NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationMEA Supports Operation Warm
A Busy Week in Bangor
The first week of November, Denise and I assisted with the Grand Exalted Ruler’s visit to the State of Maine. Doug and Julia are a great couple and most appreciative of the hospitality Maine had to offer. We were able to get them to four different Lodges and see several interesting sites. Additionally, a banquet was held in their honor at the Bangor Lodge. See Wayne’s account of the week elsewhere on this site.
That Saturday, Denise and I had our official visit to the Bangor Lodge. We arrived at the hotel and were greeted by Exalted Ruler Jan. The room was wonderful, and an array of camping-themed gifts was presented to us. That evening, Shawn Stacey graciously drove us to the Lodge for Bangor’s annual veterans ball. The music was excellent, provided by the Skyliners and covered a wide range of genres. We also had the pleasure of sharing the table with State Veterans Chair Michael Michaud, along with his honored guests. There were raffles, pictures, and a lot of conversation.
After the ball, we went to the lounge and caught up with more friends. It was a great visit and much enjoyed. Our next visit will be in early December, hitting both Bath and Sebasticook Valley in one weekend. Keep checking here for updates.
10th Annual PI Youth Tournament
ELKS TO HOST FREE VETERANS DAY SUPPER FOR MILITARY VETERANS AND SPOUSES
Again next week, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will offer a free, Veterans’ Day supper for all military Veterans, current military service personnel, and their spouses, on Monday, November 11, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m., at the Elks Lodge
located at 508 Main Street in Presque Isle.
According to Tina Dougherty, Exalted Ruler of the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, the Veterans’ Day dinner follows the directive from the Elks Grand Exalted Ruler, which requires all Elks Lodges throughout this country to hold special events to
honor our nation’s military Veterans. November is Elks Veterans Remembrance Month.
“As long as there are Veterans, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will never forget them” is a principal precept of the Benevolent and Protective Oder of Elks, said Exalted Ruler Dougherty.
A wide variety of recipes featuring moose meat donated by the Maine Warden Service and trout donated by Mi’kmaq Farms. This will include marinated moose steaks, moose chili, Lasagna with moose meat, American chopsuey with moose hamburger, shepherd’s pie with moose meat, and moose meatballs in a variety of flavors.
For the first time this year, thanks to Mi’kmaq Farms, trout will be offered in avariety of recipes, including pan-fried and baked trout, and fish chowder.
In addition to the numerous moose recipes, the Elks will also be serving chicken stew, home baked beans, hot rolls, trout chowder, and a variety of desserts.
A calf moose, which had been illegally killed, was seized recently by the Maine Wardens Service. The wardens service donated that moose meat for this Veterans Day supper, as an expression of gratitude of the Maine Wardens Service to our military Veterans.
Similarly, Mi’kmaq Farms donated trout grown by them in order to express the gratitude of the tribe for the service of our Veterans. A large percentage of the Mi’kmaq tribe are military veterans.
Military Veterans, active servicemen and their spouses will eat for free. A minimal charge of Only Five Dollars ($5.00) per person will be charged for all other members of the public who wish to attend.
Military veterans, including James “Sheldon” Wright, Dale Hudson, Wendell Hudson, will share their musical talents with their fellow Veterans and guests, who attend this special supper.
Door prizes have been donated for Veterans and all current military service personnel.
If transportation to the Elks Lodge for this event is needed, it can be arranged by calling the Presque Isle Elks at 764-0985.
Wells Elks put ENF Money to Work
Calendar Winners for October
| DATE | TICKET | NAME | AMOUNT | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 195 | Rory O'Conner | $ 25.00 | Bidd-Saco | ||
| 2 | 1448 | Linda Ward | $ 25.00 | Bangor | ||
| 3 | 1256 | Carol Russell | $ 25.00 | Bangor | ||
| 4 | 1814 | Tim Soucie | $ 25.00 | Gardiner | ||
| 5 | 338 | David Whalen | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth | ||
| 6 | 648 | Belinda Daucette | $ 50.00 | Old Town | ||
| 7 | 211 | Janice Gilbert | $ 25.00 | Bidd-Saco | ||
| 8 | 698 | Carl Smith | $ 25.00 | Portland | ||
| 9 | 840 | Michelle Parent | $ 25.00 | Sanford | ||
| 10 | 181 | Tina Savoy | $ 25.00 | Bidd-Saco | ||
| 11 | 538 | Lynn Nicholson | $ 25.00 | Millinocket | ||
| 12 | 579 | Mike Delong | $ 50.00 | Millinocket | ||
| 13 | 1381 | Laura York | $ 50.00 | Bangor | ||
| 14 | 786 | Tim Brown | $ 100.00 | Rockland | ||
| 15 | 221 | Karen Dennehy | $ 25.00 | Bidd-Saco | ||
| 16 | 1706 | Elaine Strout | $ 25.00 | Bangor | ||
| 17 | 1415 | Debbie LoGiudice | $ 25.00 | Bangor | ||
| 18 | 587 | Jackie Dempsey | $ 25.00 | Millinocket | ||
| 19 | 1108 | Alyssa O'Brien | $ 50.00 | Wells | ||
| 20 | 344 | Krystal Jordan | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth | ||
| 21 | 137 | Anna Varlan | $ 25.00 | Bath | ||
| 22 | 1373 | Tracy Trecartin | $ 25.00 | Bangor | ||
| 23 | 1494 | Lorrie Parady | $ 25.00 | Augusta | ||
| 24 | 1207 | Nicole Boutin | $ 25.00 | Ellsworth | ||
| 25 | 584 | Jill Parrett | $ 25.00 | Millinocket | ||
| 26 | 1203 | Stephan Boutin | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth | ||
| 27 | 140 | Julie Campbell | $ 50.00 | Bath | ||
| 28 | 791 | Adam Lowe | $ 25.00 | Rockland | ||
| 29 | 820 | Candi Tower | $ 25.00 | Rockland | ||
| 30 | 139 | Laura & Jen Campbell | $ 25.00 | Bath | ||
| 31 | 1377 | Shron Pouliot | $ 25.00 | Bangor |
PRESQUE ISLE ELKS JUNIOR GOLF COMPLETES TENTH SUCCESSFUL SEASON
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the Presque Isle Elks Junior Golf Program at the Presque Isle Country Club celebrated its tenth successful season with an awards banquet catered by Northern Maine Catering at the golf clubhouse.
