a great pig roast!

  Another topic I'd like to address is meetings.  Only a few are deciding what our lodge does.  Most things we spend money on are voted on in a meeting.  If you haven't been for a while, plan to.  

  Call someone who hasn't attended a meeting, offer to pick them up or meet them at the lodge.  Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6  p.m.  Stop by when the lounge is open, the House Committee has ongoing events.  Stop by to help or enjoy.

Yours in Elkdom,

Les Brown, PER

Exalted Ruler

Donn Barker Memorial Horseshoe Tournament Sept. 4

  The fourth annual Donn Barker Memorial Horseshoe Tournament gets underway Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Lodge “back yard.”

  Donn's “pavilion” will house C & T Catering while they provide their usual great cooking.  Tee shirts will be available again this year and there will be a 50/50 raffle

Sign-up is at 10 a.m. and team drawings get underway at 10:30 a.m. Games start at 11a.m.

Tim Maillet Memorial Scholarship Ride Sept. 5

  The 8th Annual Tim Maillet Poker Run to benefit the Farmington Elks Scholarship Fund is set for Sunday, Sept. 5.  The Run starts and finishes at the Farmington Lodge on School Street in West Farmington Registration begins at 8 a.m.; Riders all leave by 9:30 a.m. There will be Bandannas, koozies, trophies, a meal and music afterwards.

The House Committee will be selling breakfast sandwiches starting at 7:00 a.m. for only $2.00!

Report of House Committee

  Get your tickets for the Farmington Elks Fall Raffle.  Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10.

1st prize: Chair from Bouffard's Furniture

2nd prize: 3 Taylor Made golf clubs - 2 demo drivers and 1 new putter

3rd prize: 2 Night stay with breakfast at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston

Tickets will be available starting September 1st.  Drawing will be held September 30th.

Report of Trustees

  To our Members: On August 10, 2010 the Trustees held a special meeting in the function hall.  The purpose of the meeting was to get input as to what to do with our property across the street from the Lodge.  After a good deal of discussion, the Trustees voted to keep the land and to form a committee of ten (10) members.  Five (5) of these members would be made up of the Trustees, and five (5) from the Lodge.  This suggestion came from Lloyd Leeman.  

  This committee would work on long-range plans on what to do with our property as a whole.  If anyone is interested in serving on this committee, please contact Les Gatchell, Trustees Chairman at 897-5509 or leave a message with Terri at the Lodge.  

Veterans Committee

  The Flags for Farmington campaign is going well.  We have now had over 30 flags donated in someone's honor/memory as well as smaller donation amounts.  Any and all donations gratefully accepted. Just mention that it is for the “Flag Fund” on your check.

  We are currently helping a Vietnam vet in Industry by picking up and delivering his groceries once a week.  If anyone is willing to help with this, please let us know.  A couple of hours a week are really making a difference in this man's quality of life.

  Plans are also underway to assist a WWII Purple Heart vet in Wilton.  He is 93 years old and needs new railings for his steps so he can stay in his own home safely instead of having to go to a nursing home.

  Watch for details next month on a Beano Night and a Dance Night in November with proceeds going to benefit veterans.

Respectfully submitted,  

Vicky Labree, Veterans Committee Chairman

Americanism Committee

   Come join us at the Lodge for Patriot Day 2010.  On Saturday, September 11 we will host a time to remember those lost on 9/11/2001 as well as members from our local fire, police and emergency services who have passed away between 9/11/2009 and 9/11/2010.  The ceremony will start at 9 a.m. with coffee and donuts afterwards.

  Please come show your respect for our fallen heroes and appreciation for our local heroes who serve their communities on a daily basis.  We are hoping to have members of fire, police and ambulance services throughout Franklin County in attendance for this event.  Let's show them how much we appreciate them!

District Deputy Visitation

  This year's District Deputy visitation will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 14.  All Officers should plan to attend the Lodge meeting on that day and the Exalted Ruler, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Trustees should plan to be present for the meeting with the DD suite.  Last year's visitation went great and everybody present enjoyed the evening.

Farmington Fair 2010

  The biggest fund-raiser of the year is upon us.  We raise more money for our lodge and for our charitable activities during this one week than any other time of the year.  People are needed at the food booth, the pan game and the beer garden.

   Even if you can only work a couple of hours, that is a help!  It is hard work but it is so worthwhile and you leave knowing you have made a difference.  Please, find time to help at one of the three events your Lodge has at the fair.

  And if you have a spouse that would be willing to wait tables, wash dishes serve food, or do any of the other multiple tasks that are needed, let us know!  Call the Lodge office at 778-6761 and leave your name and number and where you would like to help out. Someone WILL call you back.  Thank you.

Elks 2430 Bulletin Board

Sept. 4: Donn Barker Memorial Horseshoe Tournament

Sept. 5: Tim Maillett Scholarship Poker Run

Sept. 11: Patriot's Day memorial service, 9 a.m.

Sept. 14: Meeting and District Deputy visitation

Sept. 19-25: Farmington Fair

Sept. 28: Lodge meeting, 6 p.m.

Club Room Hours

Mon-Thursday 2 - 8 p.m.

Friday 2 - 9 p.m.

Saturday 12 - 8 p.m.

Sunday - Special occasions or by chance