The 2024 season began on June 2, 2024. Every Friday thereafter, youth in the program received free golf instruction from Matthew Madore, the pro at the Presque Isle Country Club. On every Sunday thereafter, weather permitting, the junior golfers
engaged in competition mentored by Presque Isle Country Club pros and parent golfers.
According to Matthew Madore, the young golfers in his program exhibited exemplary motivation to improve their golf skills, which was evident on the final Sunday of golf competition.
Madore, who is also the coach of the Presque Isle Golf Team, said, “The Presque Isle Elks Junior Golf Program has been an incredibly effective recruiting tool for the high school golf team. The success of the Presque Isle High School golf team as state champions in 2023 is irrefutable evidence of that.”
Matthew Madore has been assisted in the Junior Golf Program by his father, Barry 
Madore, who originated the Elks Junior Golf program at the Presque Isle Country Club.
The President and First Lady attend a Brunswick Prom
On Saturday, October 26, Denise and I visited the Brunswick Lodge. Unfortunately, E.R. Mike Cronin couldn’t attend due to recent surgery, however he organized a team to do a fantastic job.
Brunswick planned a prom-themed event, and we all dressed in our finest formal attire. Before dinner, we met some Lodge members in the club room. PDDGER Rod Bauer gave me a tour of the building, which, though not originally built as an Elk Lodge, boasts a fascinating history. The Lodge’s significant role in the community was evident in the club room, where they had collected candy for children, created a wish list for veterans, and displayed examples of their many good deeds.
The meal was excellent, and as is typical at Lodges, there was more food than we could eat. Pam and her team truly outdid themselves. The music was fantastic, and the DJ, who was likely not even born at our first prom, kept us entertained. We danced, chatted, and had a genuinely great time. We concluded the evening with the 11th-hour toast, and Dick and his wife chauffeured us back to the hotel.
The hotel itself was a real treat. Built around the structure of an old sea captain’s home, it was rich in history and elegantly designed. Our next visit will be to Bangor on the 9th, but before that, expect a report on the Grand Exalted Ruler’s visit.
With the New Year comes Ritual Season!
All Maine Elks:
On Sunday October 27, 2024, there will be a Ritual Clinic at the Waterville #905 lodge at 9 a.m. The Clinic will be presented by Grand Lodge Ritual Chairman Bruce Brunelle.
All areas of our initiatory Ritual will be explored and discussed. As the Toast & Flag Presentation are part of the initiatory ritual those contests will be covered as well.
Certifications for floor, word and computer judges will be offered. Any member of the order can certify as word or computer judge and Past Exalted Rulers and Exalted Rulers can take first & final approvals for floor judge certification. Information on
coaching and officer aids will be reviewed. Lunch will be at noon followed by a live performance by the Waterville officers for the judging test. Word and computer certification will also be presented.
All certified judges whose certification expires this year should make plans to attend this clinic for recertification. This will be the only clinic offered in Maine this lodge year for Grand Lodge Certification.
Please contact me as to how many members of your lodge will be in attendance so they may plan for lunch accordingly.
Fraternally,
Frank L Ricker, PSP, PDDGER
Ritual Chairman, Maine Elks Association
DOWNLOAD THIS LETTER to Post in your Lodge DOWNLOAD the Ritual Contest Package
Update to Mike’s Sanford Visit Post
The first evening of Denise and my visit to the Sanford lodge we were hosted by Andy and Trish Bowles, but I couldn’t help but notice a glaring shortcoming in the composition of their barware, mainly that Andy’s pint glasses were only adorned with the emblem of the Red Sox.
Consequently, during our fall
Association meeting in Farmingtion I took the opportunity to supplement their bar with a couple of glasses adorned with the logo of the more successful NY franchise.
Many thanks again to you both for your hospitality